Best things to do in Costa Rica

Translated as ‘land of the turtles,’ the rainforests of Tortuguero National Park reach right to the edge of the ocean. A complex network of waterways flows through this dense, tropical vegetation, home to a rich variety of exotic wildlife including sloth, howler monkey, puma, jaguar and an abundance of bird species such as the heron and kingfisher. Explore the labyrinth of canals and lagoons on our Costa Rica Discovery trip and head out at dusk to go in search of turtles on the beach.

Located to the north of the country, the active Arenal Volcano is a must-see attraction of Costa Rica. This perfectly conical lava mound rises from a fertile landscape of lush green hillsides and forests. Learn about a fascinating array of flora and fauna on a guided walking tour around the flanks of this mighty peak on our Costa Rica Coast To Coast tour and observe its crater from a safe viewpoint before indulging in a volcanic mud treatment in a local spa.

The wet, tropical climate and steep, mountainous landscapes of Costa Rica have resulted in a myriad of river torrents that are perfect for whitewater rafting. Tumble down fast-flowing cascades of fizzing water on the Pacuare River as it hurtles over large boulders and squeezes through tight canyons on our Explore Costa Rica trip. As the river widens, slow-moving pools offer a serene moment of calm under the rainforest canopy. Blue morpho butterfly flutter around the steep walls of the gorge and yellow-beaked toucan watch over us from above before we surge forward once more down the next breathtaking rapid.