The Best Outdoor Activities in Costa Rica
Discover the best hiking, camping, backpacking, fitness, and more.
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Catch Waves and a Sunset at Playa Jacó
Costa Rica / Playa Jaco, Costa Rica
There are hotels nearby, but if you are staying in San Jose this is a great day trip since it is only a couple of hours away by bus. Jaco is a big, wide open beach with room for everyone.
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Explore Playa Espadilla Beach
Costa Rica / Playa Espadilla Beach
The beach just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park is called Playa Espadilla and you can camp here for free if you have a tent or hammock.
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Hike Costa Rica's Cerro Chato
Costa Rica / Sendero Cerro Chato
Hiking the Chato Volcano, or Cerro Chato, is the perfect way to get an incredible view of neighboring big brother, Arenal Volcano.
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Hike the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
Costa Rica / Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is just a short 15 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna.
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Climb into the Terciopelo Cave
Costa Rica / Terciopelo Cave Ranger Station, Barra Honda National Park, Costa Rica
Riddled with stygian chambers much like the holes in Swiss cheese, Barra Honda is unique among Costa Rica's network of national parks.
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Hike Around Poás Volcano
Costa Rica / Poás Volcano Visitor Center
Poás Volcano was last active briefly in 2014, but most notably in 2009. It's one of the most active volcanos in Costa Rica.
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Hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls
Costa Rica / Nauyaca Waterfalls
With so much to explore in Costa Rica, I suggest you try and make time for Nauyaca Falls.
You start by going to a small office on the side of Route 243 between Dominical and San Isidro.
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Hike the Las Pailas Trail
Costa Rica / Las Pailas, Rincon de la Vieja
Rincón de la Vieja offers an immense variety of scenery and wildlife. The trail, Las Pailas, twists around the base of the volcano through jungle, geysers and low-dry foothills.
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Hike to La Fortuna Falls
Costa Rica / La Fortuna Trailhead, Costa Rica
This is a nice 1/2 day trip.
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Hike Cerro Chirripó
Costa Rica / Parque Nacional Chirripo Entrance (Rivas)
It's 4:55 a.m.
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Swim at Llanos de Cortez, Costa Rica
Costa Rica / Cataratas Llanos de Cortez
Llanos de Cortez is a hidden gem in the northwestern portion of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste region.
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Surf Playa Negra
Costa Rica / Playa Negra Beach
Compared to its more famous neighbor Tamarindo, Playa Negra feels worlds away from the tourist crowds and beach hawkers.
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Relax at Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
Costa Rica / Playa Conchal
Concha is the Spanish word for "shell" and as the name states, you will find the whole beach is made up of tiny sea shells.
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Relax in Punta Leona, Costa Rica
Costa Rica / Punta Leona
Punta Leona is a peninsula located south west of San Jose and Alajuela. Head west towards Punta Arenas, then south on interstate 34.
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Relax at Playa Barrigona
Costa Rica / Playa Barrigona, Costa Rica
This was the very first beach I found off the radar about 15 years ago. Every year I travel to Costa Rica, I make a point to return to Barrigona.
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Relax at Playa Corozalito
Costa Rica / Playa Corozalito, Costa Rica
I have been to many beaches in Costa Rica. I have never experienced a beach as beautiful (yet) as this one. The approach to the water is a gradual, barely noticeable ease into the ocean.
