Top Costa Rica Outdoor Activities

Explore the countryside around La Fortuna on a guided ATV adventure combining off-road trails, river crossings, and views of Arenal Volcano. With three daily departure times to choose from, it's easy to fit into your itinerary. Along the way, visit the Arenal River, enjoy scenic viewpoints, and experience local culture with traditional snacks—making this a rewarding way to discover the region beyond the usual tourist routes.

Enjoy an afternoon and evening on the water from Tamarindo on a well-equipped catamaran cruise. Set sail from Tamarindo in the early afternoon, timed so you catch the sunset later on. Sit back and admire the views of the Guanacaste coast or get active using the included kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. Includes lunch—with vegetarian options—and an open bar.

Explore and swim under the Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortés waterfalls, without the pressure of getting there on your own, with this group activity package. Enjoy a seamless experience that covers your itinerary, optional transportation, park fees, and lunch, meaning you can relax and immerse yourself in the day's activities. Along with the waterfalls, hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary.

Discover the marine wildlife of Costa Rica's Marino Ballena National Park on this boat tour from Utiva. Look out for humpback whales (during migration season) as well as false-killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and various birds including brown boobies, white ibis, and pelicans. In the warmer months, you can also jump off board and go snorkeling in the clear waters.

Safely immerse yourself in Costa Rican nature and wildlife on an 8- to 9-hour tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Leave the busy streets of San Jose behind in comfortable air-conditioned transportation from your hotel. Discover more than 100 species at the sanctuary, including titi monkeys, 2-toed sloths, pumas, and toucans. You can even feed hummingbirds by hand. Have your camera ready for the cloud forest, waterfalls, and aviary.

Go beach hopping in Guanacaste on this ATV tour that combines action and adventure with some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. Go off-roading and access areas that most travelers never see on a rugged all-terrain vehicle that can handle dirt roads and sand. Get local insight into coastal life from a guide, and stop to take photos at famously gorgeous Flamingo, Brasilito, and Potrero beaches.

Pick a morning or afternoon start time that suits your schedule and then head to Selvatura Park to begin your fun-filled zipline adventure. Get started with a safety session, during which you'll receive a harness and learn the basic park safety procedures to ensure a fun, but protected experience. You’ll then have access to the park’s range of 13 different zipline cables and 18 platforms, along with an optional ride on the Tarzan Swing. You’ll walk through the park between a series of 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) tree walkways that traverse Monteverde’s cloud forest, crossing between eight different bridges, with some lengths up to 510 feet (170 meters) and some as high as 180 feet (60 meters). After enjoying an action-packed day suitable for all ages, you’ll end your experience in the park and head to your next destination.

Embark on a scenic horseback riding adventure to Conchal Beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region, guided by experts through lush jungles and rolling hills while looking out for wildlife such as monkeys and iguanas. Arriving at Conchal Beach, enjoy its powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters, whether wading in the waves, or simply relaxing under the tropical palm trees. An unforgettable experience blending adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty for riders of all levels. All transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off included

Take a pause from a busy vacation and schedule in some rest with this full-day pass to La Fortuna’s hot springs. Enjoy access to all of the facility's natural hot spring pools and hot tubs, and rejuvenate in their warm waters. Customize your experience and add-on an optional meal or massage treatment to suit your preferences.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you have the chance to spot the resplendent quetzal. Meet up with your guide on this small-group excursion and head through this tropical cloud forest, looking out for the multitudes of wildlife that inhabit the area using a provided spotting scope. The tour is offered in English and Spanish to accommodate more travelers.

Feel the thrust of a 4WD, 500cc all-terrain vehicle (ATV), with power steering and power brakes, on this private customized rain forest adventure with bilingual guide. Routes run from easy back roads and trails for families with kids or new drivers through to challenging off-road adventures for thrill-seekers, but all bring you to tranquil hot springs in the heart of the forest. Additional fees apply for passengers.

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park with a certified guide with your choice of a private or small-group tour. You'll walk along for different trails to maximize your chances of seeing local wildlife, from monkeys and sloths to lizards and tropical birds. You'll even get to use a spotting scope to take high-definition photos of the wildlife you see.

Explore three levels of lush Costa Rican rainforest from the floor to the canopy on an Aerial Tram tour of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Learn about local flora and fauna as you walk along nature trails, explore specialty gardens, and glide over treetops in an aerial tram for unrivaled views of the natural landscapes.

Check out the wildlife in the Manuel Antonio National Park on this small yet intimate tour. Your certified guide will take you through the park, pointing out animals you can see more clearly with your provided spotting scope. You can also take a beach break and go for a swim at the end, too.

Grip it and rip it on the upper Balsa River during the half-day whitewater rafting adventure over class III and IV rapids. Feel heart-pumping action while immersing yourself in Costa Rica's incredible natural beauty, spotting sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys, and tropical birds. Cap it all off with an authentic lunch chased down with a glass of handmade sugar cane juice that you get to press yourself while learning about local culture.

Discover Costa Rica's enchanting Pacific rain forest from the air and water on this combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Walk through the treetops on a series of hanging bridges at a private biological reserve, and then cruise down the Tarcoles River, home to a famous community of crocodiles. In between the eco adventures, enjoy time to shop and snack at a quaint replica of a Spanish colonial settlement.

Chocolate lovers flock to this incredible tour from La Fortuna that includes the sweetest rainforest experience and unearths the hidden secretes of local chocolate production. Visit a farm where cocoa is grown, processed and produced. This hands-on experience lets travelers eat as much chocolate as they want while learning about history, culture and traditions of this popular Costa Rican sweet.

Discover the unique biodiversity of Costa Rica as you embark on a tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park, located just outside Quepos. Make your own way to the park and meet your private, naturalist guide to begin your tour. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the grounds and observe several species like monkeys, sloths, toucans, lizards, and much more.

The Costa Rican jungle is home to a number of unique species, many of which come out at night. This nighttime jungle tour visits the forests of La Fortuna for a guided walk. Learn about various jungle species from your naturalist guide and get tips for photographing the nocturnal creatures. Animals you may see include frogs, sloths, bats, and reptiles. Note that gratuities are not included.

As one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for visitors. This guided tour from San Jose makes visiting on a time crunch a cinch—your guide takes the guesswork out of deciding which trails are worth the effort, plus helps you spot wildlife along the way. This tour includes breakfast and lunch, and is specifically timed to avoid the crowds, helping you have the best possible experience exploring.

Experience the best of La Fortuna on a full-day combo tour that blends nature, adventure, and relaxation—the perfect way to check plenty off in one go. Begin with a visit to the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall. Journey down a 500-step jungle trail for a refreshing swim in the fall's crystal-clear pool (weather permitting). Continue to Arenal Volcano for a guided hike through lush trails in the Ecological Park, and gain insight into the region’s unique geology. Finally, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch and unwind in the soothing waters of El Choyin hot springs. This all-in-one tour promises incredible landscapes, local flavors, and natural wonders.

Max out the adrenaline (and the fun) during this full-day adventure combining a white-water rafting trip and zipline excursion. Zoom through the rain forest canopy during a series of heart-pounding zipline rides, some on cable spans as long as 3,200 feet (980 meters). Then battle the Class II and III rapids of the Balsa River. Lunch, snacks, and rafting gear are all included.

While traveling to La Fortuna in Costa Rica, many people explore the gorgeous and unique landscape using ATVs; however, many tours take you to public areas that are overcrowded. This Arenal Volcano ATV Experience from La Fortuna takes you on an ATV ride through a private trail of the jungle that allows you to experience nature, culture, and adventure all during just a few hours.

Discover the sounds and sights of the rainforest after dark on a night hike. Follow your guide along an easy trail and watch out for bats, nocturnal birds, and mammals rustling in the treetops and on the forest floor. Search for red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs, among other species. Then enjoy a traditional dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove before returning to your hotel in La Fortuna.