Top Costa Rica Unique Experiences - page 2

Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's lush landscapes on a relaxing river float in the La Fortuna region. Join a small group and gently paddle down the Peñas Blancas River and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

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.

Learn all about the Macaws on Punta Islita on this half day tour from Playa Samara. You’ll visit the Macaw Recover Network which is a conservation area. Visit the Macaw Refuge and Breeding Center and hear about the wonderful research, including how the once extinct Scarlet Macaw is now back in Guanacaste, and about the numbers of Macaws being bred and released into the wild.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

A chocolate tasting flight is included on this chocolate tour in La Fortuna. Sample artisanal chocolates fresh from the source as your guide shares information about the chocolate-marking process from bean to bar—one of Costa Rica’s biggest businesses. Plus, try special treats like caramelized cocoa seed that’s hard to find anywhere else.

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.

Ideal for first-time visitors, travelers who unfortunately will not be able to find an entry ticket to visit the National Park (ONLY 1,500 available tickets per day), or those with limited time arriving at Manuel Antonio in the late afternoons (Manuel Antonio National Park closes entry at 2:30 p.m.) We invite you to learn and collaborate with the local wildlife and conservation that lives in the surrounding green areas of Manuel Antonio and Quepos communities (Urban Wildlife Hotspots) As locals and experienced certified tour guides, we have organically gained a clear understanding and knowledge on where and at what specific times animals habitually eat, sleep, bask, socialize, and even mate. Our city parks, hotel grounds, parking areas, roadsides, boardwalks, seawalls, and marinas are teeming with local wildlife. These green urban areas are extremely important in maintaining the successful network of wildlife corridors, supported by a system of animal crossing bridge projects.

Adventure awaits in Jaco. Make unforgettable memories during this half-day tour combining off-road ATV action, zip lining, a hike to a waterfall and a deliciously authentic lunch in a quintessentially Costa Rican setting.

Hike through a cacao forest and learn all about sustainably-produced chocolate from bean to bar on this chocolate tour from Limon. Taste single-origin chocolates from around Costa Rica, try cacao in its pure ceremonial form, and even make your own bar in the “Chocolate Creation Lab.” At the end of the tour, you have the chance to purchase ethically-produced chocolate at a discounted price.

A journey through Palo Verde National Park reveals the vibrant wildlife and rich culture of Costa Rica. Glide along the rivers for two hours spotting crocodiles, monkeys, and colorful birds in their natural habitat. After the safari, indulge in a traditional "Casado" meal in a local village, savoring authentic Costa Rican flavors. Engage in a hands-on pottery workshop in Guaitil, where you can create your own piece of art. This tour accommodates all ages and includes refreshing snacks and water throughout the day. - Duration: 5 to 7 hours, suitable for ages 5 to 75 - Private tour with pick-up from Guanacaste province - Includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch and pottery workshop - Enjoy wildlife sightings on a two-hour boat tour in Palo Verde

This tour of Arenal Volcano, the hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall and the hot springs, all in about 5-7 hours. Your guide will take you to Mirador El Silencio to see the volcano, the hanging suspension bridges, and finally la Fortuna Waterfall for a walk and a swim. You’ll get to see the beautiful Costa Rican countryside and a Costa Rican lunch.

Explore the rugged landscape and forested depths of Costa Rica’s Lost Canyon. Rappel down into four waterfalls and have the chance to cool off in refreshing pools. Hike through a thick rain forest teeming with life and scramble over rocks as you uncover hidden secrets of this amazing area. Then sit down to a tasty all-you-can-eat buffet of Costa Rican cuisine.

Costa Rica is famous for its coffee and chocolate and this half-day tour takes to a plantation that grows both. Head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where the plantation is located, to learn about the processing and production of these two lucrative crops. Your tour culminates with a tasting of the final products with views of the Nicoya Gulf.

Join us for a 2.5-hour walk through the forests and paths of Avellanas, discovering the amazing wildlife and unique plants of our coastal neighborhood. We’ll explore a 2-mile loop, revealing hidden trails and spots unfamiliar even to locals. Expect sightings of vocal monkeys, colorful tropical birds, and tiny crustaceans nestled between the tides - Walk through 4 different ecosystems: forest edge, mangroves, estuary, and intertidal beach - Spot fascinating wildlife that lives in the area - Learn the story behind Avellanas' iconic landmark bridge - Discover why the mangrove forests are one the richest ecosystems of planet earth - Help protect these habitats with a quick trail clean-up during our tour.

Explore with our Guide the incredible biodiversity that the Castle area has to offer; located in a strategic point where the climate and surrounding conservation areas make possible an ecosystem where flora and fauna predominate. During this exciting birdwatching tour you will travel trails where you can observe a wide variety of species, from colorful toucans and trogons to thongs and hummingbirds. The morning is the ideal time to hear and see birds in their natural habitat; you will learn about the characteristics, behaviors and ecological importance of these birds in the Costa Rican ecosystem. It is a perfect experience for nature lovers, photographers and people who want to connect with wildlife in a safe and beautiful environment. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and camera to capture these unique moments!

A four-to-one student-to-teacher ratio makes this Tamarindo surf lesson perfect for beginners. Get personalized attention from a local surf instructor as you learn to read the water, pop up on a surfboard, and ride your first waves with confidence. Plus, skip the hassle of figuring out a board rental—all equipment is included.

Chocolate-lovers in La Fortuna can’t miss this chocolate experience where you learn to harvest, dry, and grind cacao seeds into delicious chocolate products like drinks and bars. Plus, this tour combines a chocolate-making experience with a thrilling waterfall rappel, making it a top choice for family adventure.

Combine Costa Rica’s best sensations into one with this private full-day tour. First, you’ll sink deep into the wild rainforest, where you’ll learn all about the country’s obsession with chocolate—and you’ll taste some of the best, too. After your time on land, you’ll soak in Baldi Hot Springs, heated by the Arenal volcano, taking in the views and that Costa Rica feeling. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

Coffee lovers, get your fix on a tour of the Café Britt plantation including private transfers from your San Jose hotel. Learn the history of this famous Costa Rican export, and see firsthand how coffee beans are cultivated, roasted, and transformed into fragrant elixir with a behind-the-scenes look at the farm and processing facilities. Browse products at the Britt factory store, order a freshly brewed drink from the coffee bar, and enjoy a buffet lunch from the plantation’s own restaurant.

The purpose of this experience is to provide you a real experience to cook different traditional recipes that are part of the Costa Rican culture. You can participate in the whole process, from the dish preparation to the tasting. Classes are held in an area that has been very well equipped, each participant is given a personalized apron and hair covered. The experience takes place on a family farm in the surroundings of Santa Elena and Monteverde. The family is the one that assists you and will present the experience of Tica cuisine. All the ingredients and utensils for the cooking class will be provided to each participant. ´´Achiotada´´ chicken, chicken with vegetables, rice with chicken, ´´vigorones´´ (pork meat), rice and beans with Caribbean chicken, tortillas, meat pot, chorreadas, prestiños, etc. are some of the different recipes we must prepare, accompanied by a natural drink with fresh fruit Seasonal, coffee, chocolate, or aguadulce.

Imagine going back in time and canoeing to meet a real family living on a river island, a natural paradise just 40 minutes away from Puerto Viejo, undeveloped and pristine. Dennis will hand-paddle his large canoe and take you on a beautiful wildlife sightseeing journey close to the Caribbean Sea and upstream to his home, tucked in the middle of a hidden island gem. You will meet his wife, Carol, and, when not at school, their two lovely children. I am sure this will be your most delicious lunch in Costa Rica. This tour is designed for those who love nature and good-hearted people. It does not belong to any company, and despite their very limited English, I am sure your heart will feel at home. All proceeds go directly to Dennis and his family.

You can spot different species of birds as hummingbirds, tanagers, fly catchers, toucans, others as well some mammals as monkeys, agoutis, etcetera. Naturalist guide certified by Costa Rica Tourism Board with knowledge, love and passion to wildlife make you have a great time. Monte Alto is a nature reserve located 480 – 880 meters above sea level It belongs to the Nosara Protected Zone which serves the combined purpose of protecting nature and wildlife along with the important water resources. You can see different orquids bloom from march to April only Today the reserve covers 924 hectares of low mountain moist forest which is in transition to humid forest. Small wildcats and many other animals roam the thickets and scientists discovered yet unknown species of plants. Bird lovers might be interested to know that more than 200 species of birds are found in the reserve, great destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists who can learn about the intricacies of the jungle.

When you book this La Fortuna hanging bridges and canyoning tour, you’re signing up for a day of guaranteed adventure. Walk across the Mistico Hanging Bridges for stunning views of the surrounding mountains—plus Arenal Volcano—and then head to a canyon for a chance to rappel down waterfalls, rock climb, and zipline across the gorge.