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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Private Sunset Snorkeling & Fishing Charter: Costa Rica Open BarA private yacht charter in Costa Rica where you snorkel, fish and swim during a four-hour sunset sail with a captain and crew aboard. The boat holds up to 20 guests, includes snorkeling and fishing gear, a full open bar, lunch and snacks. You choose the departure time and which beaches or islands to visit from options around Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Playas del Coco and nearby coastlines.Is it for me?Book this charter if you want to control the day — the boat, the timing, the destination and who's on board. A private yacht means no strangers, no fixed itinerary and no compromise on where the captain takes you or how long you stay at each stop.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure: Hike Guanacaste Rope DescentLa Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is a three-hour guided group tour in Guanacaste near Rincon de la Vieja Volcano where you hike two kilometers through forest, cross streams, scale ladders, and descend by rope into a cave to swim at the base of the waterfall. The tour runs with up to twenty people per group, includes dry bags and life jackets, and requires closed-toe shoes with good grip and moderate physical fitness. Children are welcome from age eight; guides lead in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this one if you want a waterfall swim that is not just a walk-up—the rope descent into the cave is what makes this hike an adventure rather than a scenic stroll, and it is the moment most people remember.
La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano: Guided Hike, Waterfall Swim, Local LunchYou’ll hike through Arenal Volcano National Park with a local guide who shares stories about eruptions and wildlife, then descend to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray before relaxing over a home-cooked lunch at a family ranch. Expect real Costa Rican flavors, friendly faces, and moments that stick with you long after your shoes dry out.
Quepos: Surfing Lessons Manuel Antonio Beach with EquipmentYou learn paddle technique and wave-reading on sand, then catch real waves with instructors who've been lifeguarding this beach for decades. All equipment and water time are included. The guarantee is simple: you'll be standing on the board within ten minutes, or the crew keeps working with you until you are.Is it for me?Right for first-time surfers who want to actually stand up instead of spend an hour falling off — the instructors' guarantee and two decades of beach experience mean you'll feel safe learning. The lesson moves at your pace, so fitness level or age isn't a barrier.
Manuel Antonio Beach Day: Water Activities & WildlifeA beach day tour in Manuel Antonio starts with hotel pickup and ends with you settled into a premium lounge chair on Cacha Beach, a quieter section of the main shoreline where you can watch monkeys leap and scarlet macaws fly overhead. The tour includes an air-conditioned van, lounge chairs with umbrellas and a small table, boogie boards, unlimited fruit and water, and beach games like cornhole and frisbee. A beach concierge is on hand if you want to rent a surfboard or book a lesson. You bring your own towel to sit on.Is it for me?Book this if you're traveling with young children or anyone using a wheelchair—the setup includes an accessible beach area and on-site staff to handle logistics, so you can focus on the water and wildlife rather than managing equipment or accessibility details.
Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast All-InclusiveYou’ll wake early for Pacific coast sunrises and end days soaking in volcanic hot springs. Walk rainforest bridges in Arenal, spot wildlife with local guides, taste fresh cheese at La Paz Gardens, and raft wild rivers—all with hotels and transport sorted so you can just live it.
Private ATV Adventure Tamarindo: Ride Wild TerrainA private two-hour ATV adventure in Tamarindo puts you on a Yamaha four-wheeler over rocks, gravel, rivers and sand on a circular route through hidden trails and multiple towns. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the ride, and hotel pickup is included. The route suits both experienced riders and newcomers.Is it for me?Choose the two-hour private tour if you want to set your own pace on hidden trails and river crossings with a guide who adjusts to your comfort; pick the full-day Ocean to Ski option if you'd rather combine ATV riding with other activities in one outing.
La Fortuna: Mistico Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano TourYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park in La Fortuna, and spend the morning or afternoon walking suspended bridges above the rainforest canopy with a naturalist guide who points out wildlife and explains the ecosystem. Entry fees and transportation are included; the tour is guided from start to finish, so you're never navigating the park alone or wondering what you're looking at.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the rainforest from above without arranging your own transport or paying separate entry fees at the gate — the guide and the included pickup are what make a morning or afternoon in the canopy actually happen instead of staying a plan.
Ziplining in La Fortuna: 8 cables through rainforest canopyArenal Canopy Adventure is a zipline activity near La Fortuna where you clip into 8 cables that cross 2 km of rainforest canopy, reaching speeds up to 56 kph between platforms set 20 to 90 meters high. Two expert guides manage your connection and braking at every cable, and hotel pickup is included. Minimum age is 6; not recommended for pregnant travelers.Is it for me?Book the shared tour to zip alongside other guests; choose private if you want two guides dedicated to your group across all 8 cables.
Rio Claro floating tour: Waterfall hike and river floatA floating tour from Drake Bay combines a one-hour hike to a waterfall in the mountains, a one-hour float down Rio Claro, and a coastal walk, finishing with lunch. The tour runs five hours total and requires moderate fitness; lifejackets, private transport and a guide in English or Spanish are included. Travelers should expect the river to be physically demanding—bruises are possible.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Drake Bay without a car—included pickup and return transport lets you reach the mountain trailhead and coast in one morning.
Quepos: Naranjo River Rafting Half Day & Hotel PickupYou get picked up at your hotel, driven 25 minutes to the Naranjo River, and spend 90 minutes rafting class 3 rapids through jungle with a safety kayaker alongside. The tour includes all gear, a safety briefing, snacks and the return drive — so you show up in swim clothes and everything else is handled. Small groups mean you're not competing for the guide's attention.Is it for me?Book this if you want to raft without losing half the day to driving, and if you prefer smaller groups where the guide actually knows who's in the boat. The 25-minute distance from Quepos is what makes a half-day tour possible instead of a full-day commitment.
La Fortuna: Sarapiqui Rafting & Organic Farm TourYou paddle Class II and III rapids on the Sarapiqui for two hours, stop for fresh fruit mid-run, then return to La Fortuna for an organic buffet lunch with a farm walk and sugarcane tasting. Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, and safety gear are included. Photos are available for purchase from the guide.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a half-day that combines real rapids with a real meal — the rafting and the farm lunch are both substantial enough to fill a morning or afternoon, and the pickup from your hotel means you don't have to navigate La Fortuna or figure out timing yourself.
San Jose: Sarapiqui River Class III & IV Whitewater RaftingYou paddle 14 miles of Class III and IV rapids on the Sarapiqui River with a certified guide who reads the water and calls the moves. The day includes hotel pickup from San Jose, all safety gear, two hours of continuous paddling through jungle canyons, lunch, and return transport. Book at least two people per trip, and bring a valid passport.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of serious whitewater without arranging transport from San Jose or figuring out which section of river to run — the fixed itinerary and certified guide handle the logistics and the safety, leaving you to focus on paddling.
2-Hour Surf Lesson in Uvita: Learn to Pop Up & Catch WavesA 2-hour guided surf lesson on the National Park beach in Uvita, Costa Rica, where you learn to pop up, paddle into green waves and read the ocean swell with experienced instructors. The lesson starts on sand with technique drills, then moves into the water to practice what you've learned in the lineup. Boards, leash, rash guard and sunscreen are provided; coconut water and fruit come during the break. Children from age 8 are welcome, and the beach is wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?This is a shared group lesson with a live instructor leading the whole session, which means you learn at the pace of the group and share the guide's attention with other students—ideal if you want to meet other travelers and keep the cost down. If you prefer one-on-one instruction or a private session, ask about private lesson options at checkout.
Lake Arenal: Kayak & Paddleboard Rental with Gear IncludedYou’ll set off across Lake Arenal by kayak or paddleboard with all gear ready and local tips in your pocket. Expect cool water, bird calls, and maybe a wave from a fisherman or two as you glide along. Includes bottled water, safety gear, and a dry bag so you can focus on paddling—and that view will probably stick with you.
Guanacaste Airport Transfer: Private Ride from Hotel to LIRYou’ll get picked up right from your hotel in Guanacaste by a local driver who knows these roads by heart. Relax in a clean private vehicle with all insurances covered as you head straight to Liberia Airport (LIR). Enjoy small moments — maybe a chat or just watching the scenery slip by — before your trip home begins.
Tamarindo Catamaran Cruise: Snorkel, Paddleboard & SunsetA 5.5-hour catamaran cruise from Tamarindo that sails past Marino Las Baulas National Park and stops at the secluded Playa Huevo for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking in turquoise water. The boat carries snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks; a certified crew leads the water activities. Open bar with margaritas, mojitos, Imperial beer and piña coladas; fresh fruit, chips and a chipotle burrito bar with grilled chicken, black beans and guacamole are included. The route passes mangroves and rocky coves where dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles surface near the boat, and you return to Tamarindo Beach for the sunset.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary about the wildlife, the beaches and the water conditions in whichever language works for you. The boat handles everything—gear, food, drinks, safety—so it suits travelers who want to move between snorkeling, paddling and eating without stopping to arrange any of it.
Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San JoseYou get picked up from your San Jose hotel early, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast on the way, then spend the afternoon in Manuel Antonio National Park hiking trails to spot monkeys and sloths, swimming in coral reef waters, and relaxing on pristine beaches. Lunch and all park fees are included, and your entry is pre-registered so you skip the ticket line. The minivan returns you to your hotel by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Manuel Antonio's beaches, rainforest and wildlife in one day without arranging transport, park tickets or figuring out the entry system yourself—the pre-registration and included pickup are what make a full park visit possible from San Jose.
La Fortuna: Costa Rican Cooking Class & Salsa Night ComboYou’ll cook classic Costa Rican dishes with a local chef in La Fortuna, share a homemade dinner with fellow travelers, then learn salsa steps from a real dance instructor—all in one relaxed evening. Expect laughter, good food, some wobbly dance moves, and plenty of Pura Vida spirit to take home with you.
La Fortuna Hot Springs: Volcanic Pools Entry & Rainforest RetreatYou’ll slip into La Fortuna’s volcanic hot springs, letting rainforest sounds settle your mind as warm mineral water eases every muscle. Wander shaded trails between soaks, then share a fresh Costa Rican lunch while mist drifts through green leaves overhead. It’s not flashy—just honest peace you’ll want to take home with you.
