Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Costa Rica, Costa Rica

May 1, 2022 Hana Mouser

Coordinates: 10°N 84°W / 10°N 84°W / 10; -84
Restaurants in Costa Rica

1. Chocorart

Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 70403 Costa Rica +506 8866 7493 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/chocorart/
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 233 reviews

Chocorart

In the Chocolate tour you first visit the cacao plantation and receive an insight of the work involved in growing, care taking cacao trees and harvesting the cacao pots. There are other tropical fruit trees and large up to 60m tall shade trees native to the area of tropical rainforest, inhabited by diverse wildlife such as the howler monkeys, agoutis, kinkajous, sloths and many birds among others. All is managed organically, respecting the natural environment. You learn about the fermentation process and visit our traditional sun drier covered with the cacao beans. We taste different fruits from other trees depending the season. In our workshop you will receive a fruit juice of the farm and appreciate all the manual work to manufacture the chocolate, the way how the cacao beans are roasted on fire, then broken with stone and grinded by hand. You will come into the enjoyment to taste an ancient special chocolate drink and at the end a tasty dessert with the freshly made chocolate.

Reviewed By pebse2017 - Nelson, Canada

I didn't get to go on this tour as I was in injured, but I sent my teens and husband. When I asked my teen how it was, he said it was amazing....so that says a lot! What made it special was all the fruit that the gentleman picked along the way and shared ( a tropical fruit wonderland) and the process of making chocolate by hand. It was a very close to nature experience for my kids, which they rarely get to see anymore. Hard to look up as this person doesn't advertise very well, but I think the tour is at 2 or 3pm on most afternoons.

2. Tio Leo Coffee Tour

Ruta 21, Km 19 Guardia, Liberia, Guanacaste, Liberia 50103 Costa Rica +506 7011 9786 [email protected] http://www.cafetioleo.com
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 165 reviews

Tio Leo Coffee Tour

A Cultural tour which explains the crops and folklore of Guanacaste. Tio Leo himself will show you the techniques that were used to harvest the coffee. In addition to that explanations on sugar cane and chocolate will be provided as part of the tour.

Reviewed By gregpoe

A wonderful tour. Very interesting. Guide gave a great history of coffee and the roasting process. We truly enjoyed walking through the coffee plants, cocoa plants, and other vegetation. Had our bags of coffee signed by the roaster. Highly recommended.

3. Royal Butterflies

Quebrada Amarilla, Jaco, Garabito Municipality Costa Rica +506 8409 5638 [email protected] http://www.royalbutterflygarden.com
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 110 reviews

Royal Butterflies

Enjoy a relaxing experience whilst being surrounded by exotic butterflies with a lush backdrop of tropical plants. Learn about the amazing life cycle of the butterflies and walk along the river path whilst exploring the over 70 types of fruit trees being grown on the property. Cold drinks and souvenirs are available for purchase in the gift shop. Tour is $10 p/person. Free for kids under 6 years old.'

Reviewed By U3962DNjoell - Quebrada Amarilla, Costa Rica

I recently moved to Quebrada Amarilla. I am delighted to live close to the Royal Butterflies attraction. I just visited today for the first of what I expect to be many times and a place where I bring all visitors.. Dan and Donna showed me around. The setting is beyond beautiful. The attraction is on the same property as the most spectacular tree house I have ever seen. I have been recommending the tree house to all my friends. The tree house has beautiful views and is amazing from an architecture prospective even including a hidden room as well as all the amenities you would expect from a hotel room. The Royal Butterflies attraction is also surrounded by many other tall trees and close to a gentle river but well off the road and quietly away from the modest traffic. But back to the butterflies. The exhibit features extremely colorful and beautiful assortments of butterflies in a quiet and beautiful location. The setting was tranquil and I simply wanted to rest and absorb the fluttering creatures. I came out of the exhibit as if I had been in a deep relaxing meditation.

4. Teatro Nacional Costa Rica

Second Ave. and Fifth St., San Jose Costa Rica +506 2010 1100 http://www.teatronacional.go.cr
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,540 reviews

Teatro Nacional Costa Rica

Since 1897, this elegant theater has been a source of pride.

Reviewed By stjepkog - Gela, Italy

If You Have More then a Day - Visit the Teatro Nacional Costa Rica - It is a Beautiful Theater Built in the 19th Century - Take a Guided Tour.

5. Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja

Costa Rica +506 8807 4954 http://www.sinac.go.cr/ES/ac/acg/pnrv/Paginas/default.aspx
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 838 reviews

Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja

This 35,000-acre national park centers around a volcano that last erupted in 1995.

Reviewed By Moseywood - Center Valley, United States

Loved Jeody, our guide thru Gabriel’s Tours. He took our family of 6 on a great nature hike, swam in a 55 degree waterfall pool, saw fumeroles and mud pots, howler monkeys, aqua colored butterflies and iguanas. Beautiful park. Picked us up at Dreams Las Mareas resort which is close to Nicaragua and the drive was 1 1/2 hrs. Jeody made the day even better! Fun, very bright and knowledgeable. I would ask for him to be your guide. You will be delighted you did. Tell him Mo and Dave rec. him!

6. Palo Verde National Park

Costa Rica +506 2200 5414 https://www.facebook.com/Parque-Nacional-Palo-Verde-ACAT-1475142736032903/
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 433 reviews

Palo Verde National Park

The water system in this park sustains the largest population of waterfowl and wading birds in Central America.

Reviewed By davethedrill - Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

A superb private cruise on the river The wildlife on view was amazing Our special interest is birding and our guide and pilot Andreas made this a trip to treasure Thank you too to Roger our driver and second guide You really must visit Palo Verde

7. Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Calle 5 Between Central and 2nd Ave, San Jose 10104 Costa Rica 506-243-4202 [email protected] https://museosdelbancocentral.org/museo-del-oro-precolombino-reabre-puertas-al-publico/
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,405 reviews

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

A large collection of indigenous gold art.

Reviewed By F912ZCjosem

It's an excellent option while in San Jose. In particular, during rainy days. This attraction is very affordable and will entertain you and your family for 3-5 hours. I've spent 5 hours in there, but you can make this attraction as long or as short as you want. However, it's a very interesting collection.

8. Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena

4 MI North Of Santa Elena 6 km Costa Rica +506 2645 5390 [email protected] http://www.reservasantaelena.org
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 705 reviews

Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena

It is a community non profit project, located near Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The Reserve has an extension of 310 hectares, covered by a majestic Cloud Forest, in which you can observe a great variety of plants, Orchids, trees, ferns, heliconias and others. Also hundreds of residents and migratory birds, as the Quetzal and the Bell bird. This Reserve is managed by the Santa Elena Technical High School .

Reviewed By 289normanr

While we have been to the Monteverde area many times, the Santa Elena Reserve is always special. This trip was no exception. It is truly an enchanted place filled with magic at every turn. Under the leadership of Johnny (who’s surname we haven’t ever known despite visits over nearly two decades) the Reserve is a true “gift” from the people of Santa Elena and the high school. The staff are (I think) all graduates of the local school who continue to grow with their beloved cloud forest. This year, we were privileged to be on a guided hike with Guillermo who’s knowledge and interests were on evidence over a wide range of subjects and a full three hours. The pride of each of the staff and for Johnny’s leadership and support is well earned and fully justified. Our thanks for another splendid time.

9. Playa Manuel Antonio

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, 6 kms south of Quepos, Manuel Antonio 195-6350 Costa Rica
Excellent
59%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,923 reviews

Playa Manuel Antonio

One of Costa Rica's most popular beaches, Playa Manuel Antonio frequently hosts parties and festivals, and it is an ideal destination for avid surfers.

Reviewed By jimt903 - Middletown, United States

Along the trail through the M A national park, observe the flora and fauna, listen t o the call of exotic (for North Americans anyway) birds and at trail's end rejoice in the awesome views of Playa Manuel Antonio. Take your swimsuits. Monkey's galore and sloths high in the trees but the beach on the cove is the gem. Spend the afternoon if you take a light meal or snacks. And take water. There are adequate bath facilities.

10. Arenal Hanging Bridges

Arenal Volcano National Park 21007 Costa Rica
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,770 reviews

Arenal Hanging Bridges

Reviewed By Hamiltoncs - Anchorage, United States

We stopped here on our drive from Arenal to the Pacific Coast and very happy we did, the trail you ramble is very well maintained, i.e. walkable for most folks I would think, the hanging bridges offer great views, though a bit wobbly to take photos from, but good bird viewing as well as sloths and coatimundis,

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.