Best Things to Do in Costa Rica: 7 Pura Vida Adventures

The best things to do in Costa Rica read like a nature lover's wish list: soaking in volcano-heated rivers, crossing hanging bridges through the clouds, and watching sea turtles haul themselves ashore under the stars. This small Central American country covers just 0.03% of the planet's surface yet holds around 5% of its biodiversity, and more than a quarter of its land is protected as national parks and reserves. The best time to visit is the dry season from December to April, although the "green season" (May to November) brings lower prices, fewer crowds and lush, dramatic landscapes. Here are seven pura vida adventures that belong on every Costa Rica bucket list.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Hot Springs

The near-perfect cone of Arenal Volcano towers over the town of La Fortuna, and it's the must-see centrepiece of most first-time itineraries. Hike the old lava flows in Arenal Volcano National Park, then cool off beneath the 70-metre La Fortuna Waterfall, reached by around 500 steps down into a jungle gorge. In the evening, sink into geothermal pools at resorts like Tabacón, where warm mineral rivers tumble through tropical gardens. Adrenaline seekers can add ziplining, canyoning or white-water rafting on the nearby Balsa River.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

High in the Tilarán Mountains, Monteverde is a misty, moss-draped world unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica. Walk the suspension bridges of Selvatura or Mistico Park to see the canopy at eye level, where orchids, bromeliads and hummingbirds thrive in the constant drizzle. Keep your eyes peeled for the resplendent quetzal, one of the world's most beautiful birds, which is easiest to spot between February and April. Don't skip a guided night walk - it's the best way to find tarantulas, sleeping sloths and glowing red-eyed tree frogs.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio packs rainforest trails and white-sand beaches into one compact, wildly popular park on the Pacific coast. Hire a naturalist guide with a spotting scope at the entrance, and you're almost guaranteed to see three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins and squirrel monkeys. Trails lead to Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur, two of the country's prettiest swimming beaches. Visitor numbers are capped and the park is closed on Tuesdays, so book tickets online in advance and arrive early.

Tortuguero: Canals and Turtle Nesting

Reachable only by boat or small plane, Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast feels like a true hidden gem. Paddle a kayak or canoe through its jungle canals at dawn to spot caimans, river otters, toucans and howler monkeys. Between July and October, endangered green sea turtles come ashore to nest on the long black-sand beach, and licensed night tours let you watch this ancient ritual up close. Finish your visit with Caribbean-style rice and beans cooked in coconut milk in the tiny village.

Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula

National Geographic once called Corcovado "the most biologically intense place on Earth," and a trek here is Costa Rica at its wildest. All four of the country's monkey species live in the park, alongside tapirs, anteaters, and flocks of scarlet macaws that screech overhead. Guided hikes from the Sirena Ranger Station offer the best chance of spotting a Baird's tapir or even a puma. Base yourself in Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez, and combine your trip with whale watching in the nearby Golfo Dulce.

Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park

Río Celeste looks almost unreal: a river so vividly turquoise that local legend says God rinsed his paintbrushes here after painting the sky. The colour actually comes from a natural chemical reaction where two clear rivers meet, and you can see the exact spot at Los Teñideros on the park's main trail. The highlight of the roughly 6-kilometre hike is the Río Celeste Waterfall, plunging into a milky-blue pool. Swimming isn't allowed inside the park, but several nearby lodges have access points where you can take a dip.

Santa Teresa and the Nicoya Peninsula

For laid-back beach days, head to the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's five "Blue Zones" where people regularly live past 100. Santa Teresa is a surf town with consistent waves, yoga studios and some of the best sunsets in Central America. Take a day trip to Montezuma for its waterfalls, or visit the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, Costa Rica's first protected area. Further north, Nosara and Playa Guiones offer quieter surf breaks and excellent casados - the traditional plate of rice, beans, plantains and fish.

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