Costa Rica is a location that is worth the hype. From plenty of animal experiences and encounters, to endless greenery and stunning beaches, Costa Rica is a gem of Central America and is a place to add to your bucket list!
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Our Bucket List top list of things to do in Costa Rica
- Visit an ethical animal sanctuary
- Sip on a coconut on a white sand beach
- Explore endless beautiful waterfalls
- Adrenaline seek at the Monteverde Tarzan Swing
- Learn about coffee at a coffee farm
- Visit the amazing national parks
- Zipline through the cloud forest
- Go on a night tour to find frogs and snakes!
- Learn about sloths and ethical animal tourism at a conservation centre
- Embrace surf culture in Santa Teresa
Activities we recommend!
Many of these recommended bucket list things can be found broadly around Costa Rica, some are more specific! We will link some of the opportunities below so it’s easier for you to check them out!
Ziplining Tour in Monteverde
Complete with guide, equipment, and pickup- experience this amazing tour from £56. Find it here.
Tarzan swing and Zipline experience
Visit the Aventura Park in Monteverde, and do a Tarzan swing of 148 foot height! Find this exciting experience here.
Surfing in Santa Teresa
Never surfed before? Meet your instructor on the beach, with all the necessary equipment to start this new skill! Find the lessons here.
Rescate Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit the place that helped us fall in love with Costa Rica, this animal sanctuary is one of the biggest in Central America, and does so much towards animal conservation! Check it out here.
Coffee and Chocolate experience
Learn at a family farm how coffee is made, with opportunities to try samples in a small group! Find it here.
Places to stay
We would love to share as many as we can, but unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to fit recommendations for every place! We will include a few options for some staple hotspots in Costa Rica!
Here are some of our recommendations! We will only be including hostels this time, however, please let us know if you would like to see more location-based recommendations for any style traveller!
San Jose
The Selina chain has finally opened a branch is San Jose! With options for every traveller, this hostel has shared and private rooms (and even camping space), co-working space for us digital nomads, an on site restaurant and more! What’s not to love! Find it here.
La Fortuna
Hot springs calling your name? La Choza Inn has it’s own free hot springs river, with breakfast included… and its only 15 minutes away from the famous Arenal Volcano. This is a great budget hostel, with it only costing around £12 a night! Find it here.
Manuel Antonio
Teva Jungle Hotel and Hostel is a eco hostel boasting acres of forest with plenty of hiking opportunities! Being only a short walk from the commercial area of Manuel Antonio, rooms only start at £10 roughly a night in shared dorms, with the option of private rooms too! Find it here.
Santa Teresa
Zeneidas Surf Garden; it’s time to surf, chill and rewind! This hostel is the only beach-based hostel in Santa Teresa, offering BBQ nights, yoga, surf lessons and so much more! From only £18 a night this is such a great find! Check it out here.
Puerto Viejo
Located in the centre of Puerto Viejo, El Clan is the place to be! This hostel offers a pool, with many social areas – make the most of your travels! There is both private and shared rooms; however, dorms seem to be booking quick so check this out sooner rather than later! Dorms are only 6 per room which is great for those not wanting to be surrounded by too many other people! Find it here.
Have you done any of these things?
Would you add anything else to this list? If you have been previously, what is your favourite thing to do? And if you haven’t been, what is your most idolised thing to do?
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