Top Costa Rica Nature Walks in 2026

Experience Costa Rica’s longest ocean view dual zipline with admission to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where you can ride side by side with family and friends. Your experience includes access to the 4,461-foot (1,360-meter) zipline, as well as a ‘Quick Jump’ free fall and a hanging bridge that dangles over crocodile-infested waters.

Explore the forests of Arenal Volcano National Park on a half-day walking tour, with the option to soak away the afternoon in the park’s nearby thermal springs. Follow your guide between towering trees, and discover the devastation left by the powerful lava slides and volcanic activity. Enjoy views of Arenal volcano and the Tilarán Range, and learn about the area’s nature, wildlife, and history. Return to your hotel or visit the hot pools of your choice, where Costa Rica’s simmering geology creates a stunning natural spa.

Located in the 7 wonders of Costa Rica in the cloud forest, the Night Walk has become a very attractive request by people who travel to this country to observe the great biodiversity that provides. Going into a jungle at night will give you a chance to see the animals in a new environment. Many jungle creatures are only active at night and this is the only way to experience them. You will see mammals that never make appearances during day treks. Your guide will point out tarantulas and sleeping birds. The symphony of insects and frogs will be your soundtrack. The tour lasts approximately two hours. While wandering through the trees be sure to look out for the 200 species of bird that call this forest home. You may also come across armadillo, coati, agouti, kinkajou, ocelot, two-toed sloth, and three different species of monkey.

Get a taste of authentic Costa Rican life and cuisine as you join a local family for a cooking class and home-style meal. Along with a guide, visit the home of your hosts outside of La Fortuna and learn about household customs and cooking techniques for a cultural experience that takes you well beyond just dining out. Join in the preparation of a typical meal, and then savor the fruits of your labor alongside new friends.

Get out into nature with this private half-day excursion to the Celeste River and its surroundings. Your guide will take you through the forest, where you will likely see all kinds of birds, primates, and sloths among the tropical flora. You will also have the opportunity to swim in the blue waters of the Rio Celeste during your visit.

Visit the Irazú Volcano National Park in just half a day with this excursion from San José. Your driver will pick you up early in the morning and take you to the volcano, where you can see the crater and learn about the history of the area from a local guide. Next, you'll head to the Los Angeles Basilica, a church and museum with a holy water source.

Learn about Costa Rica’s most remarkable creatures on a 1.5-hour tour of a La Fortuna wildlife rescue center. Explore the center with a naturalist guide, get a glimpse at some of the center’s cutest inhabitants, and see how conservation efforts are saving vulnerable species from development and poaching.

When the sun sets across Arenal, discover a different side of the Costa Rican rain forest on a guided night walk through Arenal Natura Ecological Park. Explore the forested trails of this private nature reserve as darkness falls and the jungle comes alive with the activity of nocturnal animals like sloths, armadillos, night birds, and more than 20 species of frogs. Look and listen for animals that remain hidden during the day, and learn how these amazing creatures are adapted for life in the dark.

Climbing the tallest volcano in Costa Rica need not be daunting; keep it easy with this guided tour to Irazu Volcano from San Jose. Join this guided tour to the summit of the volcano, an easy hike after the scenic drive, and take your time at the top admiring the views. This tour includes round-trip transportation from San Jose as well as all entrance fees.

Admire Costa Rica's vibrant wildlife from a fresh perspective on an adventurous tour that involves trekking across hanging bridges suspended above the treetops. Your guide is on hand to help you spot a wide variety of flora and fauna, including birds, sloths, monkeys, and rare insects. Plus, you can upgrade to include a traditional lunch and access to some small hot springs

Surrounded by Baru National Wildlife Refuge and located within Manuel Antonio National Park, Hacienda Baru is an eco lodge in Savegre, Costa Rica. From tropical rainforest and mangroves to wetlands and beaches, these diverse ecosystems are yours to explore on a private guided tour. You'll roam around this quiet area with a guide pointing out endemic flora and fauna. Keep a lookout for the toucans, monkeys, and sloths you might see along the way.

Explore the Orosi Valley and the Lankester Botanical Gardens on this guided combination half-day tour from San José. The gardens, which are located outside of Cartago, serve as a center for orchid research, including more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads, and other plants. Following the gardens, head to the town of Orosi to view the 18th-century Iglesia de San José de Orosi and colonial churches.

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.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Spend the day away from bustling San Jose and see the majestic Rio Celeste, one of the top attractions in Costa Rica. Located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the deep turquoise waters of the river can be explored via a trail, which includes a waterfall, a suspended bridge, and a section of hot springs.

Combine two of La Fortuna's most popular natural attractions into a single easy day trip on this combo tour of Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Hot Springs. Along with your entrance fees and comfortable round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan, a delicious dinner is provided for you at the hot springs, too.

See the vast diversity of Costa Rica on a 3-day tour that includes hiking at Arenal Volcano, exploring the Monteverde cloud forest, and enjoying the tropical white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. This expertly organized all-inclusive tour covers all of your transportation and accommodations, so busy travelers can maximize their time and not worry about any of the logistics.

Adventure seekers will enjoy this full-day tour to Vida Aventura Ranch and Nature Park, nestled in the scenic mountains of Guanacaste. Fly through the treetops on a series of ziplines, and then return to solid ground for a horseback ride complete with stunning vistas of two active volcanoes. Unwind after your adventure at our beautiful thermal pools. Your tour includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this walking tour that includes snacks. Explore Costa Rica’s capital alongside a guide who alleviates the hassle of navigating, and learn about the city’s history, architecture as you taste. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews.

Let an expert naturalist guide show you highlights of one of the world’s most biodiverse forests on a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hike along the park’s nature trails and suspended bridges to observe all levels of this amazing Costa Rican ecosystem, from the forest floor to the treetop canopy. Look for native wildlife and exotic birds that make their home in the cloud forest, including the elusive resplendent quetzal.

Experience Costa Rica’s wild and beautiful rain forest the historic way on a scenic horseback ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall. Travel on private, forested trails away from any roads, at a pace that allows for close observation of jungle life. Dismount for a moderate hike to the famous waterfall, where you can cool off with an optional swim and enjoy more time in nature.

This experience is perfect for nature lovers and animals. We will have the opportunity to observe an incredible diversity of fauna, including monkeys, snakes and a wide variety of birds, highlighting the majestic scarlet macaw, which has found its home in this place. In addition to the rich wildlife, we will witness a fascinating natural phenomenon: the transition between dry tropical forest and wet tropical forest, a unique display of the ecological diversity of the region.

On this guided tour of the Butterfly Conservatory, which is dedicated to the preservation, growth, and study of the rainforest, with a focus on butterflies and other tropical rainforest species, experience a live demonstration of the butterfly life cycle, see poison dart frogs and other species of amphibians from the Arenal rainforest, and explore the botanical gardens and medicinal herb gardens.

The Curi-Cancha Wildlife Reserve, protecting parts of the cloud forest in the Cordillera de Tilarán near Juntas, is home to hummingbirds, toucans, and quetzals, making it a bird-watcher's dream. On this small-group tour, start with an early-morning breakfast at a local bakery. Then, explore the reserve with a naturalist guide who takes you to the best places to spot the birds. Upgrade for a private tour.