What to Do in Costa Rica

Featuring lush rainforests, active volcanoes, hot springs, and endless stretches of pristine beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, a trip to Costa Rica offers an unparalleled experience. Traverse misty cloud forests in reserves like Monteverde, where vibrant wildlife, including sloths and tropical birds, await discovery. Delight in the flavors of locally-grown coffee and chocolate during plantation tours, or delve into the depths of adventure by exploring caves in Playa Cantanas. Be sure to sightsee iconic landmarks such as the Fortuna Waterfall. With its diverse natural landscapes and an array of activities, this compact Central American nation has rightfully claimed its place as the eco-tourism hub for tourists visiting Central America.Don’t want to miss out on the best that Costa Rica has to offer? Explore our carefully curated list of top things to do in Costa Rica, encompassing must-visit attractions and must-do activities. Moreover, we've included alternate destinations for each activity to ensure you don't miss out on any excitement.

With the greatest density of biodiversity in the world and a focus on environmental conservation, Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and enriching places to be. The focus this country puts on tourism further provides an unmatched landscape for travelers seeking outdoor adventures. From its dense rainforests to raging rivers and monumental volcanoes, it seems as though Costa Rica was built for adventure. There is nothing quite like Costa Rican adventure travel!Adventures in Costa Rica will take your breath away. Get the most out of your trip by considering these exciting activities while planning your adrenaline-filled Costa Rican tour. 

Located in the very heart of Costa Rica, the bustling and vibrant capital city San Jose opens up like a surprise gift if you know where to look! The warm climate, bustling activities, friendly locals, rich culture, and spectacular Victorian mansions make San Jose a popular tourist attraction to visit on a tour in Costa Rica. If you ever plan on visiting this melting pot of culture and urbanization, read our brilliant list of things to do in San Jose, listed here in no particular order.

Arenal Volcano is one of the most spectacular sights to see on a Costa Rica tour. This giant stands at an impressive 1,657 meters tall and has been one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes in the past half-century. But this doesn’t keep visitors from embarking on adventures to trek its lava-filled terrain located in La Fortuna.While it is prohibited to climb Arenal Volcano, numerous hikes in Arenal Volcano National Park allow you to walk around the base, along the old lava fields, and through the rainforest. Here we provide a breakdown of each Arenal Volcano hike to help you plan your trip to Arenal Volcano National Park. Note that distances and times are given for one-way. The best time to visit the park is between February to April, for dry weather and your best chance to utilize the trails. Rains during other times of the year can make the trails treacherous and inaccessible. For a more seasonal overview of the country, check out our travel guide on the best time to visit Costa Rica. There are several trails to hike around Arenal Volcano.

Costa Rica — the Rich Coast — is awash with phenomenal beaches, and those on the Pacific Ocean at Santa Teresa are no exception. Located at Nicoya Peninsula in the Puntarenas province, the surf here attracts board-lovers from across the globe, and its white sand beaches fringed by tropical jungle are more than just a place to catch some rays. Lacking any high-rise buildings, Santa Teresa maintains an under-the-radar feel while upholding the quintessential image of unspoiled central American beaches. Having said that, the lure of the surf means the town’s main drag in Santa Teresa has a good choice of restaurants and accommodation, which ranges from the budget to the sublime.

For years, La Fortuna in Costa Rica has been one of the top tourist destinations. It is the hub of outdoor adventuring with its impressive landscape and variety of activities. In this natural oasis, anyone can find plenty of options to satiate their need for excitement or rejuvenation. Enjoy this guide detailing our recommendations on things to do in La Fortuna. For a more general guide on the country, read through our recommendations on things to do in Costa Rica. 

Colourful, vibrant and cosmopolitan, the bustling capital of San Jose is one of the main arrival points for visitors on a tour to Costa Rica and a highlight of many people’s visit. Whether spending time exploring the city or simply passing through on your way to one of the country’s stunning beaches or national parks, a good night’s sleep is vital for getting the most from your trip. To help you on your way, here’s our pick of some of the very best hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has long been a feature on many travelers’ bucket lists. Famed for its towering volcanoes, stunning beaches, and dense forests, there is no denying that this relatively small corner of South America is a nature lover's paradise. It’s only recently, that Costa Rica has gained fame as a hot location for adventure tourism. A trip to Costa Rica provides endless opportunities for visitors to combine exploration and culture with adrenaline. Ever-popular treetop walks through dense forest canopies — often cloaked in the mist — present a unique opportunity to tap into this new-found need-for-speed. After all, why hike through the jungle when you can strap yourself into a harness, clip onto a steel cable and go hurtling through the forest? Here are our top picks for where to go ziplining in Costa Rica.

There is much more to do than just soak up the sun in Costa Rica’s most popular and liveliest beach town! Situated on the Central Pacific Coast, Jaco Beach in Costa Rica serves up blissful sandy beaches, invigorating waters, abundant jungle, and endless fun. During the day, visitors will find an array of exciting water sports and land-based adventures. By evening, parties and other electrifying nightlife activities take over, inspiring travelers to let loose like never before. Only two hours away, Jaco is the nearest beach to San José and makes a superb destination in itself or a great extension to any Costa Rica trip. Below is our list of top things to do while in Costa Rica's Playa Jaco.

Situated in Costa Rica’s northwest region, Liberia is a major gateway to some of Costa Rica’s most intriguing places. With a population of roughly 55,000 and its own international airport, this city makes a perfect base for a tour to Costa Rica, to enjoy the nearby rainforests, volcanoes, and tropical beaches of Guanacaste's Gold Coast. One of Costa Rica’s oldest towns, Liberia has a rich colonial history as well as a distinct local cowboy culture, which creates interesting opportunities for tourism.Whether you spend the day adventuring outdoors in the diverse region or enjoying the museums of this old colonial town, Liberia is a top destination for a Costa Rica holiday. As you plan your trip, make sure to include these activities on your visit to Liberia.

Cahuita in Costa Rica is a quaint, unique village located on the Caribbean coast. For many years, Cahuita, located in the Limon Province, was an almost untouched piece of paradise, a secret gem famous amongst locals but virtually unknown on the travel circuit. Since it opened to tourism some 30 years ago, Cahuita has attracted travelers with its laid-back vibe and overall charm.Although small, Cahuita is a village that packs a big punch. Home to more than 8,000 residents, this area also boasts some of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions. From its sprawling national park and coral reef to its black and white beaches and clear blue sea, Cahuita allows visitors to experience all the best of Costa Rica without leaving this small coastal city. If you are looking for a quiet time on your Costa Rica tour, Cahuita is a fairly less crowded destination to consider.  Whether you dream of a relaxing vacation, an animal-filled adventure, or an underwater excursion, Cahuita has something for everyone. Read on to learn more about Cahuita’s top attractions, listed here in no particular order.

Created in the 1970s in response to widespread destruction of vital habitat caused by illegal gold mining, Corcovado National Park is now one of the most biologically intense and complex ecosystems in the world. Exotic and lush, the park features 13 major ecosystems from mangrove swamps and palm groves, to rain forests, beaches and lowland forests. These ecosystems provide a home for more than 1,000 species of insects, plants and animals, making it an ideal destination for any nature lover.Corcovado National Park is located on the Osa Peninsula in the Puntarenas Province of southern Costa Rica. Encompassing more than 105,168 land acres and 8,288 marine acres, Corcovado National Park is the largest national park in Costa Rica and is considered the crown jewel of the country’s national parks and biological reserves. To help you learn more about this unique and awe-inspiring nature reserve, enjoy this comprehensive guide to Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica.

Whitewater rafting in Costa Rica is a thrilling way to spend your next holiday. With pristine mountains and coastal rivers surrounded by steep canyons and rainforests, a Costa Rica tour offers a variety of scenic areas. From gut-wrenching paddling to gentle scenic floats, rafting is a favorite adventure activity for individuals, groups, and families. Downstream trips get you into the country’s pristine wilderness like no other outdoor activity in the country could. With this list of the top 10 destinations for whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, you’ll be well on your way to discovering pure exhilaration.

With its abundance of flat lowland coastal parks and challenging mountain hikes, Costa Rica is arguably one of the world’s most adventurous hiking and trekking destinations. Imagine hiking in Costa Rica through the rugged, untamed trails of Cerro Chirripo, and losing your heart in the sights and sounds of the jungle. Conjuring up a more ideal hiking adventure than this one is hard. In this post we take a closer look at some of the best places to go hiking in Costa Rica, essentially assisting you in planning the most perfect Costa Rica tour! When it comes to hiking in Costa Rica, you can choose hikes in all corners of the country.

What is the best way to combine a love for water, wildlife, and adventure? Diving, of course! Around the world, scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities for travelers, and in Costa Rica, this is no exception. With pristine water and a diverse collection of reefs accessible from both of the country’s coasts, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica offers awe-inspiring adventures into the aquatic world.