Pictures: Top Things You Have To Do When In Costa Rica

Don’t worry, Costa Rica lives up to its reputation. The country offers a diverse range of beaches, rivers, lakes, and sunsets. The vibes are incredible, and the people are quite kind. All that matters is that you live by the country’s slogan, Pura Vida, or the pure and simple existence, on a daily basis.

What are the finest activities in Costa Rica? We’ve produced a list of the top activities below, covering everything from breathtaking climbs to glistening rivers to everyone’s favorite animal, the sloth. Indeed, the pure and uncomplicated life.

1. Monteverde

If you visited Monteverde 1,000 years ago, you might have noticed a few variations. There would be no bridges, zip lines, or tourists. Most of the time, this cloud forest appears just as it did when the first Costa Ricans discovered it. It’s thrilling to visit a region that hasn’t changed in millennia, to stroll the misty forest and feel as if you’ve stepped back in time and discovered a new world and a new mode of travel.

2. Manuel Antonio

Do you enjoy sloths, monkeys, exotic beaches, and pure blue water? If you responded “no,” you should consult your doctor about your lack of enjoyment. The rest of us will be impressed by this National Park, which allows tourists to get up close and personal with some of the country’s most lush fauna. Begin by walking along the major roads, then explore into the forest parts to see sloths and swarms of monkeys without a tour guide. Finally, cool off at one of the park’s two main beaches.

3. Go Surfing

You weren’t going to Costa Rica unless you did some surfing, were you? That would be impossible because most beaches have rentals, instruction, and happy residents who have just finished their nightly session. There are numerous beaches to select from, including Samara, Tamarindo, Montezuma, and Nosara. However, we urge that you paddle out from wherever you are staying.

4. See The Arenal Volacano

This is the life. The walk to Arenal Volcano is a gorgeous hike and the perfect escape that takes about two hours if you stop to take pictures of the volcano and Arenal lake. There’s never been a hike with this many steps that feel like a meditation class.

5. Go on a Coffee Tour

Costa Rica is serious about its coffee, and there are lots of coffee tours across the country, from Samara to Puerto Viejo. But we recommend you tour San Jose, where most of the coffee is brewed on sight. If that doesn’t work, places like Monteverde make a pretty great cup too.

6. Definitely Go Ziplining

Soar above forests and rivers on a series of scenic ziplines, then jump off a 70-foot platform with a bungee cord tied around your waist. It’s an adrenaline junkie’s dream, best explored in places like Monteverde.

7. Go To Carrillo Beach

A Corona ad come to life. Carrillo Beach is packed with palm trees, green grass, and long stretches of white sand that never seem to end. In the summer months, you can see locals cracking open Coronas from their hammocks as the sun sets over their family picnics.

8. Territorio de Zaguates

Who let the dogs out? Since this country has more strays than most, it appears that everyone has people. Territorio cares for thousands of stray animals, giving them a home and allowing people to hike with them. Dog lovers will be at a loss as to where to look.

9. Rent a Bike

Those staying in a beach town will want to rent a bike. In a country without trains or reliable buses, the only way to get to other beaches is to rent a bike. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to get those steps in.

10. See Puerto Viejo

Head to the Caribbean side for a different slice of life. One that comes with slices of pineapple, mango, and silence. There are not as many tourists in this beach town, allowing visitors to lay out on the beach without the noise of drunken tourists.

11. See The Famous Teatro Nacional

Costa Rica’s most famous and significant structure. It first opened in 1897 as a source of national pride, as well as a theater and a museum. Walk inside to enjoy the neo-classical architecture, or attend a concert to appreciate the music.

12. Head To Sodas

To avoid the excessive prices found in most restaurants, go to a Soda for some traditional Costa Rican cuisine. These eateries don’t look like much–there are real holes in the walls at some of them–but they serve the best meals in town. This is what the natives consume on a daily basis, from pintos to casadas.

13. See Turtles At Ostional Beach

It’s not every day that you get to view turtles up close…unless you live on Ostional Beach, where turtles hatch their eggs from sunrise to sunset every day between October and January. You can still see turtles in the off-season, but if you want a particularly adorable Instagram photo, we recommend going around November.

14. Go To Samara

You can’t visit Costa Rica without swimming; the marine life and coastline scenery are simply too beautiful to pass up. This coastal town provides everything you could possibly want in terms of aquatic activities. While you’re here, hire a surfboard, especially from a local company like C&C, which charges only $5 per hour.

15. Check Out Rio Celeste

The turquoise river has become a picture-perfect emblem of Costa Rica, and you must see it by river tube. The water appears to be manipulated, and the lush vegetation falls down on those who ride its rapids. The waterfall attracts people for good reason, but the river itself is one of the most interesting things we’ve seen in Costa Rica.