Pura vida picks: 20 things to do in Costa Rica

Tamarindo draws visitors looking for world-class surfing but also a place to connect with like-minded travellers at lively parties after sunset. This area of Costa Rica used to be a sleepy fishing village, but today it’s a major destination for beach bums and active travellers. Head to Tamarindo to surf and you won’t be let down. Surfers of all abilities can enjoy catching waves at the main beach. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, try Playa Grande nearby. Psst! We’ve got a handy guide to the best Costa Rica surfing spots at the ready too.

Guanacaste is home to many of Costa Rica’s best beaches. An early start is worth it to catch pastel pink sunrises at beaches like Playa Conchal, Playa Hermosa, or Playa Nosara. Afterwards, you’ve got all day to sunbathe or spot local wildlife.

When you and your travel buds need a beach break, Rincón de la Vieja is the place to hike. This national park is home to nine volcanic craters, hot springs, mud pots, and the La Cangreja waterfall to cool off after all that sweating.

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Things to do in Costa Rica’s Northern Highlands

Costa Rica’s north is where you’ll find a few of the county’s most enchanting spots. In mountainous regions here, you can discover the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, and La Fortuna—a hub for all sorts of adrenaline-pumping activities (think ziplining, hiking, and kayaking). Here’s what to add to the itinerary:

Photo: Costa Rica Beach Sunrise

If you’re an adventurer, one of the best things to do in La Fortuna is take advantage of the natural hot springs—sore muscles will thank you after a day of ziplining or kayaking in the nearby lake. One thing travellers appreciate is that these hot springs are found at various locations near La Fortuna. Whether you’re looking for a high-end spa or natural, rugged baths where local people hang out, you’ll find the full range here.

If you didn’t chase waterfalls in Costa Rica, did you even go? One of the top things to do in Costa Rica is hiking to its incredible cascading falls and swimming in the pools at their base. La Fortuna waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s most prized cascades. With water tumbling from a height of 70m (229 ft), a day spent in Arenal Volcano National Park might be one of the most mesmerizing experiences of your trip.

Costa Rica has more than 900 bird species flying through misty cloud forests, jungles, and mountainscapes. One of the best things to do in La Fortuna and Monteverde is birdwatching, given that it won't take much to see flocks of green parrots soaring through the sky, giant hawks, hummingbirds darting between flowers, toucans playing in pairs, or vibrant macaws. Monteverde alone is home to more than 400 species of birds so keep your eyes peeled!

Photo:  Hot Spring Swim

Costa Rica is blessed to have mountains, coastlines, charming countryside, and lush cloud forests. For the traveller seeking to recharge by being in nature, Monteverde’s cloud forests are absolute heaven. Imagine fresh, misty air, vine-covered trees, enchanting tours of the tree canopy, and a soundtrack of the birds, insects and animals who call these jungle spaces home. Monteverde provides the perfect wellness getaway or adventure-packed escape, where hanging bridges, hiking trails through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, sloths, frogs, and monkeys are just part of your days.

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Things to do in San José

The capital of Costa Rica, San José, is a cultural hub great for the city slicker traveller looking for the best art, night life, and food. A lot of travellers bookend their trips with shorter stays in the big city. If that’s the case for you, here’s what to get up to:

Eating is the thing to do in San José. Plan a food crawl trying the best traditional tico (the nickname for native Costa Rican) foods. One neighbourhood with a great reputation for quality bars and restaurants is Barrio Escalante. Here, you’ll find menus offering classic staples like chifrijo (a pork belly rice bowl), chicharrón (pork belly), sopa negra (black bean soup), or casado (a plate consisting of rice, beans, and meat). When you’re visiting San José, two iconic restaurants for your list are Sikwa, which studies traditional Costa Rican food reviving old, nearly-forgotten recipes, and Apotecario, a cocktail bar with artisanal drinks.

The capital city is certainly one of the best places to take in art, museums, music, and theatre. During a stay in San José, you may feel inclined to take in a show or tour at the iconic Teatro Nacional (national theatre). Or, simply venture around downtown at a leisurely pace spotting murals painted by local artists.

Photo: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Got some spare time in the big city? Check out the upscale neighbourhood of Escazú. You can escape the hustle and bustle but indulge in city comforts like ritzy cafes or hot restaurants with a view.

Just a day trip from San José, Poás Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s geological gems. It’s one of Costa Rica’s many mesmerizing volcanoes and a sight for sore eyes with its craggy red rocks, teal-blue crater lake, and rising steam. Poás is an active volcano with gas and steam emissions along with the occasional eruption.

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Things to do in Costa Rica’s countryside

For a slower pace, time to unwind, and chance to engage with local communities, head to countryside areas like Atenas, Puriscal, Ciudad Colon, or San Ramon. Don’t bother with a packed schedule here, just make sure to take in these things:

The pura vida is all about indulging in life’s small joys. A visit to Costa Rica isn’t just about the hotspots, bucket list activities, and famous sites, it’s about slowing down and appreciating small, everyday pleasures. Like drinking a cold sugar cane juice under the blazing-hot sun. Things like sugar cane juice (not to mention the vast array of fruit juices and smoothies Costa Rica offers) are cheap and frequently sold by roadside vendors in the country.

If you can get to a ranch or do a little horseback riding in the countryside of Costa Rica, you’ve experienced the true tico way of life. Bonus points if a real cowboy shows you the art of tossing a lasso!

Photo: Costa Rican Meal

Thanks to its microclimates, elevation, and other geographic features, Costa Rica grows some of the best coffee in the world. For coffee lovers spending time in the country, a tour of a coffee farm has to be on the itinerary. Some of the main coffee growing regions are located in the central valley near San José, Cartago, Tarrazú, and Alajuela—to name a few. A good coffee tour involves meeting the local farmers and community, getting an up close look at how the beans are dried, ground and roasted, and, of course, a taste of the finished product.

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Things to do along Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast

This stretch of the Pacific is home to sloths, sparkling beaches, crocodiles, and palm tree paradises. If you’re visiting this region of Costa Rica, Jaco and Manuel Antonio deserve at least a day or two. Here’s what to do in Costa Rica’s Pacific towns and beaches:

Jaco is a little beach town and one of the closest beachy hubs to San José. It’s known for surfing and nightlife and one other major thing: crocodiles! If enormous crocs don't make you queasy, then you’ll love looking down from a bridge crossing the Tarcoles River. Below you’re likely to spot large and toothy crocodiles bathing in the sun. It’s one of the top things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica but it may not be for the faint of heart.

Chasing waterfalls really is one of the top things to do in Costa Rica and one of the best activities along the Pacific coast is the hike to Nauyaca Falls, located 20 minutes or so outside of the beach town of Dominical. These falls are jaw-dropping with two tiers of billowing water pooling at a turquoise pool below. The hike takes under an hour and isn’t challenging, just bring a hat and water for the sun.

Photo: Costa Rica La Fortuna Planeterra Coffee Cooperative 

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the top places in Costa Rica to see sloths. These small sleepy creatures are as adorable as they are lazy. As for the park itself, it's a tropical paradise exploding with palm trees where monkeys also swing from the branches.

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Things to do in Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

Few places beat Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Known for its sugary beaches, surfing, wildlife, and vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, Puerto Viejo in particular is a magnet for travellers from all over the world. Here are our recommended activities:

Along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline is the much-adored Tortuguero National Park. As you may deduce from its name, this national park is home to many sea turtles and is a protected zone which happens to be one of their most important nesting sites. Nesting season is from July to October so if you’re in the country during that time, don’t miss out. These grounds are also home to other wildlife including many species of monkeys, pumas, birds, and iguanas.

Puerto Viejo is a blissful slice of Costa Rica with Caribbean beaches, cotton candy sunsets, and palm tree-lined shores. Before your trip, don’t forget to pack a set of binoculars. One underrated (but essential!) thing to do in Costa Rica is spot howler monkeys swinging from the treetops in Puerto Viejo. They make their presence known so there’s no doubt you’ll hear them bellowing from the jungle shortly after your arrival.

One of Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterways, Pacuare River is surrounded by lush rainforest. The river runs into the Caribbean with rapids that can range from gentle to turbulent. A day of river rafting brings views of beautiful birds flying overhead and waterfalls. For the outdoorsy traveller, this is easily one of the best things to do in Costa Rica.