Welcome to the best things to do in Costa Rica!
Although Costa Rica may be small (it’s only the size of West Virginia), this country is jam-packed with beautiful sights and adventures.
My husband and I just spent a week here with our family, and we did and saw a LOT.
Even still, we feel like we barely scratched the surface!
In today’s post, I’ve put together this list of the must-see things in Costa Rica.
Let’s dive in.
My posts may contain affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through my link, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue to create free content for you!
Costa Rica Essentials
Top Experiences & Tours In Costa Rica
- Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical Lunch & Arenal Volcano Hike
- Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour
- Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour
Where To Stay In Costa Rica
Arenal/La Fortuna
How To Get Around Costa Rica
If you’re looking to get out and explore, you’ll probably want to have your own car in Costa Rica.
Because of the mountainous terrain, a lot of the best things to do in Costa Rica are really spread out.
I highly recommend booking a rental car through RentalCars.com.
Just make sure you understand all the nuance of the rental insurances that are required in Costa Rica.
That way, you’ll avoid any unpleasant surprises when you get to the counter.
1. Explore Arenal
Located in northern Costa Rica, the area of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal is one of the country’s biggest attractions.
What Is Arenal?
Arenal Volcano is an active stratovolcano, standing at 5,437 feet tall.
It’s also shaped in that classic, symmetrical cone shape, which makes it really cool to see.
Arenal’s last big eruption was in 1968, which covered 5 square miles in ash and lava.
After that, visitors could often see volcanic activity until 2010, when the volcano entered an indefinite resting phase.
Today, there’s still lots of great hiking and adventures to be had nearby.
What To Do In Arenal
The Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Arenal Volcano National Park.
This hike offers beautiful views of the volcano, and lava fields on the way.
The nearby Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges park is also a great place to explore the jungle and some iconic hanging bridges.
On top of all that, Arenal naturally heats many hot springs in the area, which are a must-visit.
Here, you’ll find everything from luxury resorts to completely free, naturally heated rivers. (More on that later!)
On Lake Arenal, the most popular activities include kayaking, SUP, and fishing.
To experience all of Arenal’s highlights, I recommend this Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical Lunch & Arenal Volcano Hike tour.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
2. Explore La Fortuna
Tucked into the base of Arenal Volcano is the town of La Fortuna.
Full of delicious eateries, shops, and a variety of lodging, this quaint town is the perfect home base for your adventures in the area.
Most of the town’s attractions are centered around the colorful La Fortuna central park.
This is a wonderful place to go for a stroll, and take in views of the volcano.
One of the BEST restaurants in town is Restaurante Travesía, which serves delicious, local-inspired food at affordable prices.
And you must visit the nearby La Fortuna Waterfall, a towering 200 foot cascade and swimming area.
You’ll also find some of Costa Rica’s best white water rafting around La Fortuna.
We had a fantastic experience on a tour with Arenal Rafting Company.
If you’re looking for a simple way to cool off, there’s a swimming hole with a fun rope swing called El Salto just outside of town.
3. Soak in a hot spring
Costa Rica is home to five active volcanoes!
So it makes sense that volcano-fed hot springs are some of the most popular attractions here.
Most of the country’s well-known hot springs are nestled into the base of Arenal Volcano.
Here, you’ll find many different facilities that offer their own experiences, as well as completely natural and free hot springs.
Some properties are luxurious and expansive, and others are budget-friendly and small.
Hot spring resorts
One luxurious option is Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa.
This resort is one of the most-loved hot springs in all of Costa Rica, and recommended by everyone that visits.
The resort is unique because they’ve incorporated much of the natural river and landscape into their property’s design.
The water that heats their pools also comes straight from Arenal, as opposed to being pumped up from the ground.
Although you can stay at the resort as a guest, they also offer day passes.
I didn’t get a chance to visit Tabacon on my trip, but it’s definitely on my bucket list!
Click here for more more info and reservations on booking.com.
Natural hot springs
If you’re looking for something a little more unrefined, and without a price tag, you’ll really enjoy the Free Natural Hot Springs River.
Just put that name into Google Maps, and it’ll take you right to the entrance.
You’ll usually be greeted by a parking lot attendant that will charge you around 3000 CRC/5 USD for parking.
You’ll see these self-appointed attendants throughout Costa Rica, but we don’t mind paying them.
They help direct traffic and parking, and also provide some security for your car.
The free hot springs can get crowded, but if you hike up or down a little bit, it’s not that hard to find a section to yourself. Going very early can help thin out crowds as well.
Overall, it was such a fun experience to soak in a completely natural hot spring.
It was the perfect temperature, like a warm bath, and there wasn’t any sulfur smell at all!
4. Visit a wildlife sanctuary
Costa Rica is home to lots of fantastic ecotourism and conservation efforts.
For animal-lovers, some of the most popular attractions are local wildlife sanctuaries.
Probably the most well-known is the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica.
Located on the Caribbean coast, this facility is dedicated to the rescue, research, rehabilitation, and release of injured or orphaned sloths.
They also offer educational tours, whose proceeds fund the program.
Two other well-loved wildlife sanctuaries are the Jaguar Rescue Center and Monteverde Wildlife Refuge.
If you’re looking for a reputable wildlife sanctuary near La Fortuna, I recommend this Wildlife Rescue Center Tour.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
Please note that no reputable sanctuary will allow you to touch or hold animals. Being handled by humans usually stresses animals out, and isn’t good for them.
5. Try surfing
People travel to Costa Rica from all over the world to surf.
The country has some of the best waves and year-round surf, particularly on its Pacific coast.
You really can’t go wrong anywhere in the Puntarenas and Guanacaste regions, but some hotspots include Tamarindo, Jaco, and Santa Teresa.
Surf lessons and rentals are also very affordable, and a great way to dip your toes into surfing.
6. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s most popular national park due to its stunning beaches and abundance of wildlife.
The park is home to animals like two and three-toed sloths, basilisk lizards, red-eyed tree frogs, and so many more.
The resident white-face capuchin monkeys are super friendly, and will happily scamper around just inches away from you.
You’re not allowed to touch or feed the wildlife, but seeing wild monkeys that closeup was SO cool.
However, other than the monkeys, it can be extremely difficult to spot the wildlife on your own.
This is because they’re usually so well-camouflaged.
That’s why I highly recommend taking a guided tour through the park.
Our guide taught us so much interesting information about all the different plants and animals.
He somehow always knew where to spot them amongst the thick jungle, and would set up his telescope so we could see them too.
You’ll also want to visit the park as early as possible, to beat the crowds and the heat.
This is the Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour we took.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
Afterwards, you should definitely cool off by enjoying the park’s pristine beaches.
The park’s gateway town of Quepos has a variety of lodging, shops, and restaurants.
7. Go zip lining
Did you know? Many say that today’s modern zip lining was actually invented in Costa Rica!
In the 1970’s, biologists and researchers were starting to explore the canopies above the jungle floor.
They needed a way to traverse the canopy quickly, and traveling above ground was much more efficient.
Eventually, the commercial allure of zip lining took hold.
Nowadays, Costa Rica remains one of the best places to zip line in the world.
The terrain is famous for its long cables and spectacular views.
You can zip line all over Costa Rica, but you’ll find some of the best at the higher elevations.
This means Monteverde and the Arenal areas are your best bets.
In Arenal, I recommend this Best Zip Line for small groups in Arenal tour.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
8. Go white water rafting
Another adventurous must-do in Costa Rica is white water rafting.
There are lots of different options and difficulty levels here, but you’ll find the best rafting near the La Fortuna/Arenal area.
We had an awesome experience on a half-day tour with Arenal Rafting Company.
We chose the Upper Balsa River Class III & IV tour (with basically no rafting experience) and had a ton of fun.
The rapids were exciting, and there were parts of the ride that were calm enough for swimming and spotting wildlife.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
9. Explore San Jose
I didn’t get a chance to visit San Jose, but I’ve heard that while it isn’t the most spectacular city, it has its own unique draws.
For one, it’s a great place to get a glimpse of what typical Costa Rican life looks life.
After all, over 1 million Costa Ricans live and work in San Jose.
Another reason to visit is if you like learning about history.
There are several interesting art galleries and museums, including the National Museum and the Jade Museum.
You can also find some cool examples of colonial-era architecture and great food in the city.
If you’re a foodie, I recommend this Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour on Viator.
If your trip is shorter, you’ll probably just want to see the rest of Costa Rica, like most people.
But if you’re planning a longer stay in Costa Rica, exploring its capital could give you a deeper understanding of the country.
10. Visit Rio Celeste
Celeste River, or Rio Celeste, is a river located in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
It’s famous for its dazzling turquoise color, as well as a dramatic waterfall.
Why is Rio Celeste blue?
The legend behind Rio Celeste dates back to the indigenous tribes that lived in the area.
They believed that the gods dipped their paintbrushes into the river after painting the sky blue, which gave the river its stunning color.
Scientifically speaking, the blue phenomenon is actually an optical illusion!
Nearby, two different, clear rivers meet at a point called El Teñidero.
As the two rivers mix, they create the mineral aluminosilicate.
The sun refracts off of this mineral, causing the water to appear blue to our eyes (and cameras).
Isn’t that crazy??
Tips for visiting Rio Celeste
It’s important to know that visiting Rio Celeste is extremely popular, and can get very crowded.
I recommend showing up as soon as the park opens, or you may be stuck waiting in long lines.
After visiting the waterfall, you can also hike further into the park.
There, you can see El Teñidero, the spot where the rivers meet, which is pretty cool.
No swimming is allowed in the park, but there IS an amazing swimming spot called Rio Celeste Free Pool just before the park entrance.
I recommend visiting the park first, then stopping by the Rio Celeste Free Pool on your way out.
Swimming in the bright blue water was so spectacular, and we basically had the place to ourselves.
If you’d like to take a guided tour, I recommend this highly rated Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour on Viator.
11. Explore the Nicoya Peninsula
The next time I take a trip to Costa Rica, I’d love to spend most of it exploring the Nicoya Peninsula.
This is the country’s Pacific peninsula that’s home to lots of small, surfer/yogi beach towns.
The atmosphere of the region is very wellness-focused, and it’s a popular place for yoga retreats.
Some of the highlights along the peninsula are the towns of Nosara, Santa Teresa, and Montezuma.
12. Explore Monteverde
Monteverde’s biggest attraction is its cloud forest.
Costa Rica is one of the few places on Earth you can find cloud forests, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the most popular.
What is a cloud forest?
A cloud forest is a type of rainforest that exists at much a higher altitude, usually 3,000-8,000 feet.
Because of the terrain and high elevation, the temperatures in a cloud forest are much cooler than a regular rainforest.
These cooler temperatures help create a layer of mist that hangs over the forest, thus giving the cloud forest its name.
The 35,000 acre reserve in Monteverde is home to all kinds of flora and fauna, as well as the most iconic hanging bridges.
These suspension bridges offer an incredible view of the treetops from the height of the surrounding canopy.
Plus, they’re super Instagrammable!
If you’re looking for a fun way to explore Monteverde, I recommend The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde.
This tour includes ziplining, rappelling, and more, and it’s perfect for all ages.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
13. Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
One of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica is the La Fortuna Waterfall.
Located just a short drive from the town of La Fortuna, visiting this waterfall is a must while you’re in the area.
The hike is 500 stair steps each way, and the payoff is well worth it.
La Fortuna Waterfall towers at 246 feet tall, and it’s quite an impressive sight.
The best part is that you can swim around the waterfall!
Although, this attraction is very popular so I recommend showing up early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Note: you will not be able to swim if there’s been a lot of rain. Too much rain causes the waterfall to be much more powerful, making swimming conditions dangerous.
14. Tour a coffee farm
Touring a coffee farm in Costa Rica is a must for coffee lovers.
Costa Rica is known for producing some of the best coffee beans in the world, thanks to its fertile volcanic soil, high altitudes, and ideal climate.
During a coffee farm tour, you can learn about the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of coffee beans from knowledgeable guides.
You’ll get a glimpse into the daily lives of coffee farmers and their communities, as well as an opportunity to taste different coffee varieties and blends.
Overall, a coffee farm tour is a must-do activity for anyone interested in learning more about Costa Rican culture, history, and agriculture.
I recommend this North Fields Cafe: Craft Coffee and Chocolate Tour near La Fortuna.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
15. Visit Del Toro Waterfall
To see a beautiful waterfall that’s much more off the beaten path, add Del Toro Waterfall to your itinerary.
Located near the remote town of Bajos del Toro, this 270 foot waterfall cascades down into an extinct volcano crater.
The surrounding cliff face is super dramatic, and full of vibrant streaks caused by old lava flows.
Another unique perk of visiting here: the hummingbirds!
The owners of the surrounding reserve have lined the restaurant with hummingbird feeders, which attracts hundreds of them.
Watching all of the tiny birds zipping around is supposed to be really cool!
16. Visit Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island is a remote island nestled into the Gulf of Nicoya.
It’s home to a heavenly white sand beach, and is part of a larger biological reserve.
The island is only accessible by boat, and a variety of tours will take you there.
We booked a tour with Costa Cat Cruises, and had a wonderful time.
I’ll be honest, the overall experience is pretty Americanized.
So if you’re looking for the most authentic Costa Rican experience, this may not be for you.
Otherwise, I do recommend this activity.
Especially if you’re traveling with a bigger group or a family with kids.
(We traveled with a group of 13, so it was the perfect way for everyone to just relax on the beach with everything taken care of.)
Visiting Isla Tortuga is also a great way to enjoy some calm, clear blue water, if you’re not planning on visiting the Caribbean coast.
Our tour included transportation, snacks, a delicious lunch, unlimited rum punch, snorkeling, and other activities.
Also, the service from the crew was phenomenal.
17. Eat at a local soda
If you love to connect with a local culture through food like I do, you should definitely go to a soda.
A soda is a small, usually open-air restaurant that serves traditional Costa Rican food.
While here, you must try gallo pinto, a typical rice and beans dish.
After that, wash your food down with an Imperial, Costa Rica’s most popular and iconic beer.
18. Walk on hanging bridges
One of the best (and most Instagrammable) things to do in Costa Rica is take a walk across an iconic hanging bridge.
These suspension bridges offer an incredible view of the treetops from the height of the surrounding canopy.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is probably the most famous place to experience the hanging bridges.
After that, there are a few other parks in Costa Rica that offer the bridges, including Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges.
If you want to learn more about the local plants and wildlife at Mistico, I recommend this Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Guided Tour.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
19. Kayak through Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is known as the “Amazon of Costa Rica,” and it’s famous for turtle nesting and its rainforest canals.
Also, it’s only accessible by boat, which just adds to the level of adventure!
Although you can take boat rides through the park, kayaking is a much more unique way to experience it.
Kayaks allow you to go where motored boats can’t, and you don’t disturb the wildlife with as much noise.
That means you can get much closer to the animals.
I recommend this is the highly rated Kayak Tour on Viator.
20. Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
You’ll find one of Costa Rica’s most majestic waterfalls tucked deep into its southern rainforest, an hour south of Manuel Antonio.
The Nauyaca Waterfalls are made up of two sets of falls with a natural pool for swimming, and are very beautiful.
They’re actually located on private property, owned by a Costa Rican family Don Lulo.
The Don Lulo company operates tours to the waterfall, which most people choose to do.
Or, you can choose to simply pay an entry fee, and hike there yourself.
For a hassle-free experience, I recommend this Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour.
Click here to check availability on Viator.
21. Watch a sunset on the beach
If you’re staying anywhere on Costa Rica’s Pacific side, you MUST end a day with a sunset on the beach.
Because these beaches face due west, you’ll be in for some spectacular displays of color.
In fact, the sunsets I caught here were probably the most beautiful I’d seen in my life!
(And I’m a sunset lover- I’ve seen quite a few.)
This article was great and super informative, thanks!