Top Costa Rica Outdoor Activities

Check out the amazing animals and plants that habitat the Monteverde Cloud Forest on this small-group, yet intimate, tour. You can use provided telescopes and field guides to spot some of the multitudes of birds in the area, and your field guide to identify the local plants and flowers. You’ll keep costs down with this group tour, but still have plenty of attention from your guide.

Explore Tamarindo’s beaches and dry forest on an off-road ATV tour with river crossings and stunning tropical scenery. Learn to maneuver your vehicle, then follow your guide along a rugged circuit. Take in the sights and sounds of the Costa Rican forest and watch for birds and monkeys as you steer beneath coastal trees. Upgrade your tour to include other activities such as snorkeling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or even exploring other areas by ATV.

Indulge your sweet tooth and discover the secrets of La Fortuna's best chocolate. This small-group tour starts out in an organic cocoa plantation where you'll see the cocoa flower and trees, as well as the cocoa bean fermentation and sun-drying process. Afterward, in the ranch, you can roast and grind the cocoa beans and also, ultimately, make your own chocolate bonbons.

Learn to surf in Uvita Costa Rica at your own pace, with a private instructor. You don’t need to share with a group, or feel like you’re on your own. Instead, your personalized instructor will take you step by step through the surfing process. This two hour lesson is great for beginners to intermediates. No matter what level you start from, you’re guaranteed to gain confidence.

Travelers wanting to experience the highlights of Puntarenas won’t want to miss this comprehensive tour. Over the course of the day you’ll visit or drive past wildlife-viewing spots, rainforest parks, beaches, markets and plantations, churches, town attractions, and more. If you’re short on time but don’t want to miss Puntarenas’ must-see spots, this is the tour for you.

A hike to Bridal Veil Falls is made safe and informative when done as part of a guided tour. Your guide helps you spot wildlife as you trek through the rain forest en route to the strikingly blue falls, a vista point for Tenorio Volcano, and thermal hot springs and mud pots. An included Costa Rican fills you up at the end of the day.

Get to know the Peñas Blancas River ecosystem with a naturalist boat captain. Glide through the tranquil forest and spot arboreal and aquatic animals like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, and alligators, along with birds such as herons, cormorants, American darters, and passerines. Keep an eye out for the basilisk lizard, known for walking on water. Drift beneath ficus, luehea, and kapok trees, where dense foliage creates shaded tunnels rich with lianas and epiphytes.

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.

More than just a fun white-water rafting trip, this tour on the Savegre River includes a fully-narrated drive to the put-in location for an opportunity to learn about local wildlife. Plus, in the middle of running Class II and III rapids with a guide, you stop to visit tucked-away waterfall—chances are you'll be the only people there.

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.

If simply looking at waterfalls from afar is too tame for you, join this half-day guided tour to Nauyaca Waterfall. Your friendly guides will show you how and where to climb the waterfall safely, and where to jump from for a refreshing swim. Make new friends on a small-group tour, and learn about the biodiversity of this beautiful area.

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.

Join us for an unforgettable wildlife experience in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and scenic national parks. Led by a certified bilingual naturalist guide, this relaxed-paced hike invites you to discover sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, reptiles, and other fascinating wildlife while learning about the park’s ecosystems and natural history. Your guide carries a high-definition spotting scope, offering close-up views of animals often hidden in the forest canopy and the chance to capture memorable photos. The guided portion concludes at the stunning Manuel Antonio Beach, consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, where you’re welcome to relax at your own pace before exiting the park. Park admission ticket may or not be included, this depends on the option you choose, if you decide to buy them on your own, let us know if you need any help, otherwise we'll buy them for you. We meet at the supermarket outside the park. Punctuality is appreciated ¡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.

Check out the critters that come alive at night on this small–group tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll get to use provided flashlights and high definition telescopes to see sloths, kinkajous, snakes, frogs, and much more doing their thing under the cover of darkness. You’ll keep costs down with this small, intimate group, too.

Embark on a truly unique adventure with our kayak tour through the mesmerizing mangroves of Manuel Antonio. Delve into the rich biodiversity of these forests, teeming with an astonishing array of wildlife. Our seasoned guides will expertly navigate you through this captivating ecosystem, offering fascinating insights into the local fauna. As you paddle along, seize the chance to capture unforgettable moments with your camera, immortalizing the beauty of this natural wonderland. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience during your visit to Manuel Antonio!

Discover the lush landscape of Monteverde at night on the guided small-group evening tour. As you walk the grounds, be on the lookout for insects such as walking sticks, tarantulas, and leafcutter ants and mammals such as porcupines, opossums, and olingos. Depending on the weather conditions, you might also spot snakes and frogs.

Fly through the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest on a zipline adventure that’s ideal for novice adventurers and thrill seekers alike. Enjoy this exciting aerial experience, soaring down galvanized steel cables at up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour, and gain a bird's eye view of the lush foliage below—a sight you wouldn’t get any other way.

Travelers who want to see the beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest while having fun will love this zip line tour. Ride 7,874 feet (2,400 meters) of zip lines between 18 platforms through the heights of the rainforest. Learn about the biodiversity of the rainforest while observing beautiful birds and plants.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fun and relaxing cruise through the mangroves of Isla Damas. As well as enjoying views of the biodiverse mangrove forest, keep your eyes open for local wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, various birds, and more. Learn about what you see from your knowledgeable guide and take some great photos.

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.

Spend a full day exploring the beauty of Isla Tortuga on this small-group tour from Jacó. First stop at the Tarcoles River to watch crocodiles from the bridge, then visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins. Enjoy a snorkeling tour at a secluded spot and end the day with a delicious local lunch with fruits.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Touring the Manuel Antonio National Park with a guide means you’ll see and hear things that it’s easy to overlook when visiting independently. On this two-hour small-group tour your guide will look out for slow-moving sloth, bright green frogs, tropical birds, and more. See for yourself with the provided telescope. Learn all about Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity and even spend some relaxing time on the beach.