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If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, you’re in for the experience of a lifetime!
There’s a reason this is such a popular travel destination with its lush jungles, gorgeous beaches, and unique wildlife everywhere you turn. We fell in love with this country after our first visit that we decided to move here and try all of the top activities!
So, if you’re trying to figure out what items to add to your bucket list, we have them right here! This blog covers the top things to do in Costa Rica and the best places to do them. They are all easy to book and in convenient destinations, so your vacation will be a breeze.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Our absolute favorite things to do in Costa Rica:
- Spot sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park on this guided tour.
- Visit the La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park, and hot springs on this easy day trip!
- Check out Tortuga Island on this full-day tour from Jaco
- Things to do in Costa Rica
- 1. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
- 2. Try an exhilarating ATV tour
- 3. Go Ziplining
- 4. Walk the hanging bridges in La Fortuna
- 5. Explore the jungle after dark
- 6. Go whitewater rafting
- 7. Stare into Poás Volcano
- 8. See whales on a tour
- 9. Take a trip to La Fortuna Waterfall
- 10. See the blue water of Rio Celeste
- 11. Dive into the culture on a coffee and chocolate tour
- 12. Go snorkeling
- 13. Day trip to Tortuga Island
- 14. Go hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park
- 15. Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Costa Rica
1. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica, located just a short drive from Quepos. This sprawling coastal area is filled with tons of biodiversity and natural beauty. You can expect to see a lot of wildlife, such as snakes, monkeys, sloths, macaws, and more. So naturally, one of the best ways to experience the park is to take a tour with a naturalist guide, either during the day or at night!
This half-day nature walk is the most popular in the park with over 2,000 5-star reviews (see them here!). The guide will lead you through the park, giving tons of information about the park’s ecosystem and the vast amount of wildlife that calls this place home! Honestly, I was so thankful for our guide when we did this tour, they could find animals hidden away much better than I could.
They also make it really convenient with hotel pick up and transport to the park. All you have to do is pay the entrance fee to Manuel Antonio National Park, and tickets must be purchased in advance online. This tour is $45 USD and lasts for 4 hours – a great deal if you ask me!
Book your spot on the highest-rated tour here, before dates fill up!
Another super unique way to experience Manuel Antonio National Park is on this jungle night tour. A trip to Costa Rica isn’t complete without at least one night walk, and Manuel Antonio is probably the best place to do it! The jungle comes to life in a whole new way once the sun goes down, as it’s home to tons of nocturnal animals. Of course, you don’t want to go tramping through the jungle after dark on your own and our guide made sure we were safe, knew where to go, and spotted a lot of unique wildlife.
We had about 1.5 hours to walk through the jungle, stopping to see frogs, snakes, bugs, and all sorts of critters. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the animals so we learned a lot too! This tour is $55 USD and provides transport from Quepos or Manuel Antonio town.
Check availability and reserve this tour in advance here.
2. Try an exhilarating ATV tour
Riding an ATV through Costa Rica is so much fun! You can cover a lot of ground while exploring and get to certain areas you just couldn’t reach in a car.
ATV tours are offered throughout the country, so wherever you’re based, it’s likely an option. However, my favorite areas to ride an ATV through are Tamarindo, Jaco, and La Fortuna.
ATV tour from Tamarindo
This private ATV tour from Tamarindo is a thrilling way to explore the area. You can choose between an ATV or a buggy and set off on the trails. I love ATVing around Tamarindo, as this area is known for its beautiful beaches. You can cruise right on the beach, or enjoy stunning coastline views as you ascend into the mountains – there really is no such thing as a bad view on this tour!
This tour is beginner and kid-friendly, lasting about 2 hours in total. The exact price varies, but starts at $90 USD per person including pick-up from Tamarindo, your vehicle, snacks and water, and the guide! Best of all, this tour is private so it’s just your group, which I think makes it even more fun.
Reserve this ATV tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
ATV tour from Jaco
Jaco is a hub for adventure seekers, and this ATV tour delivers! If you like mountain terrain and massive waterfalls, you’ll find it on this 3-hour tour. This is one of my favorite ATV tours because you get to see Costa Rica’s natural beauty, and even cool off by swimming in the waterfalls and cliff jumping – if you’re brave! The tour takes care of all the logistics for you, including hotel pick up, your ATV rental, and entrance fees for $95 USD per person.
Book this tour now and pay later when you reserve it here.
ATV tour from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano!)
In La Fortuna, taking an ATV out for a spin is also one of the best things to do. You can ride an ATV right next to Arenal Volcano! Prepare to get muddy on this volcano ATV tour where you’ll see impact craters from the volcano’s last eruption, a river with volcanic mud, and Arenal Lake. This is without a doubt my favorite place to ATV – Arenal Volcano is iconic!
You can book this tour for $105 USD for a single ATV, or opt for a double.
Check availability and book this popular ATV tour here!
3. Go Ziplining
Ziplining is one of those activities you can do in just about every tourist town in Costa Rica. The mountains and rainforests are perfect for this adventure activity, and I’ve done some awesome tours. Although you can zipline in most towns, not all are created equal. To help you choose, I’ll list the best places to zipline in Costa Rica in order of my preference:
Monteverde
Ziplining in Monteverde comes in at number one for us simply because the cloud forests and mountains here make the courses that much better. This specific zipline tour is the highest rated (check out the 1,000+ raving reviews here!) and is more than just ziplining. You’ll get to rappel from the tree tops to the forest floor, climb inside a tree, take on a Tarzan tree, and the highlight – zipline above the clouds!
This day of adventure is only $68 USD, including transportation from your hotel and all the safety equipment. It’s my favorite choice for a reason!
Check availability and reserve this tour here to get FREE cancellation options!
La Fortuna
You can have a thrilling day of ziplining in La Fortuna too! This 3-hour zipline tour has 4 waterfall rappels, 3 jumps into natural pools, and 2 massive ziplines across a canyon. Honestly, it’s more than your average zipline tour, it’s a whole canyoning experience. All of this, plus lunch? Sign me up!
La Fortuna is incredibly beautiful, and a day outside exploring the treetops and lush jungle is the best way to experience it. This tour is $97 USD and great for all skill levels. Just bring your sense of adventure!
This tour is likely to sell out – book it in advance here to secure your spot.
Manuel Antonio
If you’re traveling as a couple or just want to experience ziplining with friends, then go ziplining in Manuel Antonio. This zipline tour will take you on Central America’s longest dual zipline at 4,300 feet or 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers)! It has 14 tree platforms, 3 natural walks, 6 hanging bridges, and 10 ziplines.
If you’re looking for a thrilling zipline experience, you won’t be disappointed in Manuel Antonio. This zipline tour is about 4.5 hours, so you can easily pair it with one of the nature walks we mentioned earlier! You can book this tour for $90 USD per person.
Book this tour with more than 950 positive reviews here!
Jaco
The last place I really loved ziplining was in Jaco. Although the ziplines in Jaco are not as long as the ones mentioned above, the views of the ocean and available tours make it a great option. To make the most of your time, I suggest going on this zipline, ATV, and waterfall tour! Zipline down 10 cables, taking in the incredible views of the ocean from the top of the trees, then hop on an ATV.
I like that this tour is diverse and shows you the beauty of Costa Rica. As you cruise through the jungle on your ATV, catch a glimpse of the ocean from viewpoints, then jump in waterfalls for a refreshing swim. This is an iconic Costa Rica tour! You can book this experience for $145 USD.
Reserve this now and pay later when you book in advance here.
4. Walk the hanging bridges in La Fortuna
If you want to get amongst the treetops to spot wildlife, I highly suggest visiting the Mistico Hanging Bridges while in La Fortuna. There are 14 bridges that you can visit, with 6 of them being hanging bridges. Spot wildlife, get amazing viewpoints of the Arenal Volcano, and simply enjoy being outside!
I recommend going on this guided tour of Mistico Hanging Bridges to make the most of your time. I’ve visited without a guide before, and I honestly prefer to go on a guided tour. There are so many animals hiding in trees that I totally missed before! We also learned all about the rainforest and its unique ecosystem, which made me appreciate how lush and healthy it is.
This tour is $48 USD, which covers your entrance fees and includes the guide – not a bad deal!
Check availability and book this tour here to secure your spot!
If you’re limited on time and want to maximize your activities in La Fortuna, you can’t go wrong with this combo tour! In a single-day trip, you can hike around the Arenal Volcano, hike to the stunning Arenal Waterfall, and then visit the Mistico Hanging Bridges. Be sure to wear your good walking shoes because you’ll really get your steps in! While it’s quite an active tour, none of the hikes are too difficult so it’s doable for most travelers.
All of these activities are can’t-miss in my book, so I love that this tour makes it easy to see them all! It is $172 USD including lunch, transportation, and all of your entrance fees.
Don’t miss out on this epic day of adventure – book your spot here.
5. Explore the jungle after dark
While the country is beautiful during the day, many of Costa Rica’s wildlife comes alive at night. In fact, about 80% of the mammals here are nocturnal. If your heart is set on seeing many of the animals who call this place home, consider going out at night. Having a guide is a good idea for this as they know just where to look and can spot animals in the dark that you may have missed.
Here are a few of the best places to go on a night walk in Costa Rica:
Monteverde
This night walk in Monteverde will take you through the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge. Led by a naturalist guide, you’ll spot many different animals, big and small, including sloths, foxes, frogs, and maybe even some sleeping birds. I really love that this is in a wildlife refuge because you know it’s good ecotourism!
This is one of top top-rated night walks in Costa Rica! You can book your spot for $44 USD for a shared tour or upgrade to a private tour for more of a personalized experience.
Book this tour with more than 250 5-star reviews here!
La Fortuna
I particularly enjoyed this Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner tour in La Fortuna. You get a 90-minute hike through the forest, and a visit to a frog sanctuary, and it ends with a traditional dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove. We saw a huge green lizard and even a bullet ant, which has the most painful sting of any insect in the world – luckily, we kept our distance! The meal after the hike was one of the best local meals I had!
As far as top tours in La Fortuna go, this night walk is definitely one of them. You can reserve your spot for $65 USD, which isn’t a bad price for the delicious meal and unique night walk!
Don’t miss out – book this tour before you go here!
Manuel Antonio
As mentioned previously, this night walk tour in Manuel Antonio is a fantastic option! Manuel Antonio is crawling with unique wildlife (literally!) and a lot of it comes out at night. We went on this jungle night walk and were blown away by the wildlife we saw, all thanks to our local guide Danny! Through our 1.5-hour nature walk, we saw snakes, frogs, scorpions, and even a sloth – a true Costa Rica bucket list sight.
If you’re in Manuel Antonio, be sure to add this night walk to your itinerary. This tour is $55 USD per person.
Check availability and book this top-rated tour here!
6. Go whitewater rafting
Whitewater rafting is easily one of the top things to do in Costa Rica! This has some of the best rafting in the world, with the raging rivers, stunning scenery, and loads of wildlife that you can see. If you are a thrill-seeker like we are, consider adding a whitewater rafting tour to your itinerary – no matter where you’re at!
Whitewater rafting tours in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is surrounded by rivers, so it’s easily the best place in Costa Rica to go rafting. If you’re ready for a thrilling experience, this class 3 and 4 whitewater rafting tour was seriously fun! We cruised down the Balsa River for 15 kilometers (9 miles), hitting some rapids that got my adrenaline pumping. Luckily, our guide Erick was truly amazing and made sure we were safe and having fun the whole time.
Lunch was included, and the company was really well organized so it didn’t take us very long to get on or off the river. I’ve been whitewater rafting all over the world, and this was one of the best experiences I’ve had! Prices vary by group size but start at $85 USD for two people.
Check out the 1,500+ 5-star reviews and book this popular tour here!
Whitewater rafting tours from San Jose
The Pacuare River is another top spot for rafting in Costa Rica, and it can be accessed from San Jose. I’ve personally been on this rafting tour that hits class 3 and 4 rapids, and let me tell you – it’s awesome! The river itself is a thrill, as it has 38 rapids in total! But don’t worry, there’s still time to take in the scenery, as the Pacuare River is incredibly beautiful!
This tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in San Jose, breakfast, lunch, all your gear, and the guides, all for $115 USD.
Book this tour here to access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you take off.
Whitewater rafting tours near Tamarindo
If you want a bit of adventure to mix with your lazy beach days, whitewater rafting on the Tenorio River is my top recommendation! This full-day tour will take you down thrilling class 3 and 4 rapids, so prepare to get soaked. This stretch of river is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), which gives you about 2.5 hours of rafting time. In my expert opinion, this is a great amount of time to be on the river so you can enjoy it without getting too exhausted.
You can book this tour with the self drive option for just $119 USD per person. However, if you want to be picked up from your hotel, they can do that from various cities in Guancaste, you don’t just have to be in Tamarindo!
Check availability and secure your spot on this thrilling tour here!
7. Stare into Poás Volcano
Poás Volcano is one of the world’s largest open volcanoes, the crater drops a whopping thousand feet below and stretches over a mile in diameter. The active volcano had its last eruption in September 2019, but it is closely monitored so visitors are safe. From the viewing area, you’ll be able to look right into the volcano crater – a unique experience that is easily one of the best things to do in Costa Rica.
To make your visit seamless, you can join this guided Poás Volcano tour from San Jose. You’ll also get to visit Doka Coffee Estate for breakfast and a tour of the coffee estate. They showed us all about how the coffee plant turns into a cup of coffee, and of course, you can taste it too!
Once at the volcano, we hit the visitor center to learn about its history and also get some safety information. With your hard hat on your head, you’ll then enjoy a short 500-meter (0.3 mi) hiking trail that leads out to a viewpoint on the edge of the crater. We had about 30 minutes to hang out around the crater, which I thought was the perfect amount of time.
Our final stop was at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which was a great way to enjoy Costa Rica’s natural beauty and wildlife!
All in all, this was one of my top experiences while in San Jose, it’s just so unique! It’s really inclusive for $164 USD, and it was a long day – but worth it.
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
8. See whales on a tour
Seeing whales in the wild is a dream for many travelers, including myself. You can see whales all over Costa Rica, whether you’re on the southern coast, the Pacific coast, or on one of the gulfs! In Costa Rica, the two whale watching seasons run from December to March and July to October when the whales come to give birth in the calm waters. However, the best months to visit Costa Rica for whale watching are January to February and July to September.
Here are a few of the top spots to go whale watching in Costa Rica!
Drake Bay
This dolphin and whale watching tour in Drake Bay was one of the most memorable tours in Costa Rica I’ve been on! It was even featured on Animal Planet and National Geographic. On the 6-hour tour, you’ll sail the bay, spotting dolphins and whales. What I especially love about this tour is there’s a hydrophone onboard so you can hear the sounds these animals make underwater.
This tour is great for families, friends, couples, or even solo! It’s the perfect balance of action and relaxation. You’ll have the option to snorkel and spot animals close up or relax onboard. You also get a yummy lunch, with vegetarian options available. This tour is $133 USD and includes everything you’ll need for the day.
Book this tour with over 150 5-star reviews here!
Uvita
Uvita is a small town located along Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. It has 9 miles (15 km) of coastline and is home to Marino Ballena National Park. This area is known as one of the best places for spotting whales, so naturally, this whale watching tour is our top choice!
Over 3 hours, we sailed along the ocean and saw dolphins, turtles, and several bird species. We also saw about 6 or 7 whales jumping and showing off their fins. Our guides were incredibly friendly, and you could tell they loved the whales just as much as us. We even got to go snorkeling and the reef here is incredible!
We were amazed at how much we saw, and the tour was well-priced at $85 USD.
Secure your spot on this whale watching tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Tamarindo
The whale season in Tamarindo is short but sweet! Your best chance of seeing whales is August through September, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try other times of the year and have fun while you go!
On this sailing cruise, you’ll board a 40-foot (12-meter) catamaran to explore the waters of Tamarindo Bay at sunset. What I love about this tour is it covers everything! There’s a fully stocked bar, a light meal, and lots of water toys (pool noodles, SUPs, kayaks, and snorkeling gear). We had so much fun cruising around looking out for whales and dolphins, and also anchoring up to snorkel and play for a while.
What’s also amazing is this 5-hour tour was only $95 USD which is a great value for such an experience.
Check out the 600+ 5-star reviews and book this cruise in advance here!
9. Take a trip to La Fortuna Waterfall
It should come as no surprise that La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top attractions in Costa Rica. This stunning 230-foot (70-meter) waterfall shoots out from a tall cliff into a powerful pool below that’s surrounded by lush forest. Visiting is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s simply a can’t-miss sight!
You can easily visit the La Fortuna waterfall while exploring other iconic areas. This full-day combo tour was so much fun, as we visited the Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and the La Fortuna Waterfall. If you’re short on time, prefer to have someone else do the driving, or want to learn more about the area – a tour is the best way to go! We found all of these reasons to be a win, as we could just sit back and enjoy the beautiful waterfall and nature.
Plus, the tour takes care of all entrance fees, lunch and drinks, and transportation, so I think we ended up saving money by taking this tour. It’s $95 USD for the full day!
Book this tour with over 1,300 5-star reviews here for a seamless visit!
If you choose to visit the La Fortuna Waterfall on your own, I recommend purchasing your admission tickets in advance. This place is quite popular, (as you can guess if it’s one of the top 15 things to do in Costa Rica!) save time when you purchase these skip-the-line tickets.
Admission tickets are $20 USD and you can bypass the queue and get straight to the waterfall. Best of all, you can purchase your tickets now to secure entry, and get free cancellation up to 24 hours before your date – just in case plans change!
Skip the line when you purchase your entrance tickets here!
10. See the blue water of Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue – I’m not joking! Located around 1.5 hours north of La Fortuna, this natural attraction is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica.
This full-day tour will show you all the wonders of Rio Celeste! Like so many places in Costa Rica, you can find a lot of wildlife while hiking the trails, so having a guide to help you spot them is just one reason why a tour is helpful.
The guide will lead you along the Rio Celeste Trail, which is 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) each way. Along this route, you’ll see the iconic Rio Celeste Waterfall, the sulfur-scented Borbollones or Bubbling Hot Pot, and the Teñideros, which is where the two rivers meet.
Rio Celeste can get really busy, so this tour takes off early to beat the crowds. It is $89 USD including entrance to the park, lunch, transportation, and your amazing guide!
Check out the 300+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
11. Dive into the culture on a coffee and chocolate tour
Costa Rica is famous for its coffee and chocolate production, and as two of my favorite things, I couldn’t resist learning more about their origins! Going on a coffee and chocolate tour is one of those iconic Costa Rica activities, and you can find them all over. The climate here is perfect for growing coffee and cacao beans, and it has really impacted the local economy. In fact, more than 90% of the coffee is grown by small farms!
Here are a few of the best places to go on a coffee and chocolate tour around Costa Rica:
La Fortuna
This coffee and chocolate tour in La Fortuna is one of the best options in the whole country! We loved exploring the family-owned farm, it was way more of a personal experience than a large-scale production facility that I was expecting. Our guide, Alberto, led us all over the farm and explained the entire process from bean to cup! They also grow cacao beans and sugar cane, so we learned about these major exports too.
This was a hands-on tour, Alberto showed us how to prepare coffee and chocolate, and of course we got to sample plenty! There’s a reason this tour has over 1,300 5-star reviews, it was comprehensive and a really fun way to learn about Costa Rican culture. You can book this same tour for $43 USD.
Book this top-rated tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is another top place to discover Costa Rican coffee and chocolate! I love this private tour of a plantation to see how coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane are produced. You start out in the fields, learning about the crops, how they grow, and their historical significance. The guides do a fantastic job of engaging the group, who knew farming could be so interesting?
After, they will prepare some fresh coffee and sweet treats using the chocolate and sugar cane produced onsite! Since it’s a private tour, you can ask as many questions as you’d like, and get extra samples too. This experience is $60 USD including transportation, coffee, and chocolate.
Book this tour with more than 450 5-star reviews here, before spots fill up.
12. Go snorkeling
There’s so much to explore in Costa Rica – including the ocean! Snorkeling is one of my favorite things to do here, as you can see a wide array of marine life and reefs, and the tours are just plain fun. The best time of year to go snorkeling is during the dry season, and it’s typically better on the Pacific coast rather than the Caribbean side, as it’s always rainy over there! Below, I’ll list some of the best places to go snorkeling in Costa Rica.
Caño Island
Caño Island Biological Reserve is one of the best nature reserves in Costa Rica, and this snorkel tour is my top recommendation! The area is known for great underwater visibility and diverse marine life, including white-tip reef sharks, eels, puffer fish, and manta rays. We had an absolute blast snorkeling here!
This 6-hour tour takes off from Drake Bay and includes all your snorkel gear, lunch, and drinks. You’ll hit two snorkel spots and have plenty of time in the water, so it never feels rushed. This top-rated tour can be yours for $113 USD.
Secure your spot on this tour here, before it sells out!
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a destination for beach bums and water enthusiasts alike, so you’ll find plenty of snorkeling opportunities here. But take your experience to the next level with this catamaran sunset cruise and snorkel adventure! It takes off in the afternoon, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the open bar and explore while snorkeling. They also provide a huge lunch to keep you fueled!
But the best part is the cruise back to shore as the sun is setting. It’s hard to beat a Costa Rican sunset, so this is simply the cherry on top. This tour is available for $110 USD per person.
Book this tour with over 400 5-star reviews here!
Manuel Antonio
If you’re staying in Manuel Antonio, you can still enjoy this top-rated snorkeling tour! This is a fantastic area to go snorkeling, as you can see heaps of wildlife such as turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, whales, and more. They offer morning or afternoon departure times, but if you take the afternoon tour, you’ll catch the stunning sunset as you sail home!
This tour also provides an open bar, lunch, and transportation from Quepos or Manuel Antonio, so they take care of everything for you. This snorkeling and sailing adventure can be booked for $95 USD – not a bad price if you ask me!
Reserve this tour here to get FREE cancellation options.
13. Day trip to Tortuga Island
The small island of Tortuga is the ideal beach getaway in Costa Rica. Together with Alcatraz Island, the area makes up the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve. It’s home to fantastic snorkeling, white sand beaches, and good vibes! You can only reach Tortuga Island on a tour, and these full-day trips below are your best bet.
Visit Tortuga Island from Jaco
This full-day tour from Jaco is the most popular way to reach Tortuga Island. Departing from Jaco Beach this all-inclusive tour takes care of the details for you. It’s about a 45-minute cruise to the island, and once you get there – the day is yours! I love how flexible this tour is, so you can either hike, relax on the beach, go snorkeling, ride a banana boat or whatever suits your vibe.
They also provide a yummy lunch, paired with rum punch and margaritas to keep the party going. We especially loved the staff on this tour, who made sure everyone was comfortable and having fun! It was well worth $160 USD per person.
Check out the 1,300+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
From Puntarenas
Puntarenas is another great launch point for exploring Tortuga Island, and I especially love this full-day tour. You have the option of a small group or a private tour, and honestly, a private cruise in this goregous blue water is hard to beat!
You can spend your time on Tortuga Island snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and taking in the scenery. There is a lot of wildlife here, the guides are great at pointing out all the cute spider monkeys around! And if you’re traveling during the right seasons, you can see dolphins as you cruise. The tour provides lunch and soft drinks, and you’ll have a lot of time to snorkel on this tour.
Prices vary by group size but start around $115 USD per person for the shared tour.
This tour is likely to sell out – book it now to reserve your spot!
Isla Tortuga from Paquera
Last but certainly not least, visit Isla Tortuga from Paquera on this full-day tour! Paquera is the closest town to the island on this list, so your boat ride there will be shorter. But, I love that it’s an adventure day, focused on the great outdoors. This tour is unique because you’ll get to sail through a giant hole in a rock called Arco Iris!
Then it’s time to snorkel in the volcanic rock reef, filled with tropical fish and coral! This area is insanely beautiful and was one of my favorite parts of this experience. Afterward, we relaxed on the beach in Isla Tortuga, sipping drinks and eating lunch. It was a great day and well-priced at just $65 USD.
Check availability and book this tour here to secure your spot!
14. Go hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano is the showpiece of La Fortuna, Costa Rica. While you’re here, you can’t miss seeing the volcano up close – visiting Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna! It will take you to the base of the volcano and slightly up the steep face to catch some incredible views.
I think that booking a guided tour is the best way to experience the national park! This full-day combo tour starts with 3 hours of hiking through Arenal Volcano National Park. Having a guide to lead the way, teach about the unique history, and make sure you stay on the right trail makes all the difference, in my opinion! From the viewpoints, you can see Lake Arenal, the lush jungle, the lava beds, and the massive volcano – it’s beautiful!
This tour also includes stops at the La Fortuna waterfall and soothing hot springs, so it really makes the most of your time. This tour is a really good deal, just $95 USD and provides all entrance fees, transportation, lunch, alcoholic beverages, and the guide!
Check the 1,300+ 5-star reviews here and book your spot!
This Arenal Volcano tour is another one of my favorite Costa Rica experiences. It’s similar to the tour previously mentioned, butt instead of relaxing at the hot springs, you’ll get three hours to explore the Mistico Hanging Bridges. These are a can’t-miss sight in the area, so I love that it’s included in your visit to Arenal Volcano National Park. Plus the La Fortuna Waterfall!
This full-day tour includes lunch, entrance fees, and transportation from La Fortuna for $172 USD per person.
Book this tour with over 1,000 glowing reviews here to experience it for yourself!
15. Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park is another volcanic national park located just over 2 hours from Tamarindo and only 35 minutes from Liberia. This national park is a haven for adventerurs as you can find hiking trails, mud pools, horseback riding, ziplining, and tubing. While you can visit the park on your own, I’ve found that it’s a lot more fun and easier to access if you book a combo tour.
One of the most popular adventure combo tours is the Guachipelin Adventure Volcano tour, with departures from most towns in Guanacaste including Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Liberia, and more. You’ll start out flying above the treetops on a zipline, then spot wildlife as you ride a horse through the jungle, then whitewater raft 3 miles down the Rio Negro.
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano is so diverse and beautiful, and I think this tour does an excellent job of highlighting it! Plus, it’s just an all-around fun experience. This tour is $161 USD including hotel pick up, lunch, and all your adventure gear.
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
But if you came to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano – this guided hiking tour is a great option. I love that a naturalist guide leads this, so you can learn about the unique volcanic ecosystem and all the animals that live here (there’s a lot!). You’ll trek through the jungle on a 3.5-kilometer (2-mile) hike before stopping at the Oropendola Waterfall for a refreshing swim.
Then to finish it off, dip into the Rio Negro mud bath! You can’t visit this national park without a mud bath, it’s one of the most unique parts.
This tour makes it really easy to visit the national park, even if you’re staying far away. They provide hotel pick-up from Tamarindo and other surrounding areas and also cover lunch and the national park fees. Prices for this tour start at $125 USD.
Don’t miss out – book this tour here and get FREE cancellation options!
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Thanks for reading!
Costa Rica isn’t one of the best places to visit in the world for no reason. The above activities and attractions in Costa Rica, along with the friendly faces and safe environment together, make this country one of my favorites!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica. If you need more help planning, check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over this beautiful country and love sharing our experiences and advice. Here are a few to get you started!
Things you NEED to know about shuttles in Costa Rica