Top Costa Rica Unique Experiences

RSVP to the biggest party in Monteverde with this nocturnal tour of the area's famed wildlife by moonlight, when nearly 80 percent of Monteverde's mammalian residents come out to play. Join a guide who will help you spot animals such as two-toed sloths, reptiles, and more as they come out after dark.

No prior experience is required on this small-group bioluminescence kayaking tour from Puerto Jiménez. After a magnificent sunset, watch the water light up with glowing microorganisms with every stroke of the paddle as you maneuver over calm waters with your guide. You can even dive in for a swim to see what the bioluminescence looks like from within the water.

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.

Rappel down waterfalls in the shadow of Arenal Volcano on this exciting rainforest adventure just outside of La Fortuna. Head into the forest, where guides will help you gear up for a thrilling course featuring a rock climb and rappelling, including the "Monkey Drop" and waterfall descents. After conquering this natural playground, head back to HQ for a delicious lunch of Costa Rican cuisine.

When you come to Costa Rica, you want to see and do it all! Make the most of your time during this action-packed half-day ATV tour from Jaco. Hit the trails and climb up into the mountain rainforest for spectacular panoramic views and a waterfall swim. Relax and refuel with a deliciously authentic lunch before continuing on for more nature immersion and adventure before returning back to headquarters.

Discover the sounds and sights of the rainforest after dark on a night hike. Follow your guide along an easy trail and watch out for bats, nocturnal birds, and mammals rustling in the treetops and on the forest floor. Search for red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs, among other species. Then enjoy a traditional dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove before returning to your hotel in La Fortuna.

Chocolate lovers flock to this incredible tour from La Fortuna that includes the sweetest rainforest experience and unearths the hidden secretes of local chocolate production. Visit a farm where cocoa is grown, processed and produced. This hands-on experience lets travelers eat as much chocolate as they want while learning about history, culture and traditions of this popular Costa Rican sweet.

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.

Jaco is known for its beaches and nightlife, but its natural beauty should not be missed. Enjoy a visit to a nearby rainforest via 4x4 vehicle, and learn about the ecosystem from your naturalist guide. Stop by a series of waterfalls for an exhilarating plunge, then relax during lunch while taking in the lush jungle views.

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.

Discover San Jose’s hidden delights with this unique evening tour of the Costa Rican capital. Get up close and personal with the nightlife in San Jose, starting with the Morazán Park where you'll learn post-colonial Costa Rican history. From there, gain an appreciation for San Jose’s historical architecture, with a walk by the Metallic Building, then on to Spain Park for a fantastic view of the Yellow House (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Continue to charming Barrio Escalante, one of the oldest residential areas in San Jose.  Finish the night with a tasty traditional meal (and wine or beer) at a gourmet Costa Rican restaurant.

Explore the rugged landscape and forested depths of Costa Rica’s Lost Canyon on this small-group adventure. Rappel alongside towering waterfalls, cool off in refreshing pools, and explore a hidden canyon surrounded by lush rainforest. After your canyoning experience, relax and enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat Costa Rican buffet at a private restaurant. Hotel transportation is included for a seamless adventure from start to finish.

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.

Foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth will love this chocolate-themed activity. See cacao trees growing before touring the chocolate-making kitchen. Learn all about what it takes to turn cacao into a bar of chocolate, and even have a go at grinding the beans and separating the shells yourself. Make some chocolate to take home with you and share with your friends–if you don’t eat it all first.

On this guided tour of the Butterfly Conservatory, which is dedicated to the preservation, growth, and study of the rainforest, with a focus on butterflies and other tropical rainforest species, experience a live demonstration of the butterfly life cycle, see poison dart frogs and other species of amphibians from the Arenal rainforest, and explore the botanical gardens and medicinal herb gardens.

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.

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.

Manuel Antonio may best known for its beautiful beaches, but another world comes alive in its jungles at night. Get an up-close look at nocturnal creatures like spiders, frogs, snakes, and bats on a private night hike through a nature reserve. A certified naturalist guide knows just where to find these creepy crawlers and ensures the safety of your group on this educational adventure.

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 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.

Test your limits on an extreme canyoning expedition in Costa Rica. On this thrilling, half-day tour from La Fortuna, journey to a remote rain forest canyon where you rappel down cliffs, leap from waterfalls, and trek through a jagged, slippery landscape. Prepare to get soaked as you splash into jungle pools and swim under cascades in an extraordinary natural playground. This is the ultimate choice for thrill seekers in La Fortuna.

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.

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!