Top Costa Rica Extreme Sports

First-time rafters and travelers with kids will love white-water rafting on Costa Rica’s beautiful Sarapiquí River. The rapids are class II and III, which is exciting without being terrifying. Spot flora and fauna along the way and enjoy views inaccessible by other means. Children as young as seven can join in the fun. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

The Boat: Ride the most versatile, portable, and maneuverable boat ever invented. The Place: Discover new creeks and secluded places of Costa Rica and stay away from massive tourism. The Involved Sports: The best blend between hiking and kayaking.

Take on the Naranjo River on a half-day whitewater adventure that features Class III+ rapids and handles all of the logistics for you—including pickup across the Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Jacó areas. Soak up views of Costa Rica's tropical landscapes while guides lead you along the water and take care of the navigation.

The Ride In team consists of lifelong dedicated competitive and soul surfers local to Costa Rica. Our goal is to share our deep love for surfing, the ocean, and our sense adventure with you. Through our lessons and tours, we aim to not only improve our clients' surfing skills, but also connect them with the local surf culture and community by creating a welcoming and inclusive community of surfers, and promoting sustainability and respect for the ocean in all that we do. We believe that surfing has the power to bring people together and to inspire a sense of adventure and appreciation for the natural world. Pura Vida!

Take a whitewater rafting trip down the Pacuare River with a professional guide to lead the way. You'll travel around 29 kilometers (18 miles), conquering a variety of rapids ranging from class II to class V. At the end of your tour, you'll sit down to dine on a typical Costa Rican lunch.

You’ll have the time of your life riding the watery rollercoaster of the Black River (Rio Negro) in individual inner tube rafts on our Rio Negro Tubing Adventure. Enjoy non-stop fun and excitement bouncing and splashing down 5 km (3 miles) of class 2 and 3 rapids in this narrow, rushing river of crystal clear water. There are plenty of quiet pools along the way to appreciate the beautiful tropical scenery. Our special river tube rafts are designed with handles and protective bottoms. Guides go with you and ensure your safety. Part of your river tubing adventure includes riding our trusty Costa Rican ranch horses (or you can go by vehicle transport) from Hacienda Guachipelin along scenic trails through the forest to get to the river.

Tico's is a family-run business with more than 17 years of experience and a lot of passion for what we do. We care a lot about your safety, so all of your instructors are also certified lifeguards. Book your surf lessons with us, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced; we guarantee fun and safety at all levels – and all ages. We love teaching families and young kids as much as adults and friend groups. We offer private, semi-private and group lessons for different prices. If you come alone and would like to participate in a group lesson, we can try to match you with fellow solo travelers. After your lesson, you will be able to lend a surfboard to practice on your own for free and you are always welcome to come back should you have any questions about surfing or the area. We are also happy to provide you with tips for any other tours in and around Sámara.

Surf at one of Costa Rica’s best beaches with certified instructors who guide you every step of the way. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, we guarantee you’ll stand up and ride your first wave. Unlike crowded surf schools, our lessons take place in a private section of Playa Chaman, offering the perfect conditions for learning. The 2 to 3-hour session ensures plenty of time to practice, improve, and gain confidence in the water. We focus on personalized coaching, making sure each guest gets the attention they need. Halfway through, we take a refreshing break with tropical fruits and hydrating drinks before heading back into the waves. With expert guidance, the right conditions, and a relaxed atmosphere, this isn’t just a surf lesson—it’s an unforgettable experience in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful locations. Book now and ride your first wave!

Explore the Arenal River area on this guided tour. Learn about the Maleku, an indigenous people of Costa Rica, and their culture, medicine, and traditions, then go on a thrilling tubing adventure where you'll navigate the rapids of the river. Plus, take a refreshing dip in the thermal mineral pools.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the thrill of tubing down 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Costa Rica’s Savegre River, through class I and II+ rapids. Admire the views on the gentler stretches of river, and listen out for birdsong as you pass through parts of the country you couldn’t access any other way. Get the chance to swim in natural river pools, too.

Trade traditional sightseeing for an active coastal experience, learning to surf at Tamarindo Beach with local instructors who know its waves and conditions inside out. Whether you're stepping onto a surfboard for the first time or looking to improve your technique, lessons are tailored to differing experience levels. With ILS-certified instructors and sessions available for children from age five, it’s a welcoming way for your entire group to get into the water and experience Costa Rica’s surf culture first-hand.

In Rancho Tarzan you will enjoy the surfing process without pressure, and with the best view of the Caribbean. Whether you are a beginner or already have some experience, the important thing here is to have fun while you learn. Book your place and come live a unique experience with us!

Private and exclusive tour, an off of the beaten path activity, the exploration of Hacienda Ébano, a Costa Rican Natural Reserve and Ranch. The customer will experience a 1km / 0.6 mile short hike or a 2.5km / 1.6 miles medium hike through the rainforest, 2 gorgeous waterfalls with natural pools, also stunning mountains and ocean views. In the trip, the client will have the opportunity to see wildlife, such as birds, frogs, and monkeys, also many types of plants, flowers, and trees. The transportation is in a comfortable and safe 4x4 Safari style Truck - the best tool to travel the 10km / 6.2 miles through the big mountains. The perfect end is to refresh us and swim in the Jade Waterfall, also enjoy next to the river, a Costa Rican authentic lunch wrapped in banana leaf. All in a small group, with the company of local experienced guides committed with client service. Please remember to bring: • Hiking shoes, tennis or water-shoes (do not use flip flops) • Swimsuit • Insect Repellent

During the tour, travelers will have the chance to see local wildlife such as squirrels, a variety of bird species in the trees, and more. Our tour is unique as it takes you through local villages, allowing you to experience the culture and visit nearby parks and monuments. When we reach the beach, you'll have the opportunity to stop and take pictures, creating beautiful memories of Costa Rica to share with your friends and family back home. It's a perfect escape to unwind, enjoy a warm day, and soak in the beauty of the sea while riding across the sand. Along the way, you may spot stunning trees and the playful monkeys that often hang from them—these species are common in the area and may appear during the tour. Whether or not you see them, rest assured that the ATV experience will be unforgettable! No transport included

Try your skills at canyoneering on this group tour in Turrialba. You’ll be rapelling, ziplining, crossing hanging bridges, and more. You’ll keep costs down by booking this group tour, but still have a great adventure with some new friends. All your safety gear is provided, so no need to organize that separately. Lunch is also provided to keep your energy up.

Explore Monteverde's magnificent cloud forest from the air, and from multiple angles, on this combination canopy tour. Cross the rainforest on a series of hanging bridges; glide through the treetops in a gondola, and then soar through the misty canopy on a thrilling zipline course. No need to choose between activities: do all three in a single day with this complete package.

Take this private full day waterfall experience in Curubande where you can do some tubing, cliff jumping, swimming, cave exploring, hiking, and enjoy a delicious lunch, too. You’ll have a few stops today, including the Rio Blanco, La Leona Waterfall, Curubande town for a local casado lunch, and the Llanos de Cortes waterfalls for cliff jumping and swimming.

Some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular rainforest waterfalls are tucked away from the tourist trail, so reaching and tackling them safely requires the right equipment and guidance. This adventure from La Fortuna handles the logistics for you, so you can focus on the thrills. Rappel down two waterfalls, swim in crystalline pools, and opt to jump from natural rock formations before refueling with a Costa Rican lunch.

With its cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the Pacuare River is rightfully famous for its natural beauty. Paddle through the river gorge, navigating 52 Class II-IV rapids as you go, on this 12-hour trip from San Jose. Take in views of the tropical rain forest and wildlife such as sloths, parrots, and toucans as you ride the river (and your adrenaline rush) over the course of the day.

Venture beyond Quepos to the mountains located on the edge of the province where you’ll be able to access the upper section of the Naranjo River for this intense whitewater rafting experience. Paddle the river’s section known as "El Chorro" with Class IV and V rapids, plus steep drops, tight rock walls, and technical routes. This experience is only available during the dry season.

Enjoy views of the beautiful Manuel Antonio coastline from a completely different angle when you try parasailing. You’ll head out onto the water in a small boat and then be winched up into the sky for around ten minutes of flying time. Be amazed by the bird’s-eye views while having a thrilling ride. No experience necessary.

Most commercial rafting trips in Costa Rica is best described as ‘mellow’. This half-day adventure on the Naranjo is anything but. Grip it and rip it over Class III-IV rapids through narrow canyons and over drops that will leave you exhausted and exhilarated. Professional bilingual guides and safety kayakers ensure a great experience.

The Osa Jungle Private Adventure Tour includes places people otherwise would never see in the Osa. Many remote and hidden trails, primary forests, and scenic places full of wildlife and native flora. A once in a lifetime nature opportunity.

Explore the forested foothills of Rincon de la Vieja volcano with a full day combination tour from Tamarindo, and swing, slide and ride through the park’s scenic landscape. Get a bird’s-eye view of the forest floor as you travel from treetop to treetop on a canopy tour, then launch down a 1,200-foot (400-mt) water slide. Pause for lunch before riding a horse to a natural spa, and spend the rest of your day rolling in mineral-rich volcanic mud and enjoying a series of steaming thermal pools.