Costa Rica, with its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and abundant wildlife, provides the perfect backdrop for couples seeking romance and adventure.
We have spent about 7 years living and traveling in Costa Rica as a couple. We love that this beautiful country offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
So whatever you like as a couple, a peaceful retreat or an adrenaline rush adventure, Costa Rica has something to offer for every mood and preference.
Enjoy the serene beaches and luxurious hot springs, or dive into thrilling activities like zip-lining through lush forests.
Whether you are celebrating your honeymoon or anniversary, or simply enjoying a getaway with your significant other, our handpicked list of these 8 romantic things to do in Costa Rica will help you create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise.
As Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Soak in Natural Volcanic Hot Springs
📍 Where: La Fortuna and Arenal area
If we have to pick one activity that is relaxing, we will always pick a hot spring in Costa Rica.
There is something inherently romantic about relaxing in warm, mineral-rich waters while being surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
There are several places where you can experience the volcanic hot springs in Costa Rica, but the hot springs of La Fortuna and Arenal are the most popular ones in the country. They are heated by geothermal activities of the Arenal Volcano.
🥰 We love this hot springs activity because it combines relaxation with the opportunity to connect intimately in a beautiful natural setting.
As you relax in the warm waters, listen to the sounds of the rainforest and watch the steam rise around you. It is a sensory experience that brings you closer to nature and to each other.
🏨 Stay at a resort with onsite hot springs. Our picks are:
Nayara Springs (Adults Only) →
Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience →
💦 If not staying at a hot springs resort, get a pass to one of the resorts that allow day visitors, or go to an independent hot springs property like Relax Termalitas or Ecotermales.
➡️ Check out our recommendations on where to stay in La Fortuna and Arenal
Stay at a Boutique Hotel or Eco-lodge
In Costa Rica, when choosing hotels, we prefer to stay in boutique hotels and eco-lodges because they truly capture the essence of the country.
➡️ These accommodations offer a more intimate and personalized experience compared to large chain hotels or All-inclusive Hotels, allowing visitors to connect deeply with their surroundings and the local community.
Costa Rica is known for its natural biodiversity and is a pioneer in ecotourism. It holds 5% of the Earth’s biodiversity, despite covering just 0.2% of the world’s landmass.
These accommodations serve as perfect base camps for exploring Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity, engaging in outdoor adventures, exploring nature and wildlife and experiencing the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality.
Why Choose a Boutique Hotel or Eco-Lodge for your Romantic Getaway in Costa Rica:
💝 Intimate Atmosphere: Smaller properties offer a more personal experience, ideal for couples.
📍Stunning Locations: Often tucked in rainforests or overlooking pristine beaches, these properties offers breathtaking views and seclusion.
🧘🏽♀️ Unique Experiences: Many offer couples’ activities like private nature walks, candlelit dinners, couples’ spa treatments using local ingredients, or yoga sessions.
🌱 Sustainable Romance: Eco-lodges allow you to enjoy luxury while minimizing your environmental impact, aligning your romantic getaway with Costa Rica’s conservation ethos.
🥘 Local Flavors: Experience authentic Costa Rican cuisine, often featuring romantic farm-to-table dinners.
🛁 Natural Luxury: Enjoy amenities like private hot tubs with forest views or rooms with panoramic vistas of the ocean or volcanoes.
We cherish these moments of tranquility and luxury when staying at a boutique hotel or an eco-lodge. It is a chance for us to reflect on our adventures together and simply enjoy being in each other’s presence in a beautiful setting.
➡️ Related Reading: Check out our curated list of Eco-lodges of Costa Rica, for different types of travelers.
Zip-line Through Cloud Forests
📍 Where: Monteverde
For couples who love a bit of adventure, zip-lining through the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest is an exhilarating experience.
Despite Pubali’s fear of heights, we enjoy zip-lining together because it combines the thrill of adventure with the beauty of Costa Rica’s unique cloud forest ecosystem. It is an opportunity for us to face our fears together, while being treated to incredible scenery.
Treetopia and Selvatura Park in Monteverde offer some of the longest zip-lines in Costa Rica, providing breathtaking views of the cloud forest canopy and distant volcanoes.
Do not forget to pause on the observation decks between zip-lines to take in the panoramic vistas of the forests.
📃 Do not forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip. We use:
- Heymondo Travel Insurance (get 5% discount, auto applies), OR
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
* Discount not applicable for US residents
Left: Indranil, trying the Superman zip-line. Right: Pubali, holding on tight.
Experience the Tropical Forests
📍 Where: La Fortuna and Arenal and/or Monteverde
The lush rainforests, the dreamy cloud forests and the tropical dry forests of Costa Rica offer numerous hiking opportunities for nature-loving couples.
We enjoy hiking. This is one of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica for its sense of adventure and the opportunity to experience the magic of the rainforests and cloud forests together.
Here are a few ways how you can experience the forests of Costa Rica:
Hike in a National Park or Nature Reserve
The top destinations where you can experience hike in a National Park or a Nature Reserve:
🦥 Manuel Antonio National Park: Forest trails that take you to beautiful beaches.
🌋 Arenal 1968 or Arenal Volcano National Park: Rainforest trails with views of the Arenal Volcano and past Lava Trails.
🌳 Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde: We like Santa Elena for its beautiful cloud forest vegetation and views from their observation towers on a clear day.
☘️ Rincon de la Vieja National Park near Liberia in Guanacaste: The secondary volcanic activities in a unique dry forest landscape.
🚤 Corcovado National Park: In the remote Southern region of Costa Rica, in Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse region in the world. You can base yourself in Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez to explore the National Park.
Hanging Bridges
The other way to experience forests up close is to go for a hike in reserves, featuring series of suspension or hanging bridges.
🌋 You can pick Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges in Arenal. During our walk, we encountered several wildlife species, glimpses of the Arenal Volcano, a river flowing several meters below us and the lush green vegetation.
🌳 Also, you can combine your zip-lining activity with hanging bridges in Monteverde, at Selvatura Park or Treetopia. Walk on the hanging bridges, get canopy level view of the cloud forest and feel like walking over the clouds!
Jungle Night Walks
A Nigh Walk in a rainforest or cloud forest environment is another way to find out about the ecosystem.
Take a guided night hike for a unique experience. As the day comes to an end, experience the forest come alive with various sounds in the darkness of the night, and with the help of your guide, expect to spot some nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.
Go for Waterfall Hikes
Costa Rica is home to numerous stunning waterfalls, and visiting one can be a truly romantic experience.
The hikes culminate in breathtaking views, and many waterfalls have pools at their base, ideal for a refreshing and intimate swim.
Pack a picnic to enjoy on the rocks nearby, and take your time soaking in the natural beauty around you.
Here are our top 3 waterfall hikes in Costa Rica, where the waterfall pools look incredible, and you can also enjoy a swim in couple of them.
💦 La Leona Waterfall near Liberia in Guanacaste: This guided hike has a unique trail where you swim through a cave to reach the waterfall. The water looks blue with the reflection of sun rays.
💦 Rio Celeste Waterfall near La Fortuna: This unique waterfall turns a dramatic blue on clear days. Further hikes along the trails of Tenorio Volcano National Park lead you to sections of the river where the water shares the same vibrant hue.
➡️ Read our post on La Leona versus Rio Celeste, to pick one if you have limited time.
💦 Nauyaca Waterfall near Dominical, also accessible from Manuel Antonio: The Nauyaca Waterfall is one of the most majestic waterfalls in Costa Rica, with a series of falls that plunge into cave-like structures in the middle of rainforests in Costa Rica’s South Pacific in Uvita.
Tip: Some of the pools can be inaccessible for swimming during the rainy season, if there are heavy rains.
💰 From car rental to waterfall hike, from ground transportation to travel insurance, we may have a discount code or an exclusive deal for your Costa Rica dream trip.
➡️ For details, check our Costa Rica Travel Deals and Discounts page.
Enjoy a Sunset Catamaran Cruise
📍 Where: Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste
A sunset catamaran cruise along Costa Rica’s picturesque coastline offers couples a perfect blend of romance, relaxation, and natural beauty.
This experience combines the allure of the ocean with the breathtaking colors of a tropical sunset.
You can spend the afternoon swimming and spotting colorful fish while snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. As the day winds down, enjoy a champagne toast while watching the sun sink into the Pacific.
🌊 Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste (Playa del Coco, Tamarindo or Papagayo), with its calm waters and beautiful coastline, is the perfect place for a romantic sunset cruise.
Many tour operators offer catamaran trips that include snorkeling stops in secluded bays.
➡️ Related Reading: Check out the things you can do in and around Playa del Coco.
Take a Cooking Class Together
Exploring Costa Rican cuisine together through a cooking class offers a unique and intimate experience. It is a nice way to bond, learn new skills, and create lasting memories while immersing yourselves in the local culture.
What to expect:
⏳ Duration: Usually 2-4 hours.
👫🏽 Class Size: Often small groups or private sessions available.
🥘 Menu: Typically includes preparing several traditional Costa Rican dishes.
🗣️ Language: Many classes are offered in English as well as Spanish.
📍 Popular cooking class locations:
San José: Learn in the capital city, often with market tours included. We thoroughly enjoyed this Central Market tour, which included delightful food tastings and ended in an empanada-making class and coffee tasting experience.
La Fortuna: Classes near La Fortuna and Arenal, you can get a farm-to-table experience of local cuisine. Check this activity for learning to cook the old school from a grandmother.
Manuel Antonio: Classes near Quepos or Manuel Antonio where you learn to cook local dishes, such as, casado.
Schedule Free Time
When the purpose is to connect with each other and relish your romance, we think, this is one of the most romantic things to do in Costa Rica.
⏳ Schedule some free time, or even better, a free day.
Without the rush of going somewhere or doing pre-scheduled activities, wake up to the calls of toucans and enjoy a cup of Costa Rican coffee.
Take a stroll on the beach. Visit a local restaurant to have gallo pinto for breakfast or casado for lunch.
Watch the sunset together.
Remember this is your free day to celebrate your relationship. You can just choose to stay in, Netflix and chill, and plan your next trip together to Costa Rica, may be, some day with the grandkids?
Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
If you enjoy reading our free travel guides, tips and stories, you can buy us a coffee and help us create more such travel planning tools for you. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
