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 Night Walk: Nocturnal Wildlife with Naturalist GuideA guided night walk through Monteverde Wildlife Refuge led by a trained naturalist who uses a high-powered spotting scope to locate nocturnal wildlife—sloths, tree frogs, tarantulas, pit vipers, kinkajous, armadillos and sleeping birds—that most visitors never see. The walk lasts two hours on easy trails, and you'll learn how these species adapt to life in the cloud forest after dark. Small groups keep the experience intimate and focused on observation.Is it for me?A trained naturalist with a spotting scope reveals the nocturnal animals hidden during daylight—sloths, frogs, tarantulas, and birds that most visitors never encounter.
La Leona Waterfall & River Tubing Guanacaste Costa RicaYou float down a canyon river in a tube with helmet and life jacket, take a 30-minute rest break in the water, then hike three hours through forest to La Leona Waterfall. At the base, you rope-climb into a cave behind the falls and swim in the pool. Arrive 15–20 minutes early to gear up, and plan for 4.5 hours total.Is it for me?Pick this if you want both water and hiking in one outing without arranging transport or equipment — the gear is provided, and the split between floating and climbing means you get two different kinds of energy in one morning.
La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Hike, Hanging Bridges & WaterfallYou hike through a 1968 lava field with Arenal volcano rising behind you, walk nine suspension bridges 2 miles through the jungle canopy, swim in the pool at La Fortuna Waterfall, and eat lunch at a Maleku village with butterfly gardens. A bilingual guide handles animal spotting and all navigation, and pickup, transport, entry fees and meals are included — you just show up ready to move.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Arenal's main highlights — volcano, canopy, waterfall — without arranging separate guides, transport and tickets, and who have moderate fitness for hiking and don't have spinal or heart conditions that would make a full day of trails risky.
Tortuguero: Night Walk Small Group Tour with Wildlife GuideYou’ll slip into Tortuguero’s nighttime rainforest with a small group and local guide, flashlights in hand. Expect close-up moments with wildlife—a tree frog here, maybe something bigger rustling nearby—and plenty of whispered stories along muddy trails. The real magic is how different everything feels after dark.
Guanacaste: Diamante Eco Park ATV Jungle & Ocean TrailsYou’ll wind through jungle trails on an ATV with a local guide at Diamante Eco Adventure Park in Guanacaste, catching glimpses of the Pacific and stopping to soak it all in. Expect earthy smells, salty breezes, and plenty of laughs along the way—a day you’ll remember every time you see red dust on your shoes.
Pacific Coast Fishing Charter: Half-Day Mahi Mahi & TunaA half-day fishing charter on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast where you fish for Mahi Mahi, yellowfin tuna, red snapper, wahoo and a rotating list of other species, using mixed techniques matched to what the crew finds biting that morning. The boat carries a trilingual crew (English, Spanish, French), all fishing equipment and bait, bottled water, snacks, fruits and beer; you bring nothing but your appetite and willingness to cast a line. The crew adjusts tactics throughout the four hours to keep the action moving and suit what everyone on board wants to catch.Is it for me?Book this charter if you want to fish in a small group with a trilingual crew who adjusts techniques based on what's biting, rather than committing to a single method for the full day.
Arenal Volcano Zip Line and Rappel Tour with Hot SpringsThis zip line and rappelling activity at Go Adventure Park takes you across 13 platforms and 9 cables through the rainforest canopy above the Arenal River canyon, then down a 50-meter rappel before ending with hot springs at Montaña de Fuego Resort. The tour runs about 2 hours and includes park fees, taxes, and a visit to Maleku Village. Children from age 7 are welcome, and a live English-speaking guide leads the way.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're going with a group or family and want a full morning activity that combines speed and control—the zip lines get your adrenaline up, the rappel brings focus and technique, and the hot springs give everyone time to recover and talk about what just happened.
Tenorio River white water rafting: Class III & IV rapidsWhite water rafting on the Tenorio River in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where you navigate Class III and IV rapids through tropical dry forest for 10 miles with a live guide, helmet, PFD and paddles. The river tests your nerve with continuous drops and turns; all participants need moderate physical fitness. Lunch and snacks are included after the run.Is it for me?This is a shared group trip led by a guide, so you're paddling with other travelers and following the guide's lead through the rapids. Choose it if you want the adrenaline of Class III and IV rapids but prefer having an experienced guide navigate the river and manage the group, rather than going solo or arranging your own route.
Costa Rica: Jungle Horseback Ride & Waterfall Swim with LunchYou’ll ride horseback through Costa Rica’s jungle with a local guide, visit a small family farm to meet animals and see their organic garden, then cool off swimming beneath a hidden waterfall before sharing a traditional lunch together. Expect muddy boots, real conversation, and memories that linger long after you dry off.
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.
Miravalles Volcano: Crater Hike & Hot Springs with WaterfallYou hike into an active volcanic crater, soak in natural hot springs fed by the volcano's heat, and swim at a jungle waterfall—all in one day from Liberia. The tour includes transport, lunch, and a guide who explains what you're seeing as you move through the rainforest and across the crater floor. You don't arrange parking, timing or entry fees yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience the volcano and rainforest without arranging your own transport, entry permits, or timing—the fixed schedule gets you to the crater, the springs, and back to your hotel in one day.
Snorkeling in Tamarindo: Catamaran with kayaks and lunchThe Blue Dolphin is a 40-foot catamaran that departs daily from Tamarindo at 12:45 pm for a five-hour snorkeling cruise with kayaking, lunch and an open bar. You'll snorkel in warm water for reef fish, rays and dolphins, paddle out on kayaks, and spot wildlife—sea turtles, flying fish, even breaching whales—while the crew handles the boat and the meal. Snorkel gear and instructions are included; transportation from the Westin Conchal and JW Marriott can be arranged in advance for an extra fee.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language works for you. The five-hour window keeps the day compact—snorkeling, kayaking and lunch all fit without a long commitment or an early start.
Manuel Antonio National Park hiking tour: Wildlife beachesA full-day hiking tour of Manuel Antonio National Park departing from Jacó, with hotel pickup and a bilingual nature guide leading you through rainforest trails to spot endemic squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, sloths and tropical birds. The hike starts around 8:30am on well-defined paths, followed by a leisure stop and swim at the third beach, then lunch back at the operation center. Minimum two people per booking; suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you are staying in Jacó and want to see Costa Rican wildlife and rainforest without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the pickup, the expert, and the meal are all handled, leaving you to focus on the hike and the animals.
La Fortuna: Balsa River White Water Rafting & LunchYou’ll paddle through Class III white water on Balsa River with guides who know every bend by heart. There’s time for swimming and fresh fruit along jungle banks, plus wildlife spotting if you’re lucky. Afterward you’ll share lunch at La Finquita with your group—leaving you both tired and oddly peaceful.
Monteverde Birding Tour: Curi-Cancha Reserve with Professional GuideYou spend a morning walking through Monteverde's cloud forest with a professional birding guide, spotting scope and bird identification book. The guide uses a laser pointer to locate species in the canopy and shares the full sighting list via eBird. The tour runs early when birds are most active, and you can arrange a private departure if you prefer a smaller group.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually see the birds Monteverde is famous for instead of just hearing them — the spotting scope and a guide who knows where to look are what make the difference between a walk in the forest and a real birding count.
Manuel Antonio Surf Lessons: 2-Hour Beginner Class & Board RentalYou get a two-hour lesson with an experienced instructor, a surfboard for the full day, and the confidence that comes from actually standing up and riding a wave. The lesson is paced for beginners, and the free practice time afterward means you can keep building on what you just learned without paying extra or renting another board.Is it for me?Right for you if you've always wanted to try surfing but weren't sure where to start. The lesson assumes you're a beginner, and the free practice time afterward means you can build confidence without rushing back to return the board.
ATV Riding in Costa Rica: Rainforest Waterfalls & Mountain TrailsATV riding adventure in the rainforest near Jaco, Costa Rica, where you operate your own machine on mountain trails, through remote villages and down to the Pacific coast. The tour includes a bilingual guide, pickup from the Jaco area, lunch at a riverside spot, and entry to a 35-foot waterfall (Cascada del Zorro). You'll climb to a mountain ridge with ocean views stretching from Manuel Antonio to the Nicoya Peninsula, pass through small pueblos like Mata de Platano and Las Delicias, and finish with a beach run alongside the Gulf before heading back. Riders must be at least 16 with a valid driver's license; unlicensed participants and children under 16 ride as passengers. A credit card hold is required on the day of the tour to secure the vehicle.Is it for me?Book this if you have a valid driver's license and want to ride your own ATV; unlicensed travelers can ride as passengers if your group has enough licensed drivers.
Puerto Viejo: Native Caribbean Cooking Class & DinnerYou’ll join a small group in Puerto Viejo for an intimate native Caribbean cooking class led by a local host. Learn to prepare rice & beans with chicken using fresh coconut milk, hear stories of town history, and share dinner together as the sun fades—expect laughter, new skills, and genuine connection.
Puerto Limón: Tortuguero Canal Tour & Banana Plantation ComboYou’ll glide through Tortuguero’s lush canals spotting monkeys and sloths, taste tropical fruit straight from local stands, see how bananas shape Costa Rica’s coast, and unwind on Playa Bonita’s relaxed sands—all with a local guide who brings every stop to life.
Monteverde: Curicancha Birdwatching Tour for Quetzals & Cloud Forest BirdsYou’ll walk slow beneath dripping leaves as your guide helps you spot resplendent quetzals and dozens of cloud forest birds in Monteverde’s Curicancha Reserve. With small groups and a high-definition spotting scope included, you’ll get close-up views—and maybe even hear monkeys overhead or orchids blooming along the trail.
