Costa Rica looks like a tiny dot on the map, unless you flex your fingers to zoom in. While it is possible to watch the sun rise on the Caribbean coast and the sun set over the Pacific within a span of a day, such is the width of the country, the number of exciting activities you can do in Costa Rica can be overwhelming, particularly, if you have never been to this tropical paradise in the Central America.
Costa Rica lies on the narrow strip of land that connects the big chunks of landmasses, the North and South America. The Pacific and Caribbean coastal line will make you think that Costa Rica is all about beaches and sun. However, we think that the most interesting thing about Costa Rica is ‘nature’. The biodiverse country packs in so much of nature and wildlife that they are intertwined with every aspects of life here.
As interests and purposes of visits may vary, in this post, we have compiled a range of activities that can be parts of itineraries. The activities listed here sprawl across relaxation, adventure, wildlife, birding, culture and romance.
The Essence of Costa Rica
Watch our YouTube video below about the essence of Costa Rica and get inspired to book that ticket!
Hiking in the Forests of Costa Rica
As we talk about nature and her camaraderie with Costa Rica, the forests are the first things that come to our mind. There are 30 national parks in the country apart from protected national reserves and private reserves. There are 3 major forest ecosystems, cloud forests, rainforests and dry forests. These forests differ based on altitude, climate, vegetation and wildlife.
Most of the national parks and reserves have designated trails. Hiking on the trails provide a peek into the characteristics of the forests. Guided hikes can help getting the best knowledge about the vegetation and wildlife. However, you can go on self-guided hikes as well. But note that some reserves only allow guided tours.
Destinations
- Cloud Forests: Monteverde is the best destination to experience the forests dipped in clouds. There are several reserves with miles of trails and amazing trees and orchids typically seen in cloud forests. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Children’s RainForest Reserve and Curi Cancha Reserve are the 4 most visited reserves in Monteverde. Another destination for experiencing cloud forests is San Gerardo de Dota, just couple of hours drive away from San Jose.
- Rainforests: The more widely found forests in Costa Rica are the tropical rainforests. Whether you are on the South Pacific region or the Caribbean region, you can explore the rainforests along with its incredible flora and fauna. The popular Manuel Antonio National Park, the remote yet biodiverse Corcovado National Park or the Carara National Park near Jaco are among the ones near the Pacific coasts, while Cahuita National Park and Tortuguero National Park are on the Caribbean side.
- Dry Forests: The dry forests are located in the northern part of Costa Rica. These are primarily in the Guanacaste province. The Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Santa Rosa National Park or the Palo Verde National Park are the best places to explore these unique ecosystems that receive lower precipitation compared to the cloud or rainforests.
Spot Wildlife
Waking up to the calls of the howler monkeys or watching the adorable sloth taking forever to chew a branch or listening to the calls of the poison dart frogs, you cannot just miss the opportunity to watch the Costa Rican wildlife up close. The mammals, birds or amphibians are scattered all over the country. The national parks and wildlife refuges are the best places to find them. But chances are that you will find many species in common places.
There are over 500,000 species of wild animals and birds that call Costa Rica their home. The list of wildlife for the enthusiasts can be long. However, here is a list of popular wildlife that you will commonly see during any nature tour. The species will differ on which part of Costa Rica you are visiting.
Mammals
The common mammals of Costa Rica are arboreal. The two and three toed sloths are fun to watch as they hang lazily on the branches. Just watch them move! The other residents who rule the trees all over Costa Rica are the 4 species of monkeys, White-faced Capuchin, Howler, Spider and Squirrel Monkeys.
The common land mammals that you will find in most places are Coati and Agouti. Other interesting mammals found in some forests are Tapir (Corcovado National Park), Peccary, Deer and Ant-eaters (we spotted some on our hike at Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve).
Jaguars and Puma are 2 of the big cat predators of Costa Rica. However, they are extremely difficult to spot.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The iconic Red-eyed Tree Frog, with its striking colors, is a must-see among the amphibians. The guided night tours can help in spotting some of the reptiles (Golden eyelash viper, Boa Constrictor) and amphibians.
The aquatic predators, Crocodiles and Caimans can be spotted in the rivers in Tortuguero National Park. Crocodiles can be also fairly easily observed in the Tarcoles river, from the Tarcoles bridge.
Marine Life
The Pacific and the Caribbean coasts are rich in marine life. The uniqueness makes it worthy of a separate mention. Apart from discovering the marine life by Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, there are other interesting marine life activities.
- Whale Watching: The Pacific coast attracts humpback whales. July – October is the best time for whale watching. You can find them with their babies as well diving together in the ocean. Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita is the best place to do this tour. Though you can do it from the beaches of Guanacaste as well.
- Turtle Nesting: The giant Green Turtles lay eggs in the Tortuguero National Park. The tours happen at night and can only be done with a guide. The other interesting phenomenon is the arrival (arribada) of the Olive Ridley Turtles. Playa Ostional, close to Nosara, is one of the best places to see thousands of turtles flock to the beach for nesting.
Birds
It is difficult to shortlist our favorites among the 900+ species of birds in Costa Rica. In fact, birding in Costa Rica deserves a whole section dedicated to it (Vide the next Costa Rica activity).
Destinations
The national parks and wildlife refuges are scattered all over the country along with private reserves. These amount to numerous trails and opportunities to watch the wildlife in action.
- Remote: If you have time to venture deeper into the country, our favorites are Corcovado National Park for the possibilities of finding diverse wildlife in its various stations. The other one is Tortuguero National Park, a remote refuge along the Caribbean Sea, safe home for the breeding green sea turtles.
- Easier to Reach: The Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular destination with pretty beaches at the end of the trails. Other national parks closer to central valley or San Jose airport are Carara National Park, Braulio Carillo National Park, Los Quetzales, Tapanti National Park to name a few.
From left to right: Red-eyed Tree Frog, Sloth, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Howler Monkey.
Birding
Although we covered wildlife earlier in this post, birding earns a separate place in the list. Since Costa Rica is a birder’s paradise, it is possible to create your Costa Rica travel itinerary entirely based on birding opportunities. Every corner is home to different species of the flying beauties.
Boca Tapada, a small town on the bank of San Carlos is among our favorites to spot several species of the lowland birds and the King Vulture.
Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota are the top destinations to spot the Resplendent Quetzal and other highland birds.
We have found the Scarlet Macaws hovering or perched in or near the Carara National Park and Jaco area. Try spotting the Great Green Macaws who frequent the trees around Sarapiqui or La Selva Biological Station and Tortuguero.
From left to right: Keel-billed Toucan, Scarlet Macaws, Resplendent Quetzal.
Explore the Beautiful Beaches of Costa Rica
With the Pacific on the west and Caribbean Sea on the east coast, Costa Rica has miles of popular and hidden beaches. Some are lively with local and foreign visitors and in proximity of the beach towns, while others are quiet with few visitors, hidden in the jungles.
The beaches in Costa Rica can be divided into different areas, it can help in creating a base while traveling. If we have to demarcate the coastal areas, it will be 4 zones: North Pacific, Nicoya, South Pacific and the Caribbean.
North Pacific
The North Pacific beaches are closer to Liberia and fall in the Guanacaste province. These attract more tourists than the other areas and are usually crowded during holidays or dry season, December to March. The beach towns are vibrant with resorts, high-end hotels and restaurants.
If you are someone who wants to just take the time off to indulge in luxury, try the all-inclusive hotels of Gulf of Papagayo. The towns near Playa del Coco and Tamarindo are bustling with hotels and restaurants. These places are for people who want to try the local or global cuisines besides the beach time. If you want quieter beaches, Playa Avellanas is the place to be, also popular for beginner or moderate level surfing.
Nicoya
For quieter time, you can pick the beaches in the Nicoya region. You are still staying close to amenities. Samara and Nosara are 2 such towns in the northern Nicoya. The Santa Teresa, Malpais and Montezuma beach towns are near the Southern tip of Nicoya. These places are comparatively longer drives from Liberia or San Jose. Taking a ferry makes the route shorter, if you are arriving from San Jose. The towns may be remote but have some pretty beaches and amazing restaurants. If you want to go more remote, spend a couple of days in Cabuya, the last town of Nicoya.
South Pacific
The South Pacific beaches are comparatively raw and wild. Most of them are either part of protected areas or national parks. Uvita, Dominical and Ojochal are the popular beach town trio of this part of Costa Rica. If you have more time, add Drake Bay in your itinerary and couple it up with Corcovado National Park.
Caribbean
The Caribbean beaches are laid back. You get to experience a different culture compared to the Pacific. Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are the primary towns for your base to explore the Caribbean coast.
Watch Volcanoes and Volcanic Activities in Costa Rica
The Central America located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. You can witness the volcanic activities up close at the Poas Volcano National Park (close to San Jose). The other option is Rincon de la Vieja National Park (close to Liberia).
The Arenal Volcano has spectacular sights from all round the La Fortuna town. The perfect conical shape of the volcano with occasional fumes make it a must-visit.
The Irazu Volcano is another must visit for its turquoise blue lake. It is just an hour drive away from San Jose.
Soak in the Waterfalls
We have hardly found any area in Costa Rica which is too far from a waterfall. Ask for, if you do not know already and you will find one.
- The Bajos del Toro town, an hour and half drive from San Jose is home to amazing waterfalls. The most popular ones are Catarata del Torro, Blue Falls, Catarata Rio Agrio and Catarata Escondido.
- The Nauyuaca Waterfalls and Uvita Waterfall (you can slide in this one!) are our favorites near Uvita / Dominical.
- The Rio Celeste waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park, stands out for its turquoise color. It is an hour drive from the La Fortuna town but worth allocating at least half a day for visiting the waterfall.
- If you are closer to Liberia, visit the waterfalls in or near the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, La Cangreja Waterfall and Catarata Oropendola. A little drive south of Liberia will take you to the Llanos de Cortes.
- The La Paz Waterfall Gardens, located closer to Central Valley, has a series of waterfalls. They also house rescued animals.
For know more about this, check out our round-up article on the best waterfalls in Costa Rica.
The forests, rivers and waterfalls are spread all over Costa Rica. You will end up adding couple in your itinerary with little effort.
Adventure Activities in Costa Rica
If you are looking for some adrenaline rush in Costa Rica, there are quite a few options to pick from.
Land Activities
- Ziplining: Whether you wish to fly over the Cloud Forests of Monteverde or Rainforests of the Pacific (Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Quepos), there are ample options.
- Hiking Mountains: Hiking for few miles is common in the national parks of Costa Rica. If you are looking for serious hiking, try conquering Cerro Chirripo, the highest peak of the country. You can also check out this beach hike, a free thing to do in Drake Bay.
- Hanging Bridges: The long hanging bridges in Monteverde or Arenal are exciting to cross with rivers flowing several meters below the feet.
- Cycling: Cycling with mountain bikes in the mountainous roads or on the dirt roads can be demanding, but it can be rewarding at the same time.
- ATV: Off-roading with ATV is common in the Montezuma and Santa Teresa, the activity is also present in other tourism spots as well.
Water Activities
- Surfing: Costa Rica is a destination for surfing of all levels, Beginner, Enthusiasts or Advance. Playa Grande near Tamarindo, Playa Avellanas, Playa Guiones in Nosara, Santa Teresa in Nicoya, Playa Hermosa near Jaco, Dominical Beach, Dominicalito Beach are among the top beaches to learn or experience surfing.
- White Water Rafting: Go for white water rafting in the Pacuare river in the Talamanca mountain range or Rio Naranjo near Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Canyoning: If you want to make your waterfall experience adventurous, try rappelling or canyoning. There are tours in Monteverde, Arenal, Quepos, Rincon de la Vieja.
- Scuba Diving: There are stunning dive sites offering rich marine life and great visibility. The Cano Island in the South Pacific (try PADI dive shops in Uvita or Drake Bay) and Bat Islands or Catalina Islands near Playa del Coco. There is a remote diving site in Cocos Islands away from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. However, this rewarding trip needs a separate planning due to accessibility.
- Kayaking: A relatively easier activity, but can turn interesting with the right surroundings. Try kayaking through the Amazons of Costa Rica, the Tortuguero National Park. Also, chase the Arenal Volcano from the vast Arenal Lake.
- Sport Fishing: Try sport fishing deeper into the ocean on guided tours. Uvita, Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste are great options for sport fishing tours.
Relaxing Activities in Costa Rica
Every year, Costa Rica receives thousands of visitors. Still, we do not think that it is difficult to find that little part of the beach to yourself. Or find that corner of a cafe watching sunset/sunrise over the mountains or ocean. You can just choose to stay put, while the nature does her job.
But if you are looking for specific activities that allow you to have a relaxing vacation, there are no dearth of options.
Hot Springs
The volcanic hot springs, have all the ingredients to calm you down as you soak in the surrounding of rainforests. La Fortuna is the best place with several options in different price ranges. We also liked the Rio Negro hot springs near Rincon de la Vieja National Park, part of Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.
Yoga
If you are new to yoga or halfway to become a guru, there are several yoga retreats and yoga centers in the country to continue your yoga practice. Santa Teresa in Nicoya or Puerto Viejo in the Caribbeans are 2 popular destinations for finding yoga classes.
The Local Way
Pack a Picnic: This is one of our favorites, do as the locals do. Pack your food, drinks and any other essentials and picnic on the bank of one of the numerous rivers or streams, under the shade of the jungle. Some rivers and waterholes are deep enough for swimming.
All Inclusive Resorts
If you want to just stay at an all inclusive, the Guanacaste province has multiple options. All have luxury amenities that includes multiple swimming pools, swim-up bars, selection of restaurants, fitness and wellness centers, in-house entertainment and options of outdoor activities. Here are some of the popular ones:
- Dreams Las Mareas: It is located on the Playa El Jobo which seems almost exclusive to the resort (no beach in CR is private). Dreams Las Mareas offers ocean or jungle view rooms along with multiple pools, adult and family, restaurants and games. Click here to book your stay.
- Secrets Papagayo Adults Only: The resort is closer to Liberia, a 30 minutes drive from the airport. It is located on the Gulf of Papagayo. If you are looking for a couple getaway, this adults-only resort is perfect for you. Click here to check the prices.
- Planet Hollywood: Another all inclusive, not too far away from Liberia, has plenty of dining options and wellness activities. Check availability and prices here.
- Riu Palace: It is located south of Liberia on the Matapolo beach. The amenities include multiple restaurants, pools, wellness centers and opportunities of other water activities. Choose your stay options here.
- The Westin Reserva Conchal: The Westin lies on the Conchal beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste. If you want a beachfront luxury stay with all the amenities, Westin is the destination for your next holiday. Click here to check stay options and prices.
Try Local Food
Well, when in Rome…. Costa Rican food is not among the top cuisines of the world or the most diverse, but try some of the local delicacies to complete your cultural experience.
- Gallo Pinto is the common breakfast dish for the Ticos. It contains rice and beans cooked together with herbs and salsa on the side, and is usually accompanied by eggs made as per choice and fried plantains. Check out Gallo Pinto recipe here.
- Casado is a meal suitable for lunch or dinner. The common ingredients are rice, beans, salad and a meat of choice, fish, chicken, pork or beef. You will find various types of casados based on region. Even the restaurants add their own tweaks and tricks to stand out.
- Olla de Carne: This is another traditional dish which looks like a soup but with lots of vegetables. It contains pieces of meat along with yuca, green banana, corn, potato, chayote, carrot and other optional vegetables.
- Chicharrones: The fried blocks of pork is a common bar food to have with local beers, Imperial, Pilsen, Bavaria or the several other locally packaged craft beers.
- Chifrijo: Similar to Chicharrones but with a base of rice and beans, and topped with some avocadoes, chimichuri and tortilla chips.
- Caribbean Rice & Beans: This flavorful rice and beans with Caribbean style chicken is a traditional dish of the Caribbean part of Costa Rica. Definitely one of our favorites! Check out our Puerto Viejo restaurants guide.
- Artesanal Beers: Costa Rica has its share of breweries and packaged craft beers apart from the commonly available beers. While the supermarkets have sections of craft beers, look for the selected craft beers in the restaurants or local brewpubs.
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee is common export of Cost Rica and a significant economy driver. Why not take a sneak peek into the process by participating in the agro-tours. There are several companies that offer Coffee or Chocolate tours providing insights into their workflow.
You also get to try some of their products on the tour and buy home some souvenirs. The coffee and chocolate tours of Monteverde are highly recommended. Also, if you are in the central valley, there are multiple coffee tours close to Alajuela.
Cultural Activities in Costa Rica
Apart from the amazing natural surroundings, you can look beyond to gain some cultural experiences from the country.
Festivals
- Independence Day: Costa Rica celebrates her independence day on 15th September (Year 1821). As the country abolished their army in 1948, there is no military parade on these days. Instead, the schools and civilian bands having small kids to senior citizens present parades with music and dance in traditional attire.
- Annexation of Nicoya: On 25th July 1824, the northern part of Nicoya got annexed to Costa Rica, by being added to the Guanacaste province. Again, this is not any story of war or victory, but instead the people of this geography chose to become part of Costa Rica. This is a happy and big day of celebrations in Guanacaste, where you can see parades in traditional costumes and little local fairs with traditional food.
- Festival de la Luz/ Festival of Lights: It is a grand festival in Costa Rica to celebrate the arrival of Christmas. Filled with colorful costumes, beautiful parades and stunning decorations with lights, it takes place on second Saturday of every December since 1996 (except 2020 and 2021) in the capital, San Jose. Check out our video below to get a glimpse of how the festival looks like.
Explore the Historical Protected Monuments of Costa Rica
The Guayabo National Monument, the mysterious stone spheres of Finca 6 site in the Osa Peninsula or the Las Ruinas de Ujarrás (Ruins of Ujarrás) are some of the sites to explore the ancient Costa Rica.
Visit Museums & Art Galleries
If you are spending a night or two in San Jose, you can visit the museums and art galleries. The museums take you through the history of Costa Rica and other specific artifacts. The Museo Nacional, Jade Museum, Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) and Children’s Museum are some of the most popular ones. The Teatro Nacional or the National Theater, built in 1897, have exquisite sculptures and works of art by renowned artists.
Cooking Classes
Take a cooking class to try your hand with some of the local cuisines and learn about the traditional aroma and flavors in a Costa Rican kitchen.
Indigenous Communities
It is interesting to connect with the indigenous communities and learn their way of life and wisdom. You can take a guided tour to observe up close the life of the BriBri community in the Caribbean.
Learn Spanish
You do not need to learn Spanish for vacationing in Costa Rica, particularly in the tourist areas. But if you wish to connect better with the locals and have a better cultural experience, learning a bit of Spanish can go a long way. Why not keep a few hours learning the local greetings or basic conversations? Check out for Spanish classes around your hotel.
Costa Rica Tour Options
Check out these popular tour options in Costa Rica, across various destinations.
Final Thoughts on Costa Rica Activities
The trip planning requires you to define the type of vacation you wish to have. Costa Rica has a lot to offer from her arsenal. As you pick your activities, try deciding if you want your itinerary to be a mixed bag, highlights of the country or driven by specific activities. In any case, the list above can help you create your wish-list. Next step, build your itinerary.
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