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
Sort
San Jose Zipline, ATV & Surfing Tour: Pick 2 ActivitiesThis 10-hour activity from San Jose takes you to Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park in the Central Pacific, where you pick 2 of 5 activities: zipline, ATV, surfing, horseback riding or chocolate experience. Round-trip transport from San Jose, bilingual guide, buffet lunch with drinks and snacks, and entry to the park are included; you must choose your two activities at least 24 hours before departure.Is it for me?Book this if you have a full day and want to sample multiple activities—you choose 2 from zip-lining, horseback riding, ATV, surfing, or chocolate-making, and the guide sequences them so you move straight from one to the next.
Alajuela: Chocolate & Coffee Farm Tour with WaterfallYou’ll walk through real working cacao and coffee fields in Alajuela, taste fruit right off the tree, listen to waterfalls in the forest, and make your own chocolate bar with local guidance. Expect laughter, new flavors (and maybe sticky hands), plus time to slow down and notice all those little details you usually miss.
Arenal Volcano canopy tour with Tarzan Swing: 11 zip lines in La FortunaThe Arenal Ecoglide canopy tour is a zip line activity on the slopes of Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna, where you ride 11 cables across 13 platforms and swing from a 40-meter Tarzan Swing suspended over a forest clearing. The tour uses a double rope system—one for sliding and one for security—and runs about two and a half hours with a bilingual guide, safety equipment, and a complimentary drink at the end. Children from age 3 and adults up to 90 can participate, and the park is fully wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Book this if you want a canopy tour on Arenal's slopes with the double rope system for extra security, and you need a fully accessible experience where children as young as 3 and adults into their 90s can participate together.
Jaco & Tarcoles: Monkey Sanctuary, Crocodile Bridge & Sloth Beach Day TripYou’ll watch capuchin monkeys leap overhead in their sanctuary, spot massive crocodiles along the Tarcoles River (with an optional boat ride), then unwind on a quiet Jaco beach searching for sloths in the trees. With private transport, lunch, and snacks included, it’s a day full of wildlife surprises—and those small moments you’ll remember later.
Lisbon: Surf Lessons for All Levels with Gear & Beach AccessYou’ll paddle out into Lisbon’s Atlantic surf with certified instructors guiding you every step—from your first shaky pop-up on the board to relaxing under an umbrella after your session. All equipment is provided and there’s space to laugh off your wipeouts or just soak up the sun on your own patch of sand.
Tortuga Island Day Trip: Dolphins, Snorkeling & Lunch from PuntarenasYou’ll watch for dolphins in the Gulf of Nicoya with a local guide, try snorkeling near Tortuga Island’s rocky islets, then relax with fresh fruit and lunch right on the sand. Expect laughter, maybe a glimpse of monkeys or old shipwrecks, and plenty of moments where Costa Rica feels very real—warmth on your skin, salt in your hair.
La Leona Waterfall Hike Guanacaste: Cave & River Canyon AdventureYou hike 1.3 miles through forest and cave passages into a river canyon, then swim in turquoise pools beneath La Leona waterfall. The guide meets you at the town bar parking lot, drives you to the trailhead, and leads you through rope sections and water crossings. You get 30 minutes at the waterfall itself, a waterproof bag for your phone, fresh fruit, and a half-day timeline that leaves the afternoon open. Book with at least one other person.Is it for me?Right for hikers with moderate fitness who want more than a waterfall photo — the ropes, caves, and river canyon mean you're actually exploring, not just walking. The fixed half-day schedule and included transport from town make it easy to fit into a day without renting a car or arranging your own logistics.
Puntarenas: 10 in 1 Highlights Tour with Tarcoles River & LunchYou’ll drift down the Tarcoles river spotting crocodiles and birds with a local guide who knows every bend by heart. There’s easy rainforest walks, stops at farmers markets for fruit you’ve never tasted before, and lunch in the mountains with views you might remember longer than any photo.
Arenal Volcano: Guided Hike on Lava Trails & Optional Hot SpringsYou’ll cross ancient lava flows on this Arenal Volcano guided hike with a local expert who knows every story and stone. Walk regenerating forests, spot wildlife, pause for fruit at panoramic viewpoints—and maybe end your day soaking in hot springs if you want. It’s less about rushing and more about feeling what’s changed—and what hasn’t.
Zipline & Hanging Bridges Tour Monteverde Cloud ForestA full-day zipline and hanging bridges tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest combines a guided 1.9-mile walk across eight suspension bridges with an exhilarating 2-mile zipline course through the treetops. Hotel pickup from Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach is included, as are park fees and a live guide in English or Spanish. The tour runs about four hours of activity and operates in all weather; children age 4 and older can zipline, and all ages can walk the bridges.Is it for me?Choose the shared transportation option if you're staying in Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach and want the simplest booking—pickup times are fixed and the guide handles all logistics. Pick private transportation if your hotel is outside the standard pickup zone or if you prefer a dedicated vehicle and guide for your group.
Manuel Antonio: Jungle Night Tour & Rain Boots Small GroupYou’ll step into Manuel Antonio’s jungle at night with a small group and local guide, rain boots and flashlights ready. Expect close-up encounters with frogs, snakes, spiders—even shy mammals if luck’s on your side. The real magic is in those quiet moments when the forest feels alive around you—you’ll remember that feeling long after you leave.
San José Airport to City Hotels: Private Transfer & Meet ServiceYou’ll step off your flight in San José and spot your name waiting at arrivals—a small relief after travel chaos. With private transfer straight to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll get a quick taste of city life (and maybe even learn how to say “soda” right). It’s simple comfort that sticks with you.
Sarapiquí Whitewater Rafting: Class 3-4 Rapids from La FortunaWhitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí River near La Fortuna puts you in a raft navigating Class III and IV rapids with a live guide, safety equipment, lunch and hotel pickup included. The full outing runs six hours, with a riverside snack break at the midpoint. Minimum age is 13; a high level of physical fitness is required.Is it for me?You're paddling the raft yourself, not watching from a tour bus, so this suits travelers who want to be active on the water and don't mind getting soaked. The shared group format keeps the cost down; if you prefer a private raft, look for a private charter option instead.
Quepos Mangrove Boat Tour: Monkeys, Sloths & Wildlife SightingYou’ll step onto a comfy boat near Quepos and glide through winding mangroves with a local guide who knows where monkeys and sloths like to hide. Expect close-up wildlife moments, fresh air tinged with salt and mud, and plenty of time to just watch birds or ask questions. It’s quiet but never dull—and you might leave thinking about those golden-lit trees long after you’re back on land.
Tamarindo: Beginner Surf Lessons with Local InstructorsYou’ll meet your certified instructor in Tamarindo, practice popping up on land, then paddle out to try real waves with patient coaching. Expect laughter, some splashes, and that wild moment when you finally stand up. Everything’s included — just bring your curiosity (and maybe some humility).
Jaco: Zip Line Canopy Tour with 10 Cables & Ocean ViewsYou ride a tractor to the summit, clip into a harness, and descend through 12 platforms and 10 zip lines with a bilingual guide setting the pace and a photographer capturing the moment. Tropical fruit and water come at the finish, and the whole experience sits five minutes from your hotel in Jaco.Is it for me?Right for families with kids four and up, or anyone wanting a zip line experience without a long drive from Jaco — the property is five minutes away. The pace is steady with time at each platform, so it's not a sprint; plan for three hours total, and that's what lets you see the canopy and the bay without rushing.
ATV Riding in Jaco: Mountain Trails & River CrossingsA guided buggy tour from Jaco that takes you on mountain trails overlooking the Pacific coast and through river crossings near rice fields, with a local guide, helmet and fuel included. Tours run 1 to 4 hours depending on the route; the longer options include time to stop at waterfalls and swim in the rainforest. You'll ride past scarlet macaws, toucans, hawks and falcons depending on the season and time of day.Is it for me?Book the 3-hour or 4-hour option if you want to stop at waterfalls and swim in the rainforest; the shorter rides keep you on the mountain views and river crossings without the waterfall time. Groups of 1 to 2 riders work for a private experience, while 3 to 4 riders share the cost and the route together.
Costa Rica: ATV Waterfalls, Zipline & Butterfly Garden ComboYou’ll tear through Costa Rica’s jungle trails by ATV before wandering misty bridges in Rainmaker Park and zipping high above waterfalls with a local guide. Pause for wildlife encounters — crocodiles basking, butterflies drifting past your shoulder — then refuel with lunch before heading home with mud on your shoes and maybe a new story or two.
Tamarindo: Surf Lessons at Diria Hotel with Locals & GearYou’ll paddle out onto Tamarindo’s warm waves with local instructors who actually watch and help you improve — no big crowds here. You get all your surfing gear sorted for you, plus a safety briefing before heading into the water. After your lesson (and probably a few wipeouts), fresh pineapple is waiting as you flop back onto the sand.
Liberia Airport to Playa Conchal: Private Transfer & PickupYou get picked up at the airport terminal with a name sign, ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water included, and arrive at Westin Playa Conchal without arranging anything else. The return pickup is scheduled four hours before your flight, and 24-hour support handles any changes. One fixed price, no surprises.Is it for me?Book this if you want to arrive at the resort without arranging transport, waiting for a shared shuttle, or negotiating with a taxi driver — the fixed price and name-sign pickup remove all three hassles from your arrival day.
