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Costa Rica is the ideal getaway for rainforest activities, beautiful beaches, and seeing all kinds of wildlife. Here’s a bucket list to make sure you experience all that Costa Rica has to offer!
Spot wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s most popular national park and is famous for its beaches and wildlife. Get there early to beat the crowds and for your best chance of spotting wildlife. We recommend heading immediately to the Punta Catedral Trail – there’s where we saw the most monkeys! If you’re interested in seeing a variety of wildlife, guided tours are available. Tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park can be bought in advance on the SINAC website. There are a limited number of entry tickets for the park each day, so make sure to reserve your tickets before you head to Costa Rica.
Walk across the hanging bridges
Walking across the hanging bridges up in the rainforest canopy is a must-do while in Costa Rica! Mistico Park in La Fortuna and Selvatura Park in Monteverde are two of the most popular hanging bridge options.
Hike at Arenal Volcano National Park
If you’re up for hiking, you need to visit Arenal Volcano National Park! The park has a variety of hiking trails, and depending on the weather, you might be able to get amazing views of Arenal. We spent about two and a half hours at Arenal Volcano National Park. We hiked the Las Coladas Trail to the Old Lava Flow Lookout and did the El Ceibo Trail on the way back.
Arenal 1968 and Mirador el Silencio are also good options for hiking around Arenal Volcano.
See La Fortuna Waterfall
Spend some time in La Fortuna visiting the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall. It’s 1,000 steps round trip to get to the base of the waterfall and back, but the view is worth it! Depending on how rainy it’s been lately, you might be able to swim there.
Parking is available right by the visitor’s center. If you’re interested in going there with a guide, there are plenty of tour operators that visit La Fortuna Waterfall as part of a combo tour with other La Fortuna attractions. We visited La Fortuna Waterfall as part of a horseback riding tour with Alberto’s Horses.
Relax in the hot springs
One of the best activities to do in the La Fortuna area is taking a dip in the hot springs. There are a ton of different hot spring options including Tabacon, Baldi, and Ecotermales. We purchased a day pass to Tabacon and loved it! There are over 20 natural pools at Tabacon for guests to explore. If you’re looking for a free option, check out El Choyin for public hot springs. Entry is free, but you’ll have to park on the side of the road and sometimes parking attendants will charge you.
Visit a local coffee farm
Spend a few hours learning how coffee and chocolate are made and trying some samples. Check out North Fields Cafe or Don Olivo for great tour options in La Fortuna. If you want to bring coffee and chocolate home as a souvenir, we recommend buying it from these farms instead of airport duty-free.
Zip line through the rainforest
One of the most thrilling activities to do in the La Fortuna area is zip line over the rainforest with great views of Arenal Volcano. We highly recommend zip lining at Sky Adventures, where you go across the tallest zip line in Costa Rica!
Go on a day trip to Tortuga Island
If you’re interested in an all-inclusive beach excursion, go on a day trip to Tortuga Island, which is about a 45-minute boat ride from Jaco. We went to Tortuga Island with CostaCat Cruises and were able to enjoy snorkeling, hiking, and riding banana boats. They also provided breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic beverages.
Swim at the base of Nauyaca Waterfalls
Nauyaca is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica! Located near Dominical, Nauyaca can be accessed by either the Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park or Nauyaca Waterfalls locations on Google Maps. There are lower and upper falls at Nauyaca, and you can swim in both. Make sure to pack water shoes as the rocks are slippery.
Try casado at a soda
Casado is a typical meal in Costa Rica that consists of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and a protein source. Casada can be found on the menu at sodas, which are small, family-owned restaurants that serve local dishes.
Have gallo pinto for breakfast
Gallo pinto is a traditional Costa Rican breakfast dish consisting of rice and beans. Most hotels and restaurants will offer gallo pinto as a menu option. Add some famous Lizano sauce to spice up your meal!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited January 2025 | Posted March 2025
