Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Costa Rica: Tours & Activities

Last Updated: September 5, 2025

Costa Rica is full of adventure, nature, and fun activities. You can zipline through the jungle, relax on beautiful beaches, see amazing animals in national parks, or ride waves on a surfboard. Whether you love exploring or just want to chill, there’s something here for everyone. Start planning your trip and find the best Costa Rica flights now to discover all the amazing things to do in Costa Rica.

1. Ziplining

Ziplining is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica, with the country's lush rainforests, dramatic mountains, and well-developed canopy tours. The long cables and breathtaking views make it a world-famous adventure. Ziplining is a must-try adventure for thrill seekers and nature lovers, allowing them to soar above the rainforest and experience it from a unique perspective.

Top Ziplining Destinations in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest: This is one of the most iconic ziplining spots in the world, with over 1 km of long cables.
Arenal/La Fortuna: It offers volcano views, lush jungle, and waterfalls.
Manuel Antonio/Quepos: It has a vibe of beach and rainforest combined, where you can spot wildlife such as sloths, toucans, and monkeys while ziplining.
Guanacaste (Tamarindo/Liberia): Perfect if you're staying on the Pacific coast, combining beach time, surfing, and snorkeling.
Osa Peninsula (Near Corcovado): A more remote and rugged area with fewer crowds. Combine visits with hiking in Corcovado National Park.

2. Surfing

Among the top activities in Costa Rica, surfing stands out. It offers warm water year-round, consistent waves, and a variety of breaks suitable for all skill levels, making Costa Rica one of the world’s premier surf destinations, boasting some of the best waves in Latin America and attracting surfers worldwide.

Best Surf Spots in Costa Rica:

The Pacific Coast surf spots are generally more consistent and popular. Key locations include Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Nosara (Playa Guiones), Dominical, Playa Hermosa (located in the Central Pacific near Jaco), and Jaco Beach.

On the Caribbean Coast, which experiences more seasonal conditions, Puerto Viejo/Salsa Brava is ideal for advanced surfers seeking the heaviest waves, best from December to March.

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica

3. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Explore Costa Rica’s rich marine life and biodiversity by scuba diving and snorkeling, two world-class adventure activities thanks to its two coastlines, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offering deep dives with rays and sharks as well as vibrant reefs in shallow waters. These are among the top things to do in Costa Rica.

Top Scuba Diving Spots in Costa Rica:

Here's a guide to the best scuba diving locations, including when to visit and required experience levels.

Cocos Island:

Reserved for advanced divers, offering deep dives and strong currents.
Best visited from June to November during the rainy season, when larger marine animals are more prevalent.

Caño Island Biological Reserve:

Suitable for intermediate to advanced divers because some sites have currents.
The optimal visiting period is December to May for better visibility.

Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago):

For advanced divers only, with strong currents and deep dives.
Best from May to November.

Catalina Islands:

A popular spot for beginners and suitable for beginner to intermediate divers.
Visit from December to May during the dry season for clearer water.

Gandoca-Manzanillo:

A great location for beginners.
Best visited in September and October during the Caribbean dry season.

Top Snorkeling Spots in Costa Rica

Cahuita National Park (Caribbean): You can see sea turtles, stingrays, and lobsters, and it requires a guide for reef access.
Playa Conchal (Guanacaste): Snorkel right off the beach with crystal-clear turquoise water good for families and beginners.
Tortuga Island (Gulf of Nicoya): Snorkeling tours stop near volcanic rock reefs with calm water and colorful tropical fish.
Manuel Antonio National Park: Small but beautiful beaches with some decent snorkeling. Does not offer the best visibility, but fun if you're already visiting the park.

4. Explore Corcovado National Park

Located on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park is one of the most unforgettable adventures in southwest Costa Rica. It's often called the most biologically intense place on Earth by National Geographic and offers raw wilderness, exotic wildlife, and off-the-grid jungle trekking like nowhere else in Central America. Its wildlife includes four monkey species, the Baird’s tapir, scarlet macaws, sloths, anteaters, crocodiles, jaguars, and more. Feeding, touching, or making loud noises in the park is prohibited. There are no stores in the park, so you must bring your food and water.

5. Take a Catamaran Sunset Cruise

Taking a 3 to 4-hour Catamaran Sunset Cruise is one of the fun things to do in Costa Rica. It's the most relaxing and scenic way to enjoy the country's beautiful coastline with warm breezes, marine life sightings, and epic sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. You can watch a truly unforgettable sunset view from the ocean, swim and snorkel in crystal-clear coves, spot dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and sometimes even humpback whales. These cruises are great for couples, families, solo travelers, and groups and offer an open bar, snacks, and often live music or a DJ. It’s a must-do experience whether you want to relax or celebrate something.

Top Places for Sunset Catamaran Cruises in Costa Rica

Tamarindo/Playa Flamingo (Guanacaste), Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Papagayo Gulf (Playa Hermosa/Playa del Coco), Coco/Ocotal/Hermosa (Northwest Pacific), and Santa Teresa/Malpaís are some of the best places for Sunset Catamaran Cruises in Costa Rica.

6. White Water Rafting Pacuare River

White water rafting on the Pacuare River is one of the top and most fun things to do in Costa Rica. It is located between Turrialba and the Caribbean lowlands and is voted as one of the top 10 rivers in the world for white water rafting by National Geographic and others. It is surrounded by untouched jungle, waterfalls, and wildlife, which offers a chance to see sloths, toucans, monkeys, birds, and colorful butterflies while you paddle. This thrilling and scenic adventure is best for nature lovers and thrill seekers, and is a must and cool thing to do in Costa Rica.

Conclusion: Book Your Costa Rica Trip Today!

From lush rainforests to stunning coastlines, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Costa Rica. If you are looking for adventure, nature, or relaxation, the list of cool things to do in Costa Rica is endless. This tropical paradise offers everything from scuba diving and wildlife watching to sunset cruises and jungle hikes. Book your flight today with Affluence Travels and start your unforgettable journey to Costa Rica in 2025!

FAQs about Things to Do in Costa Rica

Q.1: What are the top must-do activities in Costa Rica?

Best things to do in Costa Rica include exploring national parks, ziplining, white-water rafting, soaking in natural hot springs, surfing, snorkeling or diving, seeing sea turtles nesting, taking a catamaran sunset cruise, visiting a coffee plantation, and hiking volcanoes.

Q.2: Where can I go snorkeling or scuba diving?

Some of Costa Rica’s top snorkeling destinations include Caño Island, Tortuga Island, Playa Conchal, and Gandoca-Manzanillo. For scuba diving, the best spots are Cocos Island (recommended for advanced divers), Caño Island, the Catalina Islands, and the Bat Islands.

Q.3: What are the best things to do in Costa Rica besides adventure activities?

Besides adventurous activities, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica, like soaking in hot springs, taking a coffee or chocolate tour, visiting waterfalls, relaxing on beaches, joining a cooking class, exploring local culture and markets, and taking wildlife or birding tours.