Costa Rica Vacation Activities

Costa Rica has an abundance of warm weather activities and vacation things to do. Try your hand at white water rafting on our wild and scenic rivers. Or, try river kayaking or ocean kayaking. Whatever class of river you want to run, you'll find it here in Costa Rica.

Top 12 Must See Things to Do & See in Costa Rica

1. ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK:

Famous for its nighttime lava fireworks, Arenal Volcano towers above a lovely lake of the same name. The area has plenty of natural activities, eco-adventures, and the lake is particularly popular with fishermen and windsurfers. The thermal springs at nearby Tabacón Resort Hot Springs offer a refreshing dip any time of the day. The volcano itself rumbles frequently and, if not socked in by clouds, is very impressive – and just a tad exciting.

2. MONTEVERDE:

The 10,526-hectare/26,000-acre Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, nestled in moisture-filled hanging clouds, provides a home to thousands of species of plants, animals and insects. It offers a unique opportunity to experience, up close, the beauty of nature unspoiled – the reason we all come to Costa Rica.

3. WHITEWATER RAFTING:

Costa Rica is famous for its whitewater river raft trips through the rain forest. Rafting is one of the best ways to spend a day. You can even opt for an overnight trip with a stay in a riverside lodge deep in the rain forest.

4. LANKESTER GARDENS:

Wander along the 17 km/10.6 miles of trails that lead throughout the Lankester Gardens outside of Cartago. Among colorful open garden beds and a cool shady forest, enjoy the countless varieties of orchids, bromeliads, cacti and palms that are grown here for botanical study as well as your viewing. Guides are available.

5. BIRDWATCHING - IN SEARCH OF THE QUETZAL:

Everyone heads to Monteverde to look for the quetzal, the colorful native bird that is an enduring symbol of freedom. If you’re going north, by all means keep an eye out. But we think the best chance to find the elusive quetzal is off the Inter-American Highway that connects San Isidro and Cartago. This highway crosses Costa Rica’s highest mountains along the Cerro de la Muerte and there are several lodges here that cater to birdwatchers.

6. IRAZU VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK:

The 11,260-foot-tall Irazú Volcano is the highest in Costa Rica and still considered active, even though its last major eruption was on March 19, 1963, the day that President John F. Kennedy arrived in Costa Rica. Today, a few puffs of steam and smoke are the most activity you’re likely to see.

7. JADE MUSEUM:

Eye-popping pre-Columbian jade, gold and stone art are featured at the Jade Museum, located at the top of the INS building in San José. In addition, frequently changing exhibitions of artists’ works will enhance your pleasure.

8. BUTTERFLY FARM & INSECT MUSEUM:

The Butterfly Farm near Alajuela is Latin America’s first and largest exporter of farm-raised butterflies. All visitors get a guided two-hour tour, which fits in well with the Café Britt Coffee Tour during a day of sightseeing. There are now many smaller butterfly farm imitators, but one that’s impossible to imitate is Dr. Richard Whitten’s Jewels of the Rainforest Exhibit.

9. RINCON DE LA VIEJA PARK:

This park surrounds the flanks of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and its active crater. Many excellent hiking trails traverse this diverse landscape with its hot springs, geysers, mud pots, waterfalls, volcanic craters and a lake. This is a favorite destination for birdwatchers, offering fabulous views of the lowland pastures and rich wildlife.

10. NATURE LODGES:

Spend at least a night in one of the many ecological nature lodges that offer rustic accommodations. You owe it to yourself to experience the diverse unspoiled countryside, away from the traffic and noise pollution of the cities and towns.

11. BEACHES, RIVERS, WATER EVERYWHERE:

A plethora of beaches await you on the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts of Costa Rica. They come in a variety of colors with sands that run from white to black and textures ranging from powder soft to coarse and gritty. Public beaches, isolated beaches, great surfing beaches, laze-around beaches – whatever you prefer, it’s there. If sand between your toes is not your style, then swim, sail, whitewater rafting, kayak or windsurf on the many rivers and lakes between coasts.

12. FISHING:

A growing number of qualified operators offer competitive, world-class sport-fishing charters on both coasts. In the Pacific, marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado lure the enthusiastic angler. In the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, at the mouth of the Barra del Colorado in particular, tarpon and snook are yours for the catching (and releasing). The beautiful 35-km-long (22-mile) Arenal Lake contains freshwater rainbow bass (guapote). In their eagerness to get hooked, they will practically pull you into the water.