Five Fun Things to do in Costa Rica

Ohhh… what to do in Costa Rica?

When I was starting to write this article I realized it was really quite hard for me to pick just five favorite fun things to do in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is such a beautiful, eco-playground with numerous opportunities for adventure, relaxation, exploring, immersing yourself in local culture, eating good real-food, working abroad and so much more!

Some of these fun things are true & tried, others are a little more off the beaten path things to do in Costa Rica — and I’ve thrown in some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica, too!

We hope you can take something away from this Costa Rica To-Do List and develop your own list of must-do fun things of Costa Rica and that you share your experiences back with us!

1) Visit natural hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano

Ok… so this seems like it’s on everyone’s Costa Rica Vacation itinerary, but my recommendation is to sign up for a spa day at one of the resorts that allow you to use their natural hot springs pools as part of the package. The perfect way to pamper yourself and take advantage of visiting the hot springs during your stay in La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. Our favorite? El Silencio del Campo.

2) Immerse yourself in the tropical rainforest at a luxury eco lodge — get a spa treatment and do some yoga

You have not visited Costa Rica if you haven’t stayed at an eco-resort and been awoken in the morning by the sounds of voracious howler monkeys or the peculiar squawks of nearby toucans or wild turkeys.

My favorite Costa Rica place to visit for the best ecolodge experience?: Rio Celeste Hideaway — and just as the name suggests, it’s the perfect getaway to get away from it all! And yet you’re right next door to one of Costa Rica’s most-iconic waterfalls, Río Celeste at the Tenorio Volcano National Park.

The general manager Gabriela Mora runs a tight ship of gregarious, friendly staff who provide amazing, top-notch service. They offer unique, scrumptious massages and many areas to stretch out and do your daily yoga & mindful meditation practice. And rooms are like nothing you've experienced -- sexy outdoor showers and so much more (part of the influence from the owners who also own the Nayara brand.)

3) Take a walk in the Clouds on a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest

My favorite place to get away from it all is to go to Monteverde. I love the airy freshness, the lighting is amazing -- the cloud forests for me are so inspiring. While I'm visiting Monteverde I will inevitably book and walk with my favorite nature guide Rodrigo and head into one of the Monteverde nature reserves, especially during the Resplendent Quetzal spotting season. A must do!

4) Jump off the El Salto Tarzan Swing on the Fortuna River in La Fortuna

I guess this is not so much of a secret place anymore because locals and visitors alike flock to the beautiful and refreshing El Salto swimming hole to sit along the banks and watch the theatrics of the people courageously launching themselves from the rope swing.

Once and awhile I'll get up the courage, too, and take the plunge to feel like a kid again! Highly recommended!

5) Explore the Wilds of Osa Peninsula and amazing Pacific Beaches

I like to refer to the remote Osa Peninsula as the "last-frontier" of Costa Rica.

In fact, National Geographic calls it one of the most “biologically intense” places on Earth. It hosts more than 50 percent of the country’s animal and plant species, while covering only 3 percent of Costa Rica’s land area.

The ultimate, must-do excursion here can actually be done from Manuel Antonio if you don't have enough time to truly immerse yourself in the Osa for a few days. Do an excursion to nearby Corcovado National Park or Cano Island comprised of an amazing array of wildlife. There are often sightings of false killer whales, humpback whales, feeding frenzies, huge schools of barracudas, hawksbill turtles, manta, sharks, enormous sting rays and more. It’s a pristine primary rainforest that occupies almost half the Osa Peninsula. This isolated National Park provides refuge for multitudes of animals and plants that might otherwise be on the verge of extinction, including jaguars, pumas, Baird’s tapirs, giant anteaters and harpy eagles.

Bonus: #6 Visit the LaSalle Natural History Museum in San José to connect all of the dots about the amazing natural wildlife you’ll experience in Costa Rica. This is truly one of my favorite Costa Rica things to do when I need a refresher course on nature.

So, please let us know what you thought of these fun and best things to do in Costa Rica!