Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest
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Palo Verde Boat Safari & Blue Zone Culture Tour Costa RicaYou’ll spot monkeys and crocodiles on a peaceful river safari in Palo Verde National Park, then get hands-on with Costa Rican cooking and pottery in the heart of Blue Zone country. It’s a real mix of wild nature and local flavor—perfect if you want more than just sightseeing.
Kayaking and Snorkeling to Capitan Island, TamarindoKayak and snorkel trip from Tamarindo to Capitan Island, the only island within Las Baulas National Park, created by volcanic eruption. You paddle across open ocean for about 25 minutes, land on white sand, explore lava fields and rock formations, walk through tide pools to see sea urchins and starfish, then snorkel at a couple of stops in the surrounding clear water. The trip runs three hours total, includes all equipment, a guide in English or Spanish, water and snacks, and meets on Playa Tamarindo in front of El Chiringuito Restaurant.Is it for me?The paddle across open ocean takes about 25 minutes each way and you spend three hours total on the water and island, so this suits an afternoon when you're comfortable with moderate paddling and want to move between snorkeling stops rather than stay in one place. Infants ride on an adult's lap, and children from age 3 can join, though the trip isn't recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.
Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: Direct TransferYou arrive at Liberia Airport, find your driver by name sign, and ride in an air-conditioned van to your Guanacaste hotel. The driver is bilingual and can answer questions about the area and activities. Duration depends on your hotel's location and traffic. No meals included, but pickup and transport are handled without negotiation.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Liberia and want to skip the taxi negotiation — the driver meets you by name, the price is set, and you're in an air-conditioned vehicle heading to your hotel without arranging anything else.
ATV and Zipline Tour from Tamarindo: 7 cables and forest trailsA 3.5-hour ATV and zipline tour from Tamarindo combines off-road riding through tropical forest and mountain back roads with a canopy tour of 7 cables, 2 suspension bridges and a tree climb. The guide, hotel pickup from Tamarindo or Flamingo, helmet, safety gear, water and fresh tropical fruit are included. Suitable for ages 4 and up, though only riders 16 and older can operate the ATVs; younger children ride as passengers.Is it for me?Book the single-driver option if you want to control the ATV yourself and have the freedom to set your own pace through the forest; choose the driver-with-passenger option if you'd rather ride as a passenger and focus on the scenery and the zipline course without managing the ATV.
Liberia Airport - Dreams Las Mareas: Private Transfer + MeetYou’ll step off your flight in Liberia and find your driver waiting with a smile and cold water ready. Settle into an air-conditioned ride straight to Dreams Las Mareas, with a chance to stop along the way if you want. With everything handled by locals who know every turn, you’ll start relaxing before you even reach the resort — it’s a feeling that sticks with you.
Tamarindo Ziplining Tour: ATV Rainforest & Canopy CablesAn ATV and canopy zipline activity in Tamarindo combines a guided ride through rainforest and rivers on four-wheeler with zip-line cables up to 500 meters long strung between the trees. Hotel pickup from the Tamarindo area is included, along with a professional guide, helmet and bottled water; children from age 6 can participate, though only riders 16 and older can operate the ATV. The maximum weight limit is 260 pounds.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride terrain and operate an ATV yourself rather than watch from a vehicle, and if you're comfortable with river crossings and getting muddy. The ATV portion is what gets you to the ziplines, so the two activities are one experience, not separate stops.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Car & WiFiYou get picked up at Liberia Airport by a dedicated driver at your scheduled time, travel in a private car with WiFi, and arrive at your destination without managing transport logistics yourself. The service is wheelchair accessible and includes specialized seating for infants. Fixed pricing means no negotiation at the curb.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi negotiation and bus-schedule hunting after landing—the driver meets you on time, the price doesn't change, and you arrive without managing the logistics yourself.
Nosara: ATV Waterfall Adventure & Organic Coffee Farm LunchYou’ll ride an ATV through Nosara’s wild hills with a local guide, swim beneath hidden jungle waterfalls, then visit a family-run organic coffee farm for fresh brews and homemade lunch overlooking the coast. Expect muddy shoes, laughter with locals, and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.
Costa Rica: ATV Beach Ride & Village Trails with Local GuideYou’ll ride an ATV along Costa Rica’s beaches and dirt trails with a local guide, passing through colorful villages and spotting monkeys or birds overhead. Expect sandy hands, salty air, and plenty of chances to stop for photos at Playa Flamingo. This tour includes helmets and all safety gear so you can focus on soaking up every bumpy minute.
Playa Flamingo: Canopy Zip Lines, Hot Springs & Sugar Mill TourYou zip-line across the rainforest canopy, slide down a natural waterslide into a pool, tour a working sugar mill and taste fresh Costa Rican coffee, then spend your afternoon in thermal hot springs with mud treatments and saunas. Hotel pickup, lunch, and a professional guide are included, and the day ends with a return to your hotel.Is it for me?Book this if you want to pack Costa Rica's main experiences—adventure, culture, and relaxation—into a single day without arranging transport, timing activities separately, or deciding what to do next; the fixed itinerary handles all of it, and the small group size keeps each stop from feeling rushed.
Guanacaste Buggy Tour & Sloth Sanctuary Day TripYou’ll ride off-road buggies through Guanacaste’s rugged mountains with a local guide, visit Costa Rica’s largest sloth sanctuary to meet rescued wildlife, and cool off with swims at three unique beaches. Expect muddy shoes, laughter, and moments of quiet awe you’ll remember long after the trip.
Tamarindo: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Game & Local SurprisesYou’ll wander Tamarindo solving playful riddles at your own pace, with seven days to explore hidden murals and meet locals along the way. Expect spontaneous moments—like arranging seashells or catching live music—and unlock special discounts through your scavenger hunt app. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s letting Tamarindo surprise you.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in Costa RicaKayak or stand-up paddle board down a river through mangrove areas in Costa Rica, visiting the Ostional Turtle nesting grounds where you'll learn why they matter. A guide explains the ecosystem along the way; refreshments and fresh local fruit are provided, and the paddle takes roughly two hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to paddle yourself in a small guided group rather than watch from a boat, and you're comfortable with a hands-on experience in tidal waters.
Playa Hermosa: Private UTV Buggy Tour & Beach TrailsYou drive your own UTV through jungle trails, river crossings, and coastal backroads in Guanacaste with a local guide leading the way. Hotel pickup is included, groups stay small (four per vehicle), and you get a helmet and real insights about wildlife and local life. Expect to finish muddy and wet, so pack a change of clothes. Drivers need a valid license and must be at least 16; passengers can be as young as five.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to drive their own vehicle through real backcountry rather than sit in a van, and for groups of friends or families who want to stay together—the four-person limit per UTV keeps it intimate and means you're not waiting for a big tour to assemble.
Palo Verde National Park river safari: Wildlife and lunchA half-day river boat safari through Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica where you navigate the River Tempisque spotting white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, iguanas over one meter long, crocodiles, roseate spoonbills, storks, hawks and macaws. The tour includes a typical lunch prepared on wood stoves, a demonstration of Chorotega handicraft, coffee tasting, and free time in Coco Beach Town. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or French.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided boat tour through protected wetlands where wildlife viewing and a traditional lunch are bundled together, rather than booking activities separately.
Kayaking and snorkeling tour Tamarindo: Paddle to Captain IslandA 2.5-hour kayaking and snorkeling activity in Tamarindo where you paddle your own single or double kayak from the beach to Captain Island, then snorkel the waters around it with a bilingual guide. The tour includes a 20-minute kayak lesson if you need one, snorkeling gear, water and snacks, with pickup and drop-off in the Tamarindo/Langosta area. Departure time shifts with the tide and will be confirmed after booking.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the whole paddle and snorkel comfortably in whichever language you prefer. This tour suits anyone with moderate fitness who can paddle for 30–40 minutes and spend 45 minutes in the water, and it works well for small groups or families who want to move at their own pace without a large tour boat.
Palo Verde: Wildlife Boat Tour & Local Lunch with PickupYou’ll glide through Palo Verde’s wetlands by boat with a local guide who knows every bird call and hidden croc. Spot monkeys and rare birds up close before sharing a rustic Costa Rican lunch with your group. Includes hotel pickup—expect real wildlife moments and warm local flavors along the way.
See Sloths & Blue River Waterfall in Costa RicaYou’ll swim under a hidden waterfall, hike to a surreal blue river, and spot wild sloths—all in one day. It’s a real taste of Costa Rica’s wild side, with local guides who know every shortcut and secret spot.
Airport to JW Marriott Guanacaste: Private car, no waitingYou land at Liberia, your driver meets you at arrivals with a sign, and you're driven directly to the JW Marriott Guanacaste in an air-conditioned vehicle with a vaccinated driver. The price is fixed before you arrive, infant seats are available, and you skip the taxi negotiation entirely. No surprises, no waiting — just a smooth handoff from airport to resort.Is it for me?Worth booking if you land at Liberia without a rental car or want to skip the taxi negotiation — the driver meets you at arrivals and the price is set, so ground transport stops being a problem the moment you step outside.
Guanacaste Airport - Planet Hollywood: Private transferYou’ll skip airport stress with a private transfer from Guanacaste Airport to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort. Your local driver meets you right outside arrivals with your name on a sign, offers chilled water, and handles all logistics—even infant seats if you need them. It’s quiet, comfortable, and gives you a first taste of Costa Rica’s warmth—something you’ll remember long after arrival.
