By Updated: October 2026
Costa Rica packs volcanoes, cloud forests, wild rivers and two coastlines into a country smaller than West Virginia, and it has turned outdoor adventure into an art form. Whether you want to fly over the treetops on a zipline, paddle through Class IV rapids or spot sloths on a night walk, these are the 10 best adventure things to do in Costa Rica in 2026, with tips on where to go and how to book.
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🌿 Where to stay for adventure in Costa Rica
- La Fortuna: volcano, hot springs, ziplines and hanging bridges
- Monteverde: cloud forest and night tours
- Manuel Antonio: national park and beaches
- Tamarindo: surfing and snorkeling
1. Hike around Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall
The perfect cone of Arenal Volcano towers over the town of La Fortuna, the adventure capital of Costa Rica. Arenal was one of the world’s most active volcanoes until around 2010 and is now in a resting phase, so you can’t climb to the crater, but the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park take you across old lava flows with great views of the summit.
Nearby, the La Fortuna Waterfall drops around 70 meters into a jungle pool. Reaching it means walking down (and back up) roughly 500 steps, but the swim at the bottom is worth every one of them.
Good to know: go early in the morning, when the volcano is most likely to be free of clouds.
2. Walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges
A network of suspension bridges strung through the rainforest canopy near Arenal lets you walk at the height of the treetops, where much of the forest’s wildlife lives. The trails combine fixed and hanging bridges over a few kilometers, and with a guide you have a good chance of seeing toucans, monkeys, snakes and colorful frogs.
🌉 Book the Arenal Hanging Bridges →
3. Soak in the hot springs of La Fortuna
After a day of hiking, there’s nothing better than sinking into water heated by the volcano. La Fortuna has hot springs for every budget, from luxurious resorts with waterfalls and swim-up bars to free natural spots along the river. An evening soak under the stars is one of the best ways to end an adventure day.
4. Fly through the canopy on a zipline
Costa Rica is one of the places where canopy ziplining was popularized, and it’s still one of the best places in the world to try it. Both Arenal and Monteverde have long cable courses, some more than a kilometer long, that run high above the forest canopy. Many tours add a Tarzan swing or a “superman” line where you fly face down.
Good to know: choose an operator with good recent reviews and a clear safety record, and check the weight and age limits before booking.
5. Explore the Monteverde cloud forest
High in the Tilarán mountains, Monteverde is a world of moss, ferns, orchids and swirling mist. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the nearby Santa Elena reserve have well-marked trails, and early mornings are the best time to look for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in the Americas. Bring a rain jacket: it’s called a cloud forest for a reason.
6. Join a rainforest night tour
The rainforest changes completely after dark. On a guided night walk, armed with flashlights, you’ll find red-eyed tree frogs, tarantulas, sleeping birds, stick insects, snakes and, with luck, sloths and kinkajous. Night tours are offered in Monteverde, La Fortuna and on the Caribbean coast, and the guides’ ability to spot animals is remarkable.
🦥 Book a rainforest night tour →
7. Go white water rafting
Costa Rica’s rivers are some of the best in Central America for rafting. Near La Fortuna, the Balsa River offers fun Class II and III rapids that are great for beginners. For something more intense, the Pacuare River, near Turrialba, is considered one of the world’s most beautiful rafting rivers, with Class III and IV rapids through a deep jungle canyon and waterfalls on the way. You can do it in a day or on a two-day trip with a night at a jungle lodge.
8. Spot wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio, on the Central Pacific coast, is small but packed: white-sand beaches, rainforest trails and some of the easiest wildlife watching in the country. Look for sloths, white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, iguanas and toucans. A naturalist guide with a telescope will spot ten times more than you would on your own.
Good to know: tickets must be bought online in advance, capacity is limited and the park is closed on Tuesdays. Arrive early, and don’t feed the monkeys.
🐒 Book a Manuel Antonio park tour →
9. Learn to surf
With consistent swells on both coasts, Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf. Tamarindo, in Guanacaste, has gentle beach breaks and plenty of surf schools, while Nosara and Santa Teresa are favorites for their laid-back vibe. More experienced surfers head to Playa Hermosa near Jacó, Pavones in the south or Salsa Brava on the Caribbean side.
10. Go snorkeling and diving
Costa Rica’s best underwater spots are on the Pacific side. Caño Island, off Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, is a protected biological reserve with clear water, reef fish, turtles, rays and white-tip reef sharks. In Guanacaste, the Catalina Islands are famous for manta rays and big schools of fish. On the Caribbean coast, Cahuita National Park protects one of the country’s main coral reefs. For experienced divers, Cocos Island, reachable only on a multi-day liveaboard, is one of the world’s great shark-diving destinations.
Tips for an adventure trip to Costa Rica in 2026
- When to go: the dry season, from December to April, is best for most of the country. The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain, fewer crowds and lower prices, and it’s the best time for rafting.
- Getting around: distances look short on the map, but mountain roads are slow. Renting a car (ideally a 4×4) gives you flexibility; otherwise, shared shuttles connect all the main destinations.
- Book ahead: popular tours and national parks like Manuel Antonio have limited spaces, especially in high season.
- Get insurance: make sure your travel insurance covers adventure activities like ziplining, rafting and diving.
- Pack smart: bring a rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, good walking shoes, reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent.
✈️ Ready for your Costa Rica adventure?
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