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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Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk – Flora & Fauna TourYou’ll walk shaded trails in Monteverde’s cloud forest with an expert guide who helps you spot hidden wildlife and rare plants. Use a pro spotting scope for close-up views and photos—perfect if you want to really experience Costa Rica’s wild side without missing the details.
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hike: Swim beneath the cascadeYou hike to a 70-meter waterfall in a protected forest, swim in the river below, then tour an organic farm and eat lunch there. Your guide manages the route, timing, and all entry fees, so you show up ready to move. The steep path and river swim mean you need good fitness, but that's what makes the whole day possible in one morning.Is it for me?Right for travelers with solid fitness who want both nature and culture in one morning — the steep hike and river swim are what let you reach the waterfall's base and understand the forest around it, while the farm visit adds the agricultural story that makes the landscape make sense.
Snorkeling at Catalina Islands: Sharks, rays and manta raysSnorkeling at the Catalina Islands is a seven-hour activity where you jump in with an expert guide to search for sharks, rays, manta rays and reef fish around the rocky facades. The guide leads the snorkel in one spot; you bring a moderate fitness level and comfort in the water. Pickup from your hotel, snorkeling equipment, water and snacks are included; the ocean conditions between December and April can be rough, which affects visibility and what you see.Is it for me?Book this if you have a free afternoon and want to get in the water with a guide rather than watch from a boat — the snorkel is one spot rather than multiple sites, so the focus stays on what's below. Not the right fit if you're not comfortable in the ocean or if you're visiting between December and April when rough conditions can limit what you see.
San José: Dinner & Folk Dance Show with City ViewYou’ll ride up into San José’s hills for dinner in a historic home with city views, sip a welcome cocktail, taste Costa Rican dishes with wine or beer, then watch (and maybe join) a lively folk dance show—all with pickup included. It’s one of those evenings where you end up feeling part of something local and real.
Arenal: Volcano hike in El Silencio Reserve with guideYou’ll walk forest trails near Arenal Volcano with a local guide who shares stories about eruptions and wildlife. Spot frogs or birds if you’re lucky, feel the humid air on your skin, and pause in those rare pockets of silence among ancient trees — moments you’ll remember long after leaving Costa Rica.
Rio Celeste & Sloth Sanctuary from Tamarindo: Full DayYou hike to Rio Celeste's blue waterfall and swim in the river, visit a 700-year-old tree and a hibiscus labyrinth, stop at a magnetic anomaly, eat lunch at a local restaurant, and spend time at a sloth sanctuary. Private transport, snacks, beers, and a guide are included, and the whole day takes 8–10 hours from Tamarindo pickup to return.Is it for me?This tour is built for travelers who want to see Rio Celeste, swim in it, and visit the Sloth Sanctuary without arranging transport, park tickets, or timing the stops themselves — the fixed itinerary and private vehicle mean you move through the day without logistics getting in the way.
Rafting Level III & Canopy Zip Lines in La FortunaWhite water rafting on the Balsa River combined with canopy zip lining through cloud forest in La Fortuna includes all equipment, a professional guide in English, Spanish or Italian, and hotel pickup from central La Fortuna hotels. The day splits between 2 hours of Class III rapids and a 500-acre canopy course with 10 cables, platforms, a hanging bridge and a Tarzan swing, with lunch between the two.Is it for me?Hotel pickup from central La Fortuna means you don't need a rental car or a separate ride to the river—the guide collects you and handles the logistics, so the day starts the moment you step into the van. If you're staying in town without transport, this setup removes the planning and gets you to both activities on schedule.
Ziplining and ATV from San Jose: Choose 2 activitiesA full-day adventure from San Jose combining two activities you choose—zipline, ATV jungle ride, horseback to waterfalls, surfing lessons or chocolate tour—with transport, lunch, bilingual guide and all safety gear included. The day runs ten hours and starts with a stop at the Tarcoles River to photograph crocodiles in their natural habitat before heading to Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park in Jaco Beach.Is it for me?The ten-hour commitment means you're leaving the city early and returning late, which rules out a second excursion that day but gives you time to do two full activities without rushing between them. If your schedule only has a few hours, this is too long; if you want a full immersion in adventure activities and don't mind spending the whole day, the length is what makes both activities possible without feeling compressed.
Family-Friendly Safari Float on Sarapiqui River from La FortunaLooking for an easy adventure near La Fortuna? This gentle safari float lets you spot monkeys, tropical birds, and more while relaxing on the Sarapiqui River. Great for families or anyone wanting to soak up Costa Rica’s nature without rushing.
La Fortuna rainforest: Night walk with local guideYou’ll step into La Fortuna’s rainforest at night with a local guide, lantern in hand, searching for frogs, bats, sloths, and other nocturnal creatures. Listen to stories under the trees while sharing snacks and bottled water. With every sound and shadow, you’ll feel part of the forest’s hidden nightlife — an experience that’ll stick with you long after you leave.
Horseback riding Rio Celeste: Mountain trails to the riverHorseback riding in Rio Celeste takes you on a 2-hour trail ride through mountain countryside to the shore of the turquoise river, where you watch for birds and animals in the local vegetation. A live guide leads in English or Spanish; children from age 3 are welcome. Helmet, fresh fruit and water are provided.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary comfortably in whichever language works for you—and children from age 3 can ride alongside adults, making it a family-friendly countryside ride rather than a solo adventure.
La Fortuna: Horseback Riding & Waterfall with Volcano ViewsYou ride through forested trails and volcanic terrain to a viewpoint overlooking Arenal Volcano, then drive to La Fortuna Waterfall for a guided walk down to the 70-meter cascade where you can swim. The day includes your horse, the naturalist guide, waterfall entry, transport between the two sites, bottled water and fruit, so you show up and the rest is arranged.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall in one morning without arranging two separate trips—the horseback ride and the waterfall are connected by transport and timing, so you move through both without gaps or logistics to figure out.
Tabacón Hot Springs La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Thermal PoolsYou get all-day access to five naturally heated thermal springs, cascading waterfalls, and mineral pools set in Arenal's private rainforest, with entry fees and taxes included upfront. Move between pools at your own pace, choosing water temperature and seclusion level as you go. No guide, no schedule, no surprises—just thermal water and jungle for as long as you want to stay.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day of thermal pools without arranging transport, timing, or additional costs—the all-inclusive pass and private reserve setting mean you can soak and move between springs at your own rhythm, which is what makes a day of thermal water feel like rest instead of tourism.
Tamarindo: Rincon de la Vieja Hot Springs & Canopy ComboYou get picked up from your Tamarindo-area hotel before dawn, spend the day zip-lining through the canopy, soaking in natural hot springs and mud baths, riding horses through the park, and sliding down a waterfall — all with a guide, lunch included, and no need to arrange transport or tickets. The early start means you're back by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to pack multiple adventures into one day without renting a car or figuring out park logistics yourself; the fixed schedule and included transport are what make five separate activities possible in a single trip.
La Fortuna Sloth Watching Tour & Ecogarden Walk with GuideWander La Fortuna’s Ecogarden Arenal with a local guide who’ll help you spot sloths, colorful birds, frogs, and even alligators. Use provided binoculars and telescope for close-up views as you explore at your own pace—ending your day with those little moments of wonder only nature can give.
Río Celeste tubing and ziplining: Private property adventureTubing and ziplining adventure on private property near Río Celeste, where you float down rapids in individual tubes, then glide along cables suspended over the water itself. The activity takes three hours and includes certified safety equipment, bilingual guides, fresh fruit and bottled water. Children from age 4 are welcome, and pickup is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want both water and aerial adventure in one outing—the tubing handles the aquatic rush, and the ziplining over the river itself adds the height and speed. The three-hour format fits a free afternoon without eating a full day, and the private property location means you get activities the national park does not allow.
Curú Wildlife Refuge Bioluminescence Swim TourA bioluminescence tour from Curú Wildlife Refuge in Puntarenas takes you by motorboat to Tortuga Islands for sunset, then into the dark water to see dinoflagellates glow as you move through them. The tour includes refuge entry, a 15-minute boat ride each way, snorkel mask, fruit and soft drinks, and runs about two and a half hours, ending around 7:30 p.m. You can watch the phenomenon from the boat or swim into it; life jackets are provided for all ages.Is it for me?This is a shared tour with a live guide in English or Spanish, so you travel with other visitors and the guide explains the bioluminescence and the refuge ecosystem as you go. Choose it if you want to swim into the glowing water rather than watch from a distance, and if an afternoon at the refuge before the evening activity suits your schedule better than a quick arrival and departure.
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Adventure: Horseback & ZiplineA private adventure combo at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano pairs a 30-minute horseback ride to the Colorado River with a zipline run through tropical dry forest, a choice of white water rafting or tubing, and time in volcanic mud paint and natural hot springs. Lunch, bottled water, snacks and beers during transport are included; a guide in English or Spanish meets you at pickup and stays with you through all seven hours.Is it for me?Pick the rafting option if you want the rush of moving water and current; pick tubing if you prefer to float and steer at your own pace. Either way, the combo stacks enough variety—horseback, zipline, river, mud and heat—that the day never settles into one rhythm, and the seven hours hold together as a single arc instead of separate stops.
Playa Hermosa: 3 Waterfalls & Coyotes Cave Swimming Day TripYou swim into two canyons, hike 2.5 miles through jungle to a third waterfall, jump from rocks into pools, eat lunch in a banana plantation, and watch the sunset from a mountain — all on private land you couldn't reach without a guide and a vehicle. Transport, lunch, water and entry are included; bring a swimsuit and waterproof shoes.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see waterfalls that aren't on the main tourist circuit and don't want to spend the day figuring out how to get there — the private land and jungle terrain mean you need both a guide and transport, which is what this trip provides.
Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Beach Day from Santa TeresaYou get picked up in Santa Teresa, ride 45 minutes to Tortuga Island spotting dolphins and rays, snorkel in clear water with all gear provided, eat a BBQ lunch on the beach with two beers included, then spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking, or hiking before heading back. The whole day is handled — no arranging boat times, no renting snorkel gear separately, no figuring out where to eat.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full snorkeling day without arranging transport, gear rental, or lunch separately — the fixed itinerary and early start are what fit everything into one afternoon back on the beach.
