Adventurous Things to Do in Costa Rica!

Embark on a journey to the heart of adventure in Costa Rica, where every step leads to an exhilarating experience. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, this vibrant Central American gem beckons thrill-seekers with its lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems teeming with life. Get ready to immerse yourself in the adrenaline-pumping activities that define the essence of Costa Rica’s adventurous spirit. From soaring through the jungle canopy on a zip line to encountering majestic wildlife in their natural habitat, here are 15 adventurous things to do in Costa Rica.

La Leona Waterfall

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Key Tips to Visiting Costa Rica:

Main Airports: Liberia and San Jose

Currency: The Colón (USD is also widely accepted)

Language: Spanish

Best Time of Year to Visit: You can visit all year round, depending on what activities you want to do. Dry Season (Dec – Apr) – more expensive and busy. Wet season (May-Nov) – cheaper rates and fewer crowds.

What to Eat: Casados (typical plate of food including meat, rice, beans, salad, and sides), Gallo Pinto

Uvita Beach

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

Here are some of the places we stayed at and can recommend:

Onda – Playa Grande

El Pretal Hostel – Liberia

Selina Hostel – Jaco

Cabañas Rustico – La Fortuna

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15 Adventurous Things to do in Costa Rica

You will not run out of adventurous things to do in Costa Rica! Even a typical walk down the street is more exciting due to the possibility of spotting wildlife (we literally saw a sloth sleeping on the power lines)! Whether you are an ocean person or a jungle lover, Costa Rica offers awesome adventures for all types of travelers.

La Leona Tubing

1. La Leona Waterfall Tour and River Tubing

My favorite adventure tour in Costa Rica was the La Leona Waterfall Tour and Tubing half day tour. Located in the Guanacaste Region, just outside of Liberia, this is a great tour if you are staying around Tamarindo. We booked our tour with La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike. This tour combines a bunch of adventure activities including: hiking, canyoning, waterfalls, waterslides, and white water rafting in an inner tube. I loved swimming in the turquoise water to reach La Leona Waterfall and I had the best time tubing down the river. Our guide made the trip super fun and safe. It costs $75 per person and they can provide transportation for a small additional fee. Check out my detailed La Leona Waterfall experience here.

Mistico Hanging Bridges

2. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

This adventure activity really exceeded my expectations and was one of the best places to spot wildlife in Costa Rica. The Mistico Park offers a 2 mile long trail through the forest and canopy with 6 hanging bridges, waterfalls and normal bridges. The hanging bridges are awesome and provide a unique vantage point to check out the jungle. We saw 3 types of monkeys, tons of birds, coatimundi, and collared peccaries. My biggest suggestion is to arrive at the park by 7 am in order to beat the crowds (it turns into Disneyland by 9 am). We had the trail to ourselves and spent about 2 hours. I was also impressed that they have a trail that is wheel chair accessible. You can reserve your tickets at the Mistico Park website.

3. Definitely Go Surfing in Costa Rica

The Pacific and Caribbean coast of Costa Rica offers great waves for beginners to intermediate surfers! It is the perfect surf destination and also a great place to take lessons. Overall, the Nicoya Peninsula offers the best waves and we enjoyed surfing Playa Grande, Marbella, Playa Guiones and Mal Pais. If you are a beginner, then you will probably find the best conditions in Tamarindo, Nosara and Samara. If you want to visit the second longest left in the world, then a mission to Pavones is definitely worth it and offers the best wave in Costa Rica. You will also find surf in the Caribbean towns of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo between the months of January and April.

Nauyaca Waterfall

4. Chase Some Waterfalls

Costa Rica has some incredible waterfalls that are definitely worth checking out! My favorite waterfall in Costa Rica is Nauyaca Waterfall. This impressive two tiered waterfall offers stunning views and the perfect swimming hole to cool off. Nauyaca Waterfall is located near Uvita, Costa Rica. It is easy to reach on your own, or you can organize a tour. We drove ourselves and purchased entrance tickets from Don Lulos Nauyaca Waterfall. It cost $10 per person and $5 for parking. The trail is about 3 km but keep in mind that it is really really hot and definitely has incline. If you are not fit, you may want to opt for the 4×4 truck. Pro Tip – visit the upper falls first!

Some other awesome waterfalls are La Leona Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, La Paz Waterfall Garden and Rio Celeste!

Capuchin Monkey

5. Search for Animals in one of Costa Rica’s National Parks

Costa Rica boasts an impressive network of 29 national parks, along with numerous wildlife refuges, biological reserves, and protected areas. These parks cover a diverse range of ecosystems, including rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, beaches, and marine environments, providing habitats for an incredible array of plant and animal species. Each national park offers unique opportunities for adventure, wildlife viewing, and eco-tourism, making Costa Rica a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. My favorite national park is Cahuita National Park. I liked this national park because the trail winds through the forest just adjacent to a beautiful beach. When the conditions are good, there is also an epic snorkeling trail in this national park. We saw plenty of animals (good opportunity for sloths) and enjoyed a swim at the end. The entrance is donation based when entering from the Cahuita Town.

6. Snorkel Isla del Caño

There are a lot of places to snorkel in Costa Rica, but a top spot is Isla del Caño which is located off the Osa Peninsula. Embarking on a snorkel tour to Isla del Caño offers a chance to explore the protected waters surrounding the island, which are teeming with marine biodiversity. Snorkelers often encounter colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and if you’re lucky, even dolphins or whales. The crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility, allowing you to witness the beauty of Costa Rica’s underwater world up close. Boats depart daily from Drake (on the Osa Peninsula) or Uvita and will take you to the snorkeling sites and the island.

7. Relax in the Hot Springs of Arenal Volcano

The Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna, Costa Rica provides an epic volcano view and the heat source of all the thermal springs in the area. Visiting the hot springs is one of the most popular things to do in La Fortuna. You can choose from a ton of options depending on what vibe you are going for and what your budget is. There is a free hot spring river that can be accessed just off the main road. It gets really busy here so arriving first thing in the morning is your best chance of having peace and quiet.

The best luxury option is the Tabacon Hot Springs. The natural springs feed the beautifully landscaped Tabacon Hot Springs. The resort provides a peaceful and relaxing environment to soak in the springs all day. You can purchase a day pass for about $90. Another option is Baldi Hot Springs which are a cheaper alternative ($30) and provide a more lively atmosphere with bar and even water park.

8. Enjoy a Catamaran Cruise

You will find catamaran cruises offered all along the coast of Costa Rica! One of the best opportunities is to sail to Isla Tortuga with Costa Cat. Costa Cat’s Isla Tortuga tour offers a captivating adventure along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, inviting travelers to discover the pristine beauty of Isla Tortuga. Departing from popular coastal hubs like Jacó or San Jose, the tour typically begins with a scenic boat ride through the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, showcasing panoramic views of the rugged coastline and lush tropical islands. Once at Isla Tortuga you can snorkel, play volleyball, relax, paddle board and more!

El Salto, La Fortuna

9. Free Rope Swing and Swimming Hole in La Fortuna

One of my favorite things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the rope swing (El Salto). This is one of the only free activities in La Fortuna and it is the perfect place to cool off. The rope swing is a fun way to launch into the swimming hole. I enjoyed swimming in the water and finding a more chill area to soak upstream. It gets very busy on weekends and afternoons so I recommend starting your day with a refreshing dip!

10. Overnight Hike in Corcovado National Park

If your main priority is to see wild life then an overnight hike in Corcovado National Park is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica! Nestled on the remote Osa Peninsula, Corcovado is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and incredible wildlife. The overnight hike typically begins with a guided trek through the park’s dense jungle trails, where towering trees form a canopy overhead, echoing with the calls of howler monkeys and the songs of tropical birds. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will point out fascinating plant and animal species, including elusive jaguars, playful monkeys, and colorful birds like scarlet macaws.

11. Feel the Rush of Zip lining through the Canopy

Zip lining is one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica. You will find zip lining offered all over the country so you don’t need to go out of your way to do it. However, if you want to experience the longest zip line (5220 feet) in Costa Rica, then you should check out 100% Aventura in Monteverde, Costa Rica. This is an adventurous way to see the jungle!

Manuel Antonio National Park

12. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio is the most popular national park in Costa Rica. In my opinion it is a bit overrated, but if you are going to be staying in this area it is worth checking out. We opted not to hire a guide and were able to spot sloths, monkeys, deer and plenty of birds. Most of the animals are easy to see near the crowded beach areas. The trails are well designed and lead to beautiful beaches. I preferred to swim on South Espadilla Beach because it was a lot less crowded than Manual Antonio Beach (they are right next to each other).

If visiting this park expect to share it with a lot of other people. You actually need to reserve an entrance ticket a couple days before because they sell out the spaces. Beware, if you are driving yourself a lot of “fake” parking people will try to sell you a space or tour guide, but make sure to continue to the official parking which is about 15o meters from the main entrance to the park.

13. Adventure Day – Rincon del la Vieja National Park

Are you looking to pack all the adventure activities into one epic day? Buena Vista del Rincon offers a great all included adventure day pass. Here you can experience zip lines, hanging bridges, hikes, waterfalls, the longest natural waterslide, horseback riding, hot springs and more! It’s literally a one stop shop and the day passes cost less than $100! Explore the beautiful national park and cross off your adventure activity bucket list in one day! You can check out the options here.

Volcano View and Lava Fields Trail Arenal 1968

Arenal 1968 Hiking Trails

14. Hike on the Lava Fields of Arenal Volcano

The Arenal Volcano View and Lava Trails are a top thing to do in La Fortuna. The hike is really beautiful and offers the unique opportunity to hike on the old lava trails from Arenal Volcano. There are epic views of the volcano and Lake Arenal along the way. In addition, you will get to hike through dense rainforest, and if you choose the longer trail you will also pass by an enchanting lake. You can find the Arenal 1968 trailhead here. The entrance fee is $25 per person.

“Whale Tail” Uvita

15. Visit the famous “Whale Tail” in Marino Ballena National Park

The beaches around Uvita, Costa Rica are stunning with tropical jungle stretching almost to the water. One of the most popular things to do in Uvita is visit the “Whale Tail” sandbar. To do this you will enter the national park, which costs about $10 and walk along the beach. In order to experience the sandbar you will want to visit on low tide. It is impressive how far the sandbar stretches into the ocean. Unfortunately, you can only see the whale tale shape from an aerial view.

Marbella Beach

16. Explore Costa Rica in a Campervan

One of the top things to do in Costa Rica is rent a camper van to explore the country. We traveled Costa Rica in our camper van and it was the ideal way to find secluded beaches and save money on accommodation. I’d recommend a roof top tent on a 4×4 vehicle or a camper van with high clearance. Make sure to download iOverlander to find the best campsites in each area. Here are some of our favorite campsites in Costa Rica:

Marbella Beach – Free Camping or Rincon de la Fiera Campground

Samara – Camping Los Cocos

Esterillos Los Oeste – Camping Las Brisas

Uvita – Camping Casa Viva

Pavones – Pineapple Creek

Cahuita – Reggae Bar Camping

La Fortuna – Lagos Del Rio

Costa Rica Wrap Up

Costa Rica offers a relaxing escape where you can experience the serenity and beauty of nature. From zip-lining through the rainforest canopy to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, the array of things to do in Costa Rica is as diverse as its stunning ecosystems. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking relaxation amidst breathtaking scenery, Costa Rica beckons with endless possibilities for unforgettable experiences. So, pack your sense of adventure and embark on a journey to this Central American gem, where every moment is a new opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

La Fortuna Waterfall

Do you Have Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is the number one thing I make sure to have before I start any adventure. Most people don’t realize how critical travel insurance is and it has personally saved me a few times on my travels. I’ve needed it when I got a parasite in Peru, when I needed to be hospitalized in Bali, and when my phone was stolen. Most home country health insurance does not cover you over sees so if you are in an accident or fall ill then all the fees will be out of pocket unless you have travel insurance. On top of medical coverage most plans provide coverage for travel interruptions, stolen property and lost luggage.

I currently use Heymondo for all my travel insurance needs. Their policies are priced well and they have great support. I like that I can use the app to chat with a doctor at any time, and their team are easy to reach if you need help seeking medical treatment. In addition, their base policies already cover a ton of adventure sports or you can add on their adventure cover if you’ll be doing more extreme activities.

Get a Free Heymondo Quote Here

5 Things I never Travel Without

Travel Insurance – Heymondo has been my go-to for the last few years. I love how reasonable the prices are and how easy it is to sign up. They also include coverage of a bunch of adventurous activities! Click here for 5% off your policy.
Travel Credit Cards – Having a good travel credit card is a game changer! Not only do you get the benefit of zero transaction fees, but these cards provide other benefits such as, free Priority Pass, free TSA Pre-check/Global Entry, annual travel credits, great point earnings and travel partners. My two favorite cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X.
Kindle – I love reading and Kindle makes it so easy to download new books on the go!
Osprey Backpack – whether I’m hiking in Patagonia or backpacking Europe, Osprey offers versatile backpacks for any type of travel
AirPods – These are a total game changer for traveling. I love the noise cancelling capability because it makes airplanes silent and blocks out unwanted noise. They are so much easier to wear around than normal headphones.