Things to do in Costa Rica
Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna27 optionsLa Fortuna Zipline22 optionsTortuga Island Tours20 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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Kayaking and Snorkeling to Capitan Island, TamarindoKayak and snorkel trip from Tamarindo to Capitan Island, the only island within Las Baulas National Park, created by volcanic eruption. You paddle across open ocean for about 25 minutes, land on white sand, explore lava fields and rock formations, walk through tide pools to see sea urchins and starfish, then snorkel at a couple of stops in the surrounding clear water. The trip runs three hours total, includes all equipment, a guide in English or Spanish, water and snacks, and meets on Playa Tamarindo in front of El Chiringuito Restaurant.Is it for me?The paddle across open ocean takes about 25 minutes each way and you spend three hours total on the water and island, so this suits an afternoon when you're comfortable with moderate paddling and want to move between snorkeling stops rather than stay in one place. Infants ride on an adult's lap, and children from age 3 can join, though the trip isn't recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Horseback Riding & SwimmingYou ride private jungle trails on a trained horse to reach La Fortuna Waterfall, a 65-meter drop into a natural pool. After a moderate hike down, you swim and rest before returning. Transport, entry, security gear and a certified guide are all included, so you only need to show up ready to ride.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to reach a major waterfall without driving yourself and prefer the pace of a guided ride through jungle — the private trails and included entry mean you skip the logistics and go straight to the experience.
San Jose - La Fortuna: Shuttle transfer with Wi-Fi & pickupOn this shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna, you’ll get picked up right at your door, settle into comfy reclining seats with Wi-Fi and power outlets, and enjoy a real Costa Rican coffee break along the way. With help for your luggage and friendly local drivers who know every twist of the road, it’s more than just a ride — it’s a relaxed start to your next chapter in La Fortuna.
La Fortuna: Twilight River Safari & Nocturnal Wildlife Boat TourYou ride a raft down the Peñas Blancas River as daylight fades, with a bilingual naturalist guide doing the rowing while you watch nocturnal wildlife emerge. The tour includes hotel pickup, snacks, hot drinks and all safety gear, and runs long enough to see the shift from dusk to full darkness without rushing. Book it if you want to see the jungle on its own schedule, not yours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the jungle's nocturnal side without arranging your own transport or timing — the boat leaves when the light is right, and pickup from your hotel means you show up and go.
Night Wildlife Tour La Fortuna: Frogs and ReptilesA private night wildlife tour in La Fortuna's secondary rainforest where you walk forest trails for two hours spotting frogs, lizards, sloths, bats and snakes with a bilingual guide. The guide's knowledge of where animals shelter after dark is what turns a walk into sightings instead of a search.Is it for me?The tour departs from La Fortuna, and public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car—ask about the exact pickup point when you book. A guide who knows the forest at night is what turns a dark walk into actual sightings, so this works best if you want animals spotted, not just hoped for.
Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: Direct TransferYou arrive at Liberia Airport, find your driver by name sign, and ride in an air-conditioned van to your Guanacaste hotel. The driver is bilingual and can answer questions about the area and activities. Duration depends on your hotel's location and traffic. No meals included, but pickup and transport are handled without negotiation.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Liberia and want to skip the taxi negotiation — the driver meets you by name, the price is set, and you're in an air-conditioned vehicle heading to your hotel without arranging anything else.
Tortuguero canoe tour: Wildlife in wetland channelsA guided canoe tour through the water channels of Tortuguero National Park, the largest wetland in Costa Rica, where you paddle and watch for monkeys, iguanas, birds, caimans and basilisks. The tour runs 2.5 hours with a certified guide in English or Spanish and life jackets provided; park entrance ($17) is purchased separately online.Is it for me?At 2.5 hours, the tour fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, which means you can combine it with other activities in the area or use it as the centerpiece of a shorter visit to the Caribbean coast.
Poás Volcano, Coffee & La Paz Waterfall from San JoseThis full-day tour from San Jose climbs Poás Volcano, tours a coffee plantation, and explores La Paz Waterfall Gardens with a professional guide, hotel pickup and buffet lunch included. You visit the active 2,708-metre volcano's main crater and hike to Botos Lagoon, learn how Costa Rican coffee is grown and roasted, then walk through rainforest trails past five waterfalls and animal exhibits. Entry lines are skipped at every stop.Is it for me?At 11 hours from pickup to return, this tour fills most of a day and leaves the evening free. If you want to see an active volcano, learn how Costa Rican coffee is made, and walk past five waterfalls in rainforest without arranging three separate trips, the fixed itinerary and included transport hold it together.
Limon: Veragua Rainforest Tram & Tortuguero Canals Boat TourYou get picked up at the Limon pier, driven into Veragua Rainforest, and ride a gondola tram through primary forest past 300-year-old trees, then walk trails and visit a research station. After that, you boat through Tortuguero Canal spotting sloths, monkeys and caimans. The tour includes a naturalist guide, bottled water, fresh tropical fruit, and return transport timed to your ship's departure.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Limon and want to see rainforest, wildlife and canals without arranging separate transport, entry fees and timing — the cruise schedule is built into the itinerary, so you don't have to calculate return times yourself.
Monteverde: Resplendent Quetzal Birdwatching with Diego RodriguezYou walk through Monteverde's cloud forest with expert guide Diego Rodriguez, scanning for the resplendent quetzal with a spotting scope in hand. The group stays under six people, and the 5- to 6-hour tour includes all equipment and guidance focused entirely on finding this iconic bird. You avoid the guesswork of going alone and the crowds of larger group tours.Is it for me?Book this if you came to Monteverde specifically to see the resplendent quetzal and want someone who actually knows where to find it rather than hoping you'll stumble across one — Diego's expertise and the small group size are what turn a walk in the forest into a real sighting opportunity.
Liberia Airport - Dreams Las Mareas: Private Transfer + MeetYou’ll step off your flight in Liberia and find your driver waiting with a smile and cold water ready. Settle into an air-conditioned ride straight to Dreams Las Mareas, with a chance to stop along the way if you want. With everything handled by locals who know every turn, you’ll start relaxing before you even reach the resort — it’s a feeling that sticks with you.
ATV and Zipline Tour from Tamarindo: 7 cables and forest trailsA 3.5-hour ATV and zipline tour from Tamarindo combines off-road riding through tropical forest and mountain back roads with a canopy tour of 7 cables, 2 suspension bridges and a tree climb. The guide, hotel pickup from Tamarindo or Flamingo, helmet, safety gear, water and fresh tropical fruit are included. Suitable for ages 4 and up, though only riders 16 and older can operate the ATVs; younger children ride as passengers.Is it for me?Book the single-driver option if you want to control the ATV yourself and have the freedom to set your own pace through the forest; choose the driver-with-passenger option if you'd rather ride as a passenger and focus on the scenery and the zipline course without managing the ATV.
Carara National Park wildlife tour with biologistA small-group wildlife and birdwatching tour from San Jose that combines hiking through Carara National Park's primary and secondary forest with a boat journey down the Tarcoles River mangrove mouth. You walk the trails alongside a certified biologist or guide, spot monkeys, crocodiles, birds and reptiles, then finish at a Pacific beachfront. Hotel pickup and park entry are included; groups stay under four people.Is it for me?Book the public tour if you're flexible on dates and want to meet other wildlife enthusiasts; choose the private option if you prefer a set date and a tour built around your group's pace and interests. Either way, the small group size and biologist guide mean you're not competing for sightings or the guide's attention—the forest and the river stay the focus.
La Fortuna zipline, tubing and hot springs: One morningThis combination activity in La Fortuna strings together zipline canopy work, river tubing, and hot spring soaking in a single morning. You'll fly across 9 zip lines and 13 aerial platforms over the Arenal River canyon, walk through the forest to the Maleku Village for a 20-minute cultural introduction, then tube class 2 and 3 rapids for about 10 minutes before relaxing in the hot springs. Private transport and a live English-speaking guide are included; the tour runs about 4 hours and starts at 8 a.m.Is it for me?The live English guide means you follow the commentary and safety instructions clearly throughout—book this one if you want the full story of what you're moving through, not just the adrenaline. The private transport and guide also mean the day stays on your schedule: no waiting for other groups to assemble or for a van to fill.
La Fortuna & Arenal: Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike & Family LunchYou’ll walk rainforest bridges listening for monkeys overhead, hike ancient lava flows beneath Arenal Volcano, share a home-cooked lunch with local flavors, then swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray. Expect laughter, muddy boots, real Costa Rican warmth — and maybe a story or two you’ll want to retell.
Ziplining in La Fortuna: 8 cables through rainforest canopyZipline and hanging bridges adventure in La Fortuna combines two activities on protected rainforest land: a 3 km walk across 16 suspension bridges ranging from 5 to 100 meters long, then 8 ziplines on cables up to 90 meters high and 600 meters in length that reach speeds of 35 mph. A naturalist guide in English or Spanish points out birds, reptiles and mammals along the way; full safety harness, helmet and transport are included. The activity takes 6 hours and requires at least moderate fitness; children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?Book the shared Congo Combo if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the standard price; choose the private option if your group wants to move at its own pace without coordinating with others. Neither option includes lunch, so eat before or plan a meal after the 6-hour activity.
Birdwatching tour in Carara National Park: Expert guideA birdwatching tour in Carara National Park near Jaco pairs you with an expert local guide for three to four hours on the park trails, equipped with professional binoculars and a telescope. The guide speaks English or Spanish and tailors the pace to your experience level, whether you're new to birding or already know your species. Children from age one are welcome; the park entrance ticket is separate.Is it for me?Choose the private tour if you want the guide's full attention and the flexibility to linger when something rare appears; the group tour keeps costs lower and adds the energy of fellow birders who spot things you might miss.
La Fortuna: Safari Float & Waterfall Swim Half-DayYou start with a guided raft float down the Peñas Blancas River spotting sloths, monkeys and birds, then eat a traditional lunch with a local family, and finish with a swim in the natural pool beneath La Fortuna Waterfall. Hotel pickup and park fees are included, and the whole experience runs about four to five hours, so you're back with time left in your day.Is it for me?Book this if you want wildlife spotting and a waterfall swim without arranging transport, park entry or timing the stops yourself — the half-day format means you're done by early afternoon and the guide's local knowledge is what makes the animal sightings actually happen.
Braulio Carrillo Rainforest Zip-Line: 10 Canopy CablesZip line through Braulio Carrillo National Park on 10 cables strung between 14 platforms, gliding above the Atlantic region's lush treetops and misty valleys with an expert guide. The 2.5-hour experience includes short nature walks between lines where you spot tropical birds and giant ferns, plus access to the terrarium and butterfly garden. Children from age 5 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The 10 cables and 14 platforms mean you spend the whole 2.5 hours in motion through the canopy rather than waiting at a single platform—this is continuous flight with nature walks woven in, not a single-line experience. Choose this if you want the adrenaline of sustained zip-lining through an intact rainforest, not a quick thrill or a crowded tour.
SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: Private Transfer & Water StopYou get picked up at the airport with your name on a sign, ride in an air-conditioned, insured van with a bilingual driver, and arrive at Los Sueños Marriott without arranging anything else. Bottled water and WiFi are included; optional stops at the Tarcoles River or for meals can be made if you ask. The whole transfer takes around two hours and removes the need to rent a car, navigate, or haggle over fares.Is it for me?Book this if you land at SJO and want to avoid renting a car, navigating unfamiliar roads, or negotiating with taxis — the driver meets you at arrivals with your name, and the price is set before you arrive, so the transfer is one less thing to figure out after a flight.
