Costa Rica: The Ultimate Trip Bucket List

Costa Rica truly has everything you could ever want in a vacation including rainforests exploding with biodiversity, adrenaline pumping adventures, surf towns with laid-back beaches, and radiant museums. There is just one itty bitty problem. How do you plan an itinerary of attractions when the possibilities seem endless? It's not an easy task!

Despite staying six weeks in the country, Brad and I couldn't complete everything on our wishlist. So don't get discouraged if you have to narrow down your picks, which will probably be the hardest part of your trip. To help ease the squeeze, I share a list of 20 recommended things to do organized by category to inspire the process. Whatever you choose to do in Costa Rica will undoubtedly knock your socks off!

Beaches & Whale Watching

Kick back, relax, and feel the sunshine on the rocky coastline of Costa Rica. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the country has some great areas for snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, and swimming. The southern Pacific Coast is a prime destination to see migrating Humpback Whales!

Tamarindo

What began as a quiet fishing village and Leatherback Turtle nesting site is now a modern tourist town with eclectic restaurants, nightlife, and boutique hotels. Test your balance with a surf lesson or savor a refreshing copo (flavored shaved ice with condensed milk) as you watch a golden sunset at Playa Tamarindo. We saw starfish, Devil Rays, butterflyfish, pufferfish, and Whitetip Sharks during our scuba diving trip to the Catalina Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Manuel Antonio National Park

The most popular park in Costa Rica has four gorgeous beaches on the Pacific Coast and offers visitors the chance to get within mere feet of baby monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and deer! Cooling off in the calm turquoise water at Playa Las Gemelas after our hike in the humid rainforest was divine. Check out my Manuel Antonio National Park post to help plan your visit.

Marino Ballena National Park

Uvita, a town on the Pacific Coast, is the ideal spot to book a whale watching tour. All of the boats keep a respectful and safe distance away from the animals. You'll have the most luck finding Humpback Whales if you travel between December-April or July-October. We saw a playful calf with its mother during our excursion with Ballena Aventura. The epic sight was enhanced by breaching Bottlenose and Spotted Dolphins!

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Mixed Wildlife Refuge

Near the border of Panama on the Caribbean Coast is a park with shy hermit crabs, territorial Mantled Howler Monkeys, and poison dart frogs. Stick your toes in the golden sand as you enjoy a picnic lunch on the breezy coastline. Keep your eyes peeled for creepy orb-weaver spiders along the trails. The best beach is Playa Punta Mona which requires a 8 km (5 mi) out-and-back hike, but there are also a few smaller beaches along the way.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Backpackers and modern-day hippies will have a hard time leaving the chill vibe of this Caribbean town packed with hostels, eateries, and shops. Rent a bike or scooter and make your way towards Playa Cocles. Take a dip in the waves or set up your towel on the sand and watch the surfers. Grab a cocktail from one of the bars along the road or wait for a vendor to offer you a coco loco (coconut water and rum mixed inside a fresh coconut).

Hiking & Wildlife

Captivate your senses in the rainforests of Costa Rica with invigorating hikes. Traverse diverse microclimates to find exotic birds, lizards, insects, and animals. Brad and I spent a full day exploring each of the following parks. Please take out what you take in and leave no trace, including biodegradable food which can harm the ecosystem.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Looking for a private rainforest experience? This glistening Garden of Eden was our first and favorite park in Costa Rica! Walk narrow emerald trails nestled within towering trees covered in vines, bromeliads, and moss to appreciate the beauty of Mother Earth. A slow pace is the ideal way to discover tiny and colorful critters. Read my Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve post for more information.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Behold the 1,657 m (5,436 ft) high steaming peak of Arenal Volcano as you hear the crunch of lava rocks beneath your hiking boots. The trails in this park are well-maintained and easy to navigate with exceptional viewpoints. Listen to ornate birds calling in the canopy, spot fruit bats resting in the massive Ceiba tree, and admire delicate orchids. The amount of wildlife is off the charts!

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

Standing on the iconic red metal suspension bridge in this park was pretty neat! The elevated perspective gives you a unique opportunity to see sloths, birds, and Mantled Howler Monkeys in the cloud forest canopy. Be on the lookout for the most famous bird in Central America, the Resplendent Quetzal. Check out my Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve post to help plan your visit.

Mistico Park: Arenal Hanging Bridges

Ready to take your trip to new heights? This park has a 3.2 km (2 mi) long trail with 10 regular bridges and six hanging bridges. Gaze over the rolling treetops from as high as 45 m (148 ft) to locate boisterous parrots, inquisitive monkeys, and idle snakes. There is also plenty to see back on solid ground including baby coatis foraging for food. Even though tourists are plentiful, the trail feels intimate.

Mirador El Silencio

The protected land of this affordable park nearby Arenal Volcano covers 225 hectares (550 acres) with primary and secondary forests. Each of the seven trails has different topography including volcanic rocks, lush rainforest, and open pasture. Brad and I were impressed with the amount of flora and fauna. We saw a Three-toed Sloth, pit viper, Rufous Motmot, anteater, and several White-faced Capuchin Monkeys!

Waterfalls & Hot Springs

Mesmerizing waterfalls and geothermal hot springs intensify the lure of Costa Rica. Chances are you won’t have to travel far to see a show-stopping cascade or experience a natural hot tub! Keep in mind heavy rains can turn the water from transparent aqua to muddy brown. Storm runoff usually clears up after a few days.

La Fortuna Waterfall

After a steep descent of 530 steps, you'll reach the base of this breathtaking 70 m (230 ft) high waterfall. Find a seat on the large boulders surrounding the pool and feel the magical power of Mother Earth. Whimsical butterflies and dragonflies will keep you company in this popular paradise, which becomes crowded rather quickly during the late morning.

Nauyaca Waterfalls

The hilly trail leading to this multi-level waterfall is definitely worth the sweaty effort. Along the way, we encountered a Yellow-throated Toucan, Gray-headed Tanager, Scarlet Macaw, and two Slaty-tailed Trogons. Swimming beneath this majestic wonder was indescribable! Unfortunately, Brad punctured his foot during our visit. Watch out for sharp and slippery rocks as you enter the water!

El Choyin Hot Springs

Naturally heated by Arenal Volcano, these free hot springs are the perfect way to rejuvenate your body and mind. The soothing water has a cozy temperature and musical trickle. Enjoy the shallow hot springs during the day with a couple of canned cocktails or dial up the romance with a candlelit soak at night.

Night Walking Tour

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in Costa Rica is missing out on a night walking tour! The rainforest comes alive with strange insects, hungry vipers, fuzzy tarantulas, and camouflage frogs. Our two excursions in Monteverde and La Fortuna were fantastic. Bring your own headlamp or flashlight if possible. Always monitor the ground to avoid army and bullet ants, which are known to deliver painful stings.

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Monteverde

I highly recommend booking a tour with Wildlife Refuge Monteverde, which offers two time slots every evening. Follow your expert guide into the darkness to find curious critters, sleeping birds, and unicorn grasshoppers. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a precious baby Two-toed Sloth with its mother foraging in the canopy! Other noteworthy finds included a salamander, owl, and pit viper.

Arenal Oasis Frog Sanctuary

The protected habitat at Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge has approximately 40 species of amphibians! Walk beside spring-fed ponds and native plants while a symphony of loud croaks plays in the background. During the two-hour tour, our trained naturalist found 13 species including a famous Red-eyed Tree Frog and Hourglass Tree Frog. Transparent glass frogs are tricky to spot and often sit on green leaves to avoid detection by predators.

Whitewater Rafting

Costa Rica has a plethora of adventure activities such as zip-lining, scuba diving, ATV riding, deep sea fishing, and horseback riding. However, nothing will get your heart pumping like whitewater rafting. There are several spots all over the country, but one stands apart from the rest. Paddles up!

Pacuare River

Dial up your adrenaline with an 18-mile ride along the Pacuare River. You'll be on the edge of your raft paddling over exhilarating Class I-IV rapids. The smiles were constant during our three-hour journey with Exploradores Outdoors. Our group saw Blue Morpho Butterflies, kingfishers, and a Three-toed Sloth along the way. I highly recommend the company for its fun guides, safety measures, and stellar equipment.

Birdwatching

Did you know Costa Rica has over 900 bird species? Birdwatchers rejoice! Prepare beforehand by downloading the Merlin Bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and installing the Costa Rica bird pack to help keep track of your encounters. A pair of binoculars also comes in handy!

Curi-Cancha Reserve

The best birdwatching spot in Costa Rica is Curi-Cancha Reserve! Visitors can wander nine trails through virgin forest, secondary growth, and open pasture. Brad and I identified over 20 species including a Lesson's Motmot, Slate-throated Redstart, White-eared Ground Sparrow, Squirrel Cuckoo, Keel-billed Toucan, and Lesser Violetear. Read my Curi-Cancha Reserve post for more information.

San Gerardo de Dota

You'll find the crown jewel of Central America in the misty cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota. The Resplendent Quetzal is a miraculous creature known for its vibrant feathers. Males grow iridescent twin plumages to attract females. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I watched these gorgeous birds fly and perch around aguacatillo trees to feed. Check out my Trogón Lodge review if you're searching for a memorable birdwatching experience!

Museums

More than likely you'll fly into the capital of San José to begin your jaunt in Costa Rica. Most travelers depart the city as soon as they arrive, but it's worth spending a day to check out the cultural museums full of rich history, artifacts, and precious metals. Both of the following places are within walking distance of each other and only take a few hours to complete.

Museo de Oro Precolombino

The Pre-Colombian Gold Museum is divided into nine sections and highlights the vital relationship between indigenous people of the region and nature. Learn about societal structure, agricultural methods, metallurgy, symbolism, gender equality, myths, and rituals. Placards are in English and Spanish. You'll see stone carvings, ceramics, and over 600 gold objects!

Museo del Jade

The Jade Museum has approximately 7,000 incredible pieces depicting frogs, shamans, animals, warriors, and fertility goddesses. Most of the artifacts are over 2,500 years old! Jade was valued for its translucent color and rarity. Appreciate the intricate craftsmanship, learn about carving techniques, and reflect on the religious importance of this semi-precious stone. Painted ceramics and gold items are also on display.

In A Nutshell

Whew, that's a lot of information to process! My biggest piece of advice is quality over quantity. It's possible to fit a majority of this list into two weeks, but you'll likely be exhausted by the end of your trip. Instead, build an itinerary around your top interests. Traveling at a slower pace will definitely help you absorb all of the magic!

I recommend first-time visitors to prioritize Monteverde and La Fortuna since transportation between these two areas is a breeze. Find out more information in my La Fortuna post, which explains some of the aforementioned activities in more detail. Brad and I plan to return one day to go scuba diving with hammerhead sharks around Cocos Island and explore Corcovado National Park. Another popular destination is Tortuguero National Park for nesting sea turtles, mangrove forests, and caimans.

Costa Rica is unlike anywhere else on the planet and embodies a harmonious spirit. The country and its people truly respect wildlife and understand the importance of rainforest conservation. This top destination in Central America is worthwhile for a multitude of reasons. Make each day count and revel in the bountiful opportunities around you. Pura vida!