Activities
Things to Do in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's activity menu is enormous. These are the categories worth building days around.
Wildlife and nature
- Guided dawn walks in Manuel Antonio, Carara or Corcovado — a naturalist's scope turns a walk into a documentary.
- Night walks in Monteverde and Drake Bay for frogs, kinkajous and sleeping birds.
- Boat trips in Tortuguero canals and the Tárcoles river.
Adventure
- Ziplining and canyoning around Arenal and Monteverde.
- Whitewater rafting the Pacuare — one of the best commercial rafting rivers on earth.
- Surfing lessons in Tamarindo, Jacó, Santa Teresa or Puerto Viejo.
Slow down
- Hot springs below Arenal, best at dusk.
- Whale watching from Uvita, July to October and again December to March.
- Coffee and chocolate farm tours in the Central Valley and Sarapiquí.
Choosing well
- Pick two activity types per stop. Three is a schedule, not a holiday.
- Book wildlife activities for first light; heat shuts the forest down by mid-morning.
- Skip anything advertising guaranteed animal contact.