There is something for every kind of traveler to enjoy in things to do in Costa Rica remarkably varied landscape, which includes lush forests, wildlife reserves, hot springs, and tropical beaches. In addition to surf havens like Playa Avellanas and Tamarindo, Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula provide a palm-fringed coastline with everything from lodges to opulent all-inclusive resorts. Beach fans should drive west and stay along the Pacific Coast. See world-class sites like Cahuita National Park and Tortuguero National Park by traveling to the Caribbean coast.
A visit to this Central American hotspot wouldn’t be complete without seeing the strange volcanoes up close; hiking in the national park that encircles Arenal Volcano is highly recommended. After that, take a bath in the Tabacón Hot Springs to ease tense muscles.
Waterfalls are the main feature of several of Costa Rica’s stunning national parks, such as Corcovado National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, so anyone looking for a photogenic waterfall won’t have to travel far. Another must-see is the privately owned Catarata del Toro, as well as the turquoise-colored Rio Celeste waterfall.
After admiring the creatures on land, head to Caño Island, located just off the Osa Peninsula, to explore underwater. There, you may witness a wide variety of marine life, including sea turtles, which are best seen during a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion.
Ride the waves.
Expert surfers arrange their whole trip around the amazing and unpredictable waves found along Costa Rica’s beaches. This is a great spot to learn about surfing if you’re not familiar with it yet because of the warm, inviting seas, long, luxurious waves, and constant positive energy. The most well-liked surfing locations are Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean side, Jacó, Dominical, and Pavones in the central and south Pacific, and Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula. Keep in mind that every location has a variety of surf areas, some better suited for novices and others with more difficult waves. This is one of the things to do in Costa Rica that will bring great joy.
Take off through the Santa Elena clouds.
Although there are zipline courses across the nation, the Santa Elena canopy tours are unlike any other. They are faster, higher, and longer than others. More importantly, there’s something amazing about soaring through the treetops with the clouds swirling surrounding you. This is where the things to do in Costa Rica canopy obsession began. Admire the hazy enchantment of the cloud forest while experiencing an adrenaline rush.
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Enter the Pacuare Lodge by raft.
The stunning, opulent Pacuare Lodge is encircled by a thick jungle and hardly anything else. The lone road is the Río Pacuare, which is a river rather than a road. This is one instance where the route is just as exciting as the destination: you get to the lodge by whitewater rafting this renowned river’s Class III–IV rapids. You’re just getting started on an incredible trip that includes the thunderous rush of the rapids, breathtaking landscapes, and the exhilaration of the ride. Before rafting back out, you can look forward to luxurious lodging, very filling meals, attentive service, and a variety of activities at the lodge.
Surveil sea turtle nests.
One of the best things to do in Costa Rica is that every few years, female sea turtles carry out an age-old custom in which they visit their birthing beach, lay their eggs there under the moonlight, and then head back to the warm waters of the ocean. It’s a fascinating and personal episode to watch.
Investigate an active volcano.
There is a row of hissing, steaming, sputtering volcanoes dotting the mountains of northern and central Costa Rica, some of which are accessible for investigation. Explore Volcán Rincón de la Vieja’s boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles; trek Volcán Arenal’s lava flows and relax in its volcanically heated pools; see Poás’s steaming crater; and leave your mark on Irazú’s lava fields. Though every experience is a little bit different, they will all leave you in awe of the unchecked power of the planet.
Through marine caves in a kayak
Playa Ventanas is a small but gorgeous palm-backed beach along the Costa Ballena on the southern Pacific coast. Its unique feature is the fascinating caverns in the rocks at its north end. You can explore the two caves that open onto the beach at low tide, but be careful to retreat if the water begins to rise. If you’re up for the task, though, you may explore the sea caves and cliffs while paddling a kayak along the stunning coastline, but it is one of the most fun things to do in Costa Rica.
View some amazing avian creatures.
It is simple to get excited about Costa Rica bird life, even if you are not a bird enthusiast. Of course, countless multicolored beauties can be seen buzzing around almost anywhere; in addition, there are a handful of show-stoppers that are rather easy to spot in Costa Rica (if you know where to look) but unusual in other parts of the world. The scarlet macaw is the most well-known species to have achieved an amazing recovery along the Pacific coast; sightings are almost certain in Parque Nacional Carara and on the Osa Peninsula. Seasonally appearing in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the Dota region is the aptly named dazzling quetzal. Additionally, sightings of the highly endangered great green macaw can occasionally be seen in Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada. Seeing these stunning animals up close is an amazing and motivating experience that might make you a true birdwatcher.
Spend the night in a treehouse.
Surrounded by beautiful forestlands, you can indulge your inner monkey and spend the night on the treetops in the wilds of northern things to do in Costa Rica. Maquenque Eco Lodge, situated on the edge of its named nature reserve, boasts an amazing array of treehouses that are built in the middle of the green canopy, 12 meters (39 feet) above the ground, and encircled by trees.
The treehouses give a luxurious touch of luxury along with total immersion in the jungle, complete with large terraces, outdoor bathrooms, and screen walls. The main lodge is ten minutes away by foot (or, in an emergency, a short buzz on the walkie-talkie).
