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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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.
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.
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.
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.
Mistico Park: Birdwatching Tour & Hanging Bridges Small GroupYou’ll walk Mistico Park’s hanging bridges in a small group led by a local guide who knows every call and flutter overhead. Expect close-up moments with rare birds, rainforest scents after rain, and plenty of chances to pause and listen. It’s not about perfect photos — it’s about feeling part of the forest for a while.
Liberia Airport - Riu Palace & Guanacaste: Private Roundtrip TransferYou’ll feel instantly at ease with private pickup at Liberia Airport and a friendly local driver ready to help with bags and questions. Enjoy air-conditioned comfort straight to Riu Palace or Guanacaste resorts—with flexible stops if you want them—and relax knowing your return ride is sorted too. Sometimes, it’s those small moments on the road that stay with you.
Arenal: Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Day TripYou’ll cross hanging bridges above the rainforest floor near Arenal Volcano, hike historic lava fields with a local guide sharing stories along the way, then unwind in natural hot springs after a hearty Costa Rican lunch. Expect laughter on the bridges, bird calls echoing through the trees—and a few quiet moments you’ll want to keep for yourself.
Nicaragua One Day Tour from Costa Rica: Active Volcano & GranadaThis nine to twelve hour guided tour departs from Costa Rica and crosses into Nicaragua to visit Masaya Active Volcano, Apoyo Crater Lake and Granada Colonial City, with a bilingual guide, meals, transport in both countries and all border charges included. A minimum of six people is required for a private tour; kids are welcome on the private option only. A current valid passport is required.Is it for me?Book the private option if you're traveling with a group of six or more and have kids along—they're welcome on private departures only. The shared tour works for adults and groups of any size, though the nine to twelve hour drive means it's best for those comfortable with extended time in a vehicle.
Monteverde: Selvatura Park Canopy & Hanging Bridges ComboYou’ll feel the rush of ziplining through Monteverde’s cloud forest canopy, pause above the treetops on hanging bridges with a local guide sharing secrets of the forest, and wander through Costa Rica’s largest butterfly garden surrounded by color and warmth. Includes hotel pickup so you can just show up ready for adventure.
Arenal: Canopy Zipline & Horseback Adventure with PickupYou’ll fly across rainforest canopies on eight ziplines near Arenal Volcano, then ride horseback through lush farmland with a local guide who matches your pace. Pause for fresh fruit and water along the way, take in those volcano views at Silencio Point—and leave with a story that’ll stick long after you’re back home.
Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour: Howler Monkeys & CrocodilesA guided boat tour on the Tempisque River in Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, where you watch wildlife from the water—howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, crocodiles, herons, egrets, kingfishers and bats—with a bilingual guide who explains the ecosystem and conservation effort. The tour runs two to three hours and includes binoculars, lunch and bottled water; one of the operators will meet you at the jetty.Is it for me?This is a shared boat tour with a guide leading the experience, so you watch and listen rather than navigate yourself—the right choice if you want to learn the names and habits of the animals without doing the spotting work alone. The fixed schedule and included lunch mean the morning or afternoon holds together without you arranging stops or meals separately.
Guided Street Art Tour in Jaco: Downtown Murals & GraffitiA guided walking tour through downtown Jaco that traces street art and graffiti across Central Park, the riverfront and the commercial district. A local guide walks you past large-format murals by national and international artists, explaining the history of the muralism movement in Latin America and the stories behind the work. The tour runs two to three hours and includes a beverage at the end.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to understand Jaco's street art as a window into Costa Rican culture and the Latin American muralism movement, rather than just photographing the murals. The local guide's knowledge of the town's history and the artists' intentions transforms the walk from a visual tour into a cultural one.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Ride, Bilingual Driver & Wi-FiYou’ll step off your flight at Liberia Airport and spot your driver waiting with your name—no confusion or stress. Settle into an air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi and bottled water as you ride safely to your destination. Along the way, enjoy local conversation or just relax as Costa Rica rolls by outside your window. It’s more than transport—it’s your first real welcome.
Costa Rica: Class V White Water Rafting & Rainforest LunchYou’ll charge down class V rapids in Costa Rica’s rainforest canyon with expert guides by your side. Expect riverside fruit breaks, a traditional lunch with stories about chocolate and local plants, and hotel pickup from La Fortuna. It’s loud, messy fun—and you’ll probably leave with muddy shoes but a full heart.
Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private, Group & Semi-PrivateA surf lesson in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, taught by local instructors in private, semi-private or group format for all ages and skill levels. Equipment, rashguard, leash and water are included. Lessons run two hours and are tailored to beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers alike. The instructor speaks English or Spanish, and safety protocols guide every session.Is it for me?Book a private lesson if you want one-on-one attention and a pace set entirely around your progress; choose semi-private or group if you'd rather learn alongside other surfers and share the energy of the beach. The two-hour window fits a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, so you can explore Tamarindo's restaurants and shops before or after.
Night hike Monteverde: Forest animals with guideA guided night hike through Finca Lantana's forest trails in Monteverde, where an experienced guide leads you with a flashlight to spot sloths, frogs, snakes, tarantulas and other wildlife active after dark. The trails are designed to give you the best conditions for seeing animals in their natural habitat, though sightings depend on what is moving that night. Optical equipment and a lantern are included; the hike runs about two and a half hours. English and Spanish guides are available.Is it for me?The night hike suits anyone who wants to see forest animals in their natural, active state rather than during the day when they rest — the trade-off is that sightings depend on what is moving that night, not on a guarantee. If you prefer to request a specific guide who knows the local ecology, you can arrange that before you book.
Guanacaste: ATV Beach Tour with Playa Minas & Hotel PickupYou’ll ride ATVs from Brasilito through dusty forest trails down to quiet beaches like Playa Minas and Bahia de los Piratas. Expect salty air, local guides who know every shortcut, plenty of laughs (and dust), plus hotel pickup and time for swimming or hiking if you want it. You might leave sandy but you’ll remember those views.
Manuel Antonio: Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour & WildlifeYou’ll glide quietly through Damas Island’s mangroves with a local guide who knows every secret spot for spotting monkeys, birds, and even crocodiles. Feel the humid air on your skin as you drift past tangled roots, then share a homemade lunch with your group before heading back to Manuel Antonio or Quepos—maybe still grinning about that monkey encounter.
Sámara: Chora Island Kayak & Snorkeling with Fruit SnackYou’ll kayak across gentle Pacific waters from Sámara Beach to Chora Island with a local guide, spot iguanas and crabs ashore, then snorkel among rainbow fish and maybe turtles. Afterward, snack on fresh tropical fruit before heading back by kayak — salty hair, sandy toes, and all.
Snorkeling in Quepos: Catamaran with Dolphins & LunchSnorkel the waters off Quepos and Manuel Antonio on a 3-hour catamaran ride with a live guide in English or Spanish. You'll watch for dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans and seasonal whales from the boat, then stop to swim and snorkel the reefs. Fresh Costa Rican lunch, natural drinks, fruit snacks and cocktails are prepared onboard; kayaks are available if you want to paddle out. Pickup is included, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary and know when to watch for dolphins or whales. Families with infants and young children can ride—prams and strollers stay onboard, and the boat is wheelchair accessible, which opens the snorkeling to people who might not manage a smaller boat or a beach entry.
