The 10 best things to do in Costa Rica
There are more than a thousand different things to do in Costa Rica, natural adventures and many activities full of emotion. Here we bring you a guide of the 10 best things you can do in Costa Rica.
1. Visit a butterfly garden
In Costa Rica we can find more than 1250 species of butterflies equivalent to more than 10% of the species of butterflies in the world. The most emblematic butterfly is the iridescent blue morpho. Spend your time among hundreds of butterflies in some of the butterflies that can be found throughout Costa Rica. Take a guided tour and learn all about the butterflies, moths, frogs and insects of Costa Rica.
2. Take a tour to the mangroves
While we have mangroves on both coasts, the mangrove forest in Quepos is one of the largest in Costa Rica. The flooded forest covers thousands of acres and is full of lush wildlife such as monkeys, lizards, birds of all kinds, frogs, snakes, sloths, river turtles, iguanas, among others. Take a tour with a certified naturalist guide that can share with you fascinating information about the mangrove and its habitat.
3. Take advantage of the whale season in the Marino Ballena National Park
The Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita serves as a base for humpback whales that migrate from Antarctica. Killer whales and pilot whales also spend time in these warm waters of the Costa Rican tropics. Whale watching tours in Costa Rica have gone unnoticed for years, but they are gaining popularity in places like Uvita where the great whale and dolphin festival is now celebrated. There are so many whales and dolphins during these months that there will definitely be some special encounters at the sea.
4. Travel in the skies of Costa Rica in a balloon
Fly over volcanoes, cloud forests, valleys, cities, beaches while watching the wildlife of Costa Rica on an exciting balloon ride. Take off at dawn with a highly experienced certified pilot who will take you on an incredible journey through the sky. Take advantage of this excursion for a more intimate and romantic experience or just take a family trip that you will never forget.
5. Travel by helicopter
It is not the same to know Costa Rica from below to know it from above. Experience a completely different perspective of Costa Rica while traveling in a helicopter. Explore the city and surroundings of the Central Valley, volcanoes, beaches, rivers full of crocodiles, rainforests or create a completely personalized tour. Having a panoramic view of the magnificent landscape and natural wonders of Costa Rica is an opportunity like no other.
6. Take a day to watch birds
Costa Rica is home to more than 800 species of birds, about 600 permanent residents and 200 migratory species. In comparison, all of North America has more than 900 species of birds in its territory, so Costa Rica is a bird utopia and a paradise for bird watching lovers where you can see some exotic and exquisite species, which include the resplendent quetzal, red macaw, toucan, pink spatula and 50 different types of hummingbirds. The best places for bird watching are San Gerardo de Dota, Tortuguero National Park, Rancho Naturalista, Manuel Antonio National Park and Monteverde Biological Reserve.
7. Learn to cook
Traditional Costa Rican cuisine is simply delicious. The gallo pinto, the corn tortillas, the tamales, the rice with chicken, black soup or patacones are just some of the many dishes we have in Costa Rica. Just seeing these dishes will whet your appetite and make you want to know the secrets of these recipes, making of this a wonderful cultural experience. Taking a cooking class in Costa Rica is a delicious way to learn about Costa Rican culture and food, in addition to acquiring new culinary knowledge to take home and share with friends and family.
8. Diving in Costa Rica
Diving is undoubtedly a stimulating practice to spend and enjoy under the surface of the sea, a unique experience for lovers of the ocean and its inhabitants. Diving comfortably at depths of 20–30 meters (65–100 feet) without diving equipment and holding your breath for more than three minutes may sound impossible without years of intense training, but learn to dive safely with nothing but a mask, fins, and natural skills can be done in a matter of three days.
9. Learn Spanish and talk with the locals
An excellent way to spend time in Costa Rica is to take some Spanish classes at a local language institution. There are Spanish schools located in some really good places in Costa Rica (Tamarindo, Turrialba, Puerto Viejo, Nosara and Samsara). Enrolling in the Spanish school is a wonderful way to make new friends, participate in a series of cultural activities such as salsa dancing and cooking classes, and learn to communicate with the wonderful local people of Costa Rica. This is a great option for solo travelers, couples and groups of friends.
10. Visit Costa Rica again!
If you liked everything you have seen and experienced in Costa Rica, then don’t think about it and visit us again, we have many more activities to do and places to visit.
