If you are planning your first trip to Costa Rica, you might also want to check out this post about 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

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1. Zip lining through Monteverde cloud forest

The first of the 10 best things to do in Costa Rica is one that no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without – zip lining! That might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Costa Rica, but I’ll tell you why it’s a must. Not only do you get a birds-eye view of the lush green cloud forest, it will also fulfill your adrenaline needs. It’s truly an unforgettable experience! There are plenty of zip lines all over Costa Rica, but the one in Monteverde is the one I’d recommend.

In Monteverde there are a couple of companies offering zip lining, so you’ll have a few options to choose from. The five main ones are:

• Selvatura Park – includes 13 zip lines, Superman and a Tarzan swing
• 100% Aventura Park – includes 10 zip lines (one of which is the longest in Costa Rica), Superman and Tarzan swing
• Sky Trek – includes 7 zip lines, open-air gondola and a vertigo drop
• Extremo Park – includes 16 zip lines, extreme Tarzan swing, giant rappel, Superman and a subterranean zip line. If you want to do bungee jumping, this is the only one that offers it.
• Original Canopy – includes 14 zip lines, 1 vertical descent (repel) and a Tarzan swing

As you can see, all of them are quite similar. I would recommend reading the reviews for each of them and choose based on that. I have done the Original Canopy and Selvatura Park and can recommend both.

2. Surfing

Costa Rica has become a popular surf destination, and understandably so. With favourable surfing conditions year-round, as well as consistent water temperatures around 28°C (82°F), it’s easy to see why surfers are drawn to Costa Rica. From beginner friendly waves to world-class breaks, Costa Rica has waves to suit all types of surfers. Note that surfing is mostly limited to the Pacific coast, with popular destinations including Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and Jacó. If you want to try surfing, Costa Rica is definitely the place for it!

For those looking for laid-back surf lifestyle, Santa Teresa is a must visit! It’s a small town on the Pacific coast, offering amazing surfing conditions for every level and gorgeous sunsets. It’s one of my favourite places in Costa Rica! This is my top choice for a hostel in Santa Teresa.

3. Relax at Tabacón Hot Springs

Situated in the heart of the rainforest, at the base of Arenal Volcano, are the Tabacón Hot Springs. These naturally flowing thermal mineral springs offer a unique blend of nature and relaxation. The lush tropical gardens will make you feel like you’re in another world. It’s pure magic. Spending the day jumping from one hot spring to another, walking through all the greenery and then watching the stars after the sun went down is pure bliss. Visiting Tabacón was certainly one of the highlight of my time in Costa Rica.

It’s not cheap, but in my opinion it’s well worth the price. If you can afford the splurge I’d definitely recommend it! I have visited other hot springs in the Arenal region, and none of them compare to Tabacón. You really get what you pay for.

You can visit the Tabacón Hot Springs as a part of an organized day trip, by purchasing a day pass or if you want to really treat yourself, you can stay at their hotel, the Tabacón Resort.

4. Visit the Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano is among the most visited places in Costa Rica and certainly its most well-recognized volcano. It became famous since it erupted consistently from 1968 until 2010, when it returned to a dormant state. Even though you won’t see any lava, the perfectly symmetrical volcano is still very impressive. Hiking through the Arenal Volcano National Park offers amazing views and you’ll be able to walk on top of cooled lava. There is also plenty of wildlife in the park. You can for example expect to see jaguars, deers, racoons, sloths as well as various types of monkeys. It’s also a great area for bird watching, as there are over 850 species of birds found within the park.

5. Walk through Monteverde Hanging Bridges

You can’t list the top 10 things to do in Costa Rica without including the hanging bridges in Monteverde! Wandering through the lush green cloud forest is a unique experience and makes you feel like you’re in a postcard. The cool temperatures in Monteverde, as well as the mist, creates a magical contrast to all the greenery. My top pick would be the hanging bridges tour at Selvatura Park. I’ve done that one two times and it’s amazing. You’ll cross 8 hanging bridges that range from 50-170 meters (150-510 feet) in length. The trail between the bridges is well kept and relatively flat, making it easy to navigate.

6. Visit Rio Celeste

Nestled in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, is Rio Celeste, a waterfall famous for its majestic turquoise blue waters. There are many beautiful waterfalls to be found within Costa Rica, but the teal blue waters you see in Rio Celeste puts it on top of the list. Not too many years ago Rio Celeste was a pretty well kept local secret, but today the Tenorio Volcano National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica.

As there are only a certain number of visitors allowed in the park each day, make sure to plan accordingly, especially if you’re visiting in the high season (December-April). The latest you can enter is at 2pm and it closes at 4pm. Keep in mind that he trail can get very muddy so do not attempt to do the hike in flip flops :)))

It’s most common to visit Rio Celeste on a day trip from La Fortuna, which is 1,5 hours drive away. The best way to get there is by renting a car. There is a wide variety of accommodation in La Fortuna for all budgets.

7. Snorkeling

With its extensive roughly 1200km coastline, bordering both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a world-class destination for snorkeling. On a good day you can expect to see corals, turtles, starfishes and tropical fishes. The best time for snorkeling is during dry season, as rainfall decreases the visibility. On the Caribbean coast the driest months are September and October, while on the Pacific side the dry season lasts from December through April. Cahuita national park, located in the Caribbean, is home to one of the biggest coral reefs in costa rica. Other popular destination for snorkeling include Isla Tortuga and Tamarindo.

8. Go Sunset Paddle Boarding

What better way to enjoy the sunset than from a paddle board in the ocean. The sunsets on the Pacific coast are amazing, so I’d recommend doing paddle boarding there rather than on the Caribbean side. For example in Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Santa Teresa or Uvita.

9. Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park

Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for anyone interested in observing the Costa Rica wildlife. Within the park you have a couple of trails that will lead you through the rainforest. You’re likely to see monkeys, sloths, agoutis, iguanas as well as hundreds of bird species. What’s more, there are two gorgeous beaches in the park, Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach.

I would highly recommend getting a guide when you visit the park, as it’s surprisingly hard to spot the animals yourself. The first time I visited I went without a guide, thinking it was completely unnecessary and that I’d easily be able to spot the animals myself. I turned out to be very wrong about that – I only saw a few monkeys out of pure luck, they just happened to be right next to the trail. The second time I went with a guide, and it was a completely different experience. I saw all sorts of animals that I never would have spotted myself.

You can book a guided tour or you can show up at the entrance of the park and there you’ll have the option to hire a guide.

10. Take a trip to Tortuguero National Park

The last of the 10 best things to do in Costa Rica! Tortuguero National Park is the Amazon of Costa Rica. Located on the Caribbean coast, this remote natural paradise is named for the famous sea turtles that come to the area to nest (Tortuguero means place of turtles). The park can only be accessed by a boat or a plane, and the main mode of transportation within the park is via fresh water canals. Floating down the canals with rainforests on both sides might just make you feel like you’re in the Amazon. As you cruise through the waterways you can spot monkeys, parrots, sloths and crocodiles, along with other exotic animals. The area is also home to beautiful dark sand beaches, but due to strong currents and risks of shark attacks, swimming there is not safe.

It’s worth noting that Tortuguero receives frequent rains, so don’t go there expecting to be sunbathing, there are other places better suited for that! Tortuguero is more of an exotic adventure type of place.

When visiting Tortuguero National Park, one option is to stay in Tortuguero, a small village at the heart of the national park. If you’re short on time, you can also do a day trip from San José. For those that want to explore Tortuguero National Park in depth, this all inclusive 3-day tour from San José is worth checking out.

I hope this post inspired you to visit Costa Rica and that these 10 things to do in Costa Rica gave you an idea about the best things to do in this magical country. If you want to get notified when I publish new posts, just click the red bell in the lower right corner, or follow me on Instagram where I usually announce new blog posts :)))

If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, you might also want to check out:

• 21 Things you must know before visiting Costa Rica
• My trip to Costa Rica
• Mistakes to avoid when backpacking

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