Top Costa Rica Outdoor Activities

Discover hidden waterfalls and jungle trails around the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano on this affordable guided hike from Liberia. Remove the guesswork and see the area’s best-kept secrets with a local guide who knows the way through rain forest, canyons, and rivers. The moderate hike reaches a stunning waterfall and natural swimming pool where you can go for a refreshing swim.

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.

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.

Go where standard vehicles can’t as you head off La Fortuna’s beaten path and into Costa Rica’s lush jungle. Drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) through Arenal Volcano Ecological Park (PEVA), along muddy trails and through dense rainforest. Along the way, stop in Maleku Village to learn about local indigenous culture.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Head to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim. Feast on a local lunch and then return on a route to spot wildlife, including colored frogs, monkeys, and sloths. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 400 years old.

Get out and explore the rainforest with this full-day excursion. You’ll see sloths in their natural habitat, take a hike up to hanging bridges high above the rainforest canopy, and wade under the beautiful Llanos de Cortez Waterfalls. Best of all, lunch, bottled water, and round-trip transportation from your Guanacaste hotel are included.

With clear waters and crushed-seashell sands, Playa Conchal is one of the Gold Coast’s most scenic beaches. On this private tour, saddle up and explore the beach from the back of a (well-trained and well-taken-care-of) horse. Follow your guide along the seashore, getting the chance to see wildlife such as iguanas, monkeys, and many types of birds.

Join us for an unforgettable wildlife experience in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and scenic national parks. Led by a certified bilingual naturalist guide, this relaxed-paced hike invites you to discover sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, reptiles, and other fascinating wildlife while learning about the park’s ecosystems and natural history. Your guide carries a high-definition spotting scope, offering close-up views of animals often hidden in the forest canopy and the chance to capture memorable photos. The guided portion concludes at the stunning Manuel Antonio Beach, consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, where you’re welcome to relax at your own pace before exiting the park. Park admission ticket may or not be included, this depends on the option you choose, if you decide to buy them on your own, let us know if you need any help, otherwise we'll buy them for you. We meet at the supermarket outside the park. Punctuality is appreciated ¡Pura vida!

Set sail and take in views of the Costa Rican coastline on this sunset tour. On board a catamaran, you’ll have the chance to spot local sealife such as whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds. The tour also includes time to swim and snorkel or simply relax on the boat, plus a hearty lunch of BBQ chicken, black beans, and fresh fruit, and an open bar featuring premium drinks. On the sail back to Playas del Coco, you’ll catch sight of the sunset from the water.

Come relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on our secluded section of beach in Manuel Antonio where the scarlet macaws fly over head and monkeys leap from the trees. Conveniently located along the main stretch of beach, but tucked away enough to offer a little privacy from the busyness of the main section of beach further down. Please keep a couple of things in mind: Beach Vendors: Our beautiful setting is a public beach, which means you'll encounter various independent vendors. While we focus on providing top-notch water activities, we cannot regulate the vendors' presence or their offerings. Dining Recommendations: We often point guests to a convenient local spot for food and drinks. This is purely a recommendation for your comfort. Please be aware that Dante's Water Sports is not connected to the restaurant's ownership or pricing. To help you manage your budget, we strongly encourage you to review the menu and confirm all prices before placing your order.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers but without a guide you’ll miss many of the local residents, quiet and camouflaged among the trees. On this 2.5-hour private guided tour you’ll explore with a naturalist guide who knows where and how to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas, and much more. Watch them through a high-powered spotting scope.

Travelers wanting to experience the highlights of Puntarenas won’t want to miss this comprehensive tour. Over the course of the day you’ll visit or drive past wildlife-viewing spots, rainforest parks, beaches, markets and plantations, churches, town attractions, and more. If you’re short on time but don’t want to miss Puntarenas’ must-see spots, this is the tour for you.

Have some fun zipping through the tropical forest in Tamarindo on this small group tour. Your guide will point out wildlife like monkeys, birds, reptiles, and more that you might not notice on your own. All your safety gear will be provided for you, so you can relax and have a great time with your small group, flying through the treetops.

Learn to surf in Uvita Costa Rica at your own pace, with a private instructor. You don’t need to share with a group, or feel like you’re on your own. Instead, your personalized instructor will take you step by step through the surfing process. This two hour lesson is great for beginners to intermediates. No matter what level you start from, you’re guaranteed to gain confidence.

Our forest, project that started back in 2000, reforesting cattle farms, in the seek for forest recovering in la Fortuna, has become home for a great local flora and fauna variety throughout the years, very important for their preservation. It is also a great place for birdwatching. Throughout the tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife, including toucans, basilisks, and other exotic creatures. Your guide will share interesting facts about the animals and plants you encounter, giving you a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of the area. The enjoy and respect of our mother nature help us have an authentic experience in the forest.

Experience the Guanacaste coastline from Playa Flamingo on an all-inclusive catamaran cruise designed for a relaxing day on the water. Take in views of secluded beaches and offshore islands while watching for dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and seasonal humpback whales. With snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and lunch included, this hassle-free experience lets you enjoy the region's coastal scenery and marine wildlife without the planning separate activities.

Take a canoe tour through the Tortuguero wetlands, home to a wide variety of local wildlife, with this small-group tour, led by a professional guide. While it's hard to predict what kind of animals you might see on any given day, monkeys, sloths, alligators, and birds are all possibilities.

Get off-road on a guided ATV adventure through a lush, 850-acre (344-hectare) river valley in Jaco, riding along 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) of rugged jungle trails. Spot exotic birds and ancient trees, hear monkeys in the forest, pause at a 180-foot (55-meter) waterfall, and finish with fresh tropical fruit and juice at a remote jungle ranch. Hotel pickup is included for groups of two of more for your convenience.

Explore the cloud forest in Monteverde after the sun sets on this guided nighttime tour. AFter dark, explore the biodiverse forest at Ficus Trails, spotting the nocturnal animals that inhabit the area. See tropical birds sleeping as well as the nighttime habits of other wildlife like scorpions, tarantulas, bats, and more. You’ll see different things than on a day tour.

Ascend to some of the highest points in the Arenal rainforest on a zipline excursion from La Fortuna. Make your way to Sky Adventures in Arenal Park, or book a hotel transfer (extra cost). Then, spend a couple of hours flying through the canopy and along zippiness on an adrenaline-filled tour. Learn about local flora and fauna and take in the views as you go.

Get a new perspective on the Costa Rican coastline from the back of an all-inclusive catamaran, visit islands you might otherwise have overlooked, and enjoy time to snorkel during this half-day excursion. Soak up the sights as you make the most of free alcoholic beverages, snacks, and fresh fruit, relax on the tanning meshes, or take a dip in the Jacuzzi.

Follow underground trails into a series of remarkable grottoes and chambers on this Venado Caves tour from La Fortuna. Gear up and follow your flashlight along an ancient seabed as you explore the caves with your guide, checking out formations and bristling stalactites and stalagmites. Visit a bat colony that thrives in the cool, dark cave system, then return to the surface to enjoy a snack of tropical fruits.

Explore the wild side of Limon without the pressure of keeping up with a large crowd on this small-group hiking and kayaking tour of Punta Uva. Follow your guide as you explore the local ecosystem on foot and by river, looking out for wildlife including iguanas, monkeys, and sloths. Well-suited for nature-lovers, as well as those who like to keep active on vacation.

See the natural beauty of the jungle after dark, without getting lost, on this small-group guided tour of Rainmaker Park. Your naturalist guide takes you into the jungle to learn about the local ecosystem and spot animals that you won't find during the day, such as lizards, spiders, owls, and colorful tropical frogs.