City: Costa Rica
Top Things to do in Costa Rica
Top Hotels in Costa Rica
- 1. Shana By The Beach Manuel Antonio
- 2. Tulemar Resort
- 3. Nayara Gardens
- 4. Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
- 5. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
- 6. Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel
- 7. The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort
- 8. The Springs Resort and Spa
- 9. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
- 10. Hotel Lomas del Volcan
What to do and see in Costa Rica, Costa Rica: The Best Things to do Adventurous
Coordinates: 10°N 84°W / 10°N 84°W / 10; -84
Restaurants in Costa Rica
1. Pacuare River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 138 reviews
This beautiful river runs from the Caribbean Coast inland almost to Cartago.
Reviewed By 881vitaliyk - New York City, United States
Gorgeous scenery, experienced and professional guides, super fun, highly recommend, went with a 12 yo
2. Venado Caves
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By Richard-E-Canada
Very interesting, worthwhile tour. We did the full trip, complete with tight squeezes through some narrow spots and some hands-and-knees passages in water. You’ll get thoroughly wet, but it’s warm and not very muddy. Guide was friendly and funny, with decades of experience. I brought my own powerful waterproof light and it was helpful for a few photos. If you’re -how should I put it- “sizeable” , the tight squeezes might be challenging or impossible, but there are other more open options.
3. Sky Mountain Canopy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
4. Proyecto Asis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,698 reviews
Previous Reservation is required. Proyecto Asis is a Wildlife Shelter and Environmental Education Center located very close to La Fortuna. Wild animals which have been found wounded, forsaken or are rescued from the black market by the local forest rangers are brought here. Those that cannot be released are used within our educational programs. In order to finance our shelter, we offer daily tours and volunteer activities. Schedules: Monday to Saturday at 8:30 am or at 1:00 pm. Sundays Closed. Easy access facilities and trails for all ages.
Reviewed By connierussell - Thunder Bay, Canada
My husband and I spent the full day at Proyecto Asis. We had a guided tour of the Sloth Rescue Centre in the morning (which ended up being a very good idea since it was a hot day and rescued sloths' enclosure requires standing in the sun so better to do that early), walked down to the local 'soda' for lunch, then had a guided tour of the main rescue centre in the morning, finishing with a short volunteer stint where we helped prepare and deliver food to some of the wildlife. Both guides were very good, explaining the reasons various animals were at the centre, which ones would be able to released, and rehabilitation/release process. We very much appreciated the philosophy of the place and were impressed with the good work they were doing. (One has to be careful in Costa Rica not to be sucked in by shady places who pretend to be doing wildlife rescue but are in fact exploiting animals for profit.) Spending time at Proyecto Asis was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!
5. La Ceiba
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 155 reviews
In this magical place the nature has survived to the destructive madness of human. Here some men are putting all their efforts to save animals when others wanted to annihilate them. La Ceiba RN, 50hec. of Primary forest (Gandoca-Manzanillo National Refuge) where the Jaguar R. C. reintroduces the animals that come through the Jaguar RC.
Reviewed By Quinn302 - Brooklyn, United States
Our children will never forget Costa Rica, in large part because of our stay at La Ceiba! We stayed there for two nights over Christmas 2019. It was such a beautiful way to experience Costa Rica. Upon arrival, we were all thrilled to ride a little lift over the stream and literally into the rainforest. We were met by our guide, Ashli, who proved to be incredible! We were traveling with our two children (ages 8 and 10). Our son is blind, and has a dream of one day working to preserve and rehabilitate wildlife. Ashli immediately formed a bond with him, and patiently answered all of his many questions! The walk up to the houses was beautiful, as we were surrounded by huge trees all around. We even saw a monkey near the main lodge! Ashli explained that they were trying to release that monkey back into the wild, but it continued returning to the lodge. We watched silently as their talented staff carefully put the monkey on their shoulder and started the long walk back out to re-release it. Once in our tree house, our children were in heaven! They spent an hour just swinging in the hammock and taking it all in. I should note that my husband and I were a little unprepared for how "natural" it literally all is...this is an open-air treehouse, so you have to be comfortable knowing that wildlife can and will come quite close! When we were staying there, a family of bats were living in the upstairs eve. Our son didn't mind, but our daughter was freaked out by this. She slept in our bed with us (zipped under the mosquito netting!). On another occasion, we were hanging out on the porch when a parrot came right up to the ledge! Ashli had trained us to scare the birds away, so that they don't get used to humans. On our first night, we made sure to walk up to the lookout tour. From there we could see howler monkeys! You can hear them all around you as well. Please note that it is quite humid in this area in December, so if you choose to wash your clothes, they will likely not air dry! We made that mistake on the first day of our visit, after washing some sandy clothes from the beach. We then had to drive with wet stinky clothes in our car for a few days! While hot water is provided at La Ceiba, you do have to be careful not to use too much too quickly, or you may run out for the day. We appreciated the home cooked meals by the staff at La Ceiba, and enjoyed hearing about their adventures while eating together. You should note that there is not an open bar or cafe of any sort once you're at La Ceiba; you should break drinks and snack food in with you. On Christmas Eve, we were lucky enough to take a nighttime guided walk with Ashli. It's hard to explain how incredible that was!!! It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my lifetime. Not only did we see incredible wildlife and learn so many amazing facts (Ashli is so passionate about her work, and had so much knowledge to share), but we were also able to stand in the middle of the rainforest in the complete dark with all lights out, and just listen to the sounds all around us. I'll never forget that. You should absolutely make sure to take this nighttime tour!
6. Nature Observatorio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 248 reviews
Nature Observatorio is a beautiful treehouse suspended 25 meters up on a tree in the middle of the jungle in the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge at the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Enjoy wonderful nature hike through primary forest, exercise yourself climbing up the tree with ropes, and sleep up on the tree in the middle on the jungle. This is not just your ordinary accommodation. We are offering the ultimate 3-in-1 Costa Rica Tour Adventure: 1. Hike through real prime rainforest. Watch wildlife in its real natural habitat and listen to the sounds and whispers of the nature. 2. Climb 25 meters (8 stories) high up the tree. Use our safe climbing technique to hoist yourselves up to Nature Observatorio. 3. Spend a night up on the tree in the middle of the jungle. Enjoy one of the most memorable nights of your life and feel like Tarzan and Jane. To prepare yourselves for the adventure we suggest to read Frequently Asked Questions on our website.
Reviewed By MrGolem
Simply the single best way to spend a night in Costa Rica, or anywhere in the world! Peter has built a unique place, and has kept it unique by not mass producing and making it too easy! Even though I'm scared of heights, I got both up and down fine with help from our great guides. There was also a heavy rainstorm at night, but I never felt unsafe in the treehouse. The cloud touched the trees at times and the rainforest lived up to its name, but we still saw lots of monkeys, even a throwing fruit and branches fight between howler monkeys and spider monkeys on the tree next to the treehouse! Furthermore we saw a white falcon, tucans, parrots, parakeets, and on the trek we saw an eyelash viper, three different poison dart frogs and plenty of cool bugs! Good binoculars and species books are available in the tree! After almost a month in CR I can safely say Peter was the best wildlife spotter I had the pleasure to encounter. Some people say it is if it is a bit expensive, but you get both a tour, a dinner and an overnight stay that you will remember for the rest of your life. In addition there is a true care for nature and native rights in this company! I will surely book two nights if I get a chance to come back!
7. Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is a 50-acre jungle reserve and wildlife sanctuary located in Nosara, Costa Rica. We provide care and rehabilitation to orphaned and displaced wildlife, specializing in golden mantled howlers. Our goal is to ultimately return them back to the wild through our step down release center. We also provide permanent, enriching sanctuary and ongoing care for wildlife that, due to psychological or physical injury, it is not possible to release back into the wild. Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is currently closed to the public due to the risk that COVID-19 poses to the animals in our care, however we need your help and support now more than ever. Visit our website to donate, symbolically adopt a monkey or learn more about our volunteering program!
Reviewed By sabsnyc - Hamburg, Germany
Vicky the founder of this marvelous place has not lost her spark to talk a out it for more than 15 years. She is so excited about every single details that belongs in that sanctuary from a tree leaf to a newborn monkey. She teaches you a little about plants and trees and also about the animals in her daily life and hoe she tries to get them back up to their feet. I thought it was very inspiring and the money and time spent are definitely worth it . Please donate for a good cause ????
8. Santa Lucia Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Suzieq6466-
These two brothers were wonderful guides and are amazing stewards of the land. We saw so much! So glad we went. Prepare with bug spray and a good head lamp or flash light. At the end Humberto's family provided warm hospitality and we heard Enrique's stories. Don't use a tour company. This is the authentic CR experience!
9. Sensoria Land of Senses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 306 reviews
Sensoria is one of the best gateaway to a Rainforest in Rincon de la Vieja in Guanacaste. Sensoria is located, as the last farm that neighbors Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The tour last from 3.5 to 4 hours, walking thru a prestine rainforest, and you can swimming in blue waterfalls and in three thermal pools. You can climb to our Observatory Tree Platform, where, if you conditions allow see the Volcano, the majestic rainforest and lake of Nicaragua. Your senses would be integrated to most beautiful places of Costa Rica's nature. Sensoria is sorounded by Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which was declare World Heritage. because has 3.9% of the wild life of the planet. In Sensoria we would show you with our Ipads, what animals croos Sensoria and the National park, we have eight trap cameras inside the forest. Sensoria has an investigation program with the help o the National Universiy of Costa Rica with its Program "Jaguar". In sensoria yous senses would enjoy the beauty of our jungles. We would provide you: welcome drink, a brief introduction to Costa Ricas's rainforest, walking sticks, water (bring bottle), fruits on the blue waterfalls, peronal guide, that would take care of you and your family, acces to the observatory platform and lunch. Only few groups are allowed per day. Only with prior reservation is admited. Call our reservation phone of ask your concierge to take you to ths fantastic place. Sensoria 'Land of Senses".
Reviewed By idgara56 - Port Dover, Canada
Booked at our resort through Jacamar tours. Pick up at resort early morning for an interesting drive to the attraction (what they call the Costa Rican massage on some bumpy roads for about half the trip). Our Jacamar driver Daniel and Sensoria guide John were both very informative and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and were very good at spotting wildlife that we would have missed. Blue waterfalls, wet pools and a thermal pool flowing down from Rincon de la Vieja so bring a swim suit. Would suggest being in reasonable shape for the 3 hour hike and a very good bug spray. Nice lunch at the end of the hike.
10. dondeJavitours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By JohnY699 - Espanola, United States
We kayaked out to Chora Island and snorkeled in the Samara Bay reef with Jarvier "Jarvi" and it was the best adventure during our three weeks traveling in amazing Costa Rica. Jarvi is a really well rounded naturalist and gave us so much information about Playa Samara and Costa Rica in general. He really cares and loves Samara and is a really good representative of his native home. Don't miss this opportunity.
