Costa Rica is a stunning country that offers a wide variety of experiences for every traveler. From lush jungles and beautiful rainforests to stunning beaches and vibrant local culture, this Central American gem is a dream trip destination for all. Whether you're seeking adventure activities, wildlife watching, or a taste of delicious food, Costa Rica has it all. In this guide, we'll show you 30 unique things to do in Costa Rica, ensuring your is filled with unforgettable moments.
1. Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park is a premier destination for those who want to witness the raw power of nature. The star of the show, of course, is Arenal itself: once an active volcano. Hiking the park’s well-marked trails, you’ll pass through old lava fields, blackened rock formations sculpted by past eruptions. Before arriving at sweeping viewpoints where you can gaze up at steam rising from the crater.
Many hikers end their day at the park’s edge by slipping into one of the hot springs heated by the volcano’s geothermal activity. Bathed in warm, mineral-rich waters while surrounded by candles, tropical vegetation, and perhaps the distant call of howler monkeys, you’ll feel both rejuvenated and humbled by what you’ve witnessed.
2. Discover the Beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a lush coastal paradise that combines dense rainforest with pristine beaches. Because the park’s acreage is relatively compact, diverse wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed: keep your eyes peeled for colorful toucans, squirrel monkeys bounding from branch to branch, and iguanas sunning themselves on rock outcroppings.
In just a short walk, you’ll arrive at two beaches. Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur offer powdery white sand lapped by gentle blue waves, creating a serene spot to relax after trekking through the jungle. Snorkeling in the shallow reefs just offshore may reveal small fish darting between corals, while a leisurely swim lets you cool off beneath the warm tropical sun.
3. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a bucket-list destination for anyone who loves wildlife, botany, or simply the sensation of walking through a living mist. As you weave along the hanging bridges or traverse the footpaths, you’ll hear the distinctive call of the resplendent quetzal, a red bird as elusive as it is stunning. Birdwatchers will also relish sightings of toucanets, emerald toucans, and cloud-forest hummingbirds that flit past in an iridescent blur. Whether you’re peering into a hollow that shelters sleeping bats or standing quietly at dawn to hear the forest wake up, Monteverde offers a sensory feast.
4. Relax in the Hot Springs of La Fortuna
Nestled in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is synonymous with geothermal hot springs that offer a perfect counterbalance to the region’s adrenaline-pumping excursions. After a day of zip-lining through canyon treetops or whitewater rafting down the Toro River, slipping into steaming thermal pools feels nothing short of heavenly. Resorts like Tabacón Thermal Resort and Baldi Hot Springs are developed around bubbling springs that emerge naturally from deep beneath the volcano. Each pool is carefully terraced at different temperatures, while porcelain waterfalls create gentle cascades you can stand beneath, massaging your shoulders. Set against a backdrop of palm trees, ferns, and fireworks of tropical flowers, these hot springs are more than just warm water; they’re a social ritual. For travelers on a budget, Río Chollín’s free hot springs along a rainforest trail offer a more rustic experience.
Whether you choose the luxury of a full-service resort with spa treatments or the simplicity of a riverside soak, experiencing La Fortuna’s hot springs is a must.
5. Experience the Wildlife of Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park, situated on the far-flung Osa Peninsula, is renowned as one of the planet’s most biodiverse rainforests. Venturing into its interior means stepping into an ecosystem where jaguar, Baird’s tapir, and scarlet macaw roam freely, species you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere in Costa Rica. Because Corcovado’s relative remoteness limits crowds, each sighting feels like a privileged glimpse into untouched wilderness.
6. Take a Night Walk in the Rainforest
When the sun sets on Costa Rica’s rainforests, an entirely different world awakens: the days of brightly colored birds and chattering monkeys give way to the soft chorus of nocturnal species. Signing up for a guided night walk llows you to witness creatures that remain hidden by daylight. In the understory, kinkajous and olingos move like ghosts through vines, while bats swoop and dive in pursuit of moths.
This immersive trek not only heightens your senses, but also underscores the rainforest’s complexity. By experiencing the rainforest at night, you gain respect for its 24-hour rhythms and leave with a lasting appreciation for the layers of life brimming beneath the canopy’s darkness.
7. Visit the Capital City, San José
San José, Costa Rica’s energetic capital, is where tradition and modernity intersect. Walking down Central Avenue, you’ll pass street vendors selling empanadas and “chorreadas” (sweet corn pancakes), local artisans with handmade leather goods, and food carts offering freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. Historic buildings, like the National Theatre, stand alongside sleek coffee bars serving beans from nearby highland farms.
Move around in official taxis to visit museums like the National Museum, housed in a former fortress, leads you through exhibits on indigenous cultures, colonial-era artifacts, and the nation’s political evolution. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, nestled beneath Plaza de la Cultura, displays jaw-dropping gold pieces that reveal pre-Columbian craftsmanship and belief systems.
For a taste of everyday life, explore Mercado Central, where local farmers sell fresh produce, fishmongers display vibrant catches, and traditional sodas (small eateries) plate up casados and ceviche.
In the evenings, the district of Barrio Escalante transforms into a gastronomic hotspot—trendy restaurants experiment with farm-to-table cuisine, bars host live jazz, and bakeries produce Costa Rican-style pastries. A visit to San José offers the perfect complement to Costa Rica’s natural wonders.
8. Discover the Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park
Tucked within Tenorio Volcano National Park, the Rio Celeste Waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. On the trail to the falls, the river’s water gradually shifts from jade-green to a milky turquoise, a phenomenon caused by two clear water streams merging and activating mineral particles. As you hike uphill through old-growth rainforest, you’ll pass bubbling hot springs hidden in the forest undergrowth and observe steam rising from sulphuric vents that hint at volcanic forces at work. Guides often pause at “Los Teñideros,” the precise point where the color transformation occurs, allowing you to appreciate this rare geological display and photograph the swirling waters.
A short stretch further leads to a panoramic overlook of the 200-foot waterfall, where water plunges into a jade pool ringed by thick ferns and moss-covered boulders. Cooler temperatures and the verdant environment make the hike itself invigorating—along the way, you may spot sloths dangling from branches, coatis darting across the path, or occasional toucans perched on high branches.
9. Enjoy Horseback Riding in the Countryside
Exploring Costa Rica's diverse landscapes on horseback offers a unique and immersive experience. Whether traversing mountain trails, galloping along sandy beaches, or meandering through rainforest paths, horseback riding allows for a deeper connection with the environment. Guided tours cater to all skill levels, making it an accessible and memorable way to appreciate the country's natural beauty.
10. Visit the Beach Town of Puerto Viejo
Nestled on the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo is an incredible place which exudes a laid-back charm with its fusion of Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae rhythms, and vibrant street art. The town boasts stunning beaches like Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita, ideal for surfing, snorkeling, or simply relaxing. Local eateries serve up delicious Caribbean-inspired cuisine, making Puerto Viejo a cultural and culinary hotspot for travelers seeking a relaxed beach vibe.
11. Relax in Beach Towns like Puerto Viejo and Drake Bay
Puerto Viejo and Drake Bay each embody a distinctive rhythm of coastal life. On the Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo’s laid-back streets are lined with colorful wooden shacks, reggae beats waft from open-air cafés, and the scent of fresh seafood mingles with salty sea breezes. Visitors can spend a leisurely morning paddleboarding in the calm bay waters, then wander to the local artisan market where handmade coconut bracelets, rum treats, and spicy coconut curries reveal the area’s Afro-Caribbean heritage. In the afternoon, a short bike ride takes you to Cahuita National Park for a gentle hike through mangrove-fringed trails and encounters with howler monkeys or sloths suspended high in the trees. As evening falls, beachside hammocks beckon you to watch fishermen unload their daily catch under pink-and-orange skies.
On the Pacific coast, Drake Bay serves as both a gateway to Corcovado National Park and a sanctuary for travelers seeking unhurried relaxation. The town’s rustic wooden bungalows sit nestled in the rainforest canopy, just steps from tidal mangrove estuaries where scarlet macaws and toucans make their morning rounds. Here, you can start the day with a kayaked wildlife tour—spotting dolphins or sea turtles in the glassy bay—and follow it with a fresh-caught ceviche lunch overlooking the water. Late afternoons are ideal for lounging on the secluded popular beaches of Isla San José, where the only footprints in the sand might be your own. As night arrives, the surf’s gentle roar is punctuated by frog calls and the distant cry of a night heron. Whether you seek cultural immersion, wildlife encounters, or simply the freedom to read a book beneath a palm tree, both Puerto Viejo and Drake Bay deliver genuine, unhurried coastal charm
12. Witness Sea Turtles Nesting
Costa Rica is a prime destination for observing sea turtles nesting, with Tortuguero National Park being one of the most significant nesting sites. During nesting season, guided night tours allow visitors to witness sea turtles laying eggs on the beach. This rare experience underscores the importance of conservation efforts and offers a profound connection to nature.
13. Take a Cooking Class to Learn About Costa Rican Cuisine
Costa Rican gastronomy is founded on fresh, simple ingredients that reflect the country’s abundant biodiversity. Enrolling in a hands-on cooking class immerses you in this culinary tradition from the very first moment you step into a local kitchen. Under the guidance of a local chef or family member, you learn to sauté rice and beans with diced onions, peppers, and a dash of cumin, mastering gallo pinto (the beloved rice-and-beans breakfast). Next, you might prepare empanadas stuffed with cheese and plantains, hand-roll tortillas, or season meat with achiote and garlic for a classic casado (a plate that typically features rice, beans, plantains, salad, and meat). Along the way, hosts share stories about generational cooking techniques, the cultural importance of each ingredient, and tips for achieving authentic flavors at home. By the end you will carry with you the intangible heritage of Costa Rica’s “food as family” ethos, ready to recreate the dishes and memories long after you return home.
14. Explore Marino Ballena National Park
Marino Ballena National Park’s centerpiece is its famous “Whale’s Tail” sandbar—a natural sand formation that, during low tide, stretches out into the Pacific in the unmistakable shape of a giant whale’s fluke. Walking out on this otherworldly formation, you can peer down into shallow tide pools alive with small reef fish, sea anemones, and starfish. Beyond the sandbar, the bay’s deep waters become a migratory corridor for migrating humpback whales, which pass through twice a year. From July to October and again from December to April, boat tours offer front-row seats to glimpsing mother and calf pairs breaching and spouting just offshore. Snorkeling enthusiasts will also find a diverse marine environment: gentle sea turtles graze on seagrass beds, schools of parrotfish navigate coral bommies, and rays glide gracefully across sandy flats. Whether you are a whale aficionado, a beachcomber, or a snorkeler, Marino Ballena packs a remarkable combination of geography and marine life into a single, unforgettable destination.
15. Visit the Coffee Plantations
Costa Rica’s reputation for high-quality coffee is no accident, it is because of the ideal growing conditions, and rigorous commitment to sustainability. Touring a coffee plantation in the Central Valley, Tarrazú region, or even on the slopes of Monteverde reveals the journey from seedling to steaming cup. Early in the morning, you’ll walk among rows of coffee shrubs set on fertile volcanic soil as guides explain how the altitude, temperature variations, and specific varietals (such as Caturra or Geisha) influence bean flavor profiles. During harvest season, you may even pick ripe red cherries by hand, learning to differentiate them from under- or overripe fruit. Inside processing facilities, you’ll observe the beans undergoing pulping, fermenting, and drying, each step meticulously monitored to ensure consistently bright acidity and aroma. Beyond tasting exceptional coffee, you’ll gain appreciation for the labor, tradition, and environmental stewardship that underpin every Costa Rican bean.
16. Discover the Hanging Bridges of Monteverde
Walking along the hanging bridges in Monteverde offers an experience unlike any other: you are literally suspended within the cloud forest canopy. As you cross each swaying bridge, you gain ever more spectacular vantage points onto a layered landscape of ferns, mosses, and orchids. It is here, fifty feet above the forest floor, that you can truly appreciate the extraordinary density of life, from toucans swooping overhead to howler monkeys loping through the branches. For photographers, naturalists, and anyone who longs to feel at one with the forest, the bridges offer both adventure and a profound sense of wonder.
17. Enjoy a Day Trip to Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island feels like stepping into a postcard: powdery white sands meet the clearest turquoise waters you’ve ever seen. A short boat ride from the mainland takes you to a protected bay where the coral reef teems with brightly colored fish, making snorkeling a treat even for first-timers. Onshore, palm-fringed beaches beckon you to relax under the shade or take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline.
For those seeking more active pursuits, kayaking around the island’s perimeter or hiking its short coastal paths reveals hidden coves and plenty of birdlife. Tortuga Island delivers a perfect retreat from the mainland’s bustle.
18. Experience the Local Culture in a Beach Town
A visit to a coastal gem like Sámara or Nosara is about more than pristine beaches; it is a chance to immerse yourself in a warm, community-driven way of life. In Sámara, you’ll find a welcoming fishing village where local families still cast nets at dawn and children learn to surf on gentle shorebreaks. The rhythm of life here follows the tides and the call to gather at open-air markets, where artisans sell handmade jewelry, fresh produce, and coconut-based treats. Nosara, meanwhile, blends surf culture with a strong emphasis on health and sustainability: yoga studios overlook the waves, and farm-to-table restaurants serve fare grown only a few miles away. Both towns host weekly dance nights, cultural festivals, and impromptu jams on beachfront stages, allowing you to connect with locals and travelers alike. By slowing down your pace and sharing in the daily routines—whether it’s learning to roll sushi from a Japanese-immigrant chef in Nosara or joining a community soccer game in Sámara—you come away having experienced the true warmth of Costa Rican “pura vida” culture.
19. Explore the Osa Peninsula
Remote and raw, the Osa Peninsula is as close as you can get to untouched wilderness in Costa Rica. Aside from Corcovado National Park’s famed biodiversity, the peninsula’s coastal areas feature mangrove-lined estuaries, secluded beaches, and hidden waterfalls. Traveling here is an exercise in discovery: you might spy scarlet macaws flying low above a river, encounter a family of coatis foraging along a jungle trail, or catch sight of a rarely-seen jaguar track in the mud.
Boat excursions along the Golfo Dulce reveal pods of dolphins, sea turtles bobbing at the surface, and even whales migrating just offshore. The Osa Peninsula delivers an unmatched sense of solitude and adventure.
20. Take a Scuba Dive Adventure
Beneath Costa Rica’s waves lies a hidden world of coral, swaying sea fans, and shoals of curious fish. On the Pacific coast, dive sites like Catalina Islands and Bat Islands are famous for encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, eagle rays, and large schools of jacks which can only be found on the pacific ocean side. Visibility often exceeds one hundred feet, giving you great visibility. Over on the Caribbean side, Cahuita National Park’s barrier reef offers colorful sponges, octopus, and nurse sharks cruising along sandy bottoms.
Night dives, too, reveal an astonishing array of nocturnal life: luminescent phosphorescence, hunting lobsters, and giant moray eels. Certified instructors guide you safely through these marine realms, whether you’re a first-time diver or an experienced scuba enthusiast. Because Costa Rica’s waters straddle the convergence of two oceans, marine biodiversity here rivals that of better-known dive destinations.
21. Experience the Pura Vida Lifestyle
“Pura Vida”, literally “pure life”, is more than a slogan; it encapsulates Costa Rica’s collective outlook on happiness, gratitude, and connection to nature. Embracing Pura Vida means learning to slow down, relish simple pleasures, and treat every encounter with warmth and respect. In practical terms, that might look like unhurried breakfasts with fresh fruit and a side of gallo pinto on a porch overlooking a jungle valley, where the only schedule is the sun’s rise and fall. Even the act of greeting a local, a warm “buenos días” or “pura vida” exchanged with eye contact carries genuine sincerity rather than rote custom.
By the time you leave, you may find the concept of Pura Vida has subtly reshaped your priorities: valuing experiences over possessions, kindness over haste, and the simple joy of existence over endless pursuit of more.
Stay Connected with Firsty
Exploring Costa Rica's diverse landscapes, from lush jungles to stunning beaches, is an unforgettable experience. To make the most of your journey, staying connected is essentia, to search up things like which form of public transportation you need to get to your destination or navigation when traveling in your rental car. Firsty offers reliable eSIM technology, ensuring you have internet access wherever you go in this beautiful country.
Why Choose Firsty?
Worldwide Coverage: Stay connected across Costa Rica, from the bustling streets of San José to remote areas like the Osa Peninsula.
Affordable Plans: Flexible pricing options tailored to your travel needs, with no hidden fees. You can even get mobile data for free, with Firsty Free.
Easy Setup: Install the eSIM, choose your plan, and you're ready to explore.
Reliable Connection: Use your data for maps, bookings, and sharing your adventures, whether you're on a day trip to Tortuga Island or hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park.
With Firsty, you can navigate Costa Rica's popular tourist destinations, discover off the beaten path gems, and immerse yourself in local culture without worrying about connectivity.
Conclusion
Costa Rica overflows with amazing experiences, making it one of the most recomended destinations to visit in Central America. You can hike Arenal Volcano at sunrise and soak in nearby hot springs, stroll misty hanging bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest, or go horseback riding through green pastures. Thrill-seekers can raft the Pacuare River or scuba dive off the Pacific coast near Drake Bay. After a day of adventure, unwind in an eco-lodge on the Osa Peninsula or relax in beach towns like Puerto Viejo and Tamarindo with fresh ceviche and gallo pinto.
But the true magic is in the wildlife and the “Pura Vida” spirit—slowing down to enjoy each moment. In Corcovado National Park you might spot jaguars, tapirs, or scarlet macaws, and at Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park, the water glows bright blue. Drive between golden beaches and misty mountains, stopping in San José to sip hot chocolate and browse local crafts. Make sure you visit Costa Rica on your next trip because whether you’re finding hidden rainforest waterfalls, cooking with a local family, or sipping fresh Costa Rican coffee, Costa Rica’s lush landscapes and warm “Pura Vida” attitude make every visit unforgettable.
