Top Things to Do in Costa Rica: 15 Experiences

What Are the Top Things to Do in Costa Rica?

If you only have time for the highlights, these are the experiences that define a Costa Rica trip: see a sloth in the wild, soak in volcanic hot springs at Arenal, walk a cloud forest hanging bridge in Monteverde, zip-line over the rainforest canopy, go white-water rafting, watch sea turtles nest in Tortuguero (in season), take a sunset catamaran sail, and simply unwind on a Pacific beach. Below, each category breaks down where to do it and what to expect.

What Are the Best Wildlife Experiences?

Costa Rica holds around 5% of the world’s biodiversity, so wildlife is the number-one reason many travelers come. The best places to see it:

• Manuel Antonio National Park, for sloths, white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and toucans on gentle guided trails beside the beach.
• Tortuguero, the “Amazon of Costa Rica,” for canal boat safaris and, in season, nesting sea turtles.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest, for the resplendent quetzal, hummingbirds, and misty canopy walks.
• Marino Ballena (Uvita), for humpback whale watching during the migration seasons.

A bilingual naturalist guide makes all the difference, spotting the animals you’d walk right past. See our guides to the best beaches and cloud forests for more.

What Are the Best Adventure Activities?

For adrenaline, Costa Rica is one of the world’s best playgrounds, and most of it is centered around La Fortuna and Arenal:

• Zip-lining and canopy tours over the rainforest, some with volcano views.
• White-water rafting on the Balsa (gentler) or Pacuare and Sarapiquí (bigger rapids).
• Canyoning, rappelling down rainforest waterfalls.
• Hanging bridges through the canopy, gentle enough for all ages.

La Fortuna is the easiest base for all of it. Our guide to the best things to do in La Fortuna goes deeper on each.

What Are the Best Volcano & Hot Springs Experiences?

Arenal Volcano is the star. From the town of La Fortuna you can hike lava-field trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, ride an aerial tram over the canopy, and end the day soaking in natural hot springs heated by the volcano itself. Other volcanoes worth a visit include Poás and Irazú near San José, and Tenorio, home to the turquoise Río Celeste waterfall. Hot springs range from lush resort complexes to quieter local pools, so there’s an option for every style.

What Are the Best Beach & Water Activities?

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is made for the water, and it stays clear of the sargassum seaweed that affects some Caribbean destinations. Top water experiences:

• Surfing in Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, or Nosara, with lessons for beginners and breaks for pros.
• Sunset catamaran sails along the Guanacaste coast, with snorkeling and dolphins.
• Snorkeling and diving, including day trips to islands like Isla Tortuga.
• Simply relaxing on calm bays like Playa Conchal, Playa Hermosa, and Sámara.

For where to base yourself, see our guides to the best beaches in Costa Rica and why the Pacific stays clear of sargassum.

What Cultural & Food Experiences Shouldn’t You Miss?

Beyond the nature, Costa Rica’s culture is part of the trip. Take a coffee farm tour in the Central Valley to see how some of the world’s best beans go from plant to cup, or a chocolate tour to taste cacao at the source. Try the national dish, gallo pinto, for breakfast, and learn the meaning of “Pura Vida,” the phrase Ticos use for everything from hello to “life is good.” Small towns, family-run sodas (local eateries), and warm hospitality round out the experience.

How Do You Fit It All Into One Trip?

You don’t do everything in one trip, you choose the experiences that matter most to you and build a route around them. Most travelers pair one nature or adventure base (like Arenal) with one beach base (like Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio), keeping drives short. At Costa Rica Dream Adventures, we plan, you relax: one travel specialist designs a custom itinerary around the activities you care about, arranges private transfers between destinations, handpicks the hotels, and backs it all with 24/7 in-country support. We’ve focused only on Costa Rica since 1999, so we know how to sequence it so nothing feels rushed.

Not sure how a week comes together? Start with our 7-day Costa Rica itinerary, then customize it to your interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Costa Rica best known for?

Costa Rica is best known for its biodiversity and nature-based experiences: rainforests and cloud forests, active volcanoes like Arenal, wildlife such as sloths and monkeys, and both Pacific and Caribbean beaches. It’s also known for adventure activities like zip-lining and rafting, and for its “Pura Vida” way of life.

How many days do you need in Costa Rica?

Seven to ten days lets most travelers combine one nature or adventure region with one beach without rushing. A week suits a two-base trip such as Arenal plus a Pacific beach; ten days or more allows a third destination or a slower pace. Keeping to two or three bases minimizes driving time.

What is the number one attraction in Costa Rica?

Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna area are among the most visited attractions, combining volcano views, hot springs, waterfalls, and rainforest adventure in one place. Manuel Antonio National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest are close behind for wildlife and scenery.

What can you do in Costa Rica besides the beach?

Plenty. You can hike volcanoes, soak in hot springs, walk cloud forest hanging bridges, zip-line and raft, watch wildlife on guided tours, take coffee and chocolate farm tours, and see nesting sea turtles in Tortuguero in season. Many trips split time between inland nature and the coast.

Is Costa Rica good for families and first-timers?

Yes. Costa Rica is compact, welcoming, and full of experiences that scale by intensity, from gentle wildlife walks and hot springs to rafting and zip-lining. It’s a popular, easy destination for families and first-time visitors, especially with a custom itinerary and private transfers that keep logistics simple.