Best Things to do in Costa Rica

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The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica (and Where to Do Them)

Costa Rica is one of those magical places that truly has it all—lush jungles, active volcanoes, postcard-perfect beaches, and more wildlife than you can imagine. We recently visited with our whole family, and I can honestly say this was one of our best family vacations ever. It’s just so different from anything we’ve ever done as a family, and we loved every second of it.

There was a lot we wanted to do while in Costa Rica, but there was a fine line between wanting to see it all and also having time to relax and just enjoy it. I feel that the 8 days we spent there ended up being a great mix of busy and relaxing. You can check out our full itinerary here.

Obviously, the adventures you want to do will vary depending on your own interests. But with so much to do, it can be hard to know where to start. So, let’s break it down by activity type, with tips on where in Costa Rica to do each one best. This might help you narrow down the best places to go in Costa Rica along with the best places to stay.

If you’re traveling with the family, be sure to check out these amazing family resorts in Costa Rica as well. Or check out these all-inclusive Costa Rica family resorts.

🌋 Best Things to do in Costa Rica: Volcano Viewing & Hot Springs

Best Region: La Fortuna / Arenal

La Fortuna is home to Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic sights. And there is plenty to do in La Fortuna. Even though the volacano is dormant, it’s still an epic backdrop for your vacation photos. And the geothermal activity underneath fuels some incredible hot springs.

We stayed at the Los Lagos Resort which was a great place for our whole family. It had volcano views and hot springs on site. Click to read about our experience there.

Top Things to Do:

• Soak at Tabacón Hot Springs or Baldi Hot Springs
• Hike Arenal 1968 or the Arenal Volcano National Park
• Explore La Fortuna Waterfall

🛏️ Stay tip: There are several family-friendly resorts with hot spring pools on-site—perfect for a relaxing evening after a day of hiking. Check out my guide to La Fortuna to see several hotel recommendations and a complete list of the best things to do there.

🧗‍♀️ Ziplining, Hanging Bridges & Canyoning – Some of the best things to do in Costa Rica

Best Region: Monteverde and Arenal

Costa Rica basically invented ziplining (not really, but it feels like it!), and you haven’t really done it until you’ve flown over the cloud forest or a jungle canyon. We were a little bit overwhelmed with the options, to be honest. We decided to zipline in La Fortuna, but Manuel Antonio has some good zipline options as well, if you don’t plan to visit La Fortuna.

Because we had a 5-year-old in our group, we decided to do a bit more family-friendly of a ziplining experience, but it was still so much fun! Perfect for all ages. The zipline tour we did also included the Tarzan swing (which the 5-year-old couldn’t do), but the rest of us did. It was terrifying but exhilarating, and I’m so glad it was offered.

Monteverde:

• Home to the famous hanging bridges and cloud forest canopy tours.
• Try Sky Adventures Monteverde Park for ziplining and sky trams.

La Fortuna:

• Pure Trek Canyoning is a favorite for rappelling down waterfalls.
• Great combo tours that include ziplining, suspension bridges, and jungle hikes.

💡 Good to know: Many tours are kid-friendly, with minimum age/weight requirements clearly listed.

🛶 White Water Rafting

Best Regions: Pacuare River (Turrialba area) & Sarapiquí

Adrenaline lovers, this one’s for you! Costa Rica has some of the best rafting in Central America, especially in the lush jungle regions.

Pacuare River Rafting:

• World-renowned Class III-IV rapids
• Full-day and overnight trips available
• Stunning scenery—waterfalls, wildlife, and no cell service (in a good way)

Sarapiquí River Rafting:

• Great option for beginners or families with younger kids
• Class II-III rapids and lots of nature spotting

🚣‍♀️ Tip: Some Pacuare trips include overnight eco-lodge stays that are totally worth it.

🐒 Wildlife Watching – One of the best things to do in Costa Rica

Best Regions: Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, and Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica is a wildlife paradise—you don’t have to try very hard to spot monkeys, sloths, toucans, or coatis.

Osa Peninsula (Corcovado National Park):

• The most biologically intense place on Earth (according to Nat Geo)
• Remote, raw, and a must for serious wildlife lovers

Tortuguero:

• Famous for turtle nesting (July–October)
• Boat through the canals and spot crocs, howler monkeys, and more

Manuel Antonio:

• Easy-access national park with a good chance of seeing sloths, capuchins, and iguanas
• Check out the night tours offered here as well. We did a night walk tour in La Fortuna but heard great things about the Manuel Antonio night walks as well.
• Plus, it’s near the beach!
• There are lots of amazing hotels in Manuel Antonio that put you right near the action.

📸 Pro Tip: Hire a local guide—they know how to spot the animals you’d otherwise walk right past!

🏖️ Beach Time & Surfing

Best Regions: Guanacaste (Tamarindo), Santa Teresa, Nosara, and Puerto Viejo

Whether you want to catch some waves or just chill in the shade of a palm tree, Costa Rica’s coastlines deliver. Manuel Antonio has beautiful beaches as well, but since I’ve touched on those already, here are some other great options.

Tamarindo (North Pacific):

• Great for beginner surfers and families
• Tons of restaurants, beach bars, and yoga studios

Santa Teresa & Nosara:

• Surf town vibes with laid-back charm
• Excellent for intermediate surfers and digital nomads

Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast):

• Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae music, and stunning beaches
• Try Playa Cocles for surf and Playa Punta Uva for calm swimming/snorkeling

🏄‍♂️ Tip: Surf schools are everywhere—sign up for a lesson, even if you’re a total newbie!

🥾 Hiking & Waterfalls – A Must-Do in Costa Rica

Best Regions: Bajos del Toro, La Fortuna, and Rincón de la Vieja

Costa Rica’s waterfalls are chef’s kiss—and usually tucked into jungle hikes that make you feel like you’re in a scene from Jurassic Park.

Top Spots:

• La Fortuna Waterfall – popular and gorgeous
• Catarata del Toro – dramatic fall into a volcanic crater, off the beaten path
• Rincón de la Vieja National Park – bubbling mud pots, waterfalls, and volcanic trails

🥾 Tip: Wear sturdy shoes and bring a swimsuit—you’ll want to take a dip!

🌊 Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Best Regions: Caño Island, Gulf of Papagayo, and Cahuita

Costa Rica isn’t known for coral reefs, but it is known for marine life like turtles, dolphins, and rays. And there are a lot of fun catamaran options that allow you to see some wildlife, relax on the ship, and get the opportunity to snorkel. We chose to do this Catamaran snorkeling tour off the shore of Manuel Antonio, and we had a blast. The boat was so much for all of us!

Caño Island (Osa Peninsula):

• Crystal-clear water and tons of sea life
• Day trips from Drake Bay or Uvita

Cahuita National Park (Caribbean):

• Coral reef snorkeling just off the shore
• Easy for families and casual snorkelers

🍫 Chocolate Tours & Cooking Classes

Best Regions: La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, and San José

Costa Rica is famous for its high-quality cacao, and what better way to experience it than by taking a chocolate tour? Many tours walk you through the process from cacao bean to chocolate bar, with hands-on tasting and even a chance to make your own.

We did a jungle ATV tour that combined some adventure with also a coffee tour. This was perfect for us, but I know many of the chocolate and coffee tours go into much more depth than ours did.

Top Chocolate Experiences:

• Rainforest Chocolate Tour (La Fortuna) – Learn about traditional chocolate-making with views of Arenal Volcano.
• Caribeans Chocolate & Coffee Tour (Puerto Viejo) – Organic, bean-to-bar experience in the lush Caribbean jungle.
• Sibú Chocolate (San José) – A great introduction to artisanal chocolate, just outside the capital.

🍫 Why go? Kids and adults alike love tasting fresh cacao fruit (it’s surprisingly tangy!), and the hands-on experience makes it extra fun.

🍳 Costa Rican Cooking Classes

Best Regions: La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and San José

Want to bring a taste of Costa Rica home with you? A cooking class is a delicious way to dive into local culture. You’ll learn how to make classic dishes like gallo pinto, casado, tortillas, and ceviche, often in an open-air kitchen with fresh ingredients from a local farm or market.

Top Cooking Experiences:

• La Fortuna Cooking Class – A farm-to-table experience with fresh tropical ingredients.
• Manuel Antonio Cooking Class – Cook with a local chef and enjoy the meal with ocean views.
• Tierra Nuestra (San José) – A cultural food experience with traditional Costa Rican flavors.

🥘 Why go? Costa Rican food is all about simple, fresh, and flavorful ingredients—and after one of these classes, you’ll be recreating the magic at home.

Final Thoughts: How to Pick Your Regions

Costa Rica may be small, but it packs a punch. When planning your trip, consider pairing regions based on your interests:

• Adventure + Beach: Arenal/La Fortuna + Tamarindo or Nosara
• Wildlife + Remote Escape: Osa Peninsula + Drake Bay
• Culture + Chill Vibes: Puerto Viejo + Tortuguero

Also consider the time of year you are visiting. January is the kickoff to the dry season there, and is a wonderful vacation destination in the winter months.

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