Activities in Central America
-
FEATURED
Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise
6 hours (Departs Panama City, Panama)
by Viator
See for yourself how the Panama Canal works as you transit the Miraflores Locks, one of three locks used along the canal. The construction of the canal was one…Not LP reviewed
from USD$144.99 - All activities
-
Caribbean Tropical Tours
A small, well-recommended company run by master sloth-spotter William Guerrero and his wife, it’s ideal if you want to book a leisurely ride to Tortuguero with plenty of pit-stops to see wildlife (per person one-way US$35).
reviewed
-
Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge
Near Monte de la Cruz, in the Barva sector, the Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge is an education facility that is always seeking volunteers to help out with administrative, maintenance and research duties. Contact the organization through its website.
reviewed
-
A
Cloud Forest School
A bilingual school (kindergarten to 11th grade) in Monteverde offering creative and experiential education.
reviewed
-
Coopeldós
This cooperative of 450 small and medium-sized organic coffee growers is Fairtrade-certified. One of its main clients is Starbucks. It’s about halfway between Tilarán and Monteverde.
reviewed
-
Coopetortuguero
reviewed
-
Costa Rica Art Tour
This small outfit run by Molly Keeler organizes a recommended day tour that visits five different artist studios, where you can view (and buy) the work of local painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists and jewelers. Lunch and hotel pickup is included in the price. Reserve at least one week in advance.
reviewed
-
Costa Rica Fun Adventures
reviewed
-
Discovery Horseback Tours
Nearby beach and rainforest rides are available through Discovery Horseback Tours, a highly recommended outfit run by an English couple who offer an extremely high level of service and professionalism.
reviewed
-
Ecofinca Andar
reviewed
-
Associacion de Turismo Rural Ruta Los Heroes
If you don't wish to go all the way to Trinidad, the pink building near the dock is a boat captain cooperative. Together, they offer a variety of river tours including those with ecological and historical emphasis, but it's often closed in low season. If it is closed when you're here, negotiate directly with the captains you find at the dock. Oscar Lao is one trusted captain who offers fair prices and has a new boat. You can call him directly on 8365-3683.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
B
Gray Line Tours
Gray Line Tours is one long-standing agent that receives good reviews. It books tours throughout the country as well as private intercity transportation.
reviewed
-
Green Iguana Surf Camp
Of course, one great way to get a bit more experience under your belt is by heading to this traveler-recommended place. Located on a side road leading to the beach, this camp is run by experienced surfers Jason and Karla Butler, and offers a variety of surf lessons and tours as well as seven- to 10-day surfing camps.
reviewed
-
Hacienda Pozo Azul Adventures
Hacienda Pozo Azul Adventures specializes in adventure activities, including horseback-riding tours, a canopy tour over the lush jungle and river, rappelling, and assorted river trips. Or indulge in any combination thereof. It is the most polished and best funded tour concession in the area, and ideal for families. The Adventure Center is in La Virgen town.
reviewed
-
HangGlide Costa Rica
HangGlide Costa Rica will pick you up in Jacó and shuttle you to an airstrip south of Playa Hermosa where you can tandem-ride in a hang glider or fly in a three-seat ultralight plane. There’s no office in town.
reviewed
-
Kayak Jacó Costa Rica Outriggers
This reliable company facilitates kayaking and sea-canoeing trips that include snorkeling excursions to tropical islands, in a wide variety of customized day and multiday trips. This outfit does not have an office in Jacó – though you might see them set up in Playa Agujas 250m east of the beach. Still it’s best to either phone or email in advance.
reviewed
-
C
Manuel Antonio Divers
reviewed
-
Marlboro Horse Stables
The Tico-run Marlboro Horse Stables rents horses, and can organize trips through the rainforest for variable prices.
reviewed
-
Merecumbé Escazú
reviewed
-
Mina Tours
Behind the church, Mina Tours is a family-run tour outfit that can arrange transportation and offers several gold-themed tours, including of the Ecomuseo and abandoned mines.
reviewed
-
Mirador Lodge
The Quesada family at this isolated cloud-forest lodge takes riders on horseback tours as well as to Arenal, starting from the lodge. If the weather and trail conditions are not perfect, they will arrange a taxi-boat-taxi transfer as an alternative.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
D
Monteverde Institute
A nonprofit educational institute, founded in 1986, that offers interdisciplinary courses in tropical biology, conservation, sustainable development and Spanish, among other topics. Courses are occasionally open to the public, as are volunteer opportunities in education and reforestation – check the website. Spanish classes start at $345 per week, with homestays with local families available for $20 a night. Longer courses include university-accredited programs for undergraduates and they emphasize tropical community ecology. Internships and volunteer opportunities are also available.
reviewed
-
E
Oceans Unlimited
This shop takes its diving very seriously, and runs most of its excursions out to Isla Larga and Isla del Caño, which is south in Bahía Drake (connected through a two-hour bus trip south). It also has a range of specialized PADI certifications and regular environmental awareness projects that make it stand out from the pack. The shop is near the southeast corner of the football field, on the road to Manuel Antonio.
reviewed
-
F
Original Canopy Tour
On the grounds of Cloud Forest Lodge, this is the fabled zip line route that started this adventure–theme park trend. These lines aren’t as elaborate as the others, but with 14 platforms, a rappel through the center of an old fig tree and 5km of private trails worth a wander afterward, you can enjoy a piece of history that’s far more entertaining than most museums.
reviewed
-
Pantanal Tours
reviewed
-
Parque Valle del Sol
Golfers can hit the greens at the Parque Valle del Sol in the nearby suburb of Santa Ana.
reviewed