Welcome to Costa Rica—a land of volcanoes, rainforests, exotic wildlife, and golden beaches. Whether you're chasing adventure, seeking wildlife encounters, or simply want to soak up pura vida vibes, this list of must-do activities is perfect for first-time visitors. We’ve experienced all of these firsthand, and they’re a great way to get the full Costa Rica experience.
One of Costa Rica’s most iconic national parks. Easy trails, postcard-worthy beaches, and abundant wildlife (sloths, monkeys, toucans). Manuel Antonio is ideal for beginners and families due to its size and accessibility. Plan your complete guide to Manuel Antonio National Park with our complete guide HERE.
Home to laid-back beach towns like Santa Teresa, Nosara, and Samara, the Nicoya Peninsula was my favorite place in all of Costa Rica. Expect dirt roads, great food, wellness vibes, and some of the best sunsets in the country. Rent an SUV if you plan to explore more remote spots (but always know your Costa Rica rental car's policy) before you head off the beaten path.
Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise. We loved learning to surf at Playa de San Miguel on the Nicoya Peninsula, but Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Dominical also offer gentle beginner waves. Plenty of surf schools and warm waters year-round Costa Rica's entire Pacific Coast.
Costa Rica’s forests come alive after dark. In Monteverde, guided night tours reveal tree frogs, snakes, tarantulas, and more. An unforgettable and safe way to see the nocturnal side of the jungle. Do take note that night walk's can be hit or miss. We went on a tour with good reviews and honestly didn't zee a whole lot. But, that's the nature of nature. Ha. We still saw not one but two vipers which was super cool!
Located at 100% Aventura Park in Monteverde, this zipline spans over a mile—thrilling and scenic. There’s also a Tarzan swing if you want even more adrenaline (I didn't do this, but my friend, Kaley, who was traveling with us did!). The entire zipline experience was a lot of fun and we'd highly recommend it! Keep in mind that there are size restrictions (both on the large and small end) so make sure you fall within the appropriate height and weight allowance.
A misty, magical forest filled with hummingbirds, orchids, and hanging bridges. Visit early in the day to spot wildlife and to snag a picture of the iconic swinging bridge. Pair it with a zipline or night tour (mentioned above) for the full cloud forest experience.
Relax in thermal waters with views of Arenal Volcano. Choose from luxe resorts like Tabacón or budget-friendly (even free) options like Rio Chollín. Great after hiking or ziplining. Honestly, this isn't something we did, but that's only because we've soaked in a lot of hot springs during our travels. We can't do everything when we travel, but Arenal/La Fortuna's hot springs came so highly recommended to us that we thought it was worth mentioning here even though we haven't done it ourselves.
Costa Rica is full of stunning waterfalls. Honestly, there are so many incredible options in the country that you could pretty much throw a dart at the map and land on a cool waterfall. A few of the most popular waterfalls in Costa Rica include:
Costa Rica grows some of the best coffee and cacao in the world. Visit a local farm near Monteverde, Arenal, or the Central Valley. Learn the process from bean to cup (or pod to bar) and taste the goods!
This water-based national park is like a mini Amazon. Best explored by canoe or boat, especially during turtle nesting season (July–October). Spot monkeys, caimans, and countless birds. Do keep in mind that this is on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica making it pretty far removed from all the other places on this list.
Beyond national parks, Costa Rica has amazing rescue centers and jungle tours. We visited Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary due to its closer proximity to our hotel in Quepos and enjoyed our visit. I will note that while our guide was really great, we didn't really learn anything new from what we'd already learned during our time at Manuel Antonio and in our own reading ahead of time. That being said, it was fun getting see some of the incredible local animals up close!
Sunsets in Costa Rica are no joke. Grab a drink and settle in at a beach or mountaintop for an incredible show. We happened to catch sunset at Cerro Pinocho during our time in Monteverde and absolutely loved the view! Such a special experience.
Costa Rica offers a little bit of everything: adrenaline, relaxation, nature, and unforgettable experiences. If you’re visiting for the first time, this list is the perfect place to start. Have questions or a favorite spot of your own? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
