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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Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: National Theater & Historic SitesThis is a guided walking tour of downtown San Jose lasting three hours, led by a live guide in English or Spanish, that moves through the city's most significant historic sites. The route includes the National Theater (home of the Costa Rican Symphony Orchestra), the National Monument, a historic park in the Barrio Amón neighborhood, and the main cathedral. Children are welcome from age 8.Is it for me?The three-hour pace is built for walking—you'll cover downtown on foot with stops to look and listen, so come ready to stand and move between sites rather than sit. This works well if you want the history and architecture explained as you go, rather than reading plaques on your own.
La Fortuna: Mountain Bike Lake Arenal & Volcano TrailsYou ride mountain bike trails through farmland, jungle, and grassland with views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal throughout. The tour includes your bike, helmet, water, tropical fruit, and a guide who adjusts the pace to your fitness level. An air-conditioned support vehicle follows the route, so you can take a break if you need one. You leave knowing the backroads of La Fortuna instead of just the main road.Is it for me?Book this if you want to move through the Arenal landscape on two wheels without arranging your own bike, route, or support — the guide and the vehicle handle the logistics so you can focus on the ride and the views.
Tortuguero National Park: Private day tour from San JoseYou’ll travel from San Jose into Costa Rica’s wildest corners: cruising Tortuguero’s winding canals by private boat, spotting monkeys and sloths with your local guide, tasting real Caribbean flavors for lunch in town, then climbing Cerro Tortuguero for sweeping views you’ll remember long after the trip.
Lake Arenal boat tour and hiking: 360° viewsLake Arenal by boat and peninsula trail is a guided tour combining a scenic boat ride across Costa Rica's largest lake with an easy, wheelchair-accessible hike through Arenal Volcano National Park. The boat passes bays, peninsulas and islands while your guide explains the lake's history and the 1979 expansion that relocated the town; the trail that follows has no steps or steep incline and includes observation towers for 360-degree photographs of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. Live guides speak English or Spanish, pickup is included, and children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Book the shared tour if you want to join other travelers; choose private if you need to set your own pace on the boat and trail.
Snorkeling at Catalina Islands from Tamarindo: Diverse underwater worldA guided snorkeling activity from Tamarindo to the Catalina Islands includes two separate sessions at different reef spots, gear fitting at the shop, and a live guide in English or Spanish. The boat ride takes 40 minutes each way. Seasonal fruit, cookies, coconut water and cake are provided. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?This is a shared guided activity, so you're snorkeling alongside other travelers with one guide leading both reef sessions. Choose it if you want instruction and company in the water, and if you prefer someone else navigating which reefs to visit and when to move on.
Fishing and Snorkeling Combo on Costa Rica's Pacific CoastA fishing and snorkeling combo on Costa Rica's North Pacific coast pairs inshore trolling for rooster fish, tuna, jacks and snapper with exploration of secluded snorkeling spots accessible only by boat. You board the 28-foot Beluga at 7:00 a.m., fish the waters near Las Catalinas Island, then move to pristine reef sites where resident tropical fish—parrotfish, triggerfish, angelfish, puffers—are the draw. A bilingual guide leads both halves; fishing and snorkeling gear, bottled water, snacks, tropical fruits, juices and beer are included. The trip returns to shore at 11:30 a.m.Is it for me?Book this if you want both fishing and snorkeling in one morning without splitting your day between two separate trips. The shared boat and fixed schedule mean you are with a small group of other anglers and swimmers, all moving through the same two activities on the same timeline.
Buffalo Farm Tour with Water Buffalo Wagon RideThis eco farm tour near Buffalo takes you through 65 hectares of sustainable agriculture on foot or by water buffalo wagon, with a guide explaining the palm oil harvest, the ecosystem, and the animals—chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys, cows and water buffalo—that live and work on the land. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours and includes fresh fruit and water; a live guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so the commentary about the ecosystem and the harvest stays clear whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to the region. If you have a free afternoon and want to understand how the area actually works instead of passing through it, this tour shows you the animals and the plantations that define the local economy.
Cahuita Park & Banana Plantation: Shore Excursion from LimónYou walk through Cahuita National Park with a naturalist guide spotting monkeys, sloths and iguanas, then visit a working banana plantation to learn how the crop is grown. A brief city tour of Limón rounds out the morning before you return to the ship. Entry fees, transport and the guide are all included, and the timing is locked to your departure.Is it for me?Book this if your ship stops in Limón and you want to see the Caribbean side of Costa Rica without arranging transport or timing yourself — the port pickup and fixed schedule mean you move straight from the ship to the park, and the return is planned so you're back before departure.
UTV Buggy Driving Tamarindo: Hidden Beaches & Tropical ForestA UTV buggy activity from Tamarindo where you drive your own Side by Side through dry tropical forest and back roads to reach Playa Minas, Puerto Viejo and Pirate's Bay. You get a 15-minute instruction session before setting off, hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations, a bilingual guide, water and fresh fruit. The activity runs about two and a half hours and suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?Choose the 2-seater if you want to drive solo and control the whole route yourself; pick the 4-seater if you're traveling with someone and want to share the experience or take turns at the wheel. Either way, you're driving the buggy, not watching from a passenger seat—this is for travelers who want to handle the vehicle on the back roads themselves.
Lake Arenal kayaking tour: Women-led, personalized experienceA women-led kayaking activity on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica's largest lake, where you paddle 6 kilometers in calm waters with a certified guide and spot wildlife including howler monkeys, toucans and herons. Hotel pickup is included, and the experience runs 4 hours from start to finish. The tour is personalized—you set the pace and can bring a pet if you arrange a life vest in advance.Is it for me?The pickup from your hotel and the 45-minute drive settle the logistics if you don't have a car or aren't staying near the lake—you show up, get collected, and the guide handles the route and the paddle. The personalized pace means you're not locked into a group schedule, so you can linger when monkeys appear or move on if the water gets choppy.
Sea Scooter Snorkeling in Tamarindo: Catalina IslandsSea scooter snorkeling in Tamarindo pairs you with a professional guide for a 4.5-hour outing from Flamingo Beach to Catalina Islands, where you operate a handheld motorized scooter to move faster and farther through the water. The activity includes all equipment, a safety briefing, boat transport from the freediving school in Tamarindo, fruits and drinks, and souvenir photos or video. No snorkeling experience is required; swimmers aged 12 and up can join.Is it for me?You operate the scooter yourself in a small guided group, which suits anyone who wants to cover more reef and move faster than traditional snorkeling allows without the fitness demands of swimming the whole time. If you prefer to stay in one spot or watch from a boat, a different snorkeling option would work better.
Whitewater Rafting Sarapiquí River: La Fortuna to San Jose TourYou’ll paddle down Sarapiquí’s lively rapids with expert guides, spot wildlife you’d never notice alone, snack on fresh fruit riverside, and enjoy a real Costa Rican lunch—all while getting from La Fortuna to San Jose without wasting a day stuck in transit.
Jaco Waterfall Rappelling & Zipline Adventure with HorsebackGet ready to ride horseback through lush rainforest trails near Jaco, rappel down El Encanto’s roaring waterfall with expert guides, and zipline high above jungle treetops. This adventure packs three unforgettable thrills into one day—with local wildlife sightings and plenty of laughs along the way.
Costa Rica Private Beach Day Trip & Bonfire DinnerSpend your day exploring three different beaches near Tamarindo—snorkeling if you want, hiking to hidden spots, and capping it off with grilled shrimp skewers by a beach bonfire. Local guides handle everything from pickup to fresh ceviche and gear so you can just relax into Costa Rica’s pura vida vibe.
Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo: Private Transfer & WiFiA driver meets you at Liberia Airport arrivals with your name on a sign and takes you directly to Andaz Papagayo Hyatt in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The price is fixed for groups up to six people, bottled water and WiFi are included, and you can request stops along the way. For your return flight, arrange pickup two hours and forty-five minutes before departure.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Liberia and want to skip the rental car desk and taxi negotiation — the fixed price and licensed driver mean you know the cost before you arrive and don't have to navigate an unfamiliar road after a long flight.
La Fortuna Waterfall & Zipline Tour with LunchYou hike through rainforest to a 70-meter waterfall with a swimming pool at its base, then spend the afternoon ziplining through the canopy with views of Arenal Volcano. Lunch at a local restaurant, all gear and transport included, means you show up and the day unfolds without logistics getting in the way.Is it for me?Book this if you want both the waterfall and the zipline in one day without arranging transport or figuring out which restaurant to find — the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you move through La Fortuna without stopping to plan.
Bungee jump and canopy ziplining in La Fortuna: 150m jump over La Balsa riverBungee jump and canopy ziplining activity in La Fortuna combines a 150-meter plunge above La Balsa River with a canopy course through cloud forest, including 10 ziplines across 1,045 meters, a hanging bridge, Tarzan swing and Superman cable. Hotel pickup, lunch and professional guide in English, Spanish or Italian are included; the full experience runs six hours.Is it for me?Hotel pickup means you do not need a car or a ride arranged separately — the guide collects you and handles transport to and from the cloud forest resort. If you are staying in La Fortuna without a rental, this removes the logistics of getting to the jump site.
La Fortuna: 7-Cable Zipline & Waterfall Canopy TourYou board a Jungle Bus to the canopy top, hike 20 minutes with a guide spotting wildlife, then zip across seven cables—including a 980-meter line directly over La Fortuna Waterfall. The tour wraps at a Maleku village where you meet indigenous locals. Gear and water are provided; the optional waterfall hike adds another hour if you book it in advance.Is it for me?Book this if you've ziplined before and want to skip the beginner setup—you'll go straight to the cables without practice runs or hand-holding, which is what makes the 980-meter waterfall line and the full canopy sequence possible in one morning.
Santa Teresa: 1.5-Hour Horseback Riding & Hidden BeachYou ride from Playa Organos into Santa Teresa's interior and along the coast to a hidden beach few visitors find, with a guide who knows the horses and the terrain. Small groups mean the guide can adjust the pace to your skill level. Kids ride according to age, and insurance is already paid. Bring sunscreen and book at least a day ahead.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride to a beach most Santa Teresa visitors miss without arranging your own transport or worrying about insurance — the small group size is what makes the guide able to take you off the main trail and adjust the pace to your riding level.
San José to Manuel Antonio: Private Transfer 3 HoursYou get picked up at San José airport or your hotel and driven directly to Manuel Antonio in a private, air-conditioned van. The three-hour route includes optional stops at Tarcoles River for crocodile spotting and typical restaurants, plus WiFi and cold water on board. The driver can help arrange activities once you arrive, and the price is locked in before you travel.Is it for me?Right choice if you land at San José and want to reach Manuel Antonio without arranging a taxi or waiting for a shared shuttle. The three-hour drive is part of the journey, and the stops along the way — especially the Tarcoles River for crocodile spotting — turn the transfer into a small part of your trip rather than just a ride.
