Three trips and so many activities later, Costa Rica continues to be one of my favorite places to recommend for adventure travel. While Costa Rica is becoming more accessible (more developed, more options) and continuously entices travelers to visit, parts of the country can feel secluded and there are plenty of activities for every interest.
Costa Rica is a place for adventure – from beginners who want to visit a new beach to more experienced travelers who are looking for a new or thrilling tour. The variety can give you a packed week of activities! There are MANY options of activities and MANY companies, so choose your priorities to decide on which city/area to visit.
Here are some of my recommendations of the best things to do in Costa Rica!
1. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
For those who love creatures, a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park is a must. Guides bring along a telescope to help you see hiding animals. These experts can spot things a few centimeters long and camouflaged! They are also experts at taking photos through the telescope to document what you see. Some things we saw: sloths, masked tree frog, howler monkey, grasshopper, Jesus Christ lizard, and a bat. Your tour will end at the private part of Manuel Antonio beach, so you’ll be able to spend the rest of the day here!
Tips:
- Admission is $16 per person.
- You can book a tour guide with your admission ticket or spontaneously book a guide (usually cheaper) at the entrance. (About $25 per person) Tours are about 3 hours. Make sure they are certified with ICT – Costa Rica Tourism Board.
- Bring beach gear and wear comfortable walking shoes
- Get there early.
2. Relax at the Beach
There’s a reason why you traveled to a tropical location – the beach (“playa” in Spanish)! And Costa Rica has plenty to choose from along its western coast.
Here are some popular ones:
- Playa Conchal
- Playa Flamingo
- Playa Espadilla (Manuel Antonio)
- Playa Tamarindo
- Playa Santa Teresa
- Marina Ballena National Park – Whale Tail (Uvita)
Tip: Be sure to wear bug spray! Noseeums will cover you in bites that you won’t notice until the next day.
3. Go Surfing
Costa Rica has good surf! Head to the Pacific, western side of the country. There are beaches for all levels, so this would be a good place to take a lesson and try it out.
Here are some of the beaches for surfing:
- Playa Dominical
- Playa Hermosa
- Playa Jaco
- Playa Nosara
- Playa Santa Teresa
- Playa Tamarindo
4. Taste Local Coffee and Chocolate
Coffee and chocolate are thriving exports and you’ll see them often for souvenirs. To learn more about how these products end up on our grocery shelves, you have the chance to meet the farmers, learn how it’s made, and taste it straight from the source.
Here are a few options:
- La Iguana Chocolate near Bejuco
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour near La Fortuna
- Café Britt near Heredia
- Café Don Emilio near Uvita
5. Experience the Best Ziplining
The best ziplining I’ve ever experienced was in Costa Rica. Their lines are long and fast. You’ll be zipping through the rainforest or near the ocean. You can find ziplining throughout the country and many say the best are in Arenal, which means seeing volcano views!
Here are some companies to consider:
- Sky Adventures in Monteverde and Arenal
- Diamante Eco Adventure Park in Guanacaste
- El Santuario Canopy Adventure in Manuel Antonio
6. Go Hiking
Just like beaches and activities, there are plenty of places to hike for all levels of experience in Costa Rica. Some of the best hikes lead to waterfall swims or incredible views! Here are some hikes to consider:
- Rainmaker near Quepos
- Nauyaca Waterfall near Dominical
- Cerro Chirripó – Chirripó National Park – the highest peak in Costa Rica, overnight trip
- Arenal Hanging Bridges at Mistico Park
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guancaste
Tip: Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, especially closer to the wet season.
Bonus: I haven’t been but I’ve heard Tortuguero National Park (on the Caribbean side) and Corcovado National Park (Southern, Puntarenas area) are two places to experience a more untouched rainforest environment. These are two areas that are harder to get to and you’ll see less development when you get there.
El Miro near Jaco is a short, easy hike to an abandoned structure filled with graffiti.
7. Jump into Waterfalls
Another Costa Rica experience is a waterfall! Whether it’s hiking to see a waterfall, rappelling down a waterfall, or jumping into a waterfall pool, you have options when you visit Costa Rica.
- Pure Trek Canyoning near La Fortuna
- Nauyaca Waterfall near Dominical
- San Luis Waterfall near Uvita
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens near San Jose
- La Fortuna Waterfall near Arenal
8. Go Scuba Diving
Caño Island and Cocos Island are the top places to dive in Costa Rica. Both require a long boat ride – an hour for Caño Island and a liveaboard is required for Cocos Island because it is about 36 hours away. There are also closer dive sites and the majority of dive companies in Costa Rica are located in the Guanacaste province. Liveaboards usually leave from Guanacaste or Puntarenas.
We dove with Costa Rica Dive and Surf out of Uvita for a trip to Caño Island. It was a fun trip (about 9 am – 3 pm) and we had two dives with lots of wildlife seen (sharks, eels, octopus).
Tip: Don’t forget to pack/take motion sickness medicine for long boat rides. It’ll guarantee a better experience if you’re prone to sickness.
9. Try the Food
Casado plates, ceviche, gallo pinto, fresh fruit – Costa Rican food can be simple and delicious! You’ll be able to find local eats and familiar favorites while traveling in the country. You can even find craft beer!
See this post for more about eating and drinking in Costa Rica.
10. Enjoy the Flora, Fauna, and Environment
If you’ve done the previous things, it’s likely you’ve already done this! From the sloths and mushrooms to the tropical leaves and ocean waves, I loved savoring the environment and views I don’t typically have at home. Don’t forget to slow down and see Costa Rica as it is. The natural beauty welcomes you.
Here are some recommendations:
- Manuel Antonio National Park – As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the best places to take in the flora and fauna of Costa Rica.
- Crocodile Bridge on the Tarcoles River – If you’re driving through Tarcoles, be sure to stop by the bridge to see 20+ crocodiles below!
- Watch the sunset – Preferably while walking the beach. This is the best thing about a beach vacation!
Costa Rica is a place I think of fondly. There’s a reason why travelers are drawn to this beautiful and adventurous place. I hope you get the chance to discover it one day!
Check out these posts to plan your Costa Rica trip:
You might also like
