Costa Rica adventure travel guide
In Costa Rica you can zip line through cloud forests, white water raft down rushing rivers and trek up the side of volcanoes. However, Costa Rica isn’t just about climbing up stuff and chucking yourself off things – it’s also about discovering the food, culture and wildlife. Yes, you can dive into any adventure activity that you set your mind to, but you can also spend time getting to know the local people and exploring away from popular areas such as Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero.
Join a small group or tailor a tour that combines off-the-beaten-track locations with family-run accommodation.![]()
Costa Rica’s well-known national parks are on the verge of an overtourism problem but, thankfully, the country’s internationally recognised wildlife protection programmes are outstanding and tourism is currently well-managed. While they’re great places to visit, there are an awful lot of equally exciting areas to have adventures in Costa Rica, if you know where to look.
By visiting less well-known locations like Corcovado National Park, Sarapiqui rainforest and Cano Negro – a great alternative to Tortuguero – you’ll have adventures, but you’ll also have more of Costa Rica to yourself. And if you visit outside of the typical tourist season, you’ll be spreading the impact of your presence still further while having a more authentic adventure at the same time.
Keep reading our guide to adventure vacations in Costa Rica to find out more.
Best time to go on an adventure vacation in Costa Rica
Visit Costa Rica in July and August when there are fewer tourists, but it isn’t too wet. ![]()
November to June is a popular time of year to visit Costa Rica, as it’s mainly dry and sunny. This is the country’s high season, when national parks such as Monteverde and Manuel Antonio can get crowded. The wetlands and canals of Tortuguero National Park also get busy from May to November, as this is green turtle nesting season. Although late June to October is the rainy period, July and August aren’t too wet. This is the best time to go on adventure vacation in Costa Rica. There will be a bit of rain but not that much and there won’t be half as many crowds.
Tortuguero National Park Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
30
93
FEB
23
30
88
MAR
24
31
110
APR
24
32
206
MAY
24
31
382
JUN
23
30
372
JUL
24
30
389
AUG
23
29
448
SEP
23
29
451
OCT
23
29
581
NOV
23
29
433
DEC
23
29
177
Our Costa Rica adventure Vacations
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
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US $4349 to US $5179
15 days
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Costa Rica nature adventure tour
Immerse yourself in the scenary of Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica Wildlife tour, tailor made
Visit one of most biologically intense places on earth
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US $2850
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Costa Rica small group adventure vacation
Volcanoes, wildlife, rainforests, beaches & adventure!
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£1279 to £1599
16 days
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Costa Rica luxury nature tour
Tropical adventure staying at handpicked premium hotels
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US $6099 to US $6999
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Costa Rica tour
Explore the Caribbean coast to the Pacific
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US $2056 to US $2810
15 days
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What does a Costa Rica adventure vacation entail?
Small group adventures
Small group adventure vacations in Costa Rica are the best way to meet fellow travelers and local people. Our small group specialists always work with local guides, instructors and drivers. You’ll also be accompanied by a local tour leader throughout. It’s through their personal recommendations that you’ll find family-run restaurants and rural fincas (farmhouses) where lunch is grown yards from the kitchen table. You’ll also be invited to stay in independently owned hotels and lodges. This is a much more authentic experience than the all-inclusive resort complexes on the coast.
Adventure activities
It’s said that zip lining was started in Costa Rica by a biologist who was trying to get up close to the animals that lived in the treetops. These days, zip lining is just for kicks but you’ll still be able to take advantage of whizzing high above the ground, surrounded by the sights and sounds of cloud forest canopies.Hanging walkways are another great way to explore above the forest floor. Although being in Costa Rica is an adventure in its own right, couple the experience with white water rafting, tubing, hiking up volcanoes, horse riding and bathing in mud pools, and you’ve got the makings of a legendary vacation.
Tailor made adventures
The type of trip you choose will determine which side of Costa Rica you see. A tailor made adventure in Costa Rica gives you the chance to plan things to suit your own pace. You can join in with groups for day trips, or you can explore on your own with a local guide and driver.Having the full attention of a knowledgable guide is totally different to being part of a group where the guide’s attention is focused on everyone, not just you. You can also self-drive in Costa Rica. It’s a great way to stop where you like and be a bit more spontaneous.
Lesser-known adventures
Spread the load and visit Costa Rica outside of the peak season – July and August, for example. This is the start of the rainy season, but it’s never that bad. You can also visit alternative locations where the wildlife is just as exciting as more popular places. Sarapiqui rainforest, for example, is not very well known but there are lots of opportunities to go river rafting here and visit chocolate making workshops.
Tortuguero is the jungle that everybody goes to. It's still worth visiting by boat but, Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is a lot quieter but equally as impressive, as is Cano Negro where you can see sloths, turtles and a huge variety of native bird species. Stay at out-of-the-way places inland, and you’ll see a side to Costa Rica that many tourists won’t.
More about Costa Rica adventure
Our map and highlights help you discover more peaceful but equally adventurous alternatives to Arenal, Tortuguero and Monteverde.
