Things to Do in Costa Rica
50 curated spots from Costa Rica itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Manuel Antonio National Park
Walk the easy main trails, watch for sloths and monkeys, and enjoy the park’s famous beaches.
2h 30m · $18-25
Mercado Central de San José
Wander the historic covered market with produce stalls, spice shops, souvenir stands, and tiny counters serving local dishes.
1h 30m · Free to enter
Playa Espadilla Beach Time
Relax on the main public beach, swim, and stay for a colorful Pacific sunset; keep an eye on belongings.[3]
3h · Free (chair/umbrella rentals extra)
Arenal Canopy Adventure (Zipline)
Half-day zipline tour through the forest canopy with multiple cables, platforms, and volcano views; operators like Ecoglide or Arenal Canopy Adventure offer hotel pickups.
3h · $55-75
Bar Crawl in Barrio Escalante
Sample a few relaxed bars or craft beer taps in the same walkable area after dinner.
2h · $20-40
Barrio Amón & Street Art Walk
Stroll this historic neighborhood to see restored colonial houses, street art, and cafés.[1]
1h 30m · Free
Barrio Escalante Evening Stroll
Ease into Costa Rica with a relaxed walk around this leafy, restaurant-filled neighborhood known for colorful murals and cozy patios. Arrive around 5–6 PM, stroll a few blocks, and pick a spot that feels inviting.
1h · Free
Barrio Escalante Food Walk
Stroll the neighborhood’s café-and-restaurant strip, popping into bakeries, coffee shops, and craft beer spots.
1h 30m · Free
Barrio La California Nightlife Walk
Explore a compact area with bars and pubs popular with locals; consider a short, guided bar hop to sample craft beers and cocktails.[3]
2h · $15-30 (drinks)
Central Market (Mercado Central)
Historic indoor market filled with local produce, crafts, souvenirs, street food stalls, and vibrant local energy—quintessential San José experience
1h 30m · $5-30 per person (spending varies)
Central Market Shopping
Browse coffee, sweets, spices, and small souvenirs in an easy-to-navigate downtown market area.
1h 30m · Free to browse
Curi-Cani Birdwatching
Guided forest trails spotting 400+ bird species.
2h · $45
Damas Island Mangrove Kayak Tour
Join a guided kayak tour through calm mangrove channels near Damas Island, watching for birds, crabs, and occasional monkeys in the trees.[4][8]
2h 30m · $60-85
Doka Estate Coffee Tour
Take a guided tour through a working coffee plantation, learning each step from bean to cup, with tastings along the way.
2h 30m · $35-50
Escalante Nightcap
Finish with one last easy bar or cocktail stop if your schedule and energy allow.
1h 30m · $15-30
Free Explore Quepos
Market wander, street art, beach sunsets.
2h · Free
Free Explore: Uvita Coast
Leave a flexible block for beach downtime, a café stop, or an early night depending on dive fatigue and weather.
2h · Free
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Hike to 5 waterfalls; hummingbird/butterfly gardens for photography.
2h · $45
Mangrove Monkey Land
Kayak mangroves spotting howler monkeys.
2h · $50
Manuel Antonio Beach Snorkel
Shallow reefs with fish/turtles; intro scuba option.
2h · $60
Manuel Antonio Beach Sunset & Free Explore
Head to Playa Espadilla Norte for a late-afternoon swim, beach walk, and sunset photos; browse simple beachfront stalls and watch surfers as the sun dips.
2h · Free (chair/umbrella rental extra)
Manuel Antonio Beach Time & Sunset Photography
Relax on powder-soft beaches, swim in tide pools, photograph golden-hour light on palm-fringed coves—pure tropical leisure
2h · Free
Manuel Antonio Morning Surf Lesson
Join a beginner surf lesson with a local surf school on the gentle waves of Playa Espadilla; they provide board and rash guard and teach basics on the sand first.
2h · $55-75
Manuel Antonio National Park (Beaches & Trails)
Arrive early to hike easy-to-moderate trails, spot monkeys and sloths, and relax on white-sand beaches like Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur.
3h 30m · $18
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Walk
Enter with a certified guide who uses a spotting scope to point out sloths, monkeys, frogs, and birds along easy jungle trails ending at beautiful beaches.
3h 30m · $60-80 (including entry and guide)
Manuel Antonio National Park Hike
Punta Catedral trail: monkeys, sloths, toucans; beach photography.
3h · $16 entry
Manuel Antonio National Park Morning Visit
Enter early for a gentle hike on boardwalks and forest paths leading to white-sand beaches, with frequent sightings of monkeys, sloths, and iguanas.[2][4]
3h 30m · $18-35
Manuel Antonio Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Board a shared catamaran in the late afternoon for coastal views, possible dolphin spotting, snorkeling stop (gear included), light meal, and sunset over the Pacific.
3h · $75-110
Marino Ballena National Park
Walk the beach and look for the whale-tail sandbar shape at low tide or simply enjoy the shoreline.
1h 30m · $6-10
Mercado Central Visit
Explore this historic covered market’s narrow aisles filled with spice stalls, coffee, souvenirs, and tiny counters serving traditional food; go mid-morning when it’s lively but not overwhelming.
1h 30m · Free (plus any food or souvenirs)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Café Rojo
Start with breakfast bowls, eggs, fresh juice, and Costa Rican coffee in one of the city’s easiest food neighborhoods.
1h · $10-18 per person
El Avión
Have lunch with ocean views and a menu that mixes local dishes with traveler-friendly favorites.
1h 30m · $18-30 per person
Fuego Brew Co.
Craft brewery and restaurant in Monteverde town center featuring locally-raised farm-to-table dishes: grass-fed beef empanadas, fresh-caught ceviche, organic salads with local produce. Craft beers brewed on-site using regional ingredients. Modern elegant ambiance; outdoor seating overlooks the valley.
1h 15m · $35–50 per person
Soda Angel
Unpretentious local soda in Quepos serving daily specials, seafood, and classic Costa Rican plates.
1h · $8-15 per person
Café Milagro
Book a relaxed dinner with Costa Rican coffee, seafood, and well-executed international plates.
1h 30m · $20-40 per person
El Avión Restaurant
Gallo pinto and smoothies in old plane fuselage.
1h · $10-15 per person
Emilio’s Café
Balcony restaurant with ocean views, fresh seafood, pastas, and excellent desserts; often has live music and a mellow atmosphere.
1h 15m · $18-30 per person
Kapi Kapi
Asian-fusion with local seafood; romantic vibe.
1h 10m · $30-50 per person
Sabor Tico
Try regional comfort food, fresh juices, and local-style mains in the center of town.
1h 15m · $15-28 per person
Soda Tapia
Classic Costa Rican diner-style spot; order a gallo pinto breakfast (rice and beans with eggs, plantains, and coffee) for a very typical local start.
1h · $8-15 per person
Agua Fria
Seafood ceviche and plantains; lantern-lit patio.
1h 10m · $13-18 per person
Al Mercat
Spanish-Mediterranean café with açai bowls, fresh fruit, eggs benedicts, and specialty coffee in beachfront setting
1h · $14-20 per person
Cafe El Jardin
Garden patio with smoothies, eggs, and beach views.
50m · $15-25 per person
Cafe Mediterrenean
Casado breakfast with eggs, cheese, and fresh juices (5-min walk from lodge)
45m · $10-16 per person
Casa Dominga
Modern Costa Rican dishes in a tropical garden-style house; try a cocktail with local rum and a main like the fresh fish or pork with plantains.
1h 30m · $35-55 per person
Coffee Plantation Tour Meal
Organic coffee/chocolate tasting with salads; kosher fruits/veggies.
1h · $40-60 per person
El Lagarto
Open-air grill near the beach specializing in wood-fired meats and seafood, with a rustic tropical vibe.
1h 30m · $30-50 per person
El Lobo Estepario
Relaxed bar-restaurant with pub food, local beers, and music; order shared plates and a local craft beer.
1h 30m · $12-20 per person (without many drinks)
El Patio de Café Milagro
Cozy café-restaurant with local dishes and good coffee; try a casado or fish of the day.
1h 15m · $12-20 per person
Emilio's Café
Casual beachfront spot with fresh ceviche, grilled fish, and cold tropical juices—perfect mid-activity refuel
1h · $12-18 per person