Costa Rica, a country famous for its breathtaking scenery and rich biodiversity, offers a wide range of activities for all types of travelers.
Here’s a detailed guide to the top 10 things to do in Costa Rica:
1. National park hikes: discover wildlife in Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero national parks
Corcovado National Park
Located on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwest Costa Rica, this park is a sanctuary for many endangered species. Prepare to encounter wildlife in what is often described as the most biologically intense place on the planet.
Manuel Antonio National Park
This park is located on the central Pacific coast, less than 160 km from San José. It’s easily accessible and ideal for those looking to combine hiking and relaxation on heavenly beaches while observing abundant wildlife.
Tortuguero National Park
It is famous for hosting sea turtle nests. The region is rich in biodiversity, with rainforests and a network of navigable canals.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Located in the north of the country, this 12,000-hectare park is home to the Arenal volcano, one of Costa Rica’s youngest and most active until 2010. It offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, hot-spring bathing and wildlife-watching (tapirs, monkeys, birds).
2. Hiking in Turrialba Volcano National Park
The national park is home to the Turrialba volcano, one of the most active in Costa Rica. Marked trails allow you to hike up to the observatory and admire the steaming crater. Excursions combining canyoning and zip-lining are available to explore the gorges and rainforest around the volcano in a sporty and fun way.
3. Sports activities in Costa Rica: exhilarating rafting on the Rio Pacuare
Located in the Limón region, the Rio Pacuare is famous for its rafting descents surrounded by breathtaking scenery, offering the perfect combination of thrills and natural beauty.
The Rio Pacuare rises in the Cordillera de Talamanca and flows through a wild, steep valley before emptying into the Caribbean. Its tumultuous waters offer over 25 km of class III to IV rapids, ideal for rafting.
Rafting trips usually last 1 to 3 days, with overnight camping along the river. You’ll have the chance to paddle through narrow gorges, lush canyons and dizzying rapids under the watchful eye of expert guides.
4. Surf the waves of Pavones and Santa Teresa
- Pavones: this area, located in the Golfo Dulce of the Puntarenas region, is famous for having one of the longest waves in the world.
- Santa Teresa: located on the Nicoya Peninsula, also in the Puntarenas region, this beach attracts surfers of all levels thanks to its magnificent waves.
5. Whale watching on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, especially in Marino Ballena National Park
This park in Costa Rica’s South Pacific is considered one of the best spots in the world for humpback whale watching.
Humpback whales from both northern and southern hemispheres migrate to the warm waters of this region. Those from the southern hemisphere arrive between July and November, while those from the northern hemisphere spend from December to April.
It’s a unique experience to see them frolic and jump out of the water.
6. Canyoning near the Arenal volcano: downhill adrenalin at La Fortuna
La Fortuna: Around 90 km northwest of San José, this region near the Arenal volcano is perfect for canyoning, combining volcanic landscapes with spectacular waterfalls.
7. Visit Costa Rica and explore Guanacaste Province
The province of Guanacaste, located in northwest Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, is a region rich in diversity. Bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the east by the province of Puntarenas, it offers a palette of landscapes ranging from white sand beaches to tropical forests and majestic volcanoes.
Liberia’s capital, nicknamed the “White City”, boasts colonial architecture and an authentic atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including swimming on the renowned beaches of Playa Conchal and Playa Hermosa, horseback riding, hiking in natural parks such as Santa Rosa, and discovering the local culture and “sabaneras” (cowboys) traditions.
8. Visit the Monteverde reserve: a cloud forest ecosystem to explore
The Monteverde cloud forest is a unique ecosystem. The Monteverde Private Biological Reserve is home to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful cloud forests. Located in the mountains of the Cordillera de Tilarán, it covers more than 10,000 hectares.
A cloud forest is a tropical rainforest located at high altitude, generally between 500 and 2,500 meters. It owes its name to the fact that it is often enveloped in clouds, creating a special microclimate.
This primary forest harbors exceptional biodiversity, with over 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species and 100 mammal species. Toucans, quetzals, howler monkeys and a multitude of colorful insects can also be seen.
There are several ways to discover this sublime reserve:
Horseback riding in Monteverde: horseback riding between forests and coffee plantations
Horses make it easy to ride into Monteverde’s lush countryside and admire the magnificent scenery of forest-covered mountains.
Zip-lining in Monteverde: an adventure high up in the cloud forest (canopy tours)
The canopy tours allow you to fly over the canopy of this primeval forest, moving from tree to tree on steel cables several dozen meters above the ground. You can spot toucans, howler monkeys, sloths and many other species.
Ziplines are one of the most popular activities at Monteverde. Some courses feature up to 25 cables and 15 platforms in the trees, for a 2-3 hour experience.
It’s an adventure accessible to all, from beginners to experienced sportsmen, combining thrills and immersion in unspoilt nature.
An unforgettable experience in Costa Rica!
You can also take part in other canopy tours in Manuel Antonio National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
9. Scuba diving at Isla del Cano and Marino Ballena National Park
These dive sites, located in the Puntarenas region, offer ideal conditions for observing marine life, including turtles, rays and tropical fish.
10. Cultural encounters in Limón Province: immersion with the indigenous Bribris communities
Meet the Bribris communities in this culturally rich region, for an immersion in ancestral traditions and practices, including the art of chocolate-making.
The Bribris are the largest indigenous ethnic group in Costa Rica, with around 13,000 people living in 13 different clans in the Cordillera de Talamanca. Despite colonization, they have preserved their language, ancestral customs and traditional way of life.
Excursions are organized from the town of Bribri to discover their daily lives. Accompanied by an indigenous guide, you can visit the village, the school, bathe in the river, learn to recognize medicinal plants, and take part in a cocoa-processing workshop.
