Come to Costa Rica to discover magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities and creatures great and small. This smallish Central American country has a world of adventure, from water sports and mountain hikes to watching wildlife in the rainforest and birds in the cloud forest. Known for its beaches and biodiversity, Costa Rica’s diverse terrain is full of waterfalls, hot springs and volcanoes. When you’re ready to take a break from outdoor activities, there are tree houses to sleep in, meals to relish and cities to explore.
With so much to see and do, you probably don’t want to rush your Costa Rica visit. If you can, give yourself at least a week, so you’ll have plenty of time to do a jungle lagoon cruise, explore a volcano, hit the beach or glide through the tree canopy on a zipline.
1. Fly through the clouds in Santa Elena
There are zip-line courses all around the country, some of which will brag about being higher, faster or longer than others. However, a Santa Elena canopy tour is extra special.
The Costa Rica canopy craze started here, but more importantly, there’s something fantastic about soaring over the treetops with the clouds swirling all around you. Take in the misty magic of the cloud forest, supercharged with an adrenaline rush.
Planning tip: When zip-lining check your operator’s safety procedures before committing. It’s also okay to change your mind when you’re there.
2. Raft into the Pacuare Lodge
The Pacuare Lodge is a gorgeous, luxurious facility surrounded by dense rainforest and little else. The only road in is not a road at all, but rather a river: the namesake Río Pacuare. Here is a case where the journey rivals the destination, as you travel to the lodge by white-water rafting over Class III–IV rapids on this world-famous river.
The roar of the rapids, the spectacular scenery and the thrill of the ride make for a fantastic adventure – and you’re just getting started. Once at the lodge, you’ll enjoy sumptuous accommodations, incredibly satisfying meals, super-attentive service and a roster of activities before rafting back out again.
Planning tip: Pacuare Lodge packages include transportation to and from San José, but you can also have them deliver you anywhere on the Caribbean Coast.
3. Ride the waves
Surfers in the know plan their entire vacation around the wild and wonderful waves on the Costa Rican coastlines. If you’re new to the surf scene, this is a fantastic place to find out what it’s all about thanks to inviting warm waters, long and luscious waves and non-stop good vibes.
The most popular surf destinations include Tamarindo, Nosara and Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula; and Jacó, Dominical and Pavones on the central and south Pacific.
Note that any given destination has a few different surf spots, some of which are better for beginners looking for scenic surf lessons, like Tamarindo and Montezuma. Meanwhile, other beaches offer more challenging waves, including Santa Teresa and Pavones. They all enjoy a party scene, though Nosara and Santa Teresa are more laid-back.
Planning tip: Find the biggest waves on the Pacific coast from May to October (though the dry season is better for beginners). The waves are biggest on the Caribbean side from November to May.
4. Hike, swim and climb to La Leona Waterfall
This outing is more than a hike or a waterfall swim – it’s a canyoneering adventure. That’s the only way to describe this excursion down the Río Blanco in Curubandé de Liberia, which involves swimming, scrambling, spelunking, climbing and cliff jumping.
You’ll see three different waterfalls on the way, including a final celestial-blue beauty hidden inside a cave.
Detour: This adventure takes place just outside of Parque Nacional Volcán Rincón de la Vieja, a great destination to see volcanic activity (more on that below) and soak in hot springs.
5. Spy on nesting sea turtles
Every few years, female sea turtles perform an ancient ritual, returning to their natal beach to lay their eggs beneath the moonlight before heading back into the welcoming waters of the sea. Elsewhere on the same beach, tortuguita (little turtle) hatchlings dig out of their nests and scurry to the sea. It’s an incredibly intimate episode to witness.
Planning tip: The timing varies, depending on the location and turtle species, but you can see this spectacle of nature in Tortuguero National Park in the north Caribbean, and at Playa Grande and Playa Ostional on the Nicoya Peninsula.
6. Splurge on a multicourse meal in the sky
San Lucas is not just a restaurant; it’s a dining experience – that is, a surprise nine-course menu that’s also a lesson in Costa Rican history and culture.The food presentations are innovative, interesting and excellent overall, but the highlight is the fantastic setting in the sky. Each table occupies a private glass cube high atop a mountainside, overlooking the cloud forest and the village of Santa Elena below.
Planning tip: The San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience has seatings at 12:30pm, 5pm and 8:30pm. If you reserve for the 5pm slot, your first course comes with a spectacular sunset.
7. Watch wildlife in Corcovado National Park
For wildlife watchers, there’s no better place in Costa Rica to meet fauna than the trails around Sirena station in Parque Nacional Corcovado, the last great original tract of tropical rainforest in Pacific Central America. Here, visitors have a good chance of seeing animals (some endangered) that are rare in other parts of the country, including peccaries, tapirs, crocodiles and tiny squirrel monkeys.
Planning tips: Easier to reach and rich with life, the regions of Río Celeste and Sarapiquí have many eco-lodges and private reserves that are also fantastic for wildlife watching. Note that the best wildlife watching happens at dawn and dusk, which necessitates an overnight stay in the park.
8. Explore an active volcano
The mountains of northern and central Costa Rica are lined up in a row of hissing, steaming, sputtering volcanoes, some of which are open for exploration. Wander among boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles of Volcán Rincón de la Vieja; hike the lava flows and soak in volcanic-heated pools at Volcán Arenal; peer into the steaming crater at Poás and leave footprints in the lava fields of Irazú. Each experience is a little different, but all will leave you awestruck at the earth’s unbridled power.
Planning tip: If you don’t mind exploring in the rain, you can easily have fun exploring Costa Rica’s volcanoes and the country’s other great national parks year-round. If you prefer clear skies and sunshine, book a winter trip (January–March) for the least rain.
9. Kayak through sea caves
Along the Costa Ballena on the southern Pacific coast, Playa Ventanas is a small but spectacular palm-backed beach that has a special feature: intriguing caves in the cliffs at its north end. At low tide, you can investigate the two caves that open onto the beach (taking care to retreat if the water starts to rise). But if you’re up for a challenge, you can paddle a kayak along the gorgeous coastline and explore the cliffs and sea caves along the way.
Planning tip: The sea caves are only accessible in certain weather conditions, and they are often impassable during the rainy season. Book tours in Uvita.
10. See some magnificent birds
Even if you’re not a bird nerd, it’s easy to geek out about the avian life in Costa Rica. Of course, there are myriad multicolored beauties that you’ll see flitting about pretty much everywhere; then there are a few showstoppers – rare in other parts of the world but relatively easy to see in Costa Rica (if you know where to look).
Most famously, the scarlet macaw has made an incredible comeback along the Pacific coast, with sightings practically guaranteed in Parque Nacional Carara and on the Osa Peninsula. The aptly named resplendent quetzal makes seasonal appearances in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the cloud forests of the Dota region. And the great green macaw – still critically endangered – is sometimes spotted in Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada. Getting a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures in the wild is an awesome and inspiring experience that might just turn you into a bona fide birder.
11. Sleep in a tree house
In the wilds of northern Costa Rica, surrounded by lush forestlands, you can indulge your inner monkey and spend the night in the treetops.
On the edge of its eponymous wildlife refuge, Maquenque Eco-Lodge has a collection of fantastic tree houses – each constructed amid the leafy canopy, 12m (39ft) off the ground and surrounded by trees. With wide balconies, outdoor showers and screen walls, the tree houses offer complete rainforest immersion with a touch of luxury. It’s a 10-minute walk to the main lodge (or a quick buzz on the walkie-talkie, in case of emergency).
Detour: On your way to or from the hub town of Boca Tapada, stop in at the restaurant Centro Familiar Cuyito to try to glimpse a pair of great green macaws nesting in a wild avocado tree on the grounds.
12. Cool off under a waterfall
There’s no more exhilarating plunge than one beneath the downpour of a wild waterfall. And Costa Rica has no shortage of glorious cascades – many of which are swimmable. One fan favorite is Montezuma Waterfalls, on the outskirts of the eponymous village. It requires a rugged hike, but the reward is a triple-tiered catarata, with a thrilling (and chilling) cliff jump from the top.
Detour: If you can’t get enough, El Chorro Waterfall is another highlight in Montezuma. It’s a long hot hike, but the cascade – which falls from a high cliff directly into the ocean – is worth the effort.
13. Discover what happens after dark
Some 70% of animals are most active at night. Take a night hike with a nature guide to find out who they are and what they’re doing in the dark.
Night tours are popular in the main rainforest destinations in Costa Rica, including La Fortuna, Sarapiquí, Río Celeste and Manuel Antonio National Park. You’re bound to see plenty of bugs and bats, frogs and snakes, but you might also catch a glimpse of a nocturnal mammal, such as a kinkajou or a tree possum.
14. Cruise a jungle lagoon
One of the most rewarding ways to see wildlife in Costa Rica is via a cruise through the jungle-fringed canals of Tortuguero. From the comfort of your boat, you’re likely to see several species of monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, green iguanas, striped basilisks, caimans and crocs, not to mention incredible birdlife.
15. Witness a bay bathed in bioluminescence
Some aquatic organisms contain luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce a sparkly light. This magical glow in the water is called bioluminescence, and it lights up the coves of Ballena Bay, near Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula. Bioluminescent tours depart from Santa Teresa, Montezuma or Tambor itself, giving you a chance to kayak over ethereal, illuminated waters. Remember, swimming in bioluminescent waters can harm the glowing bacteria.
Planning tip: Save some cash by driving yourself to Playa Pochote and booking a bioluminescence tour at Don Trino campground, where tours are far less expensive than in the larger towns.
16. Explore Costa Rica’s capital
You probably came to Costa Rica for wild animals and outdoor adventure, but if you’re wondering where and how to begin your trip, it’s hard to think of a better starting point than Costa Rica’s capital city. San José is a cool, creative capital, packed with historic architecture, unique museums and trendy cafes and clubs.
Don’t miss the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (or the National Museum of Costa Rica) to see where Costa Rica’s constitution was signed into law in 1949, the Museo del Jade for its insightful exhibits about pre-Columbian cultures, and the Teatro Nacional for its artistic representations of Costa Rican culture. Best of all, Barrio Escalante has the best dining scene in the city, if not the country, so here’s your chance to dig in before heading out to the land of rice and beans.
Local tip: The Museo Nacional, Museo del Jade, and Costa Rican Central Bank Museum are all within walking distance of each other. You can buy a pass that covers admission to all three museums.
17. Escape to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
While Costa Rica’s Pacific coast tends to draw more attention and tourists, you don’t want to miss out on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (known locally as Puerto Viejo) is the perfect spot to begin exploring Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous cultures.
Here, you’ll encounter colorful homes, lively Reggaeton beats, cool bamboo bars and a beachy atmosphere. Try to spot sloths, howler monkeys and tropical birds along hiking trails at nearby Cahuita National Park. Beach hop between Playa Cocles, Playa Punta Uva and Playa Negra (known for its black sand). Learn about the Indigenous people of Talamanca – the Bribri, Kekoldi, and Cabecar – by taking a tour of one of the reserves.
18. Discover remote spots on an ATV
Exploring Costa Rica’s rugged terrain on an ATV is an exhilarating way to see waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes and mountains that would otherwise be hard to reach. There are many guided ATV tours available, so you can go off-the-beaten path but not get lost. Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park, which sits in a scenic corner of the local rainforest, has activities from ATV rides through the jungle to expert-led chocolate tastings.
19. Perk up with these invigorating coffee tours
As the name suggests, Costa Rica’s Central Valley sits in the heart of the country, anchored by San José. Not only is this a great place for first-timers to begin exploring Costa Rica, but it’s also a hot spot for coffee lovers to discover where their favorite brews are made.
If you’re already planning a day trip to Poás Volcano National Park, make a stop at Hacienda Doka to see how raw beans grown in the shadow of an active volcano transform into caffeinated beverages. Also not far from San José is Café Cristina, a small family coffee farm. Closer to Juan Santamaría International Airport, Café Britt has a coffee tour that takes you behind the scenes of one of Costa Rica’s premier upmarket coffee brands.
Planning tip: While Hacienda Doka is only about 21 miles (or 35km) northwest of San José, it can take about an hour to drive here from the city. Give yourself time to drive up the mountain road, enjoy your time at the farm, and make your way over to the volcano at Poás.
20. Reconnect with Mother Nature at Caño Negro
Near Costa Rica’s northern border with Nicaragua, Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge (also known as Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro) is a lowland rainforest reserve known as the “Everglades of Costa Rica,” with over 350 migratory and resident bird species.
You may encounter cormorants, roseate spoonbills and possibly rare jabiru storks, especially during the January–March winter season. You can also look for pumas, cougars, ocelots and jaguars as part of the over 160 mammal species that live there.
Planning tip: If you want to spend even more time at this amazing place, Caño Negro Natural Lodge has wonderfully well-appointed rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, a pool area and a concierge desk that can book all the wildlife tours you want.
21. Relax in volcano-heated waters
Costa Rican volcanoes provide thermal mineral waters that are perfect for a relaxing dip after a long day of adventuring. The area around the Arenal Volcano is the most popular for hot springs and has many facilities, such as Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa and Eco Termales. While more remote than Arenal, the Bagaces region also has hot springs, including Las Hornillas Volcano Hot Springs, where you can hike to waterfalls and cover yourself in volcanic clay. Near Guanacaste, there are hot springs and mud baths thanks to the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, including Vandará Hot Springs & Adventure Park and Hacienda Guachipelin.
Safety tip: Start with the coldest pool and let your body heat adjust before entering a hotter pool. To protect yourself against bacteria, don’t put your head underwater without pinching your nose, closing your eyes and keeping your mouth shut.
This article was first published Feb 7, 2023 and updated Oct 24, 2024.
