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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Tortuguero National Park day trip: Canals and wildlifeA full-day tour from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park combines a drive through Braulio Carrillo's cloud forest with a boat trip through jungle canals and lagoons where you watch wildlife in its habitat—crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas and birds. Breakfast and a typical Caribbean lunch are included, as are park fees and an English or Spanish-speaking guide. You'll need to provide your full name, nationality and passport number before departure so the operator can register you with the park's ticketing system.Is it for me?Book this if you're comfortable spending most of a full day on a boat—wildlife viewing happens from your seat, so no hiking required, but you'll need several hours of continuous boat time.
Arenal: Suspension Bridges, La Fortuna Falls & Hot Springs Day TripYou’ll hike down jungle trails to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall, cross hanging bridges above the rainforest canopy with an expert guide spotting wildlife, then unwind in natural hot springs facing Arenal Volcano—all with transport from San Jose and lunch included. Expect laughter, new friends, and moments that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.
Tortuguero Turtle Tour: Nesting season July–OctoberA guided turtle-watching tour in Tortuguero National Park during nesting season (July to October) where you watch sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs. The tour runs about an hour and includes a live guide in English or Spanish who narrates the nesting process and the park's ecology. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers; all other fitness levels are welcome.Is it for me?You've arrived in Tortuguero during nesting season and have a free evening—this tour puts you on the beach at the moment when sea turtles come ashore, with a guide who explains what you're watching instead of leaving you to guess.
Manuel Antonio Night Tour: Nocturnal wildlife walk with guideA guided night walk on a private reserve adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, where you trek a dark path to spot nocturnal wildlife—snakes, sloths, kinkajous, frogs and tarantulas—with a guide using a high-definition telescope to bring distant animals close enough to photograph. The tour runs about two hours, ends around 8 p.m., and includes bottled water, reserve entry, an air-conditioned vehicle and flashlights. Choose between a shared group tour or a private departure; both require closed shoes and long pants are strongly recommended.Is it for me?Book the group tour if you are comfortable sharing the experience and want to keep the cost down; choose the private tour when you want the guide's full attention and the flexibility to move at your own pace. Either way, wear closed shoes and long pants—the terrain and the wildlife both demand it, and the guide's safety briefing depends on your gear.
Esterillos & Jaco: Horseback Beach Ride with Ethical HorsesYou’ll ride calm, well-cared-for horses along Esterillos beach near Jaco with a local guide who knows every bend of shoreline—and every horse by name. Expect ocean breezes, small group company, unexpected wildlife moments, and plenty of time just listening to hoofbeats on sand. It’s more about connection than speed—and you might leave wanting to come back for sunset.
Tamarindo & Flamingo: Canopy Zipline Tour with Wildlife SightingYou’ll soar between ancient trees on this Tamarindo & Flamingo canopy tour, spotting monkeys and birds as you zipline high above Costa Rica’s dry forest. With hotel pickup included and friendly local guides leading every step, you’ll end up with dusty shoes, new laughs—and probably a story you’ll want to tell later.
Horseback Riding at Playa Conchal: Private Beach TrailPrivate horseback riding at Playa Conchal with Rigo Tours is a 1.5-hour guided activity where you ride through scenic tropical trails and along the beach with a local guide who introduces you to your horse and leads the route. The horses work by reservation only, receive proper veterinary care and daily rest, and are calm and suitable for beginners, families and children aged 5 and up. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, and the experience includes a visit to the stables, an ocean bath for the horse, and photos taken during the ride.Is it for me?If you're staying near Playa Conchal or have a rental car, this ride works as a half-day activity that leaves your morning or evening free. The private format and small group size mean you set the pace with your guide, and the stables are the fixed meeting point—no pickup service, so plan your own transport there.
Monteverde Cloud Forest guided hike: Heart of the Forest trailYou’ll wander Monteverde’s cloud forest with an expert guide, listening for rare bird calls and watching for flashes of color in the canopy. Spot toucans or even quetzals along lush trails, then end surrounded by hummingbirds in their garden sanctuary. It’s gentle, surprising—and stays with you long after you leave.
Tortuga Island Private Boat Tour from Jaco: Subwings & SnorkelingA private speedboat tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island with pickup included, snorkeling, Subwings instruction, spider monkey spotting, and a full beach day with lunch and fresh fruit. The small group size means you reach the snorkel site before the packed catamarans, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch.Is it for me?The full day—pickup to return is roughly 8.5 hours—means you get the snorkel site before the crowds, time for Subwings and beach play, and a proper lunch without rushing. If your schedule is tight or you want just a morning or afternoon activity, a shorter tour elsewhere would fit better.
La Fortuna Night Walk: Private Rainforest TourA private guided night walk through rainforest near La Fortuna puts you on a trail 10 minutes from downtown with a live guide and flashlights, exploring the jungle's nocturnal ecosystem for 2 hours. The guide leads the way through darkness, pointing out frogs, reptiles, insects and mammals that emerge only after sunset. Each walk is different—what you encounter depends on the night and the season. Transportation to the trailhead is not included, though public options are available nearby.Is it for me?Book this walk if you want the rainforest to yourself—the private format means the guide's attention and the route's pace are yours alone, not divided among a larger group. It suits anyone curious about nocturnal wildlife but put off by crowded daytime tours.
Braulio Carrillo: Aerial Tram, Zipline & Butterfly Garden DayYou’ll glide silently above Braulio Carrillo’s rainforest on an aerial tram, zipline between treetops with guides who keep things light, and get close to butterflies and orchids in peaceful gardens. Expect laughter, maybe some nerves on the cables, and plenty of small surprises along winding trails—this day is as much about feeling alive as seeing wildlife.
Jaco: ATV & Zipline & Waterfall Combo with Rainforest LunchYou zip through the canopy on ten cables, then ride an ATV for four hours through rainforest to a waterfall where you can swim. Lunch is served at a mountain restaurant 2000 feet above sea level, and the guide handles the route and timing so you don't have to figure out how to string three separate activities together in one day. Hotel pickup in the Jaco area is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want three separate adventures — ziplining, off-road riding, and a waterfall swim — handled in one day without arranging transport between them or timing the stops yourself. The fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up and the day unfolds.
Manuel Antonio Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling TourKayak and snorkel tour in Manuel Antonio where you paddle roughly 2½ hours roundtrip past islands, inlets and nesting grounds, then stop at Bisanz beach to snorkel for 30 minutes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide in English or Spanish, kayaks for one or two paddlers, snorkeling equipment, bottled water and lunch are included. Children must be at least 8 years old to paddle; a minimum of two people per booking is required.Is it for me?The 4-hour commitment leaves your morning or afternoon free—book an early departure and you have the rest of the day to explore Manuel Antonio's trails and beaches, or choose an afternoon slot and spend your morning elsewhere in the area.
Tamarindo Beginner Surf Lessons with Local InstructorsYou'll spend a private session in Tamarindo's warm water with a local surfer who teaches you to paddle, balance, and catch waves at your own pace. The lesson includes your board, rashguard, bottled water, and hotel pickup. Most beginners catch at least one real wave and leave understanding not just how to surf, but why it matters here.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn to surf without arranging a board, transport, or guessing whether a group lesson will move too fast or too slow — the private format and included gear mean you show up and the rest is handled.
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges: Guided walk through forest canopyMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is a guided walk across suspension bridges in a 600-acre tropical reserve, where you cross 10 fixed bridges and 6 hanging bridges ranging from 16 to 328 feet long to explore the undergrowth, sub-canopy and canopy levels. The trail is 2 miles with a maximum slope of 7 degrees, non-slip concrete surfaces and protection rails throughout, making it accessible to families and mixed fitness levels. Hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, bottled water and fruit are included; children from age 5 can join when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?The fixed route and guided pace mean you don't navigate or time the walk yourself—the guide handles the route, the timing and the wildlife spotting, so you focus on the bridges and the canopy instead of planning. Book this if you want the forest experience without building the day around logistics.
Sloth Discovery, Río Celeste & Coffee–Cacao JourneyThis 8-hour tour from Bijagua combines wildlife spotting in the Tenorio Volcano area with a swim in the turquoise Río Celeste River and a coffee-cacao farm experience. You'll walk through rainforest with a bilingual guide to find sloths, toucans and red-eyed tree frogs in their natural habitat, swim in the river, eat lunch at a restaurant with a butterfly garden, and learn how coffee and cacao are grown and harvested. Air-conditioned transport, park entry and all meals are included; bring a swimsuit and towel.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see sloths in their natural rainforest habitat rather than in captivity—the private reserve and the guide's knowledge are what make that possible. The swim in Río Celeste and the coffee-cacao farm round out the day with two different kinds of immersion, so you're not standing in one place the whole time.
Cooking Class La Fortuna: Learn to Make Costa Rican CasadoA cooking class in La Fortuna where you learn to prepare a traditional Costa Rican casado meal—picadillos, guisados, handmade tortillas and more—starting with a lesson on the farm ingredients, then mixing the Kiss of the Cacique cocktail before cooking and sitting down to eat together. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the class runs about two and a half hours with a live guide in English or Spanish.Is it for me?The class is hands-on cooking from start to finish—you're chopping, mixing and cooking the whole time, not watching a demo—so come ready to work in the kitchen for a couple of hours. If you want to eat well and learn something you'll actually use at home, this one sticks with you longer than a restaurant meal.
Arenal & Peñas Blancas: Kayak Safari Float with Local LunchYou’ll paddle gently down the Peñas Blancas River near Arenal with a local guide who knows every monkey call and bird song. Watch for sloths, crocodiles, and those lizards that run across water before sharing homemade snacks at Tita Yolanda’s ranch. The day feels unrushed—just real Costa Rican life along the riverbank.
Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Dolphins & Beach LunchYou leave San José before dawn, stop for breakfast en route, then board a boat to Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya. Five hours on a turquoise-water beach includes snorkeling, lunch, fresh fruit and coffee; dolphins appear if conditions allow. The return drive to San José takes the evening, with the whole day running roughly ten hours from pickup to drop-off.Is it for me?Right for anyone based in or near San José who wants a full beach day without arranging a boat, buying tickets separately, or figuring out the drive to the coast—the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up and the rest is handled.
Manuel Antonio: Savegre River Rafting Day Trip with LunchYou’ll paddle through Savegre’s Class II-III rapids with a local guide, spot monkeys and toucans in the rainforest, share laughs (and maybe nervous shouts) with your group, then relax over lunch before heading back to Manuel Antonio. Expect cold splashes, wild scenery, and moments you’ll replay long after you dry off.
