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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Manuel Antonio Beach: Beginner & Advanced Surf Lessons QueposYou get personalized instruction in the water with an instructor who stays with you through each wave, starting with ten minutes of technique on the sand. The lesson includes your board, rashguard, leash, and a snack afterward. Manuel Antonio's year-round swell means consistent conditions whether you're a first-timer or refining your skills, and the protected beach keeps the focus on learning rather than fighting the ocean.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn surfing without figuring out which beach has the right waves or renting gear separately — the lesson handles the instruction, the equipment, and the timing, leaving you to focus on catching your first wave.
Limon Zipline & Tortuguero Canal Tour with Wildlife GuideGet ready to zip through Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy at Veragua Park, then glide along Tortuguero Canal spotting wildlife like monkeys and sloths with an expert guide. This tour blends adrenaline with peaceful moments on the water—all starting right from your cruise ship pier in Puerto Limon.
Monteverde Birdwatching Tour: Quetzals, Toucans & Tropical BirdsIf you want to see Monteverde’s famous birds up close—with real chances for quetzals and toucans—this early morning walk is worth it. You’ll get expert tips from a local guide, enjoy quiet trails before the crowds arrive, and leave with new stories (and probably some great photos).
Baldi Hot Springs La Fortuna: 25 Thermal Pools & Arenal ViewsYou get access to 25 thermal pools at varying temperatures, all fed by natural springs at the base of Arenal Volcano. Spend your afternoon moving between pools at your own pace, surrounded by forest and the sound of waterfalls. All fees are included in your admission, and the grounds are fully wheelchair accessible, so you can focus entirely on soaking and resting.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to soak in mineral pools without arranging transport or worrying about hidden costs — the ticket covers everything, and you set your own pace between pools.
Arenal Forest Horseback Riding: Cross Rivers on Calm HorsesPacos Horseback Ride is a two-hour guided tour through Arenal's rainforest and open fields on calm, well-cared-for horses, including a river crossing, a visit to a small farm, and a riverside stop with fresh tropical fruit. Small groups keep the pace relaxed and allow personal attention for both beginners and experienced riders. Children from age 5 can participate; pickup is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?You ride the horses yourself on rainforest trails and across the river—this is not a guided sightseeing tour where someone else handles the animals. Small groups and calm horses make it work for beginners and children from age 5, but if you need a completely hands-off experience or have spinal, cardiovascular or pregnancy concerns, a different activity will suit you better.
Private Surf Lessons Santa Teresa Beach: All Levels WelcomePrivate surf lessons in Santa Teresa Beach run 90 minutes with a local guide teaching beginners the fundamentals, intermediate surfers how to catch green waves, and advanced riders advanced technique—all levels in one-on-one sessions with board and transportation included.Is it for me?The 90-minute session is hands-on in the water the whole time, so come ready to paddle and practice—this is not a spectator experience or a short demo. If you're comfortable getting wet and want real instruction rather than a quick introduction, this works for any fitness level.
Tamarindo Ziplining Tour: ATV Rainforest & Canopy CablesAn ATV and canopy zipline activity in Tamarindo combines a guided ride through rainforest and rivers on four-wheeler with zip-line cables up to 500 meters long strung between the trees. Hotel pickup from the Tamarindo area is included, along with a professional guide, helmet and bottled water; children from age 6 can participate, though only riders 16 and older can operate the ATV. The maximum weight limit is 260 pounds.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride terrain and operate an ATV yourself rather than watch from a vehicle, and if you're comfortable with river crossings and getting muddy. The ATV portion is what gets you to the ziplines, so the two activities are one experience, not separate stops.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Car & WiFiYou get picked up at Liberia Airport by a dedicated driver at your scheduled time, travel in a private car with WiFi, and arrive at your destination without managing transport logistics yourself. The service is wheelchair accessible and includes specialized seating for infants. Fixed pricing means no negotiation at the curb.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi negotiation and bus-schedule hunting after landing—the driver meets you on time, the price doesn't change, and you arrive without managing the logistics yourself.
Sunset Cruise Lake Arenal: Local Moonshine & Volcano ViewsA sunset boat cruise on Lake Arenal near La Fortuna pairs a nature guide's wildlife commentary with Costa Rican moonshine and homemade snacks as the light fades over Arenal Volcano and the surrounding mountains. The 2.5-hour tour includes pickup, a live guide in English or Spanish, and runs from late afternoon into early evening. Children from age 5 are welcome; infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat.Is it for me?The boat moves slowly the whole time so you can actually spot wildlife and take in the volcano views—this is not a high-speed tour, and the pace is what makes the sunset and the snacks feel unhurried instead of rushed.
Irazu Volcano & Cartago Tour: Crater Views & Valley LunchA day tour from San Jose to Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley with a guide, park entry and lunch included. The driver picks you up from your hotel between 7 and 7:30am and takes you 12 miles east through the Panamerican Highway to the volcano, where you walk to the main craters and see panoramic views of the Caribbean and Central Valley. After Cartago City's Los Angeles Basilica, you stop at a viewpoint over the Orosi River Valley before lunch at a local restaurant, returning to San Jose by 3pm.Is it for me?Eight hours is enough to reach the crater, see Cartago City and the Orosi Valley viewpoint, and eat lunch without rushing, but it leaves the rest of your day free — you're back in San Jose by 3pm. The fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange the drive or the park entry yourself.
San Jose to Wildlife Rescue: Sloths, Macaws, Monkeys TourA private four-hour tour from San Jose to a wildlife rescue center with hotel pickup and drop-off, where a guide teaches you about rescued animals—parrots, macaws, owls, sloths and spider monkeys—and the conservation work behind running the center. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the air-conditioned vehicle and all areas of the ranch are wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?The four-hour window fits a morning or afternoon slot without consuming your whole day, which works if you want to see the rescue center but also have time for other San Jose activities. If you need a full-day immersion or plan to spend the afternoon elsewhere in the Central Valley, this tour leaves room for that.
Pacuare River Rafting Costa Rica: Waterfall & Private TourYou start before dawn from Turrialba, spend five hours on the Pacuare River spotting wildlife and navigating calm sections, hike to a waterfall, eat lunch on the bank, and return by early afternoon. Hotel pickup and a photographer documenting your day are included; the small-group format and early timing mean you avoid crowds and catch the river at its best.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Pacuare River without arranging transport, timing the rapids yourself, or sharing the boat with strangers — the early start and private format are what make both the wildlife spotting and the calm pace possible in a single morning.
White Water Tubing La Fortuna: Class I-II Balsa RiverWhite water tubing on the Balsa River near La Fortuna is a six-hour float trip through Class I-II rapids with a guide steering the group through the best routes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch at a restaurant overlooking Arenal Volcano, and a mid-river fruit break are included. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the route and safety calls in whichever language your group needs — that matters when you're floating with children or traveling with friends who don't share a language.
San Jose Art Walking Tour: Contemporary Galleries & Street ArtA two-hour walking tour in San Jose explores contemporary Costa Rican art across galleries, street art, graffiti and public works, with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide. The route moves through the city center starting at Parque Morazan, passing historic buildings and sometimes meeting working artists. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended; the pace suits moderate fitness levels.Is it for me?Small groups keep the pace conversational and give you room to linger at pieces that catch your eye—this works well if you want to ask the guide questions and absorb the work without feeling rushed through a standard itinerary.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour from San José: Five waterfallsA half-day tour from San José to La Paz Waterfall Gardens includes transportation, a certified bilingual guide, park entry, and buffet lunch. The day runs roughly six to seven hours from pickup to return, with about three hours spent inside the gardens walking trails to five waterfalls, the butterfly observatory, and wildlife exhibits. Pickup happens between 10:20 and 11 a.m., and you're back in San José by 6 p.m. A minimum of two passengers is required to operate.Is it for me?The six- to seven-hour commitment from pickup to return means the tour fills most of your day, leaving only the early morning or evening free for San José itself. Book this if a full immersion in the rainforest and waterfalls is your priority and you don't need flexibility to explore the city on the same day.
Zipline and Rafting in Costa Rica: 8 cables through rainforestCombine zipline and whitewater rafting in one day in Costa Rica: fly across 8 cables through 2 km of rainforest canopy, then paddle 11 km down Balsa River with over 30 rapids and waves. A professional guide leads both activities, with all gear, lunch at a local restaurant and hotel pickup included. The full day runs 7 hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want zipline and rafting in one day—the guide coordinates the logistics between activities, and the small-group format means you'll paddle and zip as a cohesive team rather than rotating through solo.
Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Dolphin Spotting from PuntarenasYou spend a full day on Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya, starting with a boat ride where dolphins and seasonal whales are possible sightings. Snorkeling equipment and a 30-to-40-minute guided session are included, followed by six hours of free beach time to spot wildlife or rest. A prepared lunch with drink and dessert happens on the island, and the certified bilingual guide handles the timing and navigation so you just show up at the dock.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full island day without arranging boat transport, snorkeling gear, or a meal—the fixed schedule and included guide handle all three, leaving you free to watch for dolphins on the way out and just be on the beach once you arrive.
Nosara: ATV Waterfall Adventure & Organic Coffee Farm LunchYou’ll ride an ATV through Nosara’s wild hills with a local guide, swim beneath hidden jungle waterfalls, then visit a family-run organic coffee farm for fresh brews and homemade lunch overlooking the coast. Expect muddy shoes, laughter with locals, and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.
Manuel Antonio to San José Airport: 3-Hour Private TransferYou're picked up at your hotel in Manuel Antonio and driven to San José Airport in a private, air-conditioned van over three hours. The route includes optional stops at the Tarcoles River for crocodile viewing or at local restaurants, with WiFi and cold water provided throughout. Hotel pickup, taxes and all fees are included in the price, which is fixed for up to four passengers.Is it for me?This works well if you're leaving Manuel Antonio and want a fixed-price ride to the airport without arranging a taxi or negotiating fares—the driver handles the route and timing, which means you can relax or use the stops to finish last-minute shopping or sightseeing without worrying about missing your flight.
Costa Rica: ATV Beach Ride & Village Trails with Local GuideYou’ll ride an ATV along Costa Rica’s beaches and dirt trails with a local guide, passing through colorful villages and spotting monkeys or birds overhead. Expect sandy hands, salty air, and plenty of chances to stop for photos at Playa Flamingo. This tour includes helmets and all safety gear so you can focus on soaking up every bumpy minute.
