WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA RICA
MAKING VACATIONS BETTER
Less hassle means better vacations! That’s why What to do in Costa Rica provides this online vacation planning guide. It’s interactive: Choose the hotels and resort area you want to visit, then find whatever info you’re interested in, from dining to discounts.
ACTIVITIES
What to do in Costa Rica compiled everything you need to plan your vacation right here. So you can find the perfect activities to suit your family’s interests. Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor, you can find everything here. From art classes to horseback rides. From rafting trips to hotels and Resorts, Houes for rentand more.
VACATION EVENTS
We maintain comprehensive the best options for all major Costa Rica hotels and resorts, so you can make the most of your always-too-short vacation time.
- Beautiful package: 7 days and 6 nights package which starts with Juan Santamaria Airport and includes Jaco beach and Monteverde forest.
- Wow package: 11 days and 10 nights package includes the visit of San Jose, Tortuguero, La Fortuna (Arenal) and Manuel Antonio.
- Natural package: 9 days and 8 nights package including the visit of Jaco, Arenal, and Monteverde.
- Nature Lovers package: 8 days and 7 nights package that includes Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio tour.
- Bird Watching package: 8 days and 7 nights package including the visit of Monteverde, Jaco and Manuel Antonio.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN FORTUNA ARENAL COSTA RICA
The Arenal area is one of the best places to go in Costa Rica if you’re looking for adventure. With a home base in the small town of La Fortuna, you can soak in natural hot springs, rappel down waterfalls, go white water rafting, and hike through lava fields. Here is our list of amazing things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica!
HOW TO GET TO LA FORTUNA
From Liberia: If you’re coming directly from Liberia Airport, it’s about a three-hour drive to the center of La Fortuna. The roads are paved and easy to drive, so you don’t need to worry about having four-wheel drive for this route.
We added a stop at Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park which only add a few extra minutes to the drive. This waterfall is definitely worth the stop! We opted to rent a car while we were in Costa Rica so we could have the flexibility to go at our own pace and make stops like this.
From San Jose: La Fortuna is also about a three-hour drive from the San Jose airport in the capital city of Costa Rica. A shared shuttle costs USD $55 and a private shuttle costs USD $200. There is a direct bus route from San Jose to La Fortuna, which you can .
WHEN TO VISIT LA FORTUNA
The most popular (and busiest) time to visit La Fortuna and the Arenal area is the dry season, which runs from December through April. The high temperature is usually in the mid 80s F (30°C). We visited at the end of April, which meant it was shifting to shoulder season. We had some rain on and off, so we just made sure to pack rain jackets and panchos. Shoulder season (May through mid-August) is a great time to visit because, while there is rain, there is also sunshine and the area is not as busy as the peak dry season.
HOTELS IN LA FORTUNA
Since La Fortuna is a popular tourist spot, there are plenty of hotel options for every budget. Quite a few of the hotels have on-site hot springs, which are included as part of your night stay.
THINGS TO DO IN LA FORTUNA
- 1 Soak in natural hot springs
- 2 Hike through the lava fields around Arenal Volcano
- 3 Take a Safari Float along the Peñas Blancas River
- 4 Go White Water Rafting
- 5 Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
- 6 Jump from the rope swing at the El Salto swimming spot
- 7 Walk above the rain forest at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
- 8 Rappel down waterfalls on a Canyoning Tour
- 9 Take a walk through the rain forest at night
PLACES TO VISIT IN COSTA RICA AND BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA RICA.
We made a list of places to visit in Costa Rica we consider as a must!
What to do in Costa Rica, Best things to do in Costa rica, Hotels in Costa rica !!
Costa Rica’s strikingly diverse terrain – lush forests, wildlife reserves, and tropical beaches – offers a little something for every traveler. Beach lovers staying along the Pacific Coast should head to Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula ‘s palm-fringed coastline for sun and surf. Nature-seekers staying in the Northern Plains or along the Caribbean coast should pay a visit to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca before venturing inland to zip line above Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and hike Arenal Volcano. Whether you seek sun, nature or adventure, there’s much to discover in this paradise.
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Arenal is definitely one of the places to visit in Costa Rica, it is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, stands more than 5,000 feet high. For the latter half of the 20th century, admirers traveled to its base in droves to catch a glimpse of glowing rocks and molten lava tumbling down its sides. But Arenal wasn’t always spewing fiery lava, rocks, and ash. The volcano sat dormant for hundreds of years, but on July 29, 1968, Arenal awoke from its slumber. A thunderous earthquake shook the area and a subsequent explosion of lava wiped out three nearby villages. Frequent eruptions continued until 2010 when the volcano re-entered a non-active state. Arenal offers many different activities, between the main ones we can mention bird watching, sloth watching, visit La Fortuna waterfalls, safari float, thermal waters, caves tour, ATV, cooking class, chocolate, and coffee tour. Click here to book your favorite activity with us!
More than Full Day Time to Spend,Best things to do in Costa Rica.
The Nicoya Peninsula’s is also in our list of places to visit in Costa Rica, its sparkling 80-mile shoreline boasts beach-centric towns with cream-colored shores and dense forests. Half of the peninsula is found in the Guanacaste province, while the other half sits in the Puntarenas province. Nosara Beach’s powdery sands line the Nicoya Peninsula’s western edge. You’ll also find fishing and cattle-ranching communities east of the rustic coastline. After a significant rise in tourism that began in the 1970s, an influx of restaurants and hotels have enticed visitors to the peninsula’s sandy coast.
CostaRica’s ”Gold Coast” is one of the nation’s most unique destinations and that’s not just because of its secluded beaches. The region’s dry, sunny savannas contrast the misty cloud-covered rainforests found in other parts of the country. To the east, you’ll admire volcanoes comprising the Cordillera de Guanacaste. Along the coast – which extends all the way to the Nicaraguan border – you’ll find pockets of white sand flanking hotels and remote fishing villages. Further inland, you’ll discover a thriving cowboy culture that has flourished since Spanish colonial rule in the 19th century. More notable highlights include the pristine, palm-studded Playa Carrillo beach and the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Another must-see attraction is the Santa Rosa National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that preserves the site of the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa.
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Manuel Antonio National Park is one of CostaRica’s smallest protected green spaces, but don’t let its size throw you off. Within the park’s 3 square miles, you’ll find untamed beaches, secluded coves, nature trails, and thick rainforest. You can stretch out on the park’s coastline or wander along one of the walking paths to spot rare birds, camouflaged iguanas, and purple-and-orange crabs. If you’re a lover of furry creatures, you’ll be pleased to discover that this park contains so many monkeys that the park built a suspension bridge to grant them free reign of the area. Make your to-do list with us!
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Visiting Monteverde is a unique experience. Imagine winding through a misty oasis; strikingly tall trees wrap you in a sea of green. Add to that more than 100 mammals, 400 types of birds and 2,500 plant species, and you have Monteverde’s lush 25,700-acre reserve. While wandering along one of the hiking trails, you may spot a small hummingbird or a resplendent quetzal feasting on a ripe aguacatillo (a fruit similar to an avocado). Check out and book your activities with us!
Half-Day to Full Day Time to Spend,Best things to do in Costa Rica.
The village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, located on CostaRica’s Caribbean coast, comes alive with reggae music, funky bamboo bars, and wild nightlife. Surfers crowd coconut-fringed Cocles Beach; nature-lovers venture inland to explore rainforests, and foodies check out downtown’s delectable cuisine. Off the beaten path, you’ll find dusty biking and walking paths running through tropical farms and gardens. Along the coast, you’ll discover remote bungalows and empty stretches of sand.
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Far away from northern CostaRica’s foggy rainforests lies Jacó, a beautiful town teeming with shops, restaurants and beachfront hotels. It’s also the closest beachside retreat to San Jose, the country’s capital. Surfers should venture to Hermosa and Esterillos Este’s sprawling palm-lined shores for the best waves.
If you’re looking for a calm beach day sans the waves, consider Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca – two beaches popular with locals. Nature seekers should head wildlife havens like the Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls to spot the area’s beloved residents – colorful birds and monkeys – and gaze at the soaring coastal mountains. Whatever you do, save some energy for the lively night scene, which is known for its adults-only activities.
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Short for Catarata La Paz (or “peace waterfall”), La Paz may seem quiet and still at first glance. But take another look, and you’ll find this rainforest buzzing with activity. From croaking frogs and fluttering butterflies tumbling jaguars and howling spider monkeys, there are plenty of creatures to be found in this wildlife lover’s paradise. And there is much for nature-seekers to admire too, from the garden’s five flowing waterfalls to its colorful orchids and sea of leafy green canopies.
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If you trek to Arenal Volcano to witness its looming presence for yourself, save time to bathe in the Tabacón’s luxurious thermal springs. With its serene flowing waterfalls, tropical foliage and mineral-rich natural springs, it’s no wonder the Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort costs a pretty penny. But its distinguished springs and spa treatments will leave you swooning. Visitors call it relaxing and beautiful, with great facilities. A handy tip from past travelers: Bring water shoes to protect your feet as you walk from one pool to another.
Bird-watchers rejoice, Hotels in Costa Rica
This swampy wildlife refuge houses thousands of water birds, including jabiru storks, cormorants, ducks, and roseate spoonbills. This heaven sits near La Fortuna and you’ll notice an abundance of sea dwellers as you stroll along the Caño Lake and Frío River. You’ll also find large crocodiles crawling through muddy swamps and jaguars, turtles and sloths roaming the wetlands. But if you’re in Costa Rica between January and April, skip exploring Caño Negro; during these months the lagoon becomes dry and the local sea creatures flock to other places.
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San Jose, CostaRica’s vibrant capital has to be part of the places to visit in Costa Rica, it serves as a central base for exploration. You’ll likely want to stop here before heading to the country’s magnificent rainforests and beaches. Soaring offices, apartment buildings, and museums will tower above you as you roam through the city’s interconnected barrios (districts). Barrio Amón is popular with tourists for its centuries-old mansions and photo-worthy architecture. Barrio Escalante is equally popular for its variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, and bakeries. If you plan on staying in the city for a few days before connecting elsewhere consider heading downtown to explore the exquisite collections at the Jade Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Both facilities house dazzling and rare pre-Columbian artifacts.
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Tortuguero National Park sits tucked away in a northeastern pocket of the Caribbean coast. Tied to CostaRica’smainland by weaving rivers and canals, this isolated park lures nature-seekers looking for a remote piece of jungle paradise. The park houses white-faced monkeys, toucans, jaguars, bright lizards, red-eyed frogs, and blue morpho butterflies.
