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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Monteverde Birdwatching Tour: Quetzal & Endemic SpeciesA 5-hour birdwatching tour in Monteverde with a certified, passionate guide who knows where the Resplendent Quetzals and endemic species hide across the cloudforest and other local ecosystems. The guide speaks English or Spanish, brings a spotting scope, and moves through different spots in the area to maximize sightings. Suitable for all fitness levels; infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat.Is it for me?The 5-hour commitment leaves your morning or afternoon free depending on when you depart, so you can combine it with other activities in the area without building your whole day around birdwatching alone. Choose this tour if you want a guide who knows exactly where the endemic species congregate rather than hiking randomly through the forest hoping to find them.
Monteverde: Sky Walk, Tram & Zipline Combo 5-Hour TourYou walk suspension bridges through the cloud forest with a guide, ride a gondola for panoramic views of volcanoes and plains, then zipline 2.5 miles across the canopy at speeds up to 40 mph. Hotel pickup and small-group format (max 15 guests) mean you're not arranging transport or navigating crowds. The whole experience runs five hours.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to experience the cloud forest three different ways without arranging your own transport or timing—the fixed five-hour schedule and included pickup mean you show up and move through all three activities in sequence.
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: Small Groups, All LevelsSALT Surf As Life Therapy offers two-hour surf lessons in Tamarindo for all skill levels, from brand new to intermediate, with personalized instruction and a low student-to-instructor ratio. Lessons begin with 20 minutes of pre-surf coaching on safety, technique and mindset, then move into the water to practice waves during optimal tides. Instructors speak English and Spanish; children as young as 4 are welcome, though kids 8 and under require a private lesson for safety. You choose between group, semi-private or private instruction at checkout.Is it for me?Book a group or semi-private lesson if you want to build skills alongside other surfers and keep the cost down; choose private instruction if your child is 8 or under, or if you want one-on-one coaching to move faster through the fundamentals.
Tamarindo: Turtle Nesting Tour on Hidden BeachYou drive forty minutes from Tamarindo to a car-free beach, walk in darkness following turtle tracks, and sit behind nesting sea turtles for about an hour while they lay eggs—all under strict conservation rules that keep the turtles calm. Pickup, flashlight, water and snacks included. Small groups only, minimum two bookings.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Tamarindo who want to witness sea turtle nesting without the crowds or artificial light of developed beaches. Expect an evening commitment of about three hours total, with a 40-minute drive each way and a 10–15 minute walk on sand—that isolation is what keeps the beach dark enough for the turtles to come ashore.
Cooking Class in Nosara: Learn Costa Rican Food on Wood FireA two-hour cooking class in Nosara where you learn traditional Costa Rican techniques from a local chef, cooking everything on a wood-fired fogón with fresh ingredients. Lunch and natural juice are included; vegetarian options are available on request. Instruction is offered in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cook rather than watch, and if working over a wood fire instead of a standard stove appeals to you. Small-group classes mean you get direct attention from the chef without the pace of a large tour.
Costa Rica Zipline: Nativo Jungle Adventure & Tarzan SwingYou’ll soar above Costa Rica’s lush Nativo jungle on six ziplines plus a wild Tarzan swing—with a local guide making sure you’re safe (and laughing). Expect fresh tropical fruit breaks, real stories from your guide, and moments when time slows down mid-air. If you want to feel alive—and maybe just a little ridiculous—this is your day.
La Fortuna: Night Wildlife Walk & Frogs at Ecocentro DanausYou’ll walk into the rainforest at dusk with a local guide who knows every sound by heart—spotting frogs, sloths, bats and more as darkness falls in La Fortuna. Expect muddy shoes, laughter over flashlight fumbles, and moments when you forget to take photos because you’re just watching life happen right there. Includes flashlights, water refill (bring your own bottle), and a day pass for another visit.
Jacó: Rainforest Aerial Tram & Zipline with GardensYou’ll ride an aerial tram up through Jacó’s lush rainforest, spot wildlife with a local guide, then soar down ten zip lines above the canopy with ocean views and cool breezes. Afterward, unwind among butterflies and learn about medicinal plants before heading back — it’s equal parts thrill and quiet beauty.
Quepos: Chocolate, Coffee & Sugarcane Mill TourYou spend two hours learning how cacao, coffee, and sugarcane become finished products in Costa Rica, with tastings at each stop and a working sugar mill demonstration. The tour includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, entrance fees, and specialty coffee or tea. There's no lunch, so you're sampling rather than eating a full meal, which keeps the pace moving and the cost down.Is it for me?This works well if you want to understand how Costa Rican cacao, coffee, and sugarcane actually become finished products without committing to a long meal — the 2-hour format and tasting-focused approach fit a half-day schedule, and the included transport means you don't need to arrange your own way out to the plantations.
La Fortuna: Zipline, Rappel & Horseback Tour with Maleku VisitYou’ll feel your heart race on ziplines above La Fortuna’s rainforest canopy, steady yourself for an 80-meter waterfall rappel, then slow down with horseback riding past local homes. Meet Maleku villagers and share stories before relaxing over Costa Rican food—all with easy hotel pickup and friendly guides.
Costa Rica cooking class: Traditional dishes with Doña ChelaA hands-on cooking class in Costa Rica where you learn to prepare traditional dishes—rice, beans, salad, picadillo and tortillas—in a wood-fired kitchen using garden ingredients, then sit down to eat what you've made. The class runs two hours with a guide in English or Spanish, and children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the instruction comfortably and ask questions as you cook.
Jaco Horseback Riding: 2-Hour Ranch & Jungle AdventureA 2-hour horseback riding adventure in Jaco pairs you with a horse matched to your ability and takes you through open pasture and into lush beach jungle. The guide briefs you on safety and riding basics, then leads the group to spot sloths, white-faced monkeys, scarlet macaws and other wildlife. Helmets, water and pickup are included; children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?You ride alongside the guide rather than watch a demonstration, so this suits anyone who wants to be in the saddle for the full 2 hours—whether you've ridden before or are trying it for the first time. The guide handles the route and the pace, which means you focus on the ride and the wildlife instead of navigating or managing a group.
Monteverde: Canopy Zipline & Hanging Bridges 3-HourYou'll strap into a harness, walk across eight hanging bridges suspended 60 to 180 meters above the cloud forest, and zipline down 13 different cables between 19 platforms. A bilingual guide leads you through the 3-kilometer route, and you can add the optional Tarzan Swing if you want. The whole adventure takes three hours, with morning or afternoon departures to fit your schedule.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to experience the Monteverde canopy without arranging your own transport or timing the stops yourself; the fixed three-hour window and included guide mean you show up and the day is structured for you.
Tamarindo to Puerto Viejo: ATV Jungle Ride & Beach TourYou’ll ride an ATV straight from Tamarindo into Costa Rica’s wild side—dry forest turns to jungle, river crossings get your heart racing (and your shoes soaked), and monkeys chatter overhead as you follow a local guide toward Puerto Viejo beach. Expect mud, laughter, unexpected animal encounters, and that feeling of freedom only open trails can give.
Costa Rica: Volcano, Waterfalls, Zipline & Hot Springs Day TripYou’ll start early from San Jose with hotel pickup before heading into Costa Rica’s lush volcanic mountains for coffee tasting among birds and waterfalls. Zipline above rainforest canopy near Arenal Volcano, meet members of the Maleku tribe, then soak in mineral-rich hot springs as dusk falls. The day is packed yet never rushed—you’ll remember how it felt long after you return.
Monteverde: Night Tour with Vision Goggles & Wildlife GuideYou’ll slip on night vision goggles and step into Monteverde’s cloud forest after dark, guided by a local wildlife expert in a small group. Watch sloths and frogs up close, taste homemade Costa Rican sweets under the trees, and catch glimpses of glowing fungi—all while hearing the real nighttime sounds of the forest around you.
Tamarindo: ATV Beach Trails to Playa Piratas & MinasYou’ll ride ATVs from Tamarindo with a local guide, crossing rivers and winding through small villages before reaching quiet beaches like Playa Piratas and Minas. Expect wildlife sightings—maybe monkeys or iguanas—and plenty of time to soak up sun or just listen to waves. Cold water and showers are waiting when you return, but you might still carry that wild feeling home.
Tamarindo: La Leona Waterfall Hike & Canyon SwimmingYou hike two hours through volcanic canyons and river crossings to reach a waterfall hidden between the rock walls. The tour includes air-conditioned transport from your hotel and bottled water; lunch in Liberia is separate. Expect steady climbing and wading, not technical climbing—moderate fitness and closed shoes required.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying near Tamarindo or Liberia who want a real jungle hike without arranging transport. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out—the two-hour hike is steady and involves water crossings, so moderate fitness and closed shoes are essential.
Jaco to Isla Tortuga: Small Group Safari, Monkeys & Beach LunchYou’ll cross the Tarcoles River bridge to spot crocodiles up close, watch spider monkeys leap through Negritos Island’s trees with your guide sharing their stories, then relax on Tortuga Island’s quieter sands for snorkeling and a fresh-cooked lunch. Expect laughter, salty air, and moments that linger long after you’ve rinsed off the sand.
Manuel Antonio Mangrove Kayak Tour & Wildlife EncountersYou’ll glide by kayak through Manuel Antonio’s lush mangroves with a local guide who knows every twist of the river. Spot sloths or kingfishers overhead, pause for fresh fruit under tangled roots, and soak up that rare quiet you only find on water. Pickup from Quepos keeps things easy — just bring your curiosity.
