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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Costa Rica: Private Rainforest Yoga Class by River PlatformYou’ll practice yoga on a riverside platform deep in Costa Rica’s rainforest, guided by a local instructor who adapts each session to your level. Expect gentle stretches, mindful breathing with the sound of water nearby, and all equipment provided—even if you’re new or traveling light. It’s peaceful, grounding, and honestly feels different than any studio class.
Sarapiqui Night Frog Tour: 35+ Amphibian SpeciesA guided night tour in Sarapiqui's humid tropical forest where you walk through different amphibian habitats to find and observe over 35 frog species. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the search, providing lanterns for each person and explaining the role these ecosystems play. The tour runs 1 to 2 hours and suits all fitness levels, though closed shoes or rubber boots are required.Is it for me?The 1- to 2-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or evening without reshaping the rest of your day, making it work whether you are staying in Sarapiqui or passing through on a longer itinerary.
Tortuga Island Catamaran from San Jose: Snorkeling & Beach DayYou're picked up from your San Jose hotel at 6am, driven to Puntarenas with breakfast, then board a catamaran with live music and snacks for a 1.5-hour crossing to Tortuga Island. Spend four hours swimming and relaxing on the protected island's white-sand beach, enjoy lunch included, then return by boat and bus to your hotel in the evening. The fixed schedule means you skip the logistics of getting to the coast and timing the boats yourself.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full beach day on a protected island without arranging your own transport to the coast or timing the boats — the early pickup and fixed schedule handle all of that, and you just show up at your hotel at 6am.
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: Learn With RonaldoA two-hour surf lesson in Tamarindo with Ronaldo, a Costa Rican instructor with over 10 years of experience. You'll start on land learning stance and paddling, then spend 90 minutes in the water catching waves with hands-on guidance. The lesson includes surfboard, rash guard, and pickup; instruction is in English or Spanish, and the class suits beginners and intermediate surfers alike.Is it for me?Book this lesson if you're learning to surf for the first time or refining skills you already have—Ronaldo adjusts the instruction to where you are. The two-hour format fits a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, and pickup means you're not hunting for the beach on your own.
JW Marriott Guanacaste to Liberia Airport: Private TransferYou get picked up at your hotel at a time you set, travel in a private air-conditioned van with a bilingual driver who handles your bags, and arrive at Liberia Airport with time before your flight. WiFi and water are on board. The drive takes roughly 80 minutes and the price is fixed before you depart.Is it for me?Book this if you're leaving from JW Marriott Guanacaste and want to skip arranging a taxi or negotiating a price at the curb — the driver meets you at the lobby, handles your bags, and the fare is locked in before you leave the hotel.
Waterfall Rappelling & Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna: 8 HoursAn 8-hour combo activity in La Fortuna that pairs waterfall rappelling with a chocolate tour, both led by bilingual guides. You start at a local chocolate farm where you learn the bean-to-bar process, taste artisanal chocolate and take a short oxcart ride; then move to Pure Trek canyon for an afternoon of rappelling down waterfalls, rock climbing, river hiking and the Monkey Drop. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with organic lunch at the canyon headquarters.Is it for me?Book this if you want both chocolate-making and waterfall rappelling in one day with continuous flow between them; skip it if you prefer to watch rappelling rather than rappel yourself, or if you only want one activity.
Pacuare River Rafting 2-Day Class III & IV AdventureA two-day rafting trip on the Pacuare River departing from San José includes hotel pickup, transport to Cartago and Turrialba, 6 miles of whitewater on day one, overnight accommodation at Avesol Lodge, a guided forest walk, and another 5 hours of rafting on day two before return to San José around 6 p.m. The itinerary holds meals, drinks, all equipment and a safety kayaker; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?Book this if you want a fully guided two-day rafting trip with overnight camp included—you paddle Class III and IV rapids on day one, then continue downriver on day two, with a river guide and safety kayaker managing the pace for moderate paddlers.
Manuel Antonio National Park: 2-Hour Guided Forest TourYou get a bilingual naturalist guide for two hours of forest walking, professional equipment, and video documentation of what you see. Park entry fees are paid separately at the gate. The guide interprets the ecosystem and wildlife as you move through the main trails, stopping at beaches and mangrove sections depending on conditions. Minimum two people per booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want a naturalist's eye on the forest and don't want to navigate the trails alone — the guide is what transforms a walk into an understanding of what you're actually seeing.
Tamarindo: Wildlife Estuary Boat Tour with Mangrove SightingYou’ll glide quietly through Tamarindo’s winding estuary with a local guide, watching for monkeys overhead and crocodiles in the shallows. Fresh pineapple is passed around as you float beneath dense mangroves—just listen to the birds and let yourself slow down for a couple hours.
Rafting & Canyoning near San Jose: 8 hours of rapids and rappelsThis 8-hour activity near San Jose pairs white water rafting on the Balsa River with canyoning: two hours of paddling through class 2/3 rapids, then a guided rappel descent of five waterfalls totaling 100 meters, including a 55-meter drop from a hanging bridge. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central San Jose, lunch, all equipment, and a professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian are included.Is it for me?The day demands comfort in moving water and on rappel lines, and an early start—the full eight hours means you're on the river by mid-morning and back in San Jose by evening. Book this if you want both paddling and vertical descent in one day, and you're ready for a full-day pace that doesn't pause between activities.
Puntarenas Jungle Buggy & Crocodile River Tour for Cruise GuestsYou’ll get behind the wheel of a jungle buggy, splash through rivers and rainforest trails near Carara National Park, then cruise Tarcoles River spotting crocodiles and tropical birds—all guided by locals who know every shortcut and story. It’s an easy way to pack real Costa Rican adventure into your cruise stop.
Tamarindo to Liberia Airport Transfer: Private ShuttleYou book a private minibus from your Tamarindo hotel to Liberia Airport, and the driver meets you at arrivals with your name on a sign. The ride includes water, air conditioning, and the freedom to stop anywhere you want along the way. Flight delays don't cost extra—just let them know and they wait. You arrive at your hotel or resort without negotiating a fare or sharing the ride with strangers.Is it for me?Right for travelers arriving at Liberia without a rental car or who want to skip the taxi negotiation at the curb. The drive is about an hour, and that's the time the driver uses to cover the route at a steady pace while you settle in and relax after your flight.
San José: Río Celeste hike with swim & Caldera beach stopYou’ll start your day early from San José heading north with a local guide, hiking lush trails to see Río Celeste’s glowing waterfall and volcanic pools. After lunch at a family-run spot, you’ll swim in turquoise water on private land before ending with artisan ice cream at Caldera beach — moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.
2-Day Pacuare River Rafting: Class 2-4 Rapids & Jungle LodgeA 2-day rafting trip on Costa Rica's Pacuare River combines 29 kilometers of whitewater across Class 2, 3 and 4 rapids with an overnight stay at a jungle lodge. Hotel pickup from San José, breakfast, lunch, dinner and all safety equipment are included; you'll paddle through tropical jungle, stop on river beaches, and spend the night listening to the river and the forest. A guide in English or Spanish leads both days, and the minimum age is 12.Is it for me?The trip demands a moderate level of physical fitness and comfort in moving water—you're paddling Class 3 and 4 rapids on day two, which means strength and stamina matter. The early start and two full days of paddling suit someone who wants real whitewater and doesn't mind an early morning; if you prefer a gentler pace or shorter time on the water, a single-day rafting trip would fit better.
SJO Airport - San Jose: Private Minivan Transfer with Local DriverYou’ll step off your flight at SJO airport and spot your name in the crowd—no stress about language or lines. A local driver greets you with bottled water and stories about San Jose as you ride in comfort straight to your hotel. It’s an easy start that feels personal—one of those small arrivals you’ll remember long after the trip.
Liberia Airport to Playa Flamingo: Private Transfer with Flight TrackingYou get picked up at Liberia Airport with your name on a sign, no waiting for a taxi or negotiating a fare. The driver tracks your flight, so delays don't leave you stranded. The air-conditioned minibus fits your group and luggage, includes water and stops along the way if you ask, and handles all tolls and parking. Return transfers to the airport are scheduled four hours before your flight.Is it for me?A good fit if you land at Liberia without a rental car and want the airport-to-hotel logistics handled without negotiating a fare or waiting in a taxi queue. The driver tracking your flight means delays stop being a problem, which is what makes the fixed price worth it.
Playa Flamingo: Zipline & Dry Forest Wildlife TourYou ride forty minutes inland to a family-run farm, clip into a harness, and zip across nine cables suspended through dry forest, spotting howler monkeys and coatis below. Transport, bilingual guide, water and fruit are included. The whole experience takes three hours, and you're back near the beach by lunchtime or early evening depending on your start time.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in the Guanacaste beach towns who want to move inland without renting a car. The three-hour window is tight enough to fit between a morning swim and an afternoon meal, but long enough that you're actually in the forest, not rushing through it.
Palo Verde National Park wildlife tour: Boat and dry forestA 5-hour boat tour of Palo Verde National Park starts at 7 a.m. and travels the Tempique River through dry forest and mangroves to watch American crocodiles, macaws, herons, howler monkeys and dozens of other species. The tour includes a live guide in English or Spanish, pickup from Conchal Beach, air-conditioned transport and local organic food; children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to watch wildlife from a boat instead of on foot—the river gives you a different vantage point and lets you stay longer in one spot without moving. It works well for small groups and families with children from age 5 up, since nobody has to keep pace on a trail.
Birdwatching tour Lake Arenal: Spot toucans and hummingbirdsA guided birdwatching tour around Lake Arenal takes you through trails and wetlands where an expert guide helps you identify toucans, hummingbirds, herons and other tropical species. The tour runs in the early morning or close to sunset, when most Costa Rican birds are active. Pickup is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish; children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want early-morning birding when tropical species are most active, with a guide fluent in English or Spanish to explain what you're seeing.
La Fortuna Nature Walk: Danaus Butterfly & Ecological Park TourYou’ll wander real rainforest trails with a local guide who knows where to spot wildlife—from sloths to rare butterflies. It’s easy walking for all ages and includes hotel pickup, snacks, and plenty of time to ask questions or just listen to the sounds of La Fortuna’s wild side.
