Top Costa Rica Outdoor Activities

Trek deep into the canyons of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to reach the impressive La Leona waterfall on this private, guided day tour. The tour starts with a convenient pickup, and then you’re on your way. You’ll take an intermediate-level hike along Rio Blanco, where you’ll pass by caves in order to reach your ultimate destination, La Leona waterfall.

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.

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.

If you’re looking for wildlife in Costa Rica, one of the best places to see it is the pristine coastal forests of Manuel Antonio National Park. Get more out of a visit to the famous park on a tour with a certified naturalist guide who knows all the best places to find sloths, monkeys, iguanas, toucans, and many other animals. Learn about the park’s amazing ecosystems along the way, and get a closer look using a provided Swarovski spotting scope.

When you come to Costa Rica, you want to see and do it all! Make the most of your time during this action-packed half-day ATV tour from Jaco. Hit the trails and climb up into the mountain rainforest for spectacular panoramic views and a waterfall swim. Relax and refuel with a deliciously authentic lunch before continuing on for more nature immersion and adventure before returning back to headquarters.

Navigate the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park without having to constantly refer to a map on this hiking tour from Jacó. Well-suited for novice hikers, let your guide lead the way on flat paths. Enjoy taking in a wide variety of environments including coastline and rainforests, with the opportunity to refresh in the sea during a swim stop.

You don’t need to venture deep into the rain forest to see Costa Rica’s spectacular wildlife on this guided nature walk in a La Fortuna nature center. On this tour, a guide accompanies you on an easy, kid-friendly walk through the forest, pointing out wildlife like sloths, birds, and tree frogs along the way.

Discover Ortega and the National Reserve Cipanci on this guided boat tour along the Tempisque River. Home to a wide variety of birds including the Scarlet Macaws and the Jabiru (the largest storks in the world), the wildlife refuge is an important nesting site. Following the tour, enjoy a traditionally made lunch with local cultivated ingredients.

Have two hours of fun in the waves of Tamarindo on this private surf lesson, suitable for all levels. Your instructors will give you plenty of instruction both in and out of the water, so there’s a very good chance you’ll catch a wave. If you don’t, you’ll receive a free second lesson. Your board is provided, so just show up ready to surf.

Explore the rugged landscape and forested depths of Costa Rica’s Lost Canyon on this small-group adventure. Rappel alongside towering waterfalls, cool off in refreshing pools, and explore a hidden canyon surrounded by lush rainforest. After your canyoning experience, relax and enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat Costa Rican buffet at a private restaurant. Hotel transportation is included for a seamless adventure from start to finish.

Explore Jaco’s rice fields or forests with a 1-, 2-, or 3-hour 4X4 buggy tour that’s a family-friendly way to get off the beaten path. Follow your guide along a tropical river and spot the bright birds that nest alongside the water, then enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Discover waterfalls hidden in the trees and zoom up the side of a mountain, and tailor your adventure to your time, interests and group.

Costa Rica’s lush jungles have long been a notable area to grow cash crops such as coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane. During this small-group experience, visit a plantation in Manuel Antonio and learn how these three crops are produced. Take a guided tour of a plantation, traditional sugar cane mill, and medicinal plants garden, and see how some of your favorite treats are made. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Head into the rain forest of Costa Rica and discover the Arenal Volcano on a half-day tour. Trek past lava formations, swim in a lake created by the volcano, and take a dip in the warm hot springs of the Tabacon River. Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch while taking in the views of the volcano and enjoy your day in the rain forest.

RSVP to the biggest party in Monteverde with this nocturnal tour of the area's famed wildlife by moonlight, when nearly 80 percent of Monteverde's mammalian residents come out to play. Join a guide who will help you spot animals such as two-toed sloths, reptiles, and more as they come out after dark.

Spend the day on a tropical island on this seamless full-day tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Board your boat and cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, looking for dolphins along the way. On Tortuga Island, enjoy a snorkeling tour (conditions permitting) and free time to relax, sunbathe, engage in other watersports and activities such as kayaks and banana boats (extra expense).

Get your adrenaline pumping during this adventure tour in the Naranjo Biological Corridor of Costa Rica. Soar through the treetops on a zip line, come face to face with local wildlife like white-faced monkeys and tropical birds, and traverse an obstacle course with a series of platforms, suspension bridges, a Tarzan swing, and a rappel. End the tour with a delicious Costa Rican meal and traditional snacks.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, Jaco is a great place to finally do it. During the two-hour lesson you’ll learn to paddle, stand up, drop into waves, and ride. By the end of the lesson you should be ready to stand and ride your first wave. Receive personalized attention in a small-group lesson that will be tailored to your experience level.

Join this small group tour that takes you on a guided adventure though canyons where you’ll hike, swim, and explore until you reach La Leona Waterfall, deep in the canyon. The tour starts with convenient pickup near Guanacaste in an air-conditioned vehicle. Relax until you reach the start of your adventure, and then enjoy the natural beauty.

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.

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.

The Costa Rican province of Puerto Limon is known for its rich biodiversity, local food culture, and sandy Caribbean beaches. Experience Puerto Limon’s highlights in just a few hours during this shore excursion, which allows you to easily tour the city and see top attractions such as the Tortuguero Canals, a Banana Plantation, and Playa Bonita. Along the way, your guide provides helpful commentary.

Don't settle for short, crowded adventure parks. Instead, experience the cloud forest from where it’s most dramatic—high above the ground—on this zipline adventure course at Selvatura Park, the only course located inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Fly from platform to platform across 13 ziplines, including some of Costa Rica’s longest, for a bird's-eye view of the forest.

Experience Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park on this guided ATV adventure. After a convenient hotel pickup, participate in a quick safety and tour briefing, then enjoy activities that include cruising through plantations and past picturesque waterfalls, trekking along rainforest trails in search of sloths, toucans, and squirrel monkeys, and swimming in a magical natural pool. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican meal along the way.

Learn how to navigate Tamarindo’s waves during this roughly 1.5 hour surf lesson. Choose the group size that works for your budget, with private, small-group, and larger group options. Practice paddling, popping up, and riding with guidance from your instructor. More experienced surfers can also practice their technique by surfing alongside an instructor.