Things to do in  Central Valley

In the lush tropical forest of Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna Waterfall cascades 200 feet (61 meters) down the sheer cliff face of Cerro Chato, Arenal Volcano’s dormant neighbor. One of Costa Rica’s most impressive and easily accessible waterfalls, La Fortuna is a popular spot to hike, swim, and picnic. The waterfall’s perpetual mists and dense rainforest backdrop are postcard-perfect and a draw for photographers.

Soaring suspension bridges with open-grate flooring lead you through the rainforest at Mistico Park. The dramatic cone of the Arenal Volcano rises in the background, and the bridges take you between ecosystems and past a waterfall as you immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s enveloping warmth. Keep your eyes open for toucans, pumas, and colorful amphibians and reptiles—the forest is full of life.

Although visitors once flocked to Arenal Volcano for its impressive lava shows, the 5,437-foot (1,657-meter) volcano has stayed quiet since its last eruption in 2010. However, Arenal and the surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park remain a hot spot for visitors to Costa Rica, especially popular among those seeking hiking trails, swimming holes, hot springs, bird- and wildlife-watching, and sweeping views of the tropical rainforest.

While it’s famous for its eponymous waterfalls—a series of five picturesque cascades along the La Paz River—La Paz Waterfall Gardens is much more than its name suggests. Surrounded by dense rainforest and cloud forest, the park is also one of Costa Rica’s most-visited wildlife sanctuaries, where you can spot more than 100 animal species, including jaguars, sloths, capuchin monkeys, hummingbirds, and colorful frogs.

Poas Volcano National Park houses one of the most visited active volcanoes in Costa Rica, a telling superlative for a country that’s world-renowned for its geothermal activity. The gaping Poas Volcano crater is the star attraction, stretching as wide as 15 city blocks and featuring a bright turquoise crater lake, surrounded by ancient lava flows and shrouded in steam. Near the active primary crater, the dormant Botos Lagoon is filled with cold water.

Clear water, grottos, and saunas make up the Baldi Hot Springs complex, whose 25 different pools are heated by the Arenal Volcano and surrounded by the Costa Rican jungle. Progressing down the side of the mountain, the thermal pools at the top are the hottest, and they cool down as you go. Waterfalls, slides, and hidden spots mean there’s something new around every corner.

Running right through the heart of Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano National Park, the Celeste River—“Sky Blue” River—is named for its bright blue waters. Local legend claims that God dipped his paintbrush into the river after painting the sky, creating the striking blue hue. In fact, it’s created by sunlight reflecting off the volcanic minerals and silica particles in the water, but either way, it’s an impressive sight.

Home to the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, Irazu Volcano National Park serves up some extraordinary panoramas. Think lush tangles of forest, gnarly cliffs of volcanic rock, and emerald-green crater lakes, all beneath an ethereal canopy of clouds.

Costa Rica is famous for its amazing biodiversity, and Sarapiqui is a place where you can experience the thrill of the rain forest firsthand. Whether that’s ziplining through the trees at high speed, rafting along the river, or wildlife-spotting, the area is packed with natural wonders.

Tumbling downhill from Costa Rica’s central mountains, the Sarapiqui River (Rio Sarapiquí) is a jungle-fringed playground. Alternating flat water and big waves mean there’s something for nearly every group here—boat trips on the Sarapiqui River range from family-friendly wildlife cruises to rafting on Class III–IV whitewater rapids.

Costa Rica’s largest lake is also its most famous. Taking its name from the neighboring Arenal Volcano, which looms over its eastern shore, the lake affords a prime view of the active volcano, as well as providing plenty of fun for outdoor adventurers. Lake Arenal is more than a pretty face, too: the human-made reservoir is also a hydroelectric dam that provides sustainable power for Costa Rican residents.

Bountiful produce stalls, local-approved cafeterias, and vendor stalls selling everything from coffee beans to cowboy boots give visitors to San Jose’s Central Market (Mercado Central) a taste of real Costa Rican culture. Visit as part of an epic souvenir spree, a snack run, or for a chance to experience a slice of everyday life in Costa Rica. The largest market in the city, Central Market is known for its low prices and high hustle and bustle.

Modelled after the Paris Opera House, the National Theater in San José’s Catedral district is a neo-classical masterpiece representing Costa Rica’s greatest era of extravagance and sophistication. The historic building has been the epicenter of the city’s fine arts scene including opera, symphony, and other performing arts since its inaugural performance by Fausto de Gounod in 1897.

Costa Rica has no shortage of thermal springs, but few enjoy a backdrop as dramatic as the Tabacón Hot Springs, surrounded by dense rainforest with the famous peak of Arenal Volcano on the horizon. The luxury complex is home to several natural hot springs, where you can bathe in steamy, mineral-rich pools and waterfalls alongside a river, then head to the spa for a massage or check into the 5-star resort.

The quaint town of Sarchí is famous throughout Costa Rica for its handicrafts. From the brightly painted oxcarts that were once used in the coffee industry to decorated bowls, handmade jewelry, leather goods, and furniture, visitors looking for memorable souvenirs should plan to visit the town, only an hour’s drive from San José.