Costa Rica Tours, Activities & Things to Do

Known and loved for its incredible wildlife, rainforests and spectacular scenery, Costa Rica is a country full of vibrant cities, gorgeous national parks and an abundance of native animals.

 

The perfect place for any adventurer looking to explore a diverse landscape, Costa Rica is ranked one of Central America’s most visited destinations, with its tourism sector one of the country’s leading forms of income.

 

Although relatively small in size, Costa Rica proudly shelters 5% of the existing biodiversity in the entire world, with 26% of the country comprised of conservation and natural protected territory. For nature lovers, be sure to check out our wildlife and nature tours to discover the magic for yourself!

Keen to 'sea' more? It is estimated that 600 beaches surround the entire national territory making Costa Rica the ultimate sun-lovers paradise!

 

Costa Rica Tours – Ocean Adventures

Make the most of the Costa Rica coast with an Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling Tour - a challenging yet gratifying ocean adventure that makes for a terrific way to experience the exotic Costa Rica coastline.

Got some time on your hands?

This 16 Day Costa Rica Adventure will take you from coast to coast; and includes a stop in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - a picturesque village with 14km of incomparable white and black-sand beaches surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.

There are plenty of optional activities to select from while here, so feel free to grab a mask and snorkel and head out to explore the marine life off the coast, or you could hit the waves for a surf lesson from a certified instructor!

 

Costa Rica Food Tours

Near these areas you’ll also find a wide variety of options to stay and taste Costa Rican cuisine. Known as a place where anything and everything grows, visitors can walk down the busiest streets in San José and pick fresh produce right from the sidewalk.

 

Elsewhere, you’ll find cattle ranches and coffee plantations, small farms with crops including chayote, arracacha and purple corn that are often sold through the country’s vast network of ferías and more.

 

Got a taste for adventure? Try a Costa Rica Food Tour where you can experience everything from learning the Costa Rican coffee chorreado brewing method to local folk medicine and how it cures everything from a hangover to a broken heart.

 

Costa Rica Adventure Activities

Keen on adventure? As the land of volcanoes, rainforests and cloud forests, Costa Rica also comes with an abundance of huge waterfalls and mighty rivers, with its abundant natural setting making it difficult to decide between the various activities it offers!

 

Check out this Whitewater Rafting Adventure Pacuare River from San José which is one of our top selling Costa Rica tours, which will take you nearly 10km through one of the five most important rivers of the world by its landscapes and fast rapids.

 

Alternatively, there’s this Irazu Volcano Half-Day Tour (Half Day) from San José, where you’ll get the opportunity to visit the City of Cartago and its Basilica of Los Ángeles. You’ll also have a chance to discover the highest volcano in Costa Rica, which stands at 11,000 ft above sea level, and discover its amazing resemblance to the moon’s surface.

 

Costa Rica Travel FAQs 

 

When is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?

 As for the perfect time to travel, Costa Rica is driest and sunniest from late December to April, but clouds lift a little later from Belize and Panama, around February. 

As you can imagine, with any rainforest, comes rain, but that just adds to the beauty of this part of the world!

 

What is the main food in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is known (and loved) for its fresh, healthy cuisine.

If you want to dive into the culture of Costa Rica you have to try the national dish - Gallo Pinto. Consisting of black beans and rice with onions and cilantro, this meal is traditionally served for breakfast, with fried eggs or scrambled eggs, tortillas and sour cream. 

Other food you should try while in Costa Rica include a casado - a bowl of rice, red beans or black, and a choice of meat, chicken or fish and vegetables or salad. There's also roosters; wheat flour tortillas stuffed with corn, meat, cheese or beans. Traditional tamale, which is served for Christmas, is also available throughout the year. Oh, and you have to try the “ceviche”, an original dish of Peru. It includes raw fish cooked in lemon juice with ginger, onion and cilantro served with hot chili sauce!

 

How much money do I need for a week in Costa Rica?

For a mid-range Costa Rica trip, our travel experts recommend budgeting ₡334,000 for a week, which is equivalent to around $680 AUD.

What is the best part of Costa Rica to stay?

This all depends on what kind of trip you’re after! Nosara Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind and is perfect for those who love their surfing and yoga, whereas there’s Tortuguero for nature lovers, CoCo Beach for those keen on getting among the nightlife and San Jose with its shopping and dining options.

In Costa Rica, is it possible to swim in the ocean?

Technically yes, but it’s important to play it safe with few beaches guarded in the area. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea pounding the other side, Costa Rica is famous for having big waves and fast currents which are perfect for surfing, but not so much for gentle, safe swimming.

 

Which destinations should I visit on my first trip to Costa Rica?

One of the 12 most beautiful national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio has something for everyone. From ​​the rainforest to the beach, on your first trip to Costa Rica, make a stop here and discover the unique animals, white sand beaches and rugged rainforest the area is famous for! 

 

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