What are the Top Activities in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s top activities get you closer to nature. Take a leisurely tour and float the river in the inner tube, or go for a dip in some hot springs. Sign up for adventurous tours to get a better look at the rainforest, the cloud forest, and the coast.
Costa Rica’s forests are the perfect setting for adventure tours. Enjoy a view from the top while zip-lining through the forest canopy. Monteverde and Arenal offer some of the most popular canopy tours in the country. Sail through Arenal’s treetops while you’re on the Sky Trek — Pure Trek Combo tour. Get your feet wet on a rafting tour — Pacuare River is one of Costa Rica’s top rafting destinations, and you can conquer it with a guide on the Pacuare Rafting 2-Day Trip. For an intense tour of the rainforest, consider signing up for a guided, multi-day trek through the remote Corcovado rainforest.
For more nature activities, consider hiking with a naturalist guide. See Arenal’s canopy at relaxed pace on one of the gondolas on Sky Tram Arenal. Some of the most interesting hikes take place after sunset — browse your options for nighttime tours.
It’s tempting to spend every day surfing and lounging on the sand, but make time for a marine tour while you’re near the coast. On a snorkeling trip to Caño Island you can see parrotfish, surgeon fish, barber fish, eels, snapper, puffers, barracudas, turtles, and manta rays. Feel your sails fill with air as you explore the coastline on a [Tamarindo Catamaran Tour] (/costa-rica/destinations/tamarindo/tours/marlin-del-rey-catamaran-tour).
Cultural tours might take you to a coffee farm or a chocolate plantation. Both types of tours end with a tasting of some of some delicious local product. You can also find tours that combine these culinary tours with a nature excursion, like the Safari Float — Chocolate Tour. Break up your itinerary with a leisure tour to one of Costa Rica’s many hot-springs, which include the lovely facilities at Tabacón Hot Springs.
For more information about cultural, adventure, leisure, marine or nature tours, please visit our tours page.
Related Questions
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Costa Rica Rafting Tours
For hundreds of years, torrential weather has shaped Costa Rica’s valleys and canyons, creating a landscape whose twists, dips, and bumps are ripe for rafting opportunities. Some of the country’s most well known rivers – including the Reventazon, Pacuare and Corobici – carve through dense forests and meander along inspiring waterfalls. Rafting options exist for all ages and abilities, and can range from maneuvering through technical rapids to gliding along smooth stretches that are ideal for nature watching. Professional guides attend the adventures and ensure that all experiences are safe, fun and memorable.
Costa Rica Adventure Tours
Costa Rica is an adventure-seeker’s paradise. Although relatively small in size, the country offers an extraordinary range of activities. There are diverse landscapes to discover and exciting ways to explore them. People of all ages can enjoy these safe and thrilling activities. And if one adventure is not enough, there are plenty of other ways to experience the country’s diverse landscape - river rafting, zip lining, ocean kayaking, cave exploration, horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking.
Costa Rica Nature Tours
Costa Rica’s many natural wonders make it a special place to explore, and to offer much more than a typical vacation destination. A visit to Costa Rica is hardly complete without a walk through its dense, tropical forests, where giant trees are home to hundreds of epiphyte plants, the sounds of rare bird species can be heard in the air, and slow-moving sloths can be found lounging high in the upper canopy. Nearly every activity in Costa Rica incorporates the lush environment, but walking through the forest with a naturalist or meandering along suspension bridges through the canopy offer visitors a way to immerse themselves in the country’s natural surroundings.
Costa Rica Coffee Tours
Coffee has played a pivotal role in the development of Costa Rica. It has shaped social, cultural and political institutions and is still one of country’s major agricultural exports. The story of the grano de oro (golden bean) began in the 18th century and continues to this day. Coffee tours are packed with culture and history, and include visits to the coffee fields, roasters, and cafés. Take one of these tours and you’re guaranteed to learn the ins and outs of coffee production, as well as to enjoy one of the world’s freshest cups of joe. Although coffee plantations are scattered throughout Costa Rica, the highland areas surrounding San Jose and the Tilaran Mountain range that extends to Monteverde are ideal climates for Coffee plantations. Coffee took root in Costa Rica near the end of the 1700s. The Arabica coffee plant was first grown in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, where ideal growing conditions – including fertile soil, high altitude, and a cool climate – contributed to its success. Cultivation continued and the Costa Rican government soon realized the enormous economic potential of coffee. To encourage production, the government offered free land to coffee farmers in the 19th century. During this time, production skyrocketed. By 1829, the revenue from coffee exports surpassed tobacco, sugar, and cacao. Coffee was initially exported to Panama and then to Chile, where it was rebranded under the name “Café Chileno de Valparaíso” and sent to England. In the mid-1800s, English captain William Le Lacheur Lyon sent hundreds of bags of Costa Rican coffee to Britain. It fell into the right hands and sparked a national interest in Costa Rican coffee. Indeed, until World War II England was the largest recipient of Costa Rican coffee exports. The coffee industry created a wealthy upper class of growers and traders. Many had ties with government officials and helped secure the role of coffee in the Costa Rican economy. Although the balance of power during this time was unequal, the revenue from coffee did contribute to the modernization of Costa Rica. It helped build a railroad to the country’s Atlantic coast and construct the National Theater in San José. Nowadays, Costa Rican coffee is prized as some of the world’s best and is shipped everywhere from Austin to Amsterdam. Costa Rica is the 13th-largest producer of coffee in the world, churning out around 1.5 million bags every year. 90 percent of the coffee is exported, with the revenue accounting for around 11 percent of Costa Rica’s export earnings. Small farmers play a large role in this production—nearly 90 percent of all producers cultivate less than 12 acres (5 ha). Fair Trade and Cooperatives Fair trade coffee is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. That makes a big difference in places like Costa Rica, which has over 70,000 farmers growing coffee. According to globalexchange.org, around 45,000 of these farmers belong to cooperatives that may be involved with fair trade organizations. Fair trade organizations like Fairtrade International and the Rain Forest Alliance work to secure better rights and salaries for small farmers. Fair trade certification promotes environmental, social and economic sustainability, and often emphasizes shade-grown and organic coffee. Farms that are inspected by Fair Trade labeling organizations must comply with environmental, health and safety regulations. Cooperatives bring together small farmers to help secure better bargaining prices for their products. There are cooperatives in Santa Elena, Buenavista, Sarapiquí, Tilarán, Montes de Oro, Pilangosta, Llano Bonito, and Coopeldos. Some cooperatives are also part of a secondary cooperative that works on larger scales to improve the standards of living, rainforest reforestation, crop diversification, women’s development, and educational programs in the communities of coffee farmers. Farming, Production, and Tours While traveling through Costa Rica, you’ll likely see coffee fields spreading out in green-and-brown mosaics across the hillsides. It’s an attractive, pastoral sight. Most of the country’s coffee is grown in the San José, Alajuela, Puntarenas, Heredia, and Cartago provinces. These provinces have climates that are perfect for growing coffee. In such places, the soil is volcanic, slightly acidic and extremely fertile. The higher elevations – particularly between 3,900 and 5,600 ft. (1,200 and 1,700 m) – have cooler climates that are nicely suited to the needs of coffee plants. Most coffee berries are handpicked from the plants. The berries are then taken to beneficios (processing plants), where they are washed and removed of pulp. The beans are then dried in the sun or by a machine. Afterwards, beans are sorted according to size and shape and sealed off in bags. The most classic Costa Rican coffees are mild and softly acidic. They are good afternoon pick-me-ups and pair well with deserts. Growers are currently experimenting with new flavors that are brighter and fruitier. These are less traditional than older varieties, but may find an audience in the international market. Touring a coffee plantation is a great way to learn about the history and production of this important plant. As you walk through the fields, guides will explain how coffee is grown and harvested. You’ll learn about the de-pulping, drying, and roasting process, and will often be given a fresh cup of coffee at the end. It’s a fun and informative experience.
Costa Rica Hiking Tours
From the flat plains along the coast to cloud forests atop the continental divide, Costa Rica’s landscape is diverse and teeming with life. The hiking here is excellent and for many travelers is a primary reason to visit the country. There are easy hikes along flat and well-maintained trails, as well as more challenging treks up mountains like Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak. Guided hikes provide a fun, safe and educational outdoor experience for travelers.
Costa Rica Turtle Nesting Tours
Every year from April to November thousands of sea turtles come ashore the beaches of Costa Rica to lay their eggs. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are visited by over six species of sea turtles, whose golf ball-sized eggs will incubate beneath the sand for 50-70 days before emerging as hatchlings and beginning their mad scramble towards the sea. Nighttime nesting tours privilege travelers with observing either end of this ancient procession – the laying or hatching – and are sure to provide any tour taker with an unforgettable and unrepeatable experience.
Homestay in Costa Rica
Homestays in Costa Rica are typically paired with either language courses or volunteering. During a homestay, you will live with a local Costa Rican family. Your host family will provide you with sleeping quarters, bathroom access, and usually three meals a day. The real benefit of a homestay, however, is in your daily interaction with the family. While talking with the various family members, you’ll learn about the foundation of life in Costa Rica. For this reason, homestays are a great option for travelers interested in practicing Spanish or learning about Costa Rican culture.
Costa Rica Tram Tours
Tram rides provide travelers with some of the most unique and unobstructed views of the forest canopy in all of Costa Rica. Open-air gondolas – which generally hold between four and six people – ascend silently and smoothly above the treetops, allowing passengers to peer down into the complex ecosystem below. Naturalist guides are often onboard helping visitors to understand what they’re seeing, which, in a country that hosts over 500,000 different species, is quite a lot! Tram tours are frequently offered in conjunction with other activities, such as hanging bridge and zip-line tours, and can be found in places like Arenal, Monteverde, Jacó, Limón, and Guapiles.
Canopy Tour and Ziplining in Costa Rica
Zip-lines above the canopy are in many ways synonymous with Costa Rica. Originally introduced during the 1970s, zip-lines have developed into one of the country’s most popular and widespread activities. Composed of steel cables and platforms strung at various heights between trees, they offer travelers a unique means of accessing beautiful and remote natural areas. And although they undoubtedly boost the adrenalin of each and every participant, zip-lines also educate their riders on ecology, botany, and reforestation practices. You can find zip-lines all over Costa Rica, but some of the best are in Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rica Nature Walks
Costa Rica is bursting at the seams with nature — however, if you don’t know where to go or what to look for, you might miss the most spectacular sights. Nature walks connect travelers with naturalist guides in some of the country’s best outdoor areas, including Monteverde and Arenal. As you walk along, your guide will point out native plant and animal species and teach you about the ecology of the region. These tours sometimes involve hanging bridges, which provide travelers with a birds-eye view into the forest canopy. Nature walks proceed at relatively slow pace and are good for families or people who have trouble walking long distances.
Costa Rica Marine Tours
Costa Rica, which means “rich coast,” offers abundant adventures at its many beach destinations. Marine activities include snorkeling, kayaking, marine mammal observation, scuba diving, sport fishing, and catamaran tours. In addition to enjoying the sun and waves on many of these marine tours, you may also have the opportunity to spot colorful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, whales, dolphins, and other abundant ocean life in Costa Rica’s tropical waters.
Costa Rica Night Tours
Although Costa Rica is well-known for its vibrant creatures of the day, more than 60 percent of the wildlife found in its tropical rainforests is nocturnal. Night tours aim at acquainting travelers with these creatures and the special adaptations they use to survive in the tropics. A flashlight in hand and a bilingual guide by your side, you’ll be led along forest trails as you search for insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and more. In places like Tortuguero, you’ll carefully comb the beach for nesting sea turtles by the light of the moon, while in Arenal your search for nocturnal species may be accompanied by glimpses of lava pouring down the sides of the volcano.
Costa Rica Tours and Activities Guide
Costa Rica offers many exciting ways to immerse yourself in its natural elements. It is the consummate destination for exploring ecosystems and connecting with a peaceful culture. Whether discovering fascinating species with a friendly Costa Rican guide, zipping across the rainforest canopy, or relaxing in a volcano-heated hot spring, there are a variety of tours and activities to engage travelers of all types.
Costa Rica Guided Tours
Led by English-speaking naturalist guides, guided tours provide travelers with the sort of hands-on education one demands while exploring new territory. Versed in both the local history and ecology, tour guides can introduce visitors to cloud forests and coffee plantations, nocturnal ecosystems and native rainforests. Fascinating sights, sounds, and even smells will be revealed in new and intriguing ways, encouraging tour takers to investigate further once the outing is over.
Costa Rica Cultural Tours
Costa Rica’s culture is rooted in a peaceful, Catholic, agrarian society, and many of Costa Rica's most interesting cultural experiences are on the coffee farm, visiting the pineapple plantation, or eating a delicious helping of gallo pinto at the local soda (Costa Rican restaurant.) The country’s few museums and performing arts are mostly centered in the capital city of San Jose. Yet, for what Costa Rica may lack in high culture, it makes up for in human culture. As reflected in the popular phrase “pura vida” (pure life,) the easy-going nature of Ticos (Costa Ricans) is a shared cultural value that takes life “poco a poco” (little by little.) Friendly Tico guides lead many of the tours below with stories about the history and culture of their country.
Monteverde Costa Rica Vacations
Heed the call of the great outdoors and let your next vacation take you to beautiful Monteverde, Costa Rica. Home to cool, misty cloud forests, and deep green foliage almost everywhere you look, there’s no mistaking that you’ve stepped away from everyday life. If spending time in nature is at the top of your travel to-do list, then you’ll get your fill of adventure in this part of Costa Rica’s Central Highlands. From zip lining across a canopy to tours of coffee plantations, there are plenty of activities to keep you moving in the fresh air.
Arenal Volcano National Park
The Arenal Volcano National Park packs all of Costa Rica's allure into one place: incredible hiking, magnificent views, abounding wildlife and the country's most active volcano. Hiking and horseback riding tours allow you to get up close and personal with this incredible area, which encompasses close to 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) and extends into eight different life zones. Overlooking everything is the imposing Arenal Volcano which sits right inside this wonderful park.
Pacuare River
The Pacuare River, whose headwaters begin on the Atlantic slope in the Talamanca mountain range, runs about 68 miles (108 km) until reaching the Caribbean Sea on Costa Rica's central coast. This is the quintessential tropical river, with stunning scenery and abounding wildlife.
Costa Rica Safari Float Tours
Safari floats offer travelers a leisurely way to enjoy the waterways of Costa Rica. Rafts are manned by a naturalist guide and include all necessary equipment – drift down gentle class 1 sections of the Peñas Blancas and Corobici rivers in north central Costa Rica. These trips allow passengers the unique opportunity to spot a variety of creatures, including monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, iguanas, and over 300 species of tropical birds. They can often be arranged with a combination with other activities as well.
Costa Rica Leisure Tours
Exploration doesn’t need to be exhausting, and Costa Rica has much to offer for those who want to recharge and enjoy the country at a leisurely pace. Whether you choose a sunset cruise, an aerial tram, a walk through the rainforest on a suspension bridge, or an afternoon soaking in a volcanic hot spring, there are many relaxing ways to experience Costa Rica’s diverse beauty. Many hotels also offer a variety of creative and traditional spa treatments, and the country’s pristine beaches are some of the best in the world for a quiet afternoon of exploration and reflection.
