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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Hanging Bridges Arenal Waterfall: Three stops in one dayYou start on suspension bridges high in a private rainforest reserve, spotting wildlife and volcano views with a naturalist guide. By midday you're swimming in the turquoise pool beneath La Fortuna's 70-meter waterfall. After lunch, you hike to Mirador El Silencio for a close-range view of Arenal Volcano's cone. Hotel pickup, bilingual guide, all fees and meals are handled—you just show up with comfortable shoes and a camera.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see the three main natural attractions around La Fortuna in a single day without arranging transport, guides or timing yourself—the fixed schedule is what makes fitting all three stops possible. Plan for a full 10 hours out, with moderate hiking and some steep sections, which is what lets you experience the hanging bridges, waterfall swim and volcano views without backtracking.
Pacuare River Rafting from San Jose: 29km White Water AdventureYou spend a full day paddling 29 kilometers of the Pacuare River's Class II to V rapids, guided by certified instructors through primary rainforest and past waterfalls only visible from the water. Transport from San Jose, all gear, and a traditional lunch are included. Plan for an early start and a long day—that's what fits the whole river into one trip.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in or near San Jose who want a full-day adventure on real whitewater without arranging their own transport or gear. Expect an early pickup and a long day out—that's what makes paddling the entire 29-kilometer section possible.
La Fortuna: Zipline Adventure & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll fly through rainforest canopies near La Fortuna on nine ziplines with views of Arenal Volcano (if weather plays nice), spot wildlife like sloths or toucans with your local guide nearby, and share laughs with fellow travelers — all in just a couple hours. Perfect if you want adventure without going overboard.
San José: Doka Coffee, Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfalls Day TripYou’ll taste fresh-brewed coffee at Doka Estate as mist lifts off the fields, stand at Poás Volcano’s rim with sulfur clouds drifting past, then wander rainforest trails past waterfalls and wildlife at La Paz Gardens. With breakfast, lunch and transport included, you’ll feel Costa Rica’s wild beauty—all in one day.
Arenal Volcano: Night Rainforest Walk & Wildlife with Family-Friendly GuideYou’ll wander rainforest trails at Arenal Volcano as night falls, searching for frogs, snakes, maybe even sloths with a local guide who knows every sound in the dark. Flashlights in hand, you’ll notice smells and textures most people miss—and leave with stories that stick long after you’ve washed off the mud.
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour in ChileThis 2-hour tour in Chile takes you through coffee, cocoa and sugar cane farms with a certified guide who walks you through how each product is grown and processed. You taste fresh coffee, sugar cane juice and multiple chocolate varieties—white, milk, 70% with chili, sea salt, coconut, pineapple and more. All trails are paved cement, so strollers, walkers, crutches and wheelchairs move freely whether the day is sunny or wet.Is it for me?Book this if you're visiting with a stroller or mobility aid—the cement trails work in any weather, and one guide covers all three plantations in a single route.
Manuel Antonio: Rappelling, Zipline & Waterfall Adventure TourYou’ll scramble through rainforest near Manuel Antonio with local guides—rappelling waterfalls, flying over treetops on zip lines, tasting fresh fruit mid-adventure. Expect muddy boots, laughter echoing under the canopy, and a traditional Costa Rican meal to end your day. It’s not polished—but it’s real adventure.
Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour: La Fortuna Rainforest HikeThe Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour is a two-hour rainforest hike in La Fortuna led by a live guide who uses a telescope to locate and photograph sloths, toucans, basilisks, agoutis and owls. The trail winds through a reforested property that has recovered into native habitat since 2000, and the guide shares facts about the animals and plants as you encounter them. The hike is easy and flat, ending with fresh local pineapple and time to rest in rocking chairs while listening to the forest.Is it for me?You get a guide who finds the animals for you instead of a self-guided walk where you might miss them entirely—the telescope and the guide's knowledge are what turn a rainforest walk into actual wildlife observation.
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Time with GuideYou’ll wander shaded trails with a local guide who knows every rustle—spotting monkeys leaping overhead, sleepy sloths tucked high up, and even tiny bats or frogs if you’re lucky. The pace is relaxed, with time to ask questions or just listen to birdsong before ending your day stretched out on Manuel Antonio’s warm sand.
Jaco ATV Waterfall Tour: 4 hours, mountain-to-ocean viewsYou ride an ATV through Costa Rican rainforest for four hours, climb to a ridge with ocean views, stop at a 30-foot waterfall, and eat lunch at a remote tilapia farm where the fish come from the pond you're sitting above. Pickup from Jaco is included, your guide speaks both English and Spanish, and all equipment and entrance fees are covered — you just bring closed-toed shoes, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and a swimsuit.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the rainforest and coast from a ridge most Jaco visitors never reach, and you'd rather not navigate mountain roads or arrange lunch separately — the guide handles the route, the farm handles the meal, and four hours is enough to feel remote without eating up your whole day.
Tamarindo & Coco: Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkel & Open BarYou’ll step barefoot onto a spacious catamaran in Tamarindo or Playas del Coco and sail Costa Rica’s Gold Coast with an open bar at your elbow. Snorkel in calm Pacific waters, eat fresh-cooked lunch right on deck, and watch sunset colors spill across the sky as you drift back toward shore—simple pleasures that linger long after you leave.
La Fortuna: ATV Adventure, Mud Mask & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll ride ATVs through muddy rainforest trails near La Fortuna with a local guide, spot massive Watusi bulls by Quebrada Platanillo, visit a small countryside village pulpería, try volcanic mud masks if you want, and relax with snacks at Rancho La Poza before heading back—muddy shoes and all.
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano: Blue River Hike with Waterfall & Hot SpringsYou’ll follow jungle trails to Rio Celeste’s surreal blue river, stand beside its roaring waterfall, watch two rivers blend into one impossible color, and unwind in volcanic hot springs near Tenorio Volcano. Local guides share stories along the way and lunch is included — expect mud on your shoes and something new on your mind by sunset.
Tamarindo Canopy Tour: 7 Ziplines, Hanging Bridge & Tarzan SwingA rainforest canopy tour near Tamarindo with seven ziplines, a hanging bridge, a Tarzan swing and an optional controlled free fall, led by a bilingual guide who briefs you on safety before you start. The tour runs one to two hours and welcomes children from age four; a professional guide and bottled water are included. Morning departures leave at 8:30am or 11am, with afternoon options between 1pm and 3pm.Is it for me?The fixed departure times and bilingual guide mean you book a slot and show up ready to move—no arranging transport or figuring out the safety setup yourself. The tour works for families with young children and for anyone who wants to try the free fall without committing to it beforehand.
Guanacaste: Palo Verde Boat Safari, Pottery & Coffee LunchYou’ll float through Guanacaste’s wild side on a Palo Verde boat safari, spotting monkeys and crocodiles up close before tasting wood-fired Costa Rican lunch. Meet Chorotega artisans shaping ancient pottery by hand and sip fresh coffee with locals — all with easy pickup and a guide who knows every bend in the river. You might find yourself thinking about those moments long after you leave.
Sloth Tour in Costa Rica's Rainforest: Guided Wildlife WalkA one-hour guided rainforest tour in Costa Rica where you walk easy, eco-friendly trails to observe two- and three-toed sloths, poison dart frogs and tropical birds in their natural habitat. The tour is led by bilingual local guides trained in conservation, and children aged 5 and up are welcome; coffee or tea and a traditional pastry are included.Is it for me?The bilingual guide means you follow the commentary clearly in English or Spanish, so language doesn't create a gap between you and what the guide is explaining about the wildlife and forest. Families with children from age 5 onward can move together at the same pace without anyone being left behind or held back.
Kayaking in Punta Uva: Sloths, monkeys, turtlesKayak and wildlife tour in Punta Uva led by local Costa Rican naturalist guides who know the rainforest ecosystem and Talamanca culture firsthand. You paddle through jungle waters searching for sloths and other wildlife, then walk forest trails and beaches to a scenic viewpoint. Small groups only, no cages or forced encounters—just observation of animals in their natural habitat.Is it for me?You paddle the kayak yourself rather than watching from a boat, so the pace and the route stay in your hands—good for travelers who want to move under their own power and see wildlife without cages or feeding. Small groups mean you're not competing with crowds, and the guides are locals who grew up here, not seasonal staff reading a script.
Manuel Antonio: Jungle Night Tour & Wildlife Search with PickupYou’ll step into Manuel Antonio’s rainforest after dark with a local guide leading the way—flashlight in hand—searching for frogs, insects, and other creatures that only show up at night. Expect laughter (and maybe some nerves) as you listen to the jungle come alive around you before heading back to your hotel with new stories buzzing in your head.
Horseback Riding in Samara: Jungle and BeachHorseback riding near Samara takes you through jungle and small village to Buena Vista Beach on a horse matched to your riding level, with a guide in English, Spanish or French. The ride lasts two and a half hours and includes hotel pickup; morning departures leave around 8am and sunset rides around 3pm, though rainy season may shift the route to Samara Beach. Children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Two and a half hours means the ride fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, leaving time for other activities in Samara before or after. The guide's role is to match horse to rider, so the pace stays peaceful whether you have ridden before or never have.
Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River: La Fortuna white waterWhite water rafting on the Balsa River near La Fortuna takes you through Class II and III rapids over a 4-hour morning, with a local guide leading you downriver through Costa Rican rainforest. Hotel pickup and drop-off, safety gear, lunch at Hunters and Gatherers restaurant, and access to the El Salto Swimming Hole are included. The activity suits travelers with moderate fitness; children are welcome from age 8, though it's not recommended for those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?Book this rafting if you want Class II and III rapids without a full-day commitment—the 4-hour morning leaves your afternoon free, and the included lunch and swimming hole turn the end into a natural break rather than a rushed return to town. The moderate fitness requirement and age 8 minimum mean families with older kids and active adults fit the trip; those with spinal issues, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns should check with the operator first.
