Activities in Costa Rica
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Buena Vista Rainforest Combo Tour
10 hours (Departs Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Discover the beautiful Rincon de la Vieja National Park on this Buena Vista rainforest combo tour in Costa Rica! Experience hot springs, volcanic mud…Not LP reviewed
from USD$139.99 - All activities
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Río Locos
reviewed
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Sabine’s Smiling Horses
Run by Sabine, who speaks English, French, Spanish and German, Smiling Horses offers a variety of treks including a popular waterfall tour (three hours). Her horses are in great condition.
reviewed
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Costa Rica Ríos
Offers week-long rafting trips that must be booked in advance.
reviewed
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Proyecto Montezuma
Kerri Bowers and César Benavides of Proyecto Montezuma run an innovative volunteer program that not only gives to the community but also fosters cultural exchange, pays fair wages to its employees and gifts you something for donating your time and energy. You choose the project in which you’d like to participate, such as teaching local classes or removing trash from the beach and jungle (privileges that you will pay for). Or you can simply sign up for a sustainable adventure tour or surf lessons (two hours US$40) in and around Montezuma. Hit up the website for details.
reviewed
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Rainmaker Aerial Walkway
Rainmaker is a privately owned rainforest that offered the first aerial walkway through the forest canopy in Central America. Although its star has faded a bit, the place is still regarded as one of the region’s best. From its tree-to-tree platforms, there are spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding primary and secondary rainforest, as well as occasional vistas out to the Pacific Ocean. The reserve is also home to the full complement of tropical wildlife, which means that there are myriad opportunities here for great bird-watching as well as the occasional monkey sighting.
Tours with naturalist guides leave hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos daily except Sunday;…
reviewed
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Thermal Hot Springs
About 2km north of San Gerardo above the ranger station the road forks; take the left fork and walk for about 1km on a paved road for these hot springs. Turn right and take the rickety suspension bridge over the river. A switchback trail will lead you another 1km to a house with a soda (inexpensive eatery), which is the entrance to the springs.
reviewed
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Yökö Termales
Yökö has five hot springs ranging from 20°C to 35°C, and a larger pool with a small waterslide and waterfall, set in an attractive meadow at the foot of Miravalles. There's also a not-fit-for-humans 50°C pool boiling on the grounds. The 12 canary-tinted rooms (single/double including breakfast US$40/75) are comfy with beamed and plywood ceilings that look unfinished. It's a decent, but not magical, sleeping option. Extra amenities include a Jacuzzi, sauna and a relaxed restaurant (mains US$2 to US$10) serving everything from burgers to filet mignon.
reviewed
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Desafío Adventure Company
Desafío has the widest range of river trips in Fortuna, and offers paddling trips on the Ríos Balsa and, occasionally, the Sarapiqui.
It also offers horse riding treks to Volcán Arenal, adventure tours rappelling down waterfalls, and mountain bike expeditions. Look for the crenelated new build.
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Corcovado Expeditions
Offers competitively priced tours to Corcovado and Isla del Caño, as well as a wide variety of specialty hikes including unique excursions to look for rare tropical birds and poison-dart frogs. The office is located between the clinic and the school.
reviewed
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Playa Platanares
About 5km east of town, the secluded – and often deserted – Playa Platanares is excellent for swimming, sunning and recovering from too much adventure. The nearby mangroves of Río Platanares are a paradise for kayaking and bird-watching.
reviewed
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Escondido Trex
Specializes in kayak tours, including mangrove paddles, night paddles, sunset tours and kayak-snorkel combos.
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Willie's Tours
A full-service tour agency that can also arrange further-flung tours and transport.
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Explornatura
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Aventuras Tropicales
A Tico-run operation that offers all sorts of tropical adventures. It's southeast of the centre, on the way to Playa Platanares. Some of their most popular excursions include snorkeling and kayaking tours of the mangroves, which start at about $60 per person for half a day.
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Personalized Spanish
As the name implies, private classes that cater to your needs.
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Barrio Bird Walking Tours
The knowledgeable and engaging Stacey Corrales shows visitors San José's famous and not-so-famous sights, providing history and insights on the city's architecture, murals and urban art. Specialized tours also cater to gourmands, photographers and bar-crawlers.
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Tico Travel
Offers a great variety of surfing packages and camps.
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Serendipity Adventures
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Punta Mona
An organic farm and retreat center that is based on organic permaculture and sustainable living.
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Eagle Tours
Budget travelers rave about this professionally run tour agency. It’s located on the premises of La Choza Inn.
reviewed
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Desafío Adventure Company
This highly recommended company offers a variety of tours including rafting, lava-viewing hikes, horseback riding, mountain biking, spelunking and more. Look for the castle-like building.
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Devaya Yoga
A studio smack in the middle of town, above Montezuma Expediciones, they offer morning and evening classes.
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Daryl Loth
Canadian-born naturalist (formerly of Coterc) offers supersilent electric motorboat trips, turtle tours and guided hikes.
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Catarata San Luis
A popular (but strenuous) hike visits the Catarata San Luis, a gorgeous ribbon streaming in three tiers from the cloud forests into a series of swimming holes just screaming for a picnic. The distance from the parking area to the falls is only a few kilometers, but it’s steeply graded downhill, and the rocky, muddy terrain can get very slick. It’s important to go slow and turn back if it becomes too difficult. However, your efforts will be worth it as the waterfall is simply breathtaking. Alternatively, you may wish to join a guided hike to the falls, offered by the fantastic Ecolodge San Luis. Hikes must be reserved at least a day in advance. And be warned, you may…
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Manuel Antonio Surf School
If you’re looking to surf, the gentle ankle-slappers here are perfect for getting your sea legs. Manuel Antonio Surf School has a kiosk on the beach. As with any surf lessons on the beach, the quality of instructors varies a lot. Be sure to check whether the price comes with a couple of extra hours of board rental.
reviewed