Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest
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Turtle Watching Night Tour at Playa Minas, Costa RicaYou’ll get to see wild turtles nesting on a quiet Costa Rican beach—sometimes even rare leatherbacks—guided by locals who know exactly where to look. It’s peaceful, real, and something you won’t forget.
Private Sunset Snorkeling & Fishing Charter: Costa Rica Open BarA private yacht charter in Costa Rica where you snorkel, fish and swim during a four-hour sunset sail with a captain and crew aboard. The boat holds up to 20 guests, includes snorkeling and fishing gear, a full open bar, lunch and snacks. You choose the departure time and which beaches or islands to visit from options around Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Playas del Coco and nearby coastlines.Is it for me?Book this charter if you want to control the day — the boat, the timing, the destination and who's on board. A private yacht means no strangers, no fixed itinerary and no compromise on where the captain takes you or how long you stay at each stop.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure: Hike Guanacaste Rope DescentLa Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is a three-hour guided group tour in Guanacaste near Rincon de la Vieja Volcano where you hike two kilometers through forest, cross streams, scale ladders, and descend by rope into a cave to swim at the base of the waterfall. The tour runs with up to twenty people per group, includes dry bags and life jackets, and requires closed-toe shoes with good grip and moderate physical fitness. Children are welcome from age eight; guides lead in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this one if you want a waterfall swim that is not just a walk-up—the rope descent into the cave is what makes this hike an adventure rather than a scenic stroll, and it is the moment most people remember.
Private ATV Adventure Tamarindo: Ride Wild TerrainA private two-hour ATV adventure in Tamarindo puts you on a Yamaha four-wheeler over rocks, gravel, rivers and sand on a circular route through hidden trails and multiple towns. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the ride, and hotel pickup is included. The route suits both experienced riders and newcomers.Is it for me?Choose the two-hour private tour if you want to set your own pace on hidden trails and river crossings with a guide who adjusts to your comfort; pick the full-day Ocean to Ski option if you'd rather combine ATV riding with other activities in one outing.
Guanacaste Airport Transfer: Private Ride from Hotel to LIRYou’ll get picked up right from your hotel in Guanacaste by a local driver who knows these roads by heart. Relax in a clean private vehicle with all insurances covered as you head straight to Liberia Airport (LIR). Enjoy small moments — maybe a chat or just watching the scenery slip by — before your trip home begins.
Tamarindo Catamaran Cruise: Snorkel, Paddleboard & SunsetA 5.5-hour catamaran cruise from Tamarindo that sails past Marino Las Baulas National Park and stops at the secluded Playa Huevo for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking in turquoise water. The boat carries snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks; a certified crew leads the water activities. Open bar with margaritas, mojitos, Imperial beer and piña coladas; fresh fruit, chips and a chipotle burrito bar with grilled chicken, black beans and guacamole are included. The route passes mangroves and rocky coves where dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles surface near the boat, and you return to Tamarindo Beach for the sunset.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary about the wildlife, the beaches and the water conditions in whichever language works for you. The boat handles everything—gear, food, drinks, safety—so it suits travelers who want to move between snorkeling, paddling and eating without stopping to arrange any of it.
Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Coffee Tour from GuanacasteYou’ll hike through lush rainforest to see Rio Celeste’s surreal blue waterfall, share a local lunch with new friends, spot wild sloths lounging in treetops at a private sanctuary, and catch glimpses of toucans and frogs along easy trails. With hotel pickup included and a guide who brings Costa Rica alive, you’ll leave with muddy shoes—and probably a story or two stuck in your head.
Costa Rica Sloth Rainforest Private Tour & Waterfall SwimStep into Costa Rica’s rainforest where you’ll swim beneath a hidden waterfall, spot sloths and toucans with your guide, taste fresh coffee and chocolate, and share lunch with locals. It’s an easygoing day trip from town that leaves you with muddy shoes and stories you’ll remember long after the trip.
Playas del Coco: Catamaran Snorkeling & Sunset Sail with LunchYou board a spacious catamaran at 1:30 pm from Playas del Coco's boardwalk, sail 4.5 hours along the Gold Coast watching for marine life, snorkel in a protected bay, eat grilled chicken with unlimited drinks, and return as the sun sets. Ground transport to the dock is on you, but everything else — gear, food, drinks — is covered.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full afternoon on the water without arranging snorkel gear, food, or drinks separately — the catamaran's open bar and included lunch mean you show up and the rest is handled. Just arrange your own ride to the boardwalk in Playas del Coco.
Costa Rica: ATV Beach Ride & Playa Rajada Swim from DreamsYou’ll feel Costa Rica under your skin on this ATV tour from Dreams Las Mareas — riding rough trails with Fidel, stopping for fresh ceviche in El Jobo, swimming at Playa Rajada, and catching glimpses of wildlife along the way. Expect laughter, honest flavors, and moments you’ll keep replaying long after you’ve rinsed off the sand.
Guanacaste: Catamaran Snorkel Cruise & Pacific Sunset SailYou’ll step barefoot into Guanacaste’s surf to board your catamaran, sail along the Pacific coast with an open bar and snacks, snorkel a quiet bay with included gear, and watch for dolphins or turtles before drifting beneath a wild Costa Rican sunset. Expect small surprises—and maybe a moment you’ll want to remember later.
Guanacaste: ATV Beach, River & Forest Adventure with PickupYou’ll ride ATVs through Guanacaste’s wild dry forest and splash across rivers before rolling onto quiet Pacific beaches—sometimes with only monkeys for company. Expect fresh fruit breaks, stories from your local guide, and views you might dream about later.
Tamarindo Bar Crawl: VIP Entry, Shots & Games Nightlife TourYou’ll jump right into Tamarindo’s nightlife with VIP entry to lively bars and clubs, welcome shots to break the ice, fun games that get strangers laughing together, and unlimited shots between stops thanks to Mr.Shots. Expect sticky floors, new friends from everywhere, and moments you’ll remember long after your voice is gone.
ATV Riding Tamarindo: Secret Beaches and Mountain TrailsATV riding in Tamarindo combines two hours of fully automatic machine operation on jungle paths and hidden beaches, with a live guide in English or Spanish, roundtrip pickup from Tamarindo and Lobster, and stops to swim or rest at white-sand coves. Children from age 1 are welcome; the ride suits all fitness levels but is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose based on which language you're comfortable following for two hours on the trail. Families with children from age 1 can join, though very young riders will share a machine with an adult rather than operate their own.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Pickup & Drop-offYou land at Liberia, contact the office via airport WiFi, and your private driver meets you with a name sign. The van includes AC, WiFi, and a 35-minute comfort stop; if your flight is delayed over two hours, the pickup adjusts at no extra cost. Round-trip service is quoted for four passengers, with bilingual drivers available subject to availability and free wait time up to two hours for flight delays.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi line and arrive without arranging transport yourself — the driver meets you at arrivals, handles delays at no extra cost, and you're driven directly to your hotel or resort with no other stops in between.
Liberia Airport - Guanacaste: Private transfer with driverYou’ll step out of Liberia or San Jose Airport into Costa Rica’s lush air and find your private driver waiting for you. Enjoy a smooth ride through Guanacaste’s countryside with bottled water and local tips along the way. With hotel pickup and drop-off included both ways, you can settle in and soak up those first moments — the kind you’ll remember long after the trip.
Costa Rica: Barigona Beach Horseback Ride & Wildlife SafariYou’ll ride horseback with a local guide through Costa Rica’s forests and rivers to reach deserted Barigona Beach. Expect fresh ocean air, wildlife sightings, a riverside snack break, and plenty of laughter along the way. If you’ve ever wanted to feel alone with nature (but not lost), this is your day.
Snorkeling in Samara: Dolphin watching and reef explorationA half-day snorkeling activity in Samara where you board a boat to watch for bottlenose and spotted dolphins in their natural habitat, then spend time exploring the underwater reef on your own with provided snorkeling gear. The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide who speaks English or Spanish, and snacks and beverages. Humpback whales pass through the area between August and November and again starting in January, so sightings are possible during those months.Is it for me?You're snorkeling with a guide and a shared group, which means the boat, the dolphin spotting and the route are all arranged—you show up and focus on the water instead of managing logistics. Pick this if you want to see dolphins and reef life in one morning without renting your own boat or planning the stops yourself.
Rio Celeste & Sloth Watching: Rainforest Hike & WaterfallA guided rainforest tour from Liberia that combines hiking to Rio Celeste waterfall, live wildlife watching (sloths, toucans, poison frogs), and a swim at Llanos de Cortés waterfall, all in one eight- to ten-hour day. A bilingual guide leads the route, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and hotel pickup. Children from age one are welcome; moderate fitness helps with the hiking sections.Is it for me?Most rainforest tours from Liberia stick to one waterfall or one wildlife spot. This one combines Rio Celeste's hike and sloths with a second waterfall you can actually swim in, so you get the jungle immersion and the water time in a single day without splitting your time between two separate tours.
Costa Rica: Private River Wildlife Tour & Local LunchYou’ll float quietly through Costa Rica’s tropical dry forest on a private river tour, spotting monkeys and crocodiles with your guide before sharing lunch at a local family’s home. Watch pottery being shaped by hand and soak up real-life moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
