Things to do in Costa Rica
Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna27 optionsLa Fortuna Zipline22 optionsTortuga Island Tours19 optionsNight Tour La Fortuna16 optionsZiplining10 optionsATV Tour La Fortuna6 optionsHiking La Fortuna66 optionsChocolate Tour La Fortuna18 optionsCanyoning La Fortuna56 optionsTamarindo Snorkeling Tour14 optionsHorseback Riding La Fortuna11 optionsTortuguero National Park Tours14 options
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La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot Springs RiverYou’ll walk rainforest paths around Arenal Volcano with a local guide sharing stories along the way, pause for photos by a jade-green lagoon, enjoy a homemade Costa Rican lunch in good company, then unwind in the warm flow of Choyin hot springs river before heading back to town—a day full of color, laughter, and quiet moments you might not expect.
Jaco: Snorkeling at Playa Fantasia & Beach WildlifeYou board a 50-foot catamaran in Jaco and travel to a wildlife reserve beach accessible only by water. Snorkel among tropical fish, rays and occasional turtles, or paddle board and play volleyball on the sand while macaws and monkeys move through the jungle above. Lunch, drinks and all equipment are included, with hotel pickup and drop-off handled.Is it for me?Right for snorkelers and non-snorkelers alike who want a full day on the water without arranging their own transport — the catamaran and beach are only reachable by boat, which is what keeps the wildlife and the quiet intact. Plan for sun exposure most of the day and a moderate level of fitness for boarding the tender and swimming.
Arenal Volcano hike & hot springs in La Fortuna: Afternoon tourThis afternoon tour in La Fortuna combines a guided hike around the base of Arenal Volcano with time soaking in a natural hot springs river. A bilingual guide leads you through rainforest trails on the volcano's west side, sharing its history and pointing out wildlife—tropical birds, monkeys and other creatures—before you unwind in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Hotel pickup and drop-off within 6km of La Fortuna Central Park are included; the tour runs 3 to 4 hours and requires moderate physical fitness.Is it for me?The afternoon timing and the guide's knowledge of the volcano's history and wildlife are what set this apart from soaking alone—you get the context and the movement before the soak, so the contrast between the two halves is what makes it work. Book this if you want real hiking followed by genuine relaxation, not a resort experience.
Playa Sámara: Family Surf Lessons & Free Board RentalYou’ll jump right into Playa Sámara’s surf scene with friendly local instructors guiding you through every wobbly stand-up and salty splash. Lessons are tailored for all ages and skill levels—rashguards included—and after class you can keep your board to practice as long as you like. Expect laughter, real encouragement, and plenty of sun-kissed moments that linger after you’ve left the sand.
Manuel Antonio: Savegre River Rafting & Local Lunch PickupYou’ll paddle down the lively Savegre River with local guides from Manuel Antonio, feel the thrill of rapids and calm stretches alike, snack on fresh fruit by a waterfall, then share a hearty Costa Rican lunch with your crew. Expect laughter, teamwork, and small surprises that stick with you long after you dry off.
Manuel Antonio Park: Wildlife Tour & Beach with TelescopeYou get a certified naturalist guide for two hours of wildlife spotting in Manuel Antonio National Park, a high-definition telescope for close-up animal viewing, and access to the park's beach afterward. Park entry is included and pre-arranged, so you skip the entrance queue and walk straight in. The guide handles the search; you handle the camera.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Manuel Antonio's wildlife without arranging your own transport, buying a separate park ticket, or wondering where to look — the guide and the scope do the work, and the included entry means you walk straight in.
Arenal: Lost Canyon Canyoning Tour with Waterfall Rappels & LunchYou’ll feel your heart race as you rappel down Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls in the Lost Canyon near Arenal. Expect laughter with your local guide, hikes through thick rainforest, and a fresh buffet lunch at base camp. With hotel pickup included and plenty of wild moments along the way, this canyoning day trip is about finding courage—and maybe new friends—in unexpected places.
Monteverde Zipline Tour: 10+ Lines Through Cloud ForestAn extreme zipline canopy tour in Monteverde, Costa Rica, where you ride more than 10 cables strung through the cloud forest, including a 1-kilometer Superman-style line and the country's only underground zip. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours with a professional guide in English or Spanish, helmet, and local taxes included. Children from age 6 can join with an adult.Is it for me?The 2 to 3 hour commitment means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon and still have time for other Monteverde activities — the cloud forest hikes, the hanging bridges, or a visit to the reserve. If you want the extreme sensation without spending your whole day on one activity, this tour delivers it in a concentrated window.
Rincón de la Vieja: Zipline, Tubing, Horseback & Hot Springs DayYou’ll fly above canyons on ziplines, bounce down Rio Negro rapids in a tube (expect some splashes), ride horses through rainforest trails to waterfalls, and finally unwind in steamy volcanic hot springs with lunch included. It’s an active day at Rincón de la Vieja that leaves you tired in the best way.
Rafting Class II-III and Ziplining in La FortunaZiplining and white water rafting combined in La Fortuna: you climb an 18-meter tower to fly across seven cables—the longest stretching 980 meters above La Fortuna Waterfall—then paddle Class II-III rapids on the Balsa River. The day runs nine hours total, includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, all equipment, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels, and fresh fruit on the river. Minimum age is 8; children must be accompanied by an adult. Weight and gear-fit limits apply (max 260 pounds, waist under 46 inches, leg under 33 inches). You will get wet; dress in a bathing suit and shoes that stay on your feet.Is it for me?Book this if you want to combine ziplining and rafting in a single day—you'll spend nine hours moving between both activities with a small shared group, so pace your energy accordingly.
Playa Flamingo: Rainforest Wildlife & Coffee Making TourYou're picked up at your hotel and driven into the Bijagua rainforest, where a guide shows you sloths (guaranteed), frogs, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. You'll roast and grind your own coffee and chocolate, eat a traditional casado lunch, and swim at Llanos del Cortes waterfall if the season allows. Everything — transport, lunch, water, towels — is included, and you're back at your hotel by afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa Flamingo who want wildlife and culture in one morning or afternoon without arranging separate transport or meals. The two-hour-plus drive is part of reaching the closest rainforest, which is what makes the sloth guarantee possible.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: Sky Tram & Hanging BridgesA full-day guided tour from San Jose to Monteverde combines a Sky Tram gondola ride over the cloud forest canopy with a hike across the Sky Walk hanging bridges, where you observe monkeys, birds and rare species from above and below. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and a bilingual guide are included; the 13-hour day starts with stops at a tropical fruit stand and a monkey observation site on the drive up.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in San Jose without a rental car — the pickup from your hotel and the fixed schedule mean you don't need to arrange transport or navigate the mountain roads yourself. The 13-hour day is built around the drive time, so the full experience fits into a single outing from the city.
Jaco Jungle Adventure: Horseback, Zipline, Rappel & ATVYou spend a full day moving through 850 acres of Jaco jungle on five different activities: horseback riding, tractor tour, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, and ATV riding. A professional English-speaking guide leads the group past nesting macaws and monkey troops, and lunch is included midday. Everything you need—gear, instruction, water—comes with the price, so you show up and the day is already planned.Is it for me?This works if you want to pack multiple jungle activities into one day without booking separate tours and coordinating timing yourself—the five-in-one format is what makes a full itinerary possible in a single outing.
Playa Flamingo: Volcano Hike & Hot Springs with Private TransportYou hike through an active volcanic landscape in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, swim at a waterfall, eat lunch, and soak in Rio Negro's natural hot springs — all with private transport and a guide who sets the rhythm. Choose between a full two-hour trail or a shorter half-mile walk through the forest. Transport, lunch, and park fees are included; you're back by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Playa Flamingo who want a full nature day without arranging transport or park logistics themselves. The hike requires moderate fitness; if you're not up for two hours of forest trails, the lite version cuts that to a half-mile walk and keeps everything else intact.
Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: Shell-Sand BeachA 1.5-hour private horseback riding tour along Playa Conchal, where the beach's distinctive white sand is made of crushed shells and the ride passes through patches of tropical dry forest. You explore the shoreline, Pacific Ocean views, and surrounding areas home to howler monkeys, iguanas and exotic birds, with a licensed guide who speaks English or Spanish and matches horses to your riding level.Is it for me?If you speak English or Spanish, the guide's live commentary keeps you oriented and safe throughout the ride. The private format means the pace and the horse adjust to your experience, so whether you're a confident rider or finding your balance, the 1.5 hours stays comfortable.
Manuel Antonio: Jungle Night Walk & Wildlife Photos with PickupYou’ll step into Manuel Antonio’s living night world—guided by locals who know every sound and shadow. Expect up-close views of frogs, snakes, maybe even sloths or kinkajous (if luck’s on your side), plus digiscoped photos taken right through the guide’s lens. Includes hotel pickup and flashlights; just don’t forget your cash for entry.
Sailing Cruise Quepos Manuel Antonio: Dolphins & SnorkelingYou board a wooden sailing ship in Quepos, sail past Manuel Antonio's rainforest, anchor for snorkeling and kayaking with provided gear, eat lunch or dinner on board, and return to the marina. The morning cruise departs early; the sunset cruise lets you watch the light change from the water. No experience needed — the crew handles the sailing.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to sail without arranging your own boat or worrying about navigation — the crew handles both, and the shared format means you pay less than a private charter while still getting the teak decks, the mahogany salon, and the view of Manuel Antonio from the water.
Carara: Guided Nature Walk & Scarlet Macaw Spotting TicketYou’ll walk beneath scarlet macaws in Carara’s shifting rainforest with a local guide who knows every call and rustle. Spot monkeys through a telescope, listen for sudden bursts of birdsong, and feel the difference between wet and dry forest underfoot. Entry ticket is included so you can just show up ready for whatever surprises this place throws at you.
Rincon Nature Day Pass: Hot Springs, Mud & WaterfallThe Nature Day Pass at Rincon is a five-hour tour combining thermal hot springs, volcanic mud baths, river access, a suspension bridge, hiking trails and bird watching, plus a garden-to-table lunch with coffee, juice and local dessert. The pass sits next to Rincón de la Vieja National Park on fully paved roads and includes free parking and a locker. A live guide in English, Spanish or French leads the experience, which suits all fitness levels and welcomes families with children and strollers.Is it for me?Spend your morning and early afternoon moving through thermal waters, mineral mud, river walks, and forest trails—with lunch and a guide included so you can simply be outside.
La Fortuna Canyoning and Rafting Tour: Rapids & WaterfallsCanyoning and rafting activity in La Fortuna combining two adventures: rappel down three waterfalls with professional guides and safety gear, hike back through the jungle, then paddle Class III and IV rapids for roughly two hours on the river. Hotel pickup and drop-off, organic lunch at a working farm, and a walk through the sugarcane process are included; the day runs eight hours total.Is it for me?The day demands sustained physical effort—three waterfall rappels, a jungle hike, and two hours of active paddling through strong rapids—so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable with water and heights. Book this if you want both canyoning and rafting in a single outing rather than choosing one; the combo packs two separate adventures into eight hours without dead time between them.
