Top Activities on the Ground in Costa Rica

Explore the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve with your private guided tour. You’ll easily meet your guide at the reserve, then head into the tropical cloud forest. There’s no need to deal with large tour groups, and you can feel free to walk at your own pace. This is a private tour for you and your group, so take your time and focus on what interests you.

For an exciting half-day adventure, book this small group, intimate tour that takes you on boats, horses, and much more. Your local guide will inform you about the local flora and fauna, all the while looking out for your safety and well being.Your boat captain will take you smoothly across the river to meet your well groomed horse. You can just enjoy the rides.

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.

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.

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.

Nestled within the lush landscapes of Bajos del Toro, the Canyon Waterfall is a stunning natural gem that captivates visitors with its breathtaking beauty. This hidden paradise features a series of cascading waterfalls that plunge spectacularly into crystal-clear pools, surrounded by vibrant tropical flora. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, the Canyon Waterfall offers opportunities for hiking, photography, and swimming in its refreshing waters. As you explore the picturesque trails, be mesmerized by the sounds of rushing water and the vibrant colors of the rainforest. Accessible from various points in the region, this eco-tourism hotspot is a must-visit for anyone seeking to experience the unspoiled beauty of Costa Rica. Make sure to add Canyon Waterfall in Bajos del Toro to your travel itinerary for an unforgettable escape into nature's wonders.

Exchange the sun and surf for a high-flying adventure in the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest on this full-day combo tour. Fly through the forest canopy on a 15-cable zipline course with an optional Tarzan swing, and slow down for a closer look at Monteverde's rich biodiversity while walking through the treetops along hanging bridges. In between adventures, refuel with a typical Costa Rican lunch (select tours only).

Enjoy two Costa Rican adventures in one day on this 8-hour combo tour from La Fortuna. You'll fly through the air on a zipline and then navigate the Balsa River on a whitewater rafting experience. Lunch is included.

Ensure you don't miss any of the major sights at Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park by opting for a guided tour. Learn about the local wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and lizards, from a nature expert and get an up-close look thanks to gear like spotting scopes. Enjoy some free time at the end as the tour ends at the beach within the park.

Get a different perspective on Costa Rica's popular EcoGarden Arenal by exploring the ecological park at night. Follow the trails through a lush and incredibly biodiverse forest to see the wildlife that is most active after night falls. Learn all about the sloths, caiman, frogs, birds, cicadas, and other creatures that you spot from your guide.

Combine a ziplining tour with a soak in hot springs with this combo tour. You'll visit Go Adventure Arenal Park, where you'll get to take 10 different ziplines and have the option of rappelling a distance of around 50 meters. You'll then head to a local hot springs to soak in mineral pools and in a volcanic mud bath.

Venture deep into the jungles of Tortuguero National Park under the safety of a guide during this nocturnal hike. Receive round-trip transportation from Tortuguero and meet a guide who'll tour you through the area. Flashlights, rubber boots, and ponchos are included so you can walk through the tropical landscape safely. Listen to the sounds of the rainforest and spot insects, reptiles, rodents, mammals, and other nocturnal animals.

This night hike is a wonderful way to explore Nativos Corcovado in Drake Bay. You and your guide and small group (no more than 6) will venture out on the family farm, Rio Agujitas, which is located just 15km from the beach, to explore the forests. You’ll get a chance to look for nocturnal animals like frogs, snakes, kinkalou and perhaps an ocelot or puma and tapir!

Bijagua is a unique town in a privileged location. We have access for this tour limited to a certain number of people per day so as not to affect the natural habitat of the animals. The tour is personalized to each group depending on the time you have. Each guide on this tour is trained to offer you the most accurate information about the biodiversity of Spring Paradise Bijagua. You decide what time to leave: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:30 pm or 2:00 pm

Get out into nature with this private half-day excursion to the Celeste River and its surroundings. Your guide will take you through the forest, where you will likely see all kinds of birds, primates, and sloths among the tropical flora. You will also have the opportunity to swim in the blue waters of the Rio Celeste during your visit.

Check out some of the dazzling birds, both permanent dwellers or migratory, that live in the protected bird sanctuary of Arenal Oasis. Your guide will give you pointers and info about the species that you see. You’ll be in a small, intimate group, so you will keep costs down by being in a group, but not be imposing while you look for wildlife.

This combination adventure tour from La Fortuna gives you lots of options for enjoying Costa Rica’s wildlife with one easy booking. No need to make tough choices between activities—this tour includes whitewater rafting, a hanging bridge canopy hike, waterfall rappelling, and more, with the chance to purchase additional activities like horseback riding on the day of the tour. While you’re exploring, see wildlife like tropical birds, monkeys, and sloths.

Adventure seekers will enjoy this full-day tour to Vida Aventura Ranch and Nature Park, nestled in the scenic mountains of Guanacaste. Fly through the treetops on a series of ziplines, and then return to solid ground for a horseback ride complete with stunning vistas of two active volcanoes. Unwind after your adventure at our beautiful thermal pools. Your tour includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Discover the lush jungle, mighty waterfalls, and natural caves of Corcovado National Park on this action-packed full-day tour. Venture into the heart of the rainforest in a 4x4, then set out on a thrilling canyoning experience. Hike jungle trails, rappel down waterfalls, and swim in natural pools before enjoying a picnic-style lunch in a scenic natural setting. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Make the most of your time in Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park with a fun and informative small-group guided tour. Your guide will help you spot birds, animals, and plants that you might miss if walking around by yourself. See monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife during the 2.5-hour walk. The tour ends at a beach, so you can relax and cool off with a swim, if you like.

Sail above the rainforest trails on this guided zipline canopy tour through the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The forest canopy rests 600 feet below you as you cruise down more than 4300 meters of zip line. Keep your eyes open for wildlife sightings or have fun by performing poses as you coast down the 3,400 long cable. You’ll tackle 15 cables with 18 viewing platforms through this two-mile experience. Kids as young as four can also attend.

Escape the crowds and go off the beaten path in Costa Rica. This small-group tour of the Ebano Natural Reserve is ideal for active travelers who want to spend time in scenic nature. You'll take a short hike through the rainforest, spotting wildlife such as colorful frogs, birds, and monkeys along the way, before arriving at a double waterfall where you can cool off with a swim.

If you love zip lining, this is your tour. Soar through the air over more than 500 acres of pristine rain forest. Navigate a network of cables, platforms, and hanging bridges as you race across the cloud canopy. There’s also a Tarzan swing to round out the adventure. All safety equipment and lunch are included—just show up and have fun.

Experience two of the greatest highlights of the Punta Uva area with this half-day tour. First, visit a jaguar rescue center to say hello to rehabilitated monkeys, wild cats, sloths, marsupials, and other animals. Afterward, hike to a sightseeing point in Punta Uvas, famous for beautiful jungles and beach areas.