Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Are you planning a trip to Central America and wondering what items you should add to your Costa Rica bucket list? You’ve come to the right place!
Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for adventure lovers. From rafting to surfing, there are so many things you can do and one thing is sure, you will have a lot of fun!
I went to Costa Rica as a travel coordinator for an adventure tour company so needless to say that I got to do a lot of bucket list worthy activities.
You will find below the top 15 activities to add to your bucket list for Costa Rica.
1. Zip-lining in Monteverde
If there is one thing Costa Rica is famous for (besides the animals), it’s the numerous canopy and zipline tours.
You can find them in several places including La Fortuna but Monteverde is particularly good for this!
I particularly loved 100% Aventura in Monteverde. You can easily book the tour online here. It costs around $60 which I find to be reasonably priced.
Things can be quite expensive in Costa Rica but in that instance, it is worth it.
When you get to the canopy, the instructors will set up all the equipment, give you some information and you can then start your adventure.
It includes several ‘normal’ zip-lines, 2 supermans and a Tarzan style one.
The good thing about it is that you don’t have to do the Supermans and Tarzan if you don’t want to. There are also several places where you can choose to exit the tour.
In that having been said (and take it from someone who has a big fear of height), everything is done so you feel fully confident.
You actually don’t have to do anything at all because there are instructor who set up everything at EVERY zipline.
There are also photographers who will take photos of you along the way and you can buy them at the end.
I personally loved that tour, I thought it was a lot of fun and so secure.
2. White-water rafting on Pacuare River or SarapiquĆ River
Costa Rica is known to have some of the best white-water rafting in the world and it’s definitely an activity that should be on your bucket list.
The Pacuare River is one of the most famous spots for white-water rafting not only in Costa Rica but in the entire world!
It’s located near Puerto Viejo and you can find rapids of all grades there.
Whether you are experienced or a beginner, you can join one of the local tours and enjoy the experience.
Another option is the SarapiquĆ river which is a bit more inland. This one is pretty much as good as the Pacuare river but a lot less crowded which makes it for a very enjoyable experience.
You can book a tour online here which will include the full rafting experience.
I absolutely loved this. The instructors are very knowledgeable and trustworthy. They explain everything very well and make sure to have an amazing and fun time.
You can easily book a trip online here.
3. Kayaking in Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero is one of the most unique places in Costa Rica. There is simply nothing like it!
It’s located on the Carribean coast and it’s essentially a small island with loads of canals. While there are many things you can do in Tortuguero, one of the highlights is going on a kayaking tour.
You will start from the main island and explore some of the canals with the tour guide.
Usually, you get either a single or double kayak but since you are on canals, it’s not really hard. There is no current.
The great thing about doing it with a guide is that firstly, they will bring you to the canals that are not too crowded.
Secondly, they can spot the wildlife and then tell you where to look. When we went, we were able to see many animals such as birds, monkeys, butterflies and even a cayman hiding (we would never have seen it if it wasn’t for the guide).
This is truly a magical experience. It’s so relaxing (even though you’re getting a bit of a workout) and such an unspoiled environment.
4. Snorkelling in CaƱo Island
Calling all water lovers for this one! If you enjoy snorkelling, then CaƱo Island should definitely be on your Costa Rica bucket list.
This little island is located off the Pacific coast, near the town of Uvita, and it offers some of the best snorkelling in the country.
You can take a boat tour from Uvita and go explore some of the best snorkelling spot.
The tour lasts about 6 hours and includes two guided snorkelling excursions as well as a stop on the island.
This is an incredible experience because you get to see so many marine animals such as eel, clown fish, turtles and more.
There is also a lot of coral there.
Finally, you usually get to see dolphins during the boat transfer and if you are there during the whale season, you might also get to see humpback whales with their babies.
5. See the turtles in Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park is famous for its canals but also for its wildlife, specifically turtles.
Each year, hundreds of sea turtles come to Tortuguero to lay their eggs on the beach.
Eventually, the eggs hatch and the baby turtles go into the sea.
The turtle season is from July to October (for the nesting) but you can see the baby turtles until end of November.
Whichever way, I can promise you something, it’s a magical experience.
I personally went during the hatching season and seeing that baby turtle swimming into the sea was one of the best experiences of my life.
Now for the practical advice, here is what you need to know.
The turtles lay their eggs on Tortuguero beach. You can visit it for free and look for the turtles yourself (while being respectful please!) but they can be hard to find and the beach is very very long.
I highly recommend going with a guide. You can book your turtle tour here, it’s very easy.
That way, you will head to the beach with the guide (who will have scouted before to find the turtles) and get to see a lot more while learning about the turtles.
Also, the guides ensure that the turtles are safe so it feels a lot better.
6. Ride a bicycle in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is a cute beach town located on the Caribbean coast, near the Panama border.
It’s the perfect spot to visit if you want to relax and head to the BriBri villages.
But while you are in the town itself, one of the things you should do is rent a bike and explore.
Since everything is flat, it’s very easy to navigate and you don’t need to be particularly fit.
There are a lot of beaches around so you can go from one to another and stop in a local soda for food.
I recommend starting at Playa Negra which is a black sand beach on the northern side of Puerto Viejo and then head to Cocles before finishing at Punta Uva where you can go kayaking.
7. Walk on the hanging bridges
If there is one thing Costa Rica is famous for, it has to be the hanging bridges! No matter what, I’m sure you already saw a lot of photos of the Costa Rican hanging brides and they definitely should be on your bucket list.
You can find them in various places including La Fortuna and Monteverde.
Each park offers a bit of a different experience but ultimately, you always get to do a rainforest walk and cross several hanging bridges.
The Mistico Hanging bridges in La Fortuna are particularly nice. The walk is easy and you get to see a lot of unique trees as well as some wildlife.
You will go on ‘normal’ bridges first and then reach the first hanging bridges.
If you are a bit scared of height, they might trigger you a tiny bit but remember they are very safe and you can hold onto the bannisters.
They are also great Instagram photo spots!
8. Surfing in Uvita
Costa Rica is also one of the best countries in the world when it comes to surfing, especially for beginners!
If you head to the Pacific Coast, you will find a few surfing town, including Uvita.
While Uvita is mainly famous for its ‘whale tail’ national park, it’s also a great place to surf.
The sand of the ‘whale’ creates a little bay which shelters you from the rough currents while providing amazing waves.
If you are an experienced surfer, then you can rent a board and enjoy.
If you’ve never tried it before (or not much), then opt for a surfing lesson. It’s a lot of fun!
I absolutely loved my surfing lesson in Uvita. Firstly, the instructors were very good and helpful but the thing that really made the difference was that the conditions were so good.
Almost all the waves were good surfing waves (which meant we didn’t have to think too much) and there was a long flat between each wave.
You have a lot of time to prepare and since it’s not rough, you can manage to get on the board very quickly.
9. Spot the wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park
Located a bit over 1 hour from San JosƩ, Manuel Antonio is both the smallest and most visited national park in Costa Rica.
It’s famous for its stunning beaches, jungle, and abundant wildlife.
While you can definitely just go to the beach, it would be a shame not to fully explore the park!
There are several trails that will take you into the heart of the jungle where you can spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and many other animals.
The entrance costs about $19 and has to be booked a few days in advance (they sell out almost every day).
If you can though, I’d highly recommend hiring a guide for this.
Once again, you don’t get to see as many animals if you go on your own and Manuel Antonio has so many of them!
With a guide, you’ll spot 10 times more things. Also, they have incredible binoculars so you can see properly and take photos.
10. Stay in a rainforest lodge
If you like the greenery of the rainforest and would like to relax for a day or two, then make sure to book a lodge in the rainforest.
Once again, there are many options when it comes to this.
I personally stayed at Epic Adventure Lodge in Sarapiqui and loved it!
If you are a group, you can opt for the house with the swimming pool. Otherwise, they have cabins for couples or individuals.
It’s such as nice thing to stay in such a preserved environment, surrounded by the trees, the stars at night and the birds (yes we even saw toucans there.)
11. Go to a BriBri village
Costa Rica is a very diverse country with many different cultures and if you want to learn more about it, visiting an indigenous community is a great way to do so.
The main one is the BriBri community. They are located near the town of Puerto Viejo and they offer tours that include a chocolate workshop.
You can simply head to the village and visit it but I would recommend doing it with a guide.
The BriBri only speak BriBri and a bit of Spanish so having someone who can explain everything will come in very handy.
At the beginning, you will discover their local tools and then walk around the rainforest. This is a great opportunity to discover some of the unique local plants.
You will also go to an enclosure with a lot of different frogs and then end with the chocolate workshop.
You get to roast the cocoa beans, grind them and make the paste before drinking a hot chocolate.
12. Discover the waterfalls in Bajos del Toro
Located about 30 minutes from Sarapiqui, Bajos del Toro is known for its numerous waterfalls.
While most tourists head to La Fortuna waterfall, going to Bajos del Toro is actually a much better option.
Firstly, you will be spoiled for choice. There are dozens of waterfalls so you can truly find the one you want. Secondly, they tend to be a lot less busy.
I particularly recommend Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls.
They are both located at the same place so it’s very easy and you can get a combo ticket with both.
If you can only do one, opt for Blue Falls because the entrance ticket will give you access to 9 waterfalls.
As the name suggest, they are blue! This is so unique and definitely not something you see everywhere. Also, you can swim in most of them which is always a plus.
While you walk by yourself, there are guides located at several points in the path and they tell you where you should go.
That way they ensure you have the best experience and can manage the number of visitors at each waterfall.
13. Hike on Arenal Volcano
Another thing Costa Rica is known for is its volcanoes and the most famous of all is Arenal.
Located near the town of La Fortuna, Arenal has a conic shape which is exactly what you would expect a volcano to look like.
And it’s an excellent place to go hiking.
You can head to the entrance of the national park and take one of the trail by yourself or opt for a guided tour.
Once again, you can definitely go around by yourself but the guide will come in handy if you want to see the wildlife and learn about the local plants.
14. Take a night walk in Monteverde
While you will get to see a lot of animals during the day and in the various national parks, some of them are only out at night.
This is why doing a night tour is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. This will give a chance to see more snakes, scorpions, spiders and birds.
One of the best places to do a night tour is Monteverde. It’s actually the most popular activity there (alongside the ziplines).
You can easily book your night tour here.
It includes the transfer from your hotel to the cloud forest, the guided tour and torches.
Basically when you get there, the guide will give you a torch each and take you around the cloud forest to see some of the animals.
Of course, since it’s a wildlife tour, it’s impossible to predict what animals you will see.
I personally got to see a tarantula, green snake, various insects, a sloth with her baby, toucans and other birds.
But a lot of people get to see kinkajous as well.
I absolutely loved the night tour in Monteverde. I had already spent 2 weeks in Costa Rica by that point and still got to see a lot of animals I had not seen yet.
I also thought it was a lot of fun to go around the rainforest at night.
Finally, the guide was very knowledgeable and explained a lot of things about the different animals.
She also made sure we could get photos and helped us a lot.
15. Sunset horseback ride in Uvita
Calling all riders for this one! If like me, you love horse riding, let me tell you one thing, you’ll love Costa Rica!
If you head to Uvita, you can go horse riding on the beach.
The Rancho La Merced offers sunset rides on the beach almost every day (it depends on the tide). You start at the ranch where they explain how to ride your horse (they use western riding).
They will give you a horse that is adapted for your level. You can be a complete beginner or experienced.
You will then go on a trail to the beach.
Once you reach the beach, the instructors will split the group between riders who want to canter and the ones who don’t.
If you want to canter, you can go. The beach is very long so you can really do it for a long time if you want to.
Also, the beach is very clean and mostly hazard free so it’s so pleasant.
And of course, since it’s at sunset, it has a very magical vibe to it.
16. Relax on Tortuga Island
Located on the Pacific side, near the town of Puntarenas, Tortuga Island is the perfect place to visit if you want to relax for a day and do some water activities.
You can go from Puntarenas but also book a day tour from Jaco or San Jose.
The boat trip from Puntarenas is over 1 hour long but it’s very scenic.
You will spot near the island to a snorkelling spot and then head to the beach.
Once on the island, you can relax on the beach or rent a kayak.
There are many beach bars where you can get coco locos, piƱa coladas and other drinks.
There is also a short hike that takes you to the viewpoints at the top of the island. The entrance is located behind the gift shop and costs $5 per person. It takes about 1 hour to complete.
Map of this Costa Rica Bucket List
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it has helped you narrowing down your Costa Rica bucket list!
You may also be interested in:
