From national parks to active volcanoes, and from sleepy beach towns to coffee plantations, Costa Rica is truly an adventurer’s paradise. Be it spending a laid back vacation, soaking in the goodness of cool Bohemian vibes, or embarking on long nature walks through dense rainforests, these exciting things to do in Costa Rica will get your pulse going in no time.
Top 16 Things To Do In Costa Rica
You don’t need to think much about what to do in Costa Rica, because this place is full of exciting things for travelers. Considered to be the ultimate destination for the adventurers as well as the culture vultures, let these ten best things to do in Costa Rica take you through the history and diversity of the country.
1. Manuel Antonio National Park – Explore
Image Source Experience wildlife & adventure at Manuel Antonio National Park that is spread across an area of 680 hectares. Visiting this national park is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. Famous for its tropical plants and wildlife, this national park is also home to three-toed sloths and endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys along with many bird species. Also, one can also explore the rainforest trails and hike along the mountain trails. And the rains add on to the beauty of this natural wonder so think no more of the things to do in Costa Rica when it rains, but head here. Location: Puntarenas Province, Cantón de Aguirre, Costa Rica Entry Fee: INR 1159 Timings: 7 AM to 4 PM Reviews
Must Read: 7 Places To Visit In Costa Rica To Experience The Best Of Nature & Culture
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2. Manzanillo – Go Snorkeling
Image Source Snorkeling is one of the popular Costa Rica activities that is loved by everyone. So if you like your beach towns with a hefty dose of Caribbean charm, pristine beaches, and dirt roads, you will definitely love this corner of the east coast. Surrounded by the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, it is also an ideal spot for snorkeling amidst the spectacular coral reefs offshore in Costa Rica. Location: Province, Costa Rica
3. Liberia – Saddle Up
Image Source Named after the cowboys of the town, Liberia is the famous capital of Costa Rica’s sabanero culture. And one of the best things to do in Liberia, Costa Rica is to saddle up as a Costa Rican Cowboy. You can saddle up and combine an easy horse ride with wildlife watching. The park is known for its orchids, more than 300 species of birds, easy-to-spot sloths, howlers, and spider monkeys along with shy pumas, tapirs, and jaguars.
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4. Costa Rica – Celebrate Slothfulness
Image Credit: Geoff Gallice for wikipedia Wondering what to do in Costa Rica? Celebrate slothfulness which is one of the famous free things to do in Costa Rica. The country is home to two species that of the two-fingered, and the three-fingered sloth. Strictly vegetarian, the three-fingered sloths are actually very selective about what they eat. According to the research, they eat 96 species of plants, and each sloth will have five or six of its own personal favorite plants to eat.
5. Monteverde – Interact With The Hummingbirds
Image Credit: Thamaor for Pixabay One of the top things to do in Costa Rica is to visit places like Monteverde where you can get up and close with the hummingbirds. In a place like Monteverde, where they have several hummingbird gardens, it is not uncommon to spot 15-20 of these species in a day. Being a good place to spot toucans too, one can find six toucans in the rainforests and lowlands of Costa Rica of the 42 species known to man. Also, go for Quetzal-spotting which happens to be one of the best things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Suggested Read: 10 Destinations In U.S.A For That Perfect American Honeymoon!
6. Corcovado National Park – Go Hiking
Image Source Visiting the Corcovado National Park is one of the popular activities to do in Costa Rica. Considered to be one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, this national park is home to scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars, and squirrel monkeys. You can also go for hiking by following the coastal and inland routes through habitats ranging from Pacific beaches and mangrove swamps to lowland and mountain rainforests. Location: Los Patos Sirena Trail, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica Timings: 8 AM to 4 PM
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7. Central Valley – Stroll Through Coffee Plantations
Image Source Costa Rica’s bustling capital is surrounded by cool, green peaks, which makes touring the coffee plantations, one of the delightful things to do in Costa Rica. Perfect for coffee production, and home to pretty, traditional towns, take a stroll around the beautiful plantations to learn about how coffee is cultivated, processed and roasted, and experience staying overnight at one of the amazing boutique hotels.
Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Costa Rica: Your Gateway To Paradise!
8. Butterfly Conservatory – Be Enchanted
Image Credit: Kenneth Dwain Harrelson for Wikipedia One of the Costa Rica activities is to visit the Butterfly Conservatory. Located close to the shores of beautiful Lake Arenal in the Alajuela Province, this is an ideal place for nature-lovers of all ages who can take an interesting and educational tour that will introduce them to the life of butterflies that inhabit during the four different microclimates found around the lake. One can also visit the greenhouses where the butterflies are bred, the frog habitat, and an orchid exhibition along with the Rainforest River that happens to be one of the fun things to do in Costa Rica.
9. Museo De Jade – Unveil The Past
Image Source Without thinking what to do in San Jose Costa Rica, head straight to the famous archaeological museum that traces the pre-Columbian history. At the Museo de Jade, you will find an impressive collection of jade jewelry and artifacts, and learn about why this particular stone was so revered throughout the history of the country. In addition to the jade collection, you can also see various decorative artifacts dating back to the period between 500 BC and 800 AD. Location: Calle 13 y 13 bis, Provincia de, Av Central, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
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10. Corobici River – Enjoy Safari Float
Among the top things to do in Guanacaste Costa Rica is to go for a Safari Float on the Corobici River. Spend some time and float down the Corobici or Tenorio River for two hours on a raft boat. Engulfed with the Tropical Dry Gallery Forest packed with giant fig trees, you can spot monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and countless birds. This tour is a great way to spot wildlife along the riverbed and through the treetops.
11. La Fortuna Waterfall – Enjoy Vistas
Image Source Spending a day near a stunning waterfall, seems like a plan? La Fortuna Waterfall is the perfect destination if you are looking for things to do in Costa Rica on honeymoon. Enjoy the spectacular view of continuous water falling out of a cliff of the dormant Chato volcano. Do stop here in June for absorbing the spectacular view as it is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica in June Location: Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 106-4417, Costa Rica Entry Fee: INR 1085 Reviews
12. Arenal Volcano – Explore
Image Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking for wikipedia Do volcanoes excite you? Exploring the giant Arenal volcano will make your trip thrilling as well as adventurous. This volcano has been dormant since 2010 and it is expected that it can erupt unexpectedly like it did in 1968. Being one of the seven historically active volcano, Arenal is a must visit in the things to do in Costa Rica guide. The conical-symmetrical shape of Arenal Volcano makes it a popular tourist. So, when do you plan to visit? Location: Alajuela Province, Costa Rica Entry Fee: INR 1085 Reviews
13. Costa Rica – Try Ziplining
Image Source Zipline is an interesting and adventurous activity. The thrill of it increases when in the environs of Costa Rica, as one can zip line over the cascading waterfalls. There are various Zipline tours available in Costa Rica. You can choose the best suitable for you according to the duration and location. Have a great time ziplining with your friends and family!
14. Nicoya Peninsula – Relax And Unwind
On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, lies the Nicoya Peninsula. It offers quite a lot of unique things to do in Costa Rica. One can explore the Samara Beach which is a horseshoe-shaped beach. Enjoy sunbathing and swimming here. There are more beaches for one to go beach hopping at the Nicoya Peninsula. If you are fond of nature, then you can also explore the Palo Verde National Park there.
15. Tabacon Hot Springs – Rejuvenate
Costa Rica has the largest network of hot springs and Tabacon Hot Springs is one of the first resorts there of these thermal hot springs. The thermal springs in Arenal are the largest of all and an amazing place to revive and rejuvenate. Other than the hot springs, one can also enjoy spa facilities here. And if it is raining, then a comforting spa can be one of the best things to do in Costa Rica when it rains.
Suggested Read: 10 Hot Springs In Costa Rica To Rejuvenate Yourself On A Relaxing Vacation
16. Jaco Beach – Learn Surfing
If you are looking for things to do in Costa Rica with kids, then you can head to this beautiful beach in Costa Rica where one can learn surfing. It is an amazing sport and if practiced under guidance, it is quite a lot of fun. Other than surfing one can just relax at the beach and sunbathe during the day and explore the nearby places to enjoy the dazzling nightlife of Costa Rica.
Further Read: 8 Costa Rica Resorts Where The Magical Nature Snuggles Sumptuous Luxury
Mesmerized by these amazing experiences? Then include them in your travel plan and gear up to witness the best of Costa Rica while you plan a hassle-free trip to USA with TravelTriangle and explore this land of incredible beaches, architectures, and rich culture! Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Costa Rica
What are the most popular things to do in Costa Rica?
If you are planning to explore some of the most fun things to do in Costa Rica during your journey, some of the most recommended activities are exploring the Teatro Nacional Costa Rica, hiking near La Fortuna Waterfall, Tamarindo Beach, Playa Manuel Antonio and picnic at the Jaco Beach.
What are the best things to do in Costa Rica as a tourist over 7 days?
If you are planning for a weeklong itinerary, apart from the above-mentioned activities you can explore day trips including the Arenal Volcano and visit San Ramon.
Where are the best places to stay in Costa Rica?
If you are planning to stay in Costa Rice for a short or long time, some of the neighbourhoods recommended are Puerto Viejo, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and San Jose.
What is the best currency to use in Costa Rica?
US Dollars are accepted in Costa Rica, but one should have the local currency too.
Do you have to go through customs in Costa Rica?
Yes, one has to go through customs in Costa Rica.
What is the best time to visit Costa Rice?
If you wish to enjoy the warm sunshine and pleasant weather, December to April is the perfect time to visit Costa Rica.
Can you drink tap water in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can drink regular tap water almost anywhere in Costa Rica as the supply is safe throughout the country.
How much does a 2 week trip to Costa Rica cost?
If you are planning a Costa Rica trip on a budget, for one person, it will cost somewhere around $1,000 to $2,000. If you are planning to backpack, adventure and stay for longer in more upscale accommodations, it will cost you somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000.
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A mass-media graduate, Priyanka is a passionate writer and an avid traveler. Whether it’s about capturing the sunsets or hogging up some delicious food from different places, she never leaves a second to decide. Her mantra of keep going is “work, save, travel, repeat” which she lives by heart.
