21 Fantastic Things to do in Costa Rica

Enjoy the scenery of Tortuguero

Tortuguero is one of the most popular national parks in Costa Rica. It is located in the northeast of the country, and it is only possible to reach by boat. The boat ride is already cool, and you may see some caiman already. When arriving in Tortuguero village (which is a cute town to have a little walk in), there are several things to do: 

• Enjoy a boat ride to see fantastic scenery and find many animals, such as caimans, sloths, birds, bats, and monkeys. This will take around 3 hours.
• Have a walk on the Jaguar Trail (you can go by yourself) to find wildlife by foot. We saw sloths, monkeys, agoutis, and birds. We even saw jaguar tracks (but it is an absolute rarity to spot one of these).
• Enjoy a night walk outside the park, where you can find many reptiles, frogs, birds, and sloths.

• Enjoy the cute village
• Have a stroll where the night tour goes, and watch birds
• From July to September many turtles are coming to the beach to lay eggs

Price: The park costs $15 per day, and tours can vary in price. Note that when you do a tour like the boat tour, the entrance fee adds up, but your ticket is valued for the whole day, and you can do other activities without paying the entrance fee again (but only the activity). Night tours are not in the park, so you will not have to pay the entrance fee.

Tourist occurrence: Low, when turtle season is not occurring.

How to get here: If you have a rental car (like me), the best way is to go to La Pavona (2.5 hour drive from San José), where you have to do a one-hour boat ride. From Moin (2 hours from San José), the boat ride takes 3 hours. People think it is hard to get there, but that is not true. It is fairly easy. 

How much time needed: I would recommend on going at least 2 nights because there is much to do and much wildlife to find. 

Walk the 7 hanging bridges from La Fortuna

The Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges is a very popular thing to do in Costa Rica. There are many people, but the further you go, the less people you encounter. The popularity can be attributed to the enchanting forests you walk through, but the real highlights of the experience are the 7 hanging bridges. I am afraid of heights, so it was a bit scary, but you will get comfortable fast. Although we heard howler monkeys, we did not find them, but we spotted peccaries, which was very cool. Besides, there are a lot of coatis, but they do not seem wild.

Price: 17$

Tourist occurrence: Very high

How to get here: It is a 3-hour drive from San José and half an hour from La Fortuna.

How much time needed: 2-3 hours 

Hike the Arenal 1968 trail

The Arenal 1968 trails are two trails at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. This is not the main trail for and around the corner, but an alternative. It is a moderate hike where you can find yourself on volcanic ground with different types of forest and around a lake. This is pretty expensive as it is $25, and you may reconsider, because there are better hikes.

Price: 25$

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: From La Fortuna, the drive is 20 minutes.

How much time needed: 2 hours

Enjoy a free hot spring

In the area, there are many hot springs, but most of them are very expensive. There is a free one where you can go, and it is very relaxing. Walk down from the parking lot, pick a spot, and enjoy the warm water in the river. Make sure you are early (before 8 am) to beat the crowd, and because there are people who pretend to be parking guards and you have to pay. When you arrive before them, you can park for free. It can be difficult to find.

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: When coming from La Fortuna, the hot springs are located just after Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa. The name is El Choyin, and the exact location is 10°29'19.3"N 84°43'26.5"W.  It is a 15- minute drive from La Fortuna.

How much time needed: 1 hour 

Hike in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest

The Monteverde area is a beautiful area to go for great nature. For wildlife, it may not be the best place, but it is the greenest place I have ever experienced. The flora is outstanding, and a nice hike is fantastic. Although the quetzal can be found here, it is difficult, and we did not find the beautiful bird. We went to Santa Elena Cloud Forest, but most people go to Monteverde Cloud Forest (which is close). We chose Santa Elena because we were told it to be less crowded and at least as beautiful as Monteverde. What other things to do in this area:

• Ziplining (see later)
• Monteverde Cloud Forest (did not do this, and heart Santa Elena is better)
• Have a juice in the Hummingbird Gallery to see hummingbirds (a bit being fed, and not totally agree with that) and also chance to find coatis.

• Do a night tour and find spiders, snakes, birds, sloths, and frogs (see picture above)
• Have some craft beers at Monteverde Brewing Company

Price: For the cloud forest, it is 16$. Zipline around 50$, Night tours around 18-30$.

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 3 hours by car from La Fortuna through the mountains and 3 hours from San José.

How much time needed: It depends on the hike, but 1-4 hours, but I recommend doing the longest hike.

Don't be afraid during the zip line and Tarzan swing

As I mentioned earlier, I am afraid of heights, and this was another moment to be afraid, but the experience was very worth it, although I did not do the Tarzan Swing. The breathtaking views alone were worth it, and the rush of adrenaline coursing through my body was exhilarating. The feeling of returning to solid ground after each zip line was a moment of pure joy. 100% Aventura made it very relaxed, and their over-100-meter zipline was fantastic. 

Price: At 100% Aventura it is $56

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: It is a 10-minute drive from Santa Elena village.

How much time needed: We were first in line, so it went very fast. Total it took us about 1.5 hours, but it can take longer.

Eat local food in a soda for a typical Costa Rican experience

Costa Rica is generally known to be a relatively expensive country compared to its neighboring countries. However, when it comes to sodas, the local restaurants, it's a different story. Despite offering delicious meals, sodas tend to have affordable prices and often feature similar menus across the board. What sets them apart is the charming and unpretentious atmosphere they typically offer. Besides cooking for yourself, this is a good way to save money in Costa Rica.

How to get here: They are in almost every village.

How much time needed: About 1 hour per dinner, depending on what you want.

See turtles enter the beach to lay eggs

We tried to get a turtle tour from Tamarindo (a town I personally will not recommend at all), but that did not work out, so we went to Playa Grande and asked around. We were fortunate enough to encounter not one, but four turtles! Witnessing one turtle making their way back to the sea, another emerging from the ocean, and two others diligently digging their nests and laying eggs was a truly remarkable experience. The level of awe we felt was indescribable. The tour was very respectful for the turtles, which was great. This happening occurs on this side of the country between November and February. 

Price: We found someone on the street, and it was 30$, but this is not a sure thing.

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: The drive is half an hour from Tamarindo, and then you will drive in your car behind him (in our case) to other beaches. 

How much time needed: 2-3 hours at night 

Enjoy the relaxed vibe of Montezuma and its beach

Montezuma is an idyllic village nestled alongside a stunning beach, exuding a distinctly Caribbean vibe. The atmosphere here is blissfully laidback, allowing visitors to unwind and soak up the relaxed ambiance. The locals are exceptionally warm and welcoming, going above and beyond to offer helpful recommendations and assistance. There was a nice street party in the evening. At 4 pm little turtles are released daily in season to go to the sea at the end of the beach. The Butterfly Brewery is a very good place to have some beers. 

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: 3-hour drive from Tamarindo, half an hour from Santa Teresa, and 4 hours from Monteverde. 

How much time needed: 2 nights, especially if you go to Cabo Blanco (see below)

Conquer the warm national reserve Cabo Blanco

This is claimed to be the hottest national park in Costa Rica. It offers two hiking options for visitors to explore. The first option involves a challenging 5-kilometer hike to the beach and back, while the second option presents a smaller trail of 2 kilometers that remains close to the park entrance. I personally opted for the scenic beach hike. During the hike, I found a tamandua (see picture), a blue morph, agoutis, and snakes. At the beach, there were many iguanas and pelicans. The hike was pretty tough, but nice to hike. The refreshing beach was lovely, and there was a spot to fill up your water. This park was absolutely great, as there were not many people and the scenery and wildlife were good.

Price: 12$

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: From Montezuma, it is a 30-minute drive to the park entrance.

How much time needed: Around 4-5 hours depending on hiking speed and time at the beach

Spot as many wildlife as you can at Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is the smallest and busiest park in the country because it is very accessible from San José, and finding animals is pretty easy.  Besides, there are some beautiful beaches around the national park. There are several trails to follow, and you can do them all in one day, but you have to be fast. Most visitors initially make their way to the park's main area, which features a restaurant and shop. The park can get very crowded, so some more privacy is nice! We saw 3 species of monkeys, sloths, white-tailed deer, blue morph, iguanas, toucans, and frogs. If you are done hiking, enjoy the beach! While the park is excellent for wildlife viewing, it lacks the immersive bush experience found in larger national parks.

Price: 18$

Tourist occurrence: Very high

How to get here: From San José, the park is a 3-hour drive.

How much time needed: Full day.

If you want more things to know before you go to Manuel Antonio, check out: 

Spot humpback whales at Uvita

Seeing whales is something so special; you have to see it yourself. There are 2 seasons for whales in Costa Rica, which are December to March and July to October. There are many humpback whales around the coast near Uvita. We also saw a pod of 55 Spinner dolphins. You can book a tour when you arrive at Uvita. With the tour, you first walk to the boat for 5 minutes, and then you head to the boat. Then there will be spotting whales and dolphins for a while, and then snorkeling for a bit. The costs depend on the tour, but are mostly around $50 and this does not include Marino Ballena NP (see below). 

Price: Between 50-100$

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: Uvita is a one hour drive from Manuel Antonio

How much time needed: 4 hours 

Enjoy the beach of Parque National Marino Ballena

This is a very special beach, as it has the shape of a whale's tail. You can walk here for a fantastic view of the sea, and you are on a whales tail. If you are lucky, you can even spot whale's from this point. This experience pairs perfectly with a whale tour, eliminating the need to pay for separate entry to both attractions. For the rest, there are many crabs and palms (in the beginning) on the beach to enjoy. It can get very hot as there is no shade on the whale's tail.

Price: $6

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: Just next to Uvita

How much time needed: 1 hour.

Experience the uniqueness of Corcovado National park

Corcovado National Park is my absolute favorite thing to do in Costa Rica. This region boasts an extraordinary level of biodiversity, housing nearly 2.5% of the world's abundant wildlife. There are so many different animals around, it is extremely special to be there yourself. Corcovado is probably the best place to spot tapirs (see picture above) in the world. For nature enthusiasts, this is an unmissable sight that offers a chance to encounter a multitude of fascinating wildlife.

Price: It varies per guide, but it won't be cheap. Expect at least 100-150$ per day and night, and probably more.

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: You can get to Corcovado from two locations: Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez, where Puerto Jimenez is the main port to Corcovado. To get to Drake Bay, it is a 3-hour drive from Uvita and Uvita to Puerto Jimenez is a 2-hour and 15-minutes drive. 

How much time needed: Half day or one and a half day, but I will always recommend to stay at least one night.

If you want to know more about Corcovado, check out:

Enjoy beers and the sunset in Dominical

Dominical, located on the west coast of Costa Rica, offers one of the most breathtaking sunset views in the world. With multiple beaches to choose from, it is the perfect spot to witness this natural spectacle. Besides, there is the most famous brewery in the country, Fuego Brewing Company. They have some good beers, and you can have a lovely bite in an atmospheric place. Dominical is a relaxed city and good for a short stay.

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: Dominical is a 20-minute drive from Uvita and 45 minutes from Manuel Antonio.

How much time needed: One day

Make a stop at the Crocodile Bridge

There is a bridge on a certain highway where, if you park your vehicle and walk up the bridge to look down, you will be greeted by the amazing sight of numerous massive American crocodiles. The sight is very cool, and these giants are very impressive! Don't feed the crocodiles, as these are wild animals and should not be fed. This is probably happening a lot, though, because otherwise they would migrate. 

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: This bridge is on Route 34, near Tarcoles. In Google Maps, the bridge is literally called 'Crocodile Bridge'.  It is 1 hour and 20 minutes from San José and half an hour from Jaco.

How much time needed: 15 minutes

Enjoy the chilled vibe of Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Salamanca is a fantastic destination to end your holiday in Costa Rica. The laid-back vibe and lovely beaches make it great to spend the days in the sun. The village has some charming bars and restaurants. There are several bars and restaurants in the village, and there are multiple beaches to have a pura vida lifestyle. There are some good activities to experience as well (see below). Whether you choose to make this your final destination in Costa Rica or continue your adventure to Panama, Puerto Viejo de Salamanca is a must-visit location. 

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: 4 hours by car or bus (although it can be longer).

How much time needed: 4 nights (depending on how much time)

Have a bike ride to Manzanillo

Cycling from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo Beach is a fantastic experience. Hiring bikes is very easy, and our hostel even had free bikes to take. Manzanillo Beach is pretty and has a big ship that lies in the water to be photographed. Along the way, we discovered charming restaurants, beautiful beaches, and even encountered a sloth with its adorable baby up close. We were also fortunate enough to spot howler monkeys as we pedaled along. The route primarily consists of a fairly flat road, with occasional gentle slopes and a moderate amount of traffic.

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: The bike ride takes about 1 hour each way from Puerto Viejo and with stops, it takes more time. 

How much time needed: This is half a day to a full day, including the bike ride, beach stops and lunch. 

Find animals in Cahuita national park

Cahuita is a stunning coastal national park that offers fantastic opportunities for spotting a variety of animals. During our visit, we were lucky enough to see sloths, howler monkeys, a wide variety of birds, white capuchin monkeys, a coati, and even a raccoon. The trail is around 8 kilometres walk from one side to the other, which I recommend doing. You are walking through coastal forests, and there are moments when you can swim (but snorkeling is not allowed without a guide). While hiring a guide is an option, I believe that exploring the park independently is a great choice, as animal spotting is quite straightforward.

Price: 5$

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: The drive from Puerto Viejo is 20 minutes, and by bus, 25 minutes. You can go by bicycle for more than an hour, but traffic is busy. I recommend taking the bus because there are bus stations at both entrances, so you can enjoy the whole 8 kilometres, instead of heading back half way or hiking 16 kilometres. 

How much time needed: 5-6 hours (including transport)

Have a final day in San José

San José will probably not be the reason to travel to Costa Rica, but having a day here should be no problem as well. It is a relatively safe city, which is a bit raw. Things to do in San José:

• Learn more about how people lived in Costa Rica before the Western world entered at the Jade Museum
• Have some craft beers in different craft beer bars, for example, Wilk Craft Beer, The Costa Rica Beer Factory, and Stiefel Pub
• Have a tour of the Teatro Nacional (see picture below)

• Have lunch at the Mercado Central and observe the locals passing by
• Stroll around the city and go to Plaza de la Cultura

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: Flying to San José is easy from all around the world, and the city is very reachable from all parts of the country by car and public transport.

How much time needed: 1-2 days is enough in the capital.

Experience La Pura Vida of Costa Rica

Pura vida is the term used by locals to mean thank you, hello, everything is good, but especially to mean that life is beautiful, that you should enjoy it to the fullest, and that it is a way of life. You will hear it many times during your stay, so try to say it back. 

Things I have not done, but can be interesting

• Poás vulkano - Nice hike on a vulcano close to San José
• Go rafting on the Sarapiqui river
• Rincón de la Vieja - Beautiful national park
• Coffee tour
• Chocolate tour
• Sierpe - enjoy the mangroves

Final thoughts

When I came to Costa Rica, I had high expectations, but the country exceeded all my expectations. Nature is so pure, and it is all around the country. The amount of wildlife possible to see is incredible, and visiting different national parks (especially Corcovado) should be on your bucket list! While this paradise boasts stunning beaches and charming towns, its greatest treasure lies in its unparalleled and untamed nature.

If you want to know more about Costa Rica, check out: