La Fortuna · Northern Plains
1. Hike Arenal Volcano & soak in hot springs
Trek the lava trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, then unwind in volcano-heated natural hot springs as the cone glows at dusk.
Things to Do
Top things to do in Costa Rica
Volcanoes, rainforest, two coastlines and wildlife everywhere — here are the 10 experiences that define a Costa Rica trip.
Why Costa Rica
One small country, endless adventure
Costa Rica packs volcanoes, cloud forests and rainforest between two coastlines — the Pacific's surf and the Caribbean's calm. With roughly 5% of the planet's biodiversity, you can hike a volcano, spot sloths and surf a sunset beach in a single trip. Below are the top 10 things to do.
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The list
10 best things to do in Costa Rica
Iconic experiences from the volcanoes of the north to the Caribbean coast — mix and match them into your trip.
- Monteverde · Highlands
2. Zip-line & walk hanging bridges in the cloud forest
Fly over the canopy on world-famous zip-lines and cross misty hanging bridges in the Monteverde and Santa Elena cloud-forest reserves.
- Central Pacific
3. Spot sloths & monkeys in Manuel Antonio
Walk the rainforest trails of Manuel Antonio National Park to find sloths, monkeys and toucans, then cool off on its white-sand beaches.
- Guanacaste · Pacific
4. Surf & beach in Tamarindo
Learn to surf on gentle beach breaks, chase golden sunsets and dive into a lively dining and expat scene in Guanacaste's most popular town.
- Turrialba · Caribbean slope
5. White-water raft the Pacuare River
Run Class III–IV rapids through deep jungle gorges on the Pacuare, ranked among the most scenic white-water rivers on earth.
- Caribbean coast
6. Explore the wildlife canals of Tortuguero
Glide by boat through jungle canals to spot caimans, monkeys and birds, and witness sea turtles nesting on remote black-sand beaches.
- La Fortuna & Río Celeste, Tenorio
7. Chase waterfalls
Descend to the thundering La Fortuna Waterfall, then marvel at the surreal turquoise waters of Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- Nicoya Peninsula · Blue Zone
8. Recharge with wellness & yoga in Nosara
Practice yoga, surf consistent waves and slow down in a designated Blue Zone famous for longevity and a healthy, nature-first pace.
- Central Valley & Caribbean
9. Tour a coffee or chocolate farm
See how world-class Costa Rican coffee is grown and roasted, or follow cacao from pod to bar on a hands-on chocolate farm tour.
- Limón · Caribbean coast
10. Soak up the Caribbean vibe of Puerto Viejo
Cycle between palm-fringed beaches, taste Afro-Caribbean cuisine and feel the reggae-laced, laid-back rhythm of Costa Rica's Caribbean side.
Good to know
Costa Rica things-to-do FAQ
What is Costa Rica known for?+
Costa Rica is known for its incredible biodiversity, volcanoes, rainforests and two coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean. It's a top destination for wildlife, adventure activities like zip-lining and rafting, surf, and the laid-back 'Pura Vida' lifestyle.
What are the must-do activities in Costa Rica?+
Must-do activities include hiking Arenal Volcano and soaking in hot springs near La Fortuna, zip-lining and crossing hanging bridges in the Monteverde cloud forest, spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park, surfing in Tamarindo, and white-water rafting the Pacuare River.
Is Costa Rica good for adventure travel?+
Yes. Costa Rica is one of the world's best adventure-travel destinations, offering volcano hikes, zip-lining, white-water rafting, surfing, scuba diving, waterfall rappelling and canopy tours — all within a few hours' drive of each other.
What wildlife can you see in Costa Rica?+
Costa Rica is home to about 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Visitors commonly see sloths, monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, iguanas and morpho butterflies, plus nesting sea turtles on both coasts and whales and dolphins offshore.
Do you need a guide for Costa Rica national parks?+
Most national parks can be visited independently, but hiring a certified naturalist guide is highly recommended — they spot far more wildlife than untrained eyes. A few areas, such as parts of Tortuguero and Corcovado, require a licensed guide.
¡Pura Vida!
Turn these into a trip
Build a day-by-day Costa Rica itinerary around the experiences you want most.