Central American Adventures: Road Trips In Costa Rica And Panama – With lush jungles, adventure activities, surf and sun, Costa Rica is the perfect vacation destination for all types of travelers. We’ve put together the ultimate catalog of the top things to do in Costa Rica—from must-sees to off-the-beaten-path adventures. Let’s start planning your trip to paradise!
Costa Rica’s postcard-worthy beaches, lush jungles, abundant wildlife and dreamy waterfalls are part of the reason it is considered the most popular vacation destination in Central America.
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Whether you’re backpacking or on a two-week family vacation, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Costa Rica that you won’t want to miss.
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From must-see highlights to off-the-beaten-track destinations to adventurous adventures, this list is an overview of the top things to do in Costa Rica for all types of travelers. Use this as a guide to plan your trip to the country
For more tips and advice on planning your trip to Costa Rica, jump to the following section (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these things and more ideas for fun things to do in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is world famous for surfing and people flock here to rip the waves. But even if you’re not experienced on a board, Costa Rica is a great place to learn to surf (read about our surf lessons!).
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The best surf is in the middle of the Pacific coast. If you are looking for good surfing beaches, check out Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Playa Negra, Dominical, Montezuma and Santa Teresa. These are all popular surfing spots and each has its own unique appeal.
If it’s your first time surfing, we highly recommend taking a lesson, as you’ll learn how to stand up infinitely faster than if you try it yourself. In addition, it can be dangerous for an inexperienced person to face the waves.
Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Find out when is the best time to visit Costa Rica based on regional weather patterns and your personal travel style. 2. Soak in natural hot springs
Since Arenal Volcano is an active volcano, hot pools abound in the area. Soaking in a blissfully warm pool (or several!) should definitely be on your Costa Rica itinerary.
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From the luxuriously landscaped Tabacon Hot Springs resort with stunning hot pools (and a price tag to match!) to a natural hot spot in the nearby El Choyin River that’s completely free to enter, there’s a hot spring for every type of traveler (and every budget).
Monteverde’s suspension bridges are something out of a dream. Located in the heart of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, these suspension bridges weave through the vine covered jungle.
Don’t be discouraged if it rains; it does most days! And the moisture in the air creates thick, low-hanging clouds that make the experience that much more magical.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is open year-round, 7 days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $25 USD per adult for a day pass for foreign nationals.
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Insider Tip: Just make sure you’re prepared with a proper rain jacket and dry bag to keep your valuables safe. Option: Santa Elena Nature Reserve
Also located in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, Santa Elena Nature Reserve offers visitors a similarly captivating cloud forest experience but with a quieter and less crowded atmosphere.
This is a great option if you want to avoid the crowds, or are on a tight budget. Admission to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest is only $16 USD for adults.
Learning about the culture of the country we are visiting is one of our favorite things to do on our travels.
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At first glance, Costa Rica feels like some of its culture has been lost with the westernization that mass tourism has brought to this country. But with Bribri indigenous groups there are opportunities to learn about the different peoples that make up this beautiful country.
One of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica was learning about the culture of the Bribri, an indigenous group from the Caribbean coast. We visited a traditional village, learned how they make chocolate and talked to a shaman.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do on your trip to Costa Rica, read up on our cultural experiences and how you can do the same.
A popular activity for all ages, Costa Rica is one of the best places to go zip-lining in the world.
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Time of truth: We have been merging several times and can say that Costa Rica has the best we have seen.
Soaring above low-hanging clouds and lush rainforests is exhilarating. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy bird watching. Of all the adventure activities on this list, we’d say zip lining is the tamest.
Although the initial jump can be intimidating if you are afraid of heights, this activity is very safe and can be a good way to overcome your fear.
You can find great zip lines all over the country, but if you want to read more about our personal experience on our canopy tour, check out this article.
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This national park is the most popular of all the national parks in Costa Rica for good reason. This jewel in the middle of the Pacific coast offers a rich mix of wildlife, adventure and relaxation.
Within Manuel Antonio there is a great concentration of wildlife, stunning beaches and jungle views. Plus, the park is big enough to escape the crowds if you plan your visit right.
When you go, be sure to walk around the Punta Cathedral to get away from the crowds and see some stunning views.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just looking for a fun family activity, Costa Rica has rapids for you. We’ve been rafting all over the world, and some of the best (and most accessible) rivers we’ve rafted are in Costa Rica.
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Although you can do this activity all over the country, one of the most popular places to go white water rafting is in Arenal.
And if you’re really up for an adventure, consider white-water rafting on the Pacuare River. This is a multi-day rafting trip from San Jose and would be the experience of a lifetime. Plus, it’s a great way to get around the country!
This tour takes you through a pristine river valley which is a sight to behold in itself. And to get through the valley, you’ll be rock climbing, rappelling over waterfalls, scrambling and cliff jumping for the most epic adventure you can experience in Arenal.
We have done 2 trips with Desafio and cannot recommend them more highly! For more information, check out our personal canyoning experience in Arenal.
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Located on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, this hard-to-reach national park is a rainforest buried on a sandbar. Lush canals wind through the dense rainforest to create a unique ecological haven.
Tortuguero National Park is famous for its important role in sea turtle conservation and is home to some of the largest sea turtle nesting areas in the world. This makes it one of the most popular places for turtle watching in Costa Rica.
Responsible Travel Tip: If you want to observe this beautiful and natural phenomenon, please do your research and only go with a naturalist. Never touch turtles and do not use flash photography if you are observing the hatchlings at night.
There are no roads in this national park; the only transport is by boat. Visitors can take guided boat trips through the winding waterways to encounter all kinds of wildlife, from howler monkeys to vikings and colorful birds. We strongly recommend that you go here with a guide.
A Place In The Wild
We didn’t realize how much we love sloths until we came to Costa Rica. After seeing one too many posters of the cute sleepy-eyed creatures, we made it our goal to see at least one sloth while we were there.
Well, we ended up seeing a lot! We were lucky enough to see a handful in the wild, but even if your luck isn’t on your side, you can be sure to see these cuties at the Jaguar Rescue Center.
Located in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, this sanctuary and rescue center takes in all kinds of animals that have been abused by humans or found injured in the wild. The center’s goal is to rehabilitate and release the animal whenever possible.
And because sloths are often injured trying to climb telephone lines or hit by cars crossing the road, the rescue center has several adults and children.
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The best part is that your visit contributes to the work they’re doing, so you can feel good about the rather steep $24 entry fee.
By the time your time in Costa Rica comes to an end, you’ll be sick of casados, there’s no doubt about it. But despite that, it’s something you have to try while you’re in Iceland.
(restaurant on site). You can order a variety of casados - chicken, beef or our favorite grilled fish. In some
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