Things to do in Costa Rica
Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna27 optionsLa Fortuna Zipline22 optionsTortuga Island Tours19 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: Rainforest Hanging Bridges, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortés WaterfallYou’ll walk high above Costa Rica’s rainforest on hanging bridges near Tenorio Volcano, swim beneath Llanos de Cortés Waterfall’s cool spray, and spot sloths lounging in their own habitat. Taste local casado for lunch and watch butterflies drift past your shoulder. It’s a day full of small surprises and real jungle moments you’ll carry home.
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall from Jaco with Hot SpringsYou swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, hike across Arenal's 1968 lava field, and soak in Paradise Hot Springs' thermal pools—all in one day with lunch and dinner included. Hotel pickup and a bilingual guide handle the logistics, though the full day means you're out from early morning until evening, and the volcano hike requires moderate fitness and sturdy shoes.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Jaco who want to see Arenal's main attractions without arranging transport or timing the stops themselves. Expect a full day out—early pickup, late return—and moderate hiking with uneven lava rock underfoot; that's what fits three major stops into one trip.
Farm to Table Cooking Class in Costa Rica: Learn & CookA hands-on cooking class in Costa Rica where you walk the organic farm to collect seasonal ingredients, then prepare and cook them step-by-step in an open wood-fire kitchen before sitting down to eat what you made. The guide explains old Costa Rican cooking techniques and the plants and trees on the property as you work. Lunch or dinner is included; the class runs about two hours.Is it for me?The class asks for two hours of your time and involves a farm walk plus hands-on cooking over wood fire, so it suits someone who wants to be active and learn by doing rather than watch a demonstration. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them to get there.
Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Dolphins & SnorkelYou drive to Puntarenas, board a boat to Tortuga Island, snorkel for 45 minutes with gear included, then spend five unrushed hours on the beach with lunch and drinks provided. The return journey gets you back to San José by evening, so you don't lose the next day to travel.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full beach day without arranging your own transport, boat tickets, or snorkel gear — the long drive and boat ride are what put you five hours ahead of anyone trying to piece it together themselves.
Quepos: Zipline, Rappel & Tarzan Swing in Manuel AntonioYou get hotel pickup from Quepos, ten ziplines through forest canopy with a rappel and Tarzan swing, a meal after, and a local guide managing safety and pace the entire time. The five-minute drive from town means you're not losing half your day to transfers, which leaves room for other activities or a slower morning before heading out.Is it for me?Book this if you want an adrenaline activity that doesn't require prior experience and fits into a half-day window—the short transfer from Quepos means you're not sacrificing the rest of your day to get there and back.
Tamarindo: Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise with LunchYou’ll sail from Tamarindo along Costa Rica’s coast on a spacious catamaran, spotting dolphins or turtles as you go. Snorkel in quiet bays or relax on deck while the crew prepares a fresh lunch with local flavors and homemade cookies. Drinks flow freely from the open bar as sunset colors fill the sky — it’s easygoing and real, not rushed or staged.
Corcovado National Park Sirena: Rainforest Hike with GuideA guided rainforest hike in Corcovado National Park starts with a one-hour boat ride from Drake Bay to Sirena Station, then five hours of walking deeper into the park with a live guide in search of tapirs, monkeys and peccaries. The day includes park fees, lunch and return transport by boat; children from age 5 are welcome. The boat hugs the Pacific shoreline both ways, making the journey itself part of the experience.Is it for me?You hike with a guide rather than on your own, which means the guide finds the animals and explains what you're seeing instead of you walking blind. Book this if you want to see Corcovado's wildlife and don't want to navigate the park or figure out where the tapirs are hiding.
Manuel Antonio Night Mangrove Safari: Boat Tour WildlifeA night mangrove boat tour in Manuel Antonio takes you through protected forest channels by boat with a captain, searching for crocodiles, boas, bats, anteaters, sloths and other wildlife that becomes active after dark. The tour runs three hours and includes dinner, an air-conditioned vehicle for pickup, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. All areas are wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Your evening unfolds on the water where a captain navigates the mangrove channels while you spot crocodiles, bats, and nocturnal wildlife that never emerge by day—dinner included so you experience the full night ecosystem without arranging transport.
La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano ATV Jungle Trail & Maleku CultureYou’ll ride ATVs along muddy jungle trails by Arenal Volcano, splash through rivers, and pause for wild views over La Fortuna Valley. Meet Maleku locals who share stories and traditions—maybe even try a new word or two. Includes gear and water, so you can focus on getting dirty and soaking up every sound (and probably some rain).
Manuel Antonio: Coastline Boat Tour, Snorkeling & LunchYou’ll ride out from Quepos with a local crew searching for dolphins or turtles along Manuel Antonio’s coast before anchoring at Biesanz Bay for snorkeling. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch on deck as sea breezes drift by and end your trip feeling sun-warmed and connected to this easygoing place.
La Leona Waterfall hike near Liberia: Rope descent into caveLa Leona Waterfall hike near Liberia is a 3-hour guided adventure that takes you 2km into the forest alongside the Blanco River, across rock formations and water crossings, up small ladders, and finally by rope into a cave where the falls emerge. The waterfall sits between two canyons in deep blue water colored by sulfur from Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. This is a moderate-difficulty adventure hike, not a casual walk, and requires a baseline of physical fitness.Is it for me?Three hours is what the route requires, which means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day. The moderate difficulty and rope descent demand a solid baseline of fitness and mobility—this is built for travelers ready for an adventure hike, not a casual walk.
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Time with Park EntryYou’ll wander rainforest trails in Manuel Antonio with a local guide who spots wildlife you’d never notice alone — sloths, monkeys, bright birds overhead. Pause for fresh fruit snacks under the canopy, then end your day swimming or relaxing on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. It’s less about rushing and more about noticing what’s around you.
Superman Zipline in Guanacaste: Nearly a Mile Face-FirstDiamante Eco Adventure Park's zipline course in Guanacaste features the Superman line, where you ride face-first nearly a mile over the Pacific and rainforest canopy. The activity includes a free fall Quick Jump, dual cable lines to ride side-by-side with a friend, and an automatic braking system that handles the stop—no reaching required. A professional guide leads the whole thing in English, Spanish or French, and the park meets ACCT safety standards. Children from age 5 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Two hours is enough to complete the full course without eating the rest of your day—the Superman line and the other runs fit into a morning or afternoon, leaving time to explore elsewhere in Guanacaste or recover at your hotel before dinner.
Manuel Antonio: Catamaran Eco Cruise with Snorkeling & LunchYou’ll drift along Manuel Antonio’s coast on a catamaran, snorkel in Bahia Biezans’ warm waters, share laughs over fresh grilled fish and local coffee, and let pura vida sneak up on you. Includes hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, cocktails and lunch—just bring your swimsuit and maybe an appetite for small surprises.
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Swim with Scope PhotosYou’ll wander shaded trails in Manuel Antonio with a local guide who knows every hidden animal call, snap wildlife photos through a spotting scope, pause for coffee by the beach, and end your morning swimming in soft Pacific waves. Expect laughter, unexpected animal sightings, and time to soak up Costa Rica’s wild side.
La Fortuna: Sloth Watching Trail & Rainforest Wildlife HikeYou walk a flat, shaded two-mile trail with a professional naturalist guide who locates four to six sloths and points out birds, frogs, and insects along the way. The hike takes about two hours and stays mostly under rainforest canopy, so it's manageable for all fitness levels. Bring bug spray and water, wear closed shoes, and you're set for a morning or afternoon in the forest without needing to arrange transport or timing yourself.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see sloths and rainforest wildlife without hiking deep into remote terrain or managing your own guide and schedule — the flat, short trail and professional guide mean you get the wildlife in two hours without the physical demand or logistics.
Monteverde Cloud Forest: Wildlife Walk & Hummingbird GalleryYou’ll wander misty trails in Monteverde Cloud Forest with a small group and local guide, spot rare birds like quetzals and toucanets, pause for sloths overhead, and visit a lively hummingbird gallery. Expect quiet moments mixed with laughter and stories — it’s less about rushing and more about noticing what’s right in front of you.
La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano Hike & Hot Springs TourThis 8-hour La Fortuna tour combines three major attractions in one day: a swim in the pool below La Fortuna Waterfall, a guided hike around the base of Arenal Volcano with wildlife spotting, and a soak in natural hot springs. The tour includes a professional local guide, lunch, admission to the waterfall and ecological park, and hotel pickup within 6 km of La Fortuna Downtown. Hotels further away than Tabacón Resort may incur an extra charge.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in La Fortuna with a full day free and want to see the main attractions without arranging transport or guides yourself—the fixed itinerary, included meals and guide handling mean you show up and the day unfolds.
Nicaragua Day Trip from Costa Rica: Granada, Masaya Volcano & Lake IsletsYou’ll cross into Nicaragua before sunrise with a local guide handling every detail—from border paperwork to breakfast stops. Stand beside Masaya Volcano’s crater, wander Granada’s colonial streets, shop lively markets, then drift past lake islets where monkeys might grab snacks straight from your hand. It’s fast-paced but leaves you with those small moments you’ll replay long after you’re home.
Quepos: Horseback Riding & Waterfall Ranch Tour with LunchYou ride through working ranch land for a few hours, hike into the jungle to see wildlife and a centuries-old tree, visit a waterfall, get a massage, and eat lunch with a view. Hotel pickup and all entry fees are included, so you show up and the logistics are already handled.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride and explore without arranging transport or figuring out which waterfall to visit — the fixed itinerary and family guides handle the planning, and the small group size means you actually get to talk to people who've lived on this land for decades.
