30 Things To Do In Costa Rica in 2025

Costa Rica is a small patch of land stuffed between the two continents, North and South America, and is also bounded by the gargantuan Pacific and Atlantic oceans. 

Nestled between gigantic lands and oceans, it is a biodiverse treasure vault that exhibits unique natural resources, making it the best place for travelers to satisfy the deep-seated pursuit of exploring every quarter of the earth. 

In this perspective, St. Augustine has rightly said that the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page. 

Although myriad adventure options are available, here we will look at the 30 things to do in Costa Rica. 

Let’s explore them comprehensively. 

30 Things To Do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a jewel of the American continent. Being located in a tropical area, it is endowed with some of the best natural landscapes, which have been appropriately utilized to give the best tourism experience. Such biodiverse vegetation and the wildlife in their pristine form made it get the title of “Pura Vida”, which means pure life. 

Several travel agents or guides are stuffed with diverse options to explore in Costa Rica. Still, a crisp list of must-do things is always demanded by travelers to get the answer to the most prominent questions, i.e., what to do in Costa Rica. To assist such tourists, here we are with the 30 most exciting things to do in Costa Rica. 

Let’s hop into it. 

Exploring the sea from within is enthralling, where the silence reigns in the marine panorama. This country has utilized its coastal terrain to provide services of scuba diving, which attracts tourism and is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. However, it is highly advisable to have a scuba instructor, and prefer avoiding solo dives. 

Recommended Options: Costa Rica Dive and Surf, Rich Coast Diving, Scuba Dive Costa Rica. 

Discovering the dense forest through the trails on a 4-wheeled ATV bike is worth the experience. The sunlight sneaking through the dense canopy makes the ride more thrilling, and waterfalls, rugged trail patches, and alternate dense and thin green clover en route further make the ride intriguing. This comes out as one of the best adventure activities and sports in Costa Rica. 

Recommended Options: Jungle ATV tours,  Tamarindo ATV, ATV Beach Tours. 

Have you experienced controlled descent in a canyon or valley ever? If not, then Costa Rica is the place for you. Here you will get plenty of opportunities to enjoy it safely across the standing heights showered with the rills. The country has some of the best canyoning spots, where a team always stands ready to give you a splendid experience.   

Recommended Options: Maquique Adventure, Pure Trek Canyoning, Costa Canyoing. 

How about a cruise dance, watching and feeling a sunrise and sunset, standing at the ocean’s horizon, and witnessing the ecstasy? Wedged between two gigantic oceans, this country has the privilege of being a dream spot for cruising. Whatever the season, a cruise always stands at the harbor waiting for you to take you on the ethereal trip, coming out as the coolest thing to do in Costa Rica. 

Recommended Options:  Oceania Cruise, Princess Cruise. 

This one-of-a-kind experience is globally known for giving a serene delight. You will find it at a few places in Costa Rica, but it is something you go with on your very first trip. Make sure you have it in your tour schedule to craft some indelible memories. 

Recommended Options: San Lucas

Also known as sports fishing, it is another amazing thing you can do. Just stretch out on the benches, hang out with friends, and enjoy fishing. These memorable moments will always remain lighted. You will get arrangements like the fishing gear ready at the place, that too at an affordable price. 

Recommended Options: Hooked Up Sportfishing, Zancudo Lodge, Crocodilebay. 

The volcanoes are the rarest geographical feature, and visiting them is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the masses. Well, Costa Rica exhibits a bunch of volcanoes and permits visitors to enjoy the vista. Considering the rarity of volcanoes, Hans Cristian Anderson has rightly said in his book The Fairy Tale of My Life: “To travel is to live.” 

Recommended Options: Arenal Volcano Tours, Colorado Adventures, Caribbean Winds.  

Costa Rica has some of the highest mountains, covered with lush green vegetation, which makes it best for group hiking. The hiking trails include several impressive options, such as volcano parks, national parks, waterfall hikes, etc. This heterogeneity makes it the best spot for mountain adventures and knits some of the best memories with family and friends.   

Remember, the summits await you. 

Recommended Options: Lafortuna hikes and trails, Adventure Park cr, Cerro Pico Blanco

This country has utilized its resources efficiently, especially the terrain wrapped in dense green vegetation. These aerial trams hang and slide across a rope to give you a bird’s-eye view of the natural landscape. It not only saves the efforts employed in walking through the forests but also gives you a different angle to view the jungles. 

Recommended Options: Rain forest Adventures, Tranopy Tour, Aerial Tram Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo NP

Imagine a rafting experience in a river with your group, going through the waves, crossing the bumpy edges, balancing through the rapids, and conquering it. This is what you will feel while rafting in the Costa Rican rivers. Here you will get a thoroughly prepared and equipped plan for river rafting, which you would have never seen before. 

Recommended Options: Costa Rica Descents Adventure, Arenal Rafting, Costa Rica Pura vida Rafting

How can you forget enjoying a jungle safari while visiting a tropical forest? This very experience will give immense entertainment fuel through its circuits, navigating across the patches crowded with crocodiles, birds, and monkeys and even giving a glimpse of the hot springs, volcanoes, and waterfalls. 

Recommended Options: Jungle Crocodile Safari, Jungle Life

Sometimes a burst of pleasure erupts in having a serene stroll at the beach, gazing at the sunset, and feeling the seashore waves. If you love this, Costa Rica is your paradise for you. With endless options, this place has myriad beaches to visit and enjoy, making it an ideal pick for travelers and beach lovers. 

Recommended Options: Manuel Antonio Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Conchal Beach, Flamingo Beach

Here, wildlife enthusiasts will get a combo of fauna stuffed in the diverse vegetation. Not only that, these places possess immense historical and cultural significance as well. These natural troves are the best place to observe the reciprocal relationship between the flora and fauna and perk up your mood. Do visit and explore the trove of nature in these natural parks. 

Recommended Options: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park

Visiting a waterfall has never been so exciting unless you witness an enclosed one in the forest with sprinkles spread in the winds and drops expelling a spectrum all around. The relaxation you will feel here is a scarce experience. Being a hilly country, it has a multitude of waterfalls, but 8–9 are must-visit spots. 

Recommended Options: Llanos De Cortes Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, Rio Celeste Waterfall 

Seen mostly in Disney animations and popular vlogs, this place will provide you the unique opportunity to cherish that feeling of tranquility and bliss and get immersed in the delightful experience that will change you forever. The options here will challenge you to choose from, as every treehouse outranks the other. 

Recommended Options: Tree House Hotel Costa Rica, Tree Hous Lodge, RioCeleste Tree Houses

Costa Rica is known for producing one of the best-quality coffees. This privilege has been reaped as a magnificent opportunity by the locals to involve the tourists in helping them understand the essence and grasp the nitty-gritty of this process. These tours are worth a chance for them being a once-in-a-lifetime experience and are on the list of must-do in Costa Rica. 

Recommended Options: El Toledo, Tio Jose Coffee Tours, North Fields Coffee Tours

Bioluminance is a rare natural phenomenon, and this country is blessed with few coasts witnessing it. If you get a chance to travel to Costa Rica, you must calibrate your schedule to include visiting the bio-luminance beaches to experience these glittering sea waves. One must get immersed in the sparkling sea waves striking the coast to appreciate nature’s charm. 

Recommended Options: Golfo Dulce Bay, Punta Cuchillos

The fabulous ride on a rope stretched over the lush green forest gives a spectacular view. This country exhibits ample scope for this aerial adventure, and that too under strict security and safety oversight. The inordinate wealth of mountains and flora makes it the best place to experience the glide over the green stretch and feel the breeze.  

Recommended Options: The Orignal Canopy Tour, Tretopia, Sukia Park Zipline

If you want to enjoy some time with your family and friends, just get a boat and steer to the sea. This country gives boating facilities to tourists, adding another reason to tour it. Boating gives an admixture of recreation and adventure, that too, under the oversight of trained staff to ensure safety and maximize pleasure.  

Recommended Options: Serendipity Charters, Lazy Lizard Sailing

Chasing the troughs, hunting the waves, and taming the board in the swells give a next-level adrenaline rush. The wide open sea across Costa Rica’s coasts is a must-do in Costa Rica. From this perspective, if surfing is a pleasure, then Costa Rica is paradise. 

Recommended Options: Iguana Surf Camp, Costa Rica Surf Camp, Pablo Surf School

These isolated patches of land possess valuable biodiversity resources that are inconspicuous elsewhere. Take some time to visit islands when touring Costa and get engrossed in their scenic and splendid beauty. 

These islands possess some of the best reefs, mounts, and marine diversity; visiting them is one of the coolest things to do in Costa Rica. Make sure you get the guidance of a local team while visiting an island inhabiting Indigenous tribes. 

Recommended Options: Rosario Island, Tortuga Island, Cano Island

Walking through the hanging bridges, interposed between two peak points, surrounded by the tall trees, and swinging with the waves is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And visiting Costa Rica will make you get it in the deal. The view here is marvelous and memorable, one that you’ll never be able to forget. 

Recommended Options: Mistico arenal hanging bridge park

A tour without shopping is unexciting. To cater to this need, the local markets in Costa Rica are hosting an array of locally produced materials that will dazzlingly decorate your home. 

The wide variety of domestic items with the essence of the local and tribal flavor makes it a must-visit spot in your travel schedule. Costa Rica’s lighted-up evening market further entices visitors owing to its distinguished glitter.

Recommended Options: San Jose Central Market/Mercado Central, Municipal craft market, Flea Market

Enjoying local theater is a whole new experience and is one of the best spots in Costa Rica for artists. If time permits, you must enjoy the theater art from the preferred options to grasp how the local theatrics are blended with the modern arts. 

Recommended Options: National Theatre (Teatro Nacional), Teatro Expressivo, Teatro De La Aduana

Hot springs are the natural hotspots, finitely found at a handful of locations across the globe. Here you will find natural and pool-based geysers to relax and enjoy. Taking a dip in such hot springs is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. However, opting for a natural hot spring will give you a much-sought sensation of tranquility. 

Recommended Options: Baldl hot springs, Tabacon hot spring

This country also possesses a good catalog of museums to visit. These museums carry the remnants of the past, linking the visitors with the untraceable history. The sculptures and the excavated items compel us to question the journey of human existence, dig up the past, and connect the dots through the chronicles. 

Such a finest museum features some of the most contentious prehistoric and historic elements, which are worth a glance. 

Recommended Options: Gold Museum, Art Museum, Jade Museum, National Museum

Though fewer in number, this country has some fascinating caverns and caves to take a tour of. They furnish an astonishing view that demands your attention. These caves are a whole treasure where you will experience waterfalls, dark tunnels, scarcely seen flora, and much more. 

Recommended Options: Venado caves

How about an amalgam of an adventure experience in a natural landscape? Costa Rica has a solution for this as well. Here, the eco-adventure parks provide thrills and excitement embedded in the pristine natural setting. The fabulous bulk experience gained through this adventure puts Costa Rica on a pedestal. 

Recommended Options: Diamante Eco Adventure Park, Ponderosa Adventure Park

The generosity of locals toward wildlife has led to the constitution of some wildlife refuge centers. Such places have abundant animals brought in injured and abandoned states and are given a new life, which has brought diverse fauna snugged back into the wild. 

Recommended Options: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre, Costa Rica Animal Rescue Centre

Also known as Edificio Metalico, it is considered a hallmark of the Industrial and Educational Revolution. This structure amazes tourists with its design and certain facts that make it special, such as its parts, which were built in Belgium and then brought to Costa Rica and reassembled. This magnificent structure is worth a visit. 

The above-given options will help you in planning all the things to do in Costa Rica and help you utilize your tour time efficiently.

Conclusion

The aforementioned suggestions are good enough to plan your trip and enjoy every moment. In this perspective, the quote “Job fills your pocket, but adventure fills your soul” best suits the subject. 

Such adventures and thrills here make the trip more spicy and memorable. Along the same lines, David Mitchell (Book: Cloud Atlas) has said: Travel far enough and you meet yourself. 

BON VOYAGE