Top Costa Rica Adventure Tours in 2026

Thrill-seekers will love trying many different activities on a private combo tour near Liberia. Start with an exciting zip-line course through the forest, followed by an epic 1,300-foot (400-meter) water slide. Refuel with a tasty local lunch, so you don’t need to pack boring sandwiches. In the afternoon, ride on horseback to beautiful hot springs in a lush garden, where you can soak any aches away.

Discover the untouched beauty of the Costa Ballerna on an afternoon excursion from Uvita that takes you to hidden waterfalls and beaches. Visit two tucked-away cascades where you can swim and splash in natural pools and rivers, and walk on the secluded Dominicalito Beach. End the day with an unforgettable Costa Rican sunset from a secret hilltop viewpoint. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

Go whale watching in the waters of Costa Rica’s Marino Ballena National Park with this tour. You'll take a morning boat tour out to sea, where you'll have a good chance of spotting whales, dolphins, and even turtles. You'll also have time to snorkel and visit sea caves during your expedition.

Experience Costa Rica’s wild and beautiful rain forest the historic way on a scenic horseback ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall. Travel on private, forested trails away from any roads, at a pace that allows for close observation of jungle life. Dismount for a moderate hike to the famous waterfall, where you can cool off with an optional swim and enjoy more time in nature.

Explore the rain forest around Arenal on this horseback riding adventure that takes you to the enchanting, sky-blue waters of the Rio Celeste. Here you are free to swim in a natural river pool and splash into the water on a giant Tarzan swing — things you can't do inside Arenal Volcano National Park. Well-trained horses and a local guide help ensure a safe, one-of-a-kind experience near La Fortuna.

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.

The lush cloud forests and wildlife-filled parklands of Selvatura Park lie just north of Monteverde. With this tour, venture to the heart of the rainforest on a thrilling hanging bridge canopy walk. Hike through the forest, climb up to heights of 180 feet (60 meters), and admire the views from the treetops. A traditional Costa Rican breakfast and lunch are included, with optional ziplining and a coffee and chocolate plantation tour.

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.

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.

Hop on your own ATV and explore the jungles in Jaco. First, learn how to operate your ATV and complete some laps on the practice track. Then, head off toward the area waterfalls, where you will have time to swim and enjoy the natural surroundings. Plus, a professional photographer will be along for the ride, capturing pictures of your adventure, which will be available for purchase.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most memorable natural wonders. With this tour, venture to the heart of the cloud forest on a self-guided trek and enjoy magnificent views of the Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles volcanoes. Cool off with a swim beneath a waterfall, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch, and enjoy a short horseback ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Monteverde and Santa Elena are included for convenience.

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.

Remote Tortuguero is difficult to reach independently, meaning some people put it in the “too hard” category. Simplify your trip to this off-the-beaten-track eco-tourism destination during a convenient 3-day tour from San Jose. Two nights’ accommodation in a 4-star lodge plus all meals are included, so you don’t need to make extra bookings. Learn about the local wildlife and ecosystem during a guided tour of Tortuguero National Park.

See some of Costa Rica’s finest natural attractions while having fun on this guided ATV tour to Arenal Volcano. Learn how to drive the two-person vehicles before setting off on trails through farms, forests, and rivers. Admire views of the beautiful volcano along the way, and learn about Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity from your guide.

Get up close to Costa Rican wildlife on this morning safari float along a river beneath imposing Volcan Arenal. Be prepared to get wet as you’ll be in an inflatable vessel, close to the water. Look out for animals including sloths, snakes, and a variety of birds. Take a short hike to an organic farm, where you’ll collect your lunch ingredients.

Improve your chances of spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park on this small-group hike. Following your guide, explore the park as you look out for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and more, whilst they provide commentary about their lives and behaviors in the rainforest. Enjoy a route that is flat and well-maintained, making this activity suitable for all fitness levels.

See some of Costa Rica's most beautiful natural areas on this two-day, small-group tour of the Puntarenas area, led by a professional guide. You will visit the Corcovado and San Pedrillo National Park, where you can see beautiful trees and vegetation, with the opportunity to see all kinds of wild animals and birds in their natural environment.

Spend your day on a hiking adventure through the Arenal Volcano National Park with a small group. Experience the natural beauty of La Fortuna as you navigate the trails and passes that wind through its stunning landscapes. When the day is done, relax and unwind with a dip in a natural hot water river before returning to your hotel.

Explore the beaches around El Jobo from aboard an ATV during this private experience. Avoid getting lost and follow your guide so you can enjoy the passing villages, beaches, and maybe even local wildlife. Zip past some of the prettiest beaches in the area, including Coyotera, Ecoplaya, Manzanillo, and Rajada, with the option to stop at a local restaurant or shop.

Experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica, and get an up-close look at some of the nation's most colorful birds. Enjoy scenic transfer to Caño Negro from La Fortuna, where you cruise by boat into the Rio Frio. Search for native birds, mammals, and flora before heading back to land for an authentic lunch.

The countryside around Jaco Beach is ideal for an outdoor adventure and this action-packed tour includes two fun activities in one day. Soar through the treetops at the Los Suenos Adventure Park as you tackle a thrilling course of 10 zip-lines in the heart of the rainforest. Next, take the wheel of an ATV for a scenic off-road excursion along mud tracks, jungle trails, and coastal roads with spectacular ocean views.

Ride an ATV through Jaco’s scenic countryside with a family friendly, 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-hour guided tour that explores Costa Rica’s fields and forests. Watch tropical birds erupt from the trees as you zoom past on your ATV, and capture unforgettable images of the Pacific Ocean from panoramic viewpoints. Longer tours stop for refreshments at a ranch and continue to a waterfall and swimming hole that are hidden in the lush jungle.

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.