Costa Rica surprised me. I thought I knew what to expect — a few beaches, some jungle, maybe a volcano in the distance. But after exploring both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, driving through cloud forests, soaking in volcanic hot springs, and watching the sun melt into the ocean from a whale’s tail-shaped beach, I realized this small country delivers more than almost anywhere else on earth.
This guide covers the best things to do in Costa Rica based on real visits, honest opinions, and a lot of muddy hiking boots.
Manuel Antonio National Park
This national park on the Pacific coast is where rainforest meets white sand beach. In just a few hours of walking the trails, you can spot scarlet macaws, sloths hanging lazily in the canopy, iguanas sunbathing on rocks, and troops of monkeys who have absolutely zero fear of humans.
The beaches inside the park are stunning. Crystal clear water, soft sand, and jungle right behind you.
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A few things to know before you go:
- Entrance fee is around $18 for adults and $5–$6 for kids. Under two is free.
- Tickets sell out fast. Book online at least a few days ahead.
- Go right when it opens at 7 AM. You’ll practically have the place to yourself until 9.
- Plan 2 to 3 days in the area to explore properly.
After the park, grab lunch at Emilio’s Cafe nearby. The passion fruit pie alone is worth the visit.
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Nauyaca Waterfall
Nauyaca is 200 feet high, splits into two levels, and sits deep inside raw jungle. Getting there is half the adventure. It’s about two and a half miles from the parking area. You can hike it — roughly an hour, medium difficulty, and yes, you will sweat — or hop in the back of a 4×4 truck.
Either way, it is worth every step.
This is the kind of waterfall that makes you stop talking and just stare.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde is not like anywhere else in Costa Rica. It is not a jungle. It is a cloud forest.
The air is cooler up here. The trees are draped in mist. The whole place feels like something out of a fairy tale. Nearly 100% humidity wraps everything in a soft green haze that is honestly magical.
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You can walk the famous suspension bridges high above the forest canopy. Or you can zipline over it entirely. If you go ziplining, 100% Aventura runs a two-hour tour for around $56 that includes the longest zipline in Latin America. There is also a 150-foot freefall option for those feeling brave.
Before or after the park, stop at Kolibri Cafe right by the entrance. They have sugar water feeders on the patio that attract dozens of hummingbirds. Sitting there with a coffee and a warm cinnamon bun while hummingbirds dart around you is something you will think about for years.
Don’t skip Monteverde. Seriously.
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Crocodile Bridge (Tarcoles River)
This one catches people off guard.
On the Pacific coast highway, there is a bridge over the Tarcoles River. Pull over, walk to the railing, and look down. You will see American crocodiles — up to 20 feet long and 2,000 pounds — lounging in the water below.
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There are roughly 2,000 of them in this river. It holds the largest crocodile population in the world.
It’s a short stop but absolutely unforgettable. If you’re driving south along the coast, you will cross this bridge anyway. Just make sure to park on the side with the souvenir shops because that side has parking attendants. Car break-ins do happen here.
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La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano
La Fortuna is Costa Rica’s adventure hub and it earns that title every day.
The town sits at the base of Arenal, a 5,300-foot volcano that dominates the skyline on clear days. When the clouds part and you get a full view of Arenal, the sight is genuinely jaw-dropping. Perfectly cone-shaped. Quietly imposing.
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The area around La Fortuna is packed with things to do — white water rafting, waterfall hikes, wildlife tours, ziplining, and more. But the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Try to keep your schedule a little flexible and don’t book everything too far in advance.
One honest tip: when the rain comes in La Fortuna, it really comes in. Plan for it.
Hot Springs Near Arenal
After a day of hiking or rafting, soaking in volcanic hot springs is pure bliss.
There are several options around La Fortuna:
Ecotermales Fortuna is more of an adults-oriented experience. The pools are naturally heated by the volcano, the setting is lush, and the overall atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Book ahead because spots fill up.
Kalambu Hot Springs is better for families. The ticket price is around $10 per person, and they have water slides that kids love.
Rio Negro Hot Springs up near Rincón de la Vieja volcano is a hidden gem. Over 10 different pools, volcanic mud you can slather on your skin, and a price of about $34 for the full day. The Rincón de la Vieja National Park is right next door and the hiking there is beautiful with almost no crowds.
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Poas and Arenal Volcanoes
Costa Rica has several active volcanoes and visiting at least one is non-negotiable.
Poas Volcano sits between La Fortuna and San Jose. Drive up into the higher elevations and you’ll find a vivid crater lake that genuinely looks like another planet. Reserve your entry in advance.
Irazu Volcano is equally spectacular and offers some of the most dramatic high-altitude scenery in the country.
Both reward early arrivals before clouds roll in.
The Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the five Blue Zones in the world — places where people statistically live the longest. Once you arrive, you understand why. The pace slows down. The air feels cleaner. The lifestyle just feels healthier.
Santa Teresa and Montezuma are the most popular towns here. Santa Teresa in particular is famous for surfing. The waves are consistent and there are lessons available for all skill levels. Group lessons run about $60, private around $80.
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Tortuga Island is reachable by speedboat from Jaco or Montezuma. The white sand beach there is one of the most beautiful in the entire country. Snorkel, lounge, eat fresh seafood, and watch for dolphins on the boat ride back.
Montezuma also has a turtle sanctuary where you can release baby turtles into the ocean for the first time. It sounds simple. It is one of those moments you never forget.
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Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park
Uvita sits between Manuel Antonio and Corcovado and most people rush past it. That’s a mistake.
Marino Ballena National Park is the centerpiece here. At low tide, a narrow sandbar stretches out into the ocean in the exact shape of a whale’s tail. Walk out to the tip at sunset and it is genuinely one of the most beautiful things you will see anywhere in the world.
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The area is also a hotspot for whale watching. Humpback whales visit these waters and the irony of seeing actual whales at the whale’s tail beach is not lost on anyone.
Glamping is popular here too. Expect to pay around $100 a night for a well-set-up tent experience in the jungle. Totally worth it.
Corcovado National Park
If you want wildlife that feels truly wild and untouched, go to Corcovado.
It is in the far southwest of the country, near the Panama border. Getting there takes time and effort. But this is exactly why it remains one of the least touristy and most ecologically rich places in Costa Rica.
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Scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, crocodiles — Corcovado has it all. The nearby town of Puerto Jimenez is the main base. This is not a quick day trip. Plan properly and the experience will be unlike anything else.
Rio Celeste and Tenorio National Park
Rio Celeste is famous for its otherworldly blue water.
The color comes from a chemical reaction between two streams inside Tenorio National Park. The result is a shade of turquoise blue that looks almost digital. Completely natural. Completely stunning.
The hike through the park takes one to two days and the wildlife encounters along the way are unpredictable in the best possible sense. The park sits roughly between La Fortuna and Guanacaste, making it a natural stop if you’re traveling between the two.
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Guanacaste Beaches
Guanacaste is where people come for the classic resort-style Costa Rica experience.
Tamarindo is the most famous town here and there’s a reason locals have started calling it “Tamagringo.” It is very popular with international visitors and expats. The vibe is laid-back, the sunsets are stunning, and horseback riding along the beach at golden hour is hard to beat.
Playa Flamingo is more upscale and quieter. Las Catalinas has a boutique feel with beautiful hillside properties overlooking the water.
If you are flying into this region, use the Liberia airport. It puts you within an hour of most Guanacaste beaches instead of the three to four hour drive from San Jose.
Playa Herradura
This beach near Jaco is a local favorite and honestly one of the best swimming beaches on the Pacific coast.
It sits inside a small bay so the water is calmer than the open ocean beaches. Soft sand, rolling green hills in the background, beautiful blue water. On weekends, Costa Rican families drive for hours to come here. They bring tents, fire up barbecues, and play music. The energy is warm and welcoming.
There are also at least five or six scarlet macaws that live on this beach. Keep an eye on the trees.
The Caribbean Side
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica feels like a completely different country.
Puerto Viejo is the main town over here. Reggae music drifts from open-air bars. The food leans heavily on coconut, fresh seafood, and spice. The pace is slower. The vibe is distinctly Caribbean.
Nearby Cahuita National Park has beautiful white sand beaches where monkeys watch you from overhead and wildlife is plentiful without the crowds of Manuel Antonio.
A short drive from Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva is one of the most underrated spots in all of Costa Rica. The Caribbean Sea connects to a mangrove system you can explore by kayak. Kayak rentals run about $17 per person. No entrance fee. And often, it feels like you have it entirely to yourself.
Getting to the Caribbean side takes roughly half a day from the Pacific. If you have more than 10 days in Costa Rica, it is absolutely worth it.
San Jose Central Market
Most people treat San Jose as a layover city. That’s understandable. But there is one place worth going out of your way for.
The Mercado Central is packed with small local restaurants called sodas — Costa Rica’s version of a diner. You will find gallo pinto (rice and beans), loaded meat empanadas, fresh fruit drinks, and some creative local snacks you will not find anywhere else.
Spend 24 hours in San Jose. Visit the market, walk through a museum or two, then get back on the road.
