Top Costa Rica Unique Experiences

On this Jaco off-road ATV tour, it’s all about the journey—and the destinations. Take a thrilling ride through rugged mountain terrain en route to a vista point and two waterfalls, one of which has a 15-foot (4.5-meter) jump to try (if you dare). Be sure to bring a swimsuit to refresh yourself in the natural pool either way.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hike through a cacao forest and learn all about sustainably-produced chocolate from bean to bar on this chocolate tour from Limon. Taste single-origin chocolates from around Costa Rica, try cacao in its pure ceremonial form, and even make your own bar in the “Chocolate Creation Lab.” At the end of the tour, you have the chance to purchase ethically-produced chocolate at a discounted price.

Learn to fish in one of Central America's largest mangroves on this popular tour in Damas Island. Follow your expert guide into this incredible ecosystem and cast your line into fresh and salt waters. Fish for snapper, grouper, jack crevasse and more, as you float along tropical shores and watch white faced monkeys swing through the trees.

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.

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.

Discovering the wonderful secrets hidden in this forest means finding a wildlife sanctuary; the high density of biodiversity makes this trails a unique place for observing species spotted along the way. When going on the self-guided tour, pay special attention to the different layers of the rainforest, from the treetops, the understory and the forest floor; this way you will be able to appreciate many of the species housed by this spectacular biological corridor.

Join naturalist biologists on a guided tour through Parque La Libertad, where you will discover the restoration of 32 hectares once occupied by an old cement factory and learn about the ongoing reforestation process. You will observe birds that arrived with ecological regeneration and easily identify more than 30 species. Along the way, you’ll learn about waste management and pollinator gardens, and discover how the community comes together through art, sports, and social projects. Most importantly, by joining this experience you become part of a social well-being initiative that supports local communities in need.