I don’t know about you, but when I first heard Costa Rica, I pictured a dense green jungle with monkeys swinging from branches, a jaguar napping on one, a tapir strolling by, and a beach right next to it with warm, clear sea. Well, Costa Rica delivers a lot of that. I visited, and I wasn’t disappointed!

It’s not just that, though. There are many – really many – things to do in Costa Rica. Most connect to nature through national parks, animals, and landscapes. Costa Rica suits nature lovers perfectly. Here, I share the best things to do in Costa Rica.

Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Go for a Night Walk and Spot Animals

One of the unique fun things to do in Costa Rica is a night walk. It lasts about two hours as you stroll trails in a park owned by a company. The walking stays easy – some inclines, but nothing tough.

You spot sloths, sleeping birds, snakes, spiders, scorpions, and tons of insects. This activity pops up in various spots. The top one sits in La Fortuna, Arenal, where species come out at night.

I tried it in Monteverde – totally worth it. Our guide got so excited he yelled “kikoujou! kikoujou!!!” at a super rare animal. After that, I feared him more than the tarantula and scorpion we saw, haha.

Snap Hummingbird Photos in Monteverde

I love hummingbirds – one of my favorite birds. If you haven’t hit South America yet, you might not have seen them. They live there only.

They’re the world’s smallest species with incredible feathers, beaks, and behaviors – they even fly backward! Monteverde’s national park wows you, and you spot hummingbirds inside. But photos prove tricky there.

Right after the park, walk 20 meters to Colibri Cafe for coffee. Dozens of hummingbirds buzz around – pure magic! They pose for pics since they’re used to big lenses near their beaks.

From my whole trip, this spot showed the most hummingbirds hamming it up for photos. This is one of the top things you can do in Costa Rica.

Take a Surfing Class on Pacific or Caribbean Coast

If you’re already a surfer, you know Costa Rica’s waves are a must-hit at least once in your life – they’re that good. For beginners, it’s one of the fun things to do in Costa Rica and a total game-changer trip. You pick up the basic skills while soaking in those chill surfer town vibes and laid-back villages.

Go Pacific or Caribbean coast – both pack killer spots, epic waves, and insane views. Pacific side? Santa Teresa steals the show with its fancy restaurants, solid hotels, and that endless stretch of beach.

Caribbean delivers with Puerto Limon. No matter which you pick, you’ll nail the basics and live that ultimate relaxed surf life.

Chill at Manuel Antonio Beach with Monkeys

 

Costa Rica packs too many national parks – kidding, there’s never enough. Manuel Antonio ranks among the most famous national park in Costa Rica.

Spend a full day on paths solo or guided. I saw three monkey types, coatis, toucans, even a crocodile – one guide hunted a boa spotted the day before!

The park’s beaches make it special. Walk, spot monkeys in trees, then swim. Water glows turquoise blue. After morning hikes, chilling under trees feels perfect.

Pro tip: No plastic bottles allowed – water or else. Pack your Stanley inox or any stainless bottle.

Watch Whales in Uvita

Whales cruise right along Costa Rica’s coast during their set migration times. You hop on a 2-3 hour boat tour to chase them down. Uvita ranks as one of the best spots – and if whales play hard to get, you’ve still got that epic whale-tail shaped beach to enjoy.

Aim for August and September when sightings peak. They roll in mid-July and head out by October.

Tours catch humpbacks breaching and playing like pros. It thrills you every single time. Nature throws a show you won’t forget – pure magic on the water.

Soak in Arenal Hot Springs

Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s famous volcanoes. Whenever you get near volcanoes, natural hot springs often pop up – and that’s exactly the case here! This well-known attraction pulls in crowds from all over.

Many hotels come with their own private springs – so you can book a room and soak all day in those warm, soothing waters. Or just visit for the day and enjoy it like a water park.

Top spots to check out include Tabacón Thermal Resort and Baldi Hot Springs. The pools range from scorching hot to perfectly kid-friendly. With volcano views in the background, soaking here is pure recovery after all your adventures.

Zip Line Across the Hills

 

Costa Rica’s topology totally hooked me – it’s packed with these rolling hills and mini-canyons begging for ziplines to link ’em up. Some lines stretch super long, others keep it short and sweet. You’ll spot ads for them non-stop along every road you drive.

Travelers pull over for lunch and a quick zip – I find that part hilarious, like “why not add some airtime to your burrito?” You hit speeds up to 40 mph, jungle whipping by below your feet. Best things to do in Costa Rica if adrenaline’s your jam.

Monteverde and Arenal own this scene. Strap into the harness, launch off – your heart’s pounding the whole way down.

Rappel a Waterfall or Raft a River

Those hills mean rivers and waterfalls tucked in the valleys below. Rafting? It’s all about those turbulent rapids that keep you snug in a life jacket – smooth waters? Yeah, no fun there!

Or you can hike to stunning waterfalls and take on rappelling right next to or even into one. Saying “refreshing” is an understatement! La Fortuna really shines here.

Choose your thrill – both options deliver serious adrenaline. Feel the powerful rush of water pounding as you descend – an unforgettable wild ride.

Join Guided Tours in National Parks

Costa Rica is bursting with national parks – like, you can’t turn a corner without hitting one. Guided tours are your ticket to spotting the local wildlife up close. Think one tour in trip and you’re set? Nope, not even close – the wildlife changes big time depending on the region.

Pacific side like Manuel Antonio or Corcovado feels totally different from central spots like Arenal, or the Caribbean coast. If your budget allows, stack up as many tours as you can – the more you do, the wilder the sightings get.

I was straight-up amazed by all the animals I spotted on my trips. Zero regrets on any tour, I’d book them all over again. Sloths hanging lazy, crazy birds everywhere, even a puma sighting in Corcovado – the variety just blows you away.

Hanging Bridges

Some parks stand out for their locations. They mix bird-spotting tours in these mountain or hill environments. And with mountains come bridges – Costa Rica nailed it by turning them into something super special for park visits.

You stroll across a 50-meter-high bridge with amazing views over the park or whole region. It’s an attraction all on its own ! Even if animals hide, you’ve had a blast swaying on those bridges.

I visited two hanging bridges parks. One in La Fortuna called Mistico Park – a stunner with amazing bridges. The second was Monteverde National Park itself.

Both blew me away, but I’d pick Mistico Park hands down. This ranks as a unique thing to do in Costa Rica – I haven’t seen any park like it anywhere else in Latin America.

Ready to discover Costa Rica ?

Costa Rica rocks for adventure lovers, nature fans, and animal spotters. Sure, beautiful villages and beaches exist like anywhere. But its rich wildlife stands out – a top thing to do in Costa Rica.

I hope this guide sparks ideas for your trip. Pura vida!

About the Author

I’m Hugo, the creator of HorizonHugo. It’s a space where I share stories from my travels across Latin America and Southeast Asia. My trips aren’t about luxury resorts or staying in one place for two weeks, but about real adventures, meeting people, and discovering everyday life on the road.

Through HorizonHugo, I help you plan your own journey, building an itinerary that fits your budget while letting you experience local culture, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable moments that stick with you for life.

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