Top Activities on the Ground in Costa Rica

Tap into you inner jungle explorer with this waterfall hiking tour in the mountains above Jaco. Ride a 4x4 deep into the rain forest, and then hike along a vertical river, stopping to splash and swim in tropical waterfall pools along the way. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, jump off of rock ledges into the natural pools below for a true taste of ‘pura vida’!

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.

Exploring La Fortuna’s standout natural attractions typically requires renting a vehicle, but this tour lets you skip the hassle. Start with a walk across Mistico Park’s hanging bridges, looking for wildlife and taking in views of Arenal Volcano. After lunch at a local restaurant, head for La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in the pool beneath the falls.

The Tour La Leona Waterfall and River Tubing offers an exhilarating and immersive experience amidst nature's beauty. Participants can relish the thrill of tubing down the crystal-clear river, surrounded by lush tropical landscapes. The majestic La Leona Waterfall adds a touch of awe-inspiring grandeur to the adventure, creating a serene atmosphere and stunning photo opportunities. This excursion allows visitors to connect with nature, unwind, and rejuvenate their spirits. With a perfect blend of adrenaline-inducing tubing and tranquil waterfall views, the Tour La Leona offers an unforgettable escape from the ordinary, making it an excellent choice for nature lovers seeking both excitement and serenity

Experience the thrill of flying through the air on a 3-hour zipline course in Monteverde. You'll cross 14 cables, ranging in height from 246 feet (75 meters) to 492 feet (150 meters). Plus, you'll have the chance to rappel almost 100 feet (30 meters) and take flight on a Tarzan swing.

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’d like to explore the many species of birds living in Monteverde with a private guide, then book this half day tour for you and your group. You can create your own itinerary, and won’t need to hassle with a large group tour. Use your provided HD telescope and field guide to find and photograph several species local to the Monteverde cloud forest.

Get into the canyon at La Victora waterfall in Guanacaste, and finish off the adrenaline activity by relaxing in volcanic hot spring at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, which is the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This is a 4.5 hour excursion, where you can rock climp, rappel, and swing on a Tarzan pendulum in the waterfall.

Explore the remarkable ecosystem of Monteverde's cloud forest with this combo eco-tour at Selvatura Park. Walk across the treetops on a series of hanging bridges, and marvel at a variety of jewel-toned winged wonders on a tour of butterfly gardens. A typical Costa Rican lunch at the adventure park’s on-site restaurant rounds out this day immersed in one of the world's most diverse habitats.

Immerse in an authentic Costa Rican horseback riding adventure with an exclusive farm tour. Guided through the breathtaking Papagayo dry forest, you’ll encounter a vibrant array of wildlife and livestock in their natural surroundings. Watch out for grazing cows and horses alongside native creatures like frogs, iguanas, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and vibrant butterflies. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy spotting colorful species in the trees. This unforgettable ride offers a close-up view of Costa Rica’s stunning biodiversity and serene landscapes.

Explore the jungle at night, when the temperatures drop and nocturnal wildlife comes alive. Your guide team is a biologist “Bug Lady” and an animal “spotter extraordinaire” armed with spotting scopes and echo bat detectors. Search for unique animals and insects while learning about their history and lore: learn to harvest silk from giant spiders, how toxic toads were used in mind-control studies, and why the US military enlisted cockroaches in the Vietnam War.

Jungle adventure meets family fun on this canyoning and whitewater rafting tour from La Fortuna. Tour the rainforest, rappel down waterfalls, and bounce down class II and III rapids on the Balsa River, stopping along the way to swim and spot wildlife. This tour even includes a professional photographer so you can leave the camera somewhere safe, live in the moment, and purchase pictures after.

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.

Immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and adventure of Costa Rica on this all-day experience. First, learn about coffee, sugar cane, and ceramics, then head out on a ziplining adventure or traverse the hanging bridges. Go for a horseback ride through the forest. Finally, relax in a natural hot water pool and slather yourself in volcanic mud.

Heading deep into Arenal's rainforest typically means renting a car and navigating unfamiliar roads. This small-group tour lets you skip the self-drive stress and takes you to directly to the area's highlights. Walk across the rainforest over a hanging bridge, wander along trails through lava fields for excellent views of Arenal Volcano, and, finally, rejuvenate in a natural hot spring.

Feel like a jungle explorer as you venture into the lush rainforest around Arenal Volcano on a horseback ride from La Fortuna. Mount your horse and follow a guide along a scenic trail that hugs a river canyon, stopping to admire the Pino Blanco and La Fortuna waterfalls. Cool off with an optional swim, and learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous culture at the Maleku Village.

Active travelers will enjoy the opportunity to hike through the lush Costa Rican rainforests, in the shadow of Volcan Arenal. With a small group of like-minded travelers you’ll trek through the jungle to the foot of the volcano while learning about the unique ecosystem and wildlife from your guide.

Take a walk in the clouds with this hanging bridge canopy tour at Monteverde’s Selvatura Park. Observe the canopy from a vantage point far from the land-based crowds, as you cross eight suspended bridges that rise to 180 feet (60 meters) above the forest floor. Plus, you can select from several start times to suit your schedule.

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.

Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano are among the most scenic places in Costa Rica. With this small-group tour, see them both from the water and easy hiking trails. Explore the lake’s bays and peninsulas surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and islands, and hike a mostly flat, 2-mile (3.2 kilometers) trail to sighting towers with panoramic views of the lake and volcano. Hotel pickup is included for convenience.

Hike through Monteverde Wildlife Refuge after dark on a guided walking tour that reveals how nighttime transforms the tropical forest. Since dusk brings out a mix of diurnal and nocturnal animals, you might see completely different creatures than in a daytime visit. Provided flashlights, the guide’s powerful spotting scope, and included entrance ticket help you find wildlife you might otherwise miss, from tree frogs to sloths and jewel-toned birds.

San José is characterized by its Spanish colonial buildings, Victorian mansions, and rich historical sites. This zero-emission bike tour allows you to see the city up close, avoid car traffic, and cruise through San José’s vibrant neighborhoods—past notable buildings, parks, and squares. Your guide navigates through the city and provides useful background information as you stop to appreciate local highlights.

This excursion is an excellent opportunity to observe a large amount of biodiversity since 87 percent of the fauna is active at night, confident in the poor visibility that darkness offers them. In a normal visit there is the possibility of observing; two-toed sloths, nine-banded armadillo, owls, rain frogs and on some occasions we can observe a kinkajou or a green palm viper in addition to a large number of very interesting insects such as, for example, a stick insect, leaf insect; Sometimes we can find scorpions, tarantulas and much more. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a naturalist guide ready to share with visitors many of the secrets of the forest.

Escape the city for a hike in the hills with a private guide. With this guided hike, trek to the 7,451-foot (2,271-meter) peak of Pico Blanco, following a scenic 3-4 mile (5-7 kilometer) route along mountain and rainforest trails. Stop along the way to refuel with water and snacks, and admire the views before hiking back down.