Top Guanacaste and Northwest Outdoor Activities

Enjoy the thrill of this all-day adventure that includes some of the best outdoor fun. Get your adrenaline pumping on an exciting zipline tour, horseback riding through epic landscapes, and tubing along a flowing river. This memorable tour includes a visit to natural hot springs, a volcanic mud bath, and a full buffet lunch. It's the best way to experience the natural wonder of Costa Rica!

Explore Tamarindo’s beaches and dry forest on an off-road ATV tour with river crossings, mountain views, and stunning tropical scenery. Learn to maneuver your vehicle, then follow your guide along a rugged circuit. Take in the sights and sounds of the Costa Rican forest and watch for birds and monkeys as you steer beneath coastal trees. Upgrade your tour to include other activities such as snorkeling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or even exploring other areas by ATV.

Exchange the sun and surf for for a high-flying adventure in the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest on this full-day combo tour. Fly through the forest canopy on a 15-cable zipline course featuring a gravity-defying Superman cable and a Tarzan swing, and slow down for a closer look at Monteverde's rich biodiversity while walking through the tree tops along a series of hanging bridges. In between adventures, replenish your energy with a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a whistle-stop tour of Nicaragua’s best bits from Costa Rica. Take in the views from Catarina Volcano, haggle over handicrafts at the Masaya Artisan Market and visit the active Masaya Volcano. After a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine, explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views of Mombacho Volcano. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way.

Adventure seekers and spa mavens alike will enjoy this full-day tour to Vida Aventura Nature Park, nestled in the scenic mountains of Guanacaste. Fly through the treetops on a series of ziplines, and then return to solid ground for a horseback ride complete with stunning vistas of two active volcanoes. Unwind after your adventure with a mineral-rich mud bath, followed by a refreshing rinse in a natural hot spring. Your tour includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Spend a day in the wilderness that makes Costa Rica famous on this guided ATV tour from the Guanacaste coast. Follow your guide over rivers, through thick jungle foliage, past waterfalls, and more, all while learning about the native wildlife along the way. This tour includes all equipment and safety instructions as well as hotel pickup from your Guanacaste lodging.

Get an up-close look at Costa Rica's hidden natural wonders on this Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortes waterfall tour. Follow an expert local guide through breathtaking scenery, rugged trails, and truly beautiful attractions. This is the perfect way to explore outside the city and see what makes Costa Rica a top attraction for nature lovers.

Explore Costa Rica’s wild side on a 2-hour guided ATV tour in the Guanacaste region. Venture through forests, forge rivers, and comb the beach in search of wildlife sightings and a dose of adventure.

Quick and thrilling, this zipline canopy tour in Guanacaste lets you ride through the treetops, see the rain forest, and then continue on with your day without skipping a beat. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included for a hassle-free agenda, and your choice of a morning or afternoon departure makes this tour easy to fit into your vacation plans.

Saddle up for a thrilling 2-hour horseback riding adventure from Playa Flamingo and soak up the scenery from the back of a beautiful horse! Look out for Howler monkeys, iguanas, magpie blue jay and parakeets as you amble along rainforest trails or let loose with a gallop along the beach. Best of all: there are a range of horses and trails suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced riders.

Immerse yourself in the wild volcanic landscapes of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on this full-day trekking tour. Set out on a moderate 3-hour hike through the jungle and keep a lookout for Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Toucans, and Coatis along the way. Pass hissing fumaroles, volcanic craters, and bubbling mud pools, then cool off with a swim beneath the Oropendola Waterfall. After re-fuelling with a delicious lunch of Costa Rican cuisine, enjoy a soothing soak in the hot springs and volcanic mud baths of Rio Negro.

Experience the thrill of hiking near one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere! On this full-day trip from Guanacaste, get an up-close view of Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano and the surrounding tropical landscape. Rejuvenate with a dip in volcanic hot springs and enjoy stellar evening views of the volcano and emerging stars. Round-trip hotel transport from Guanacaste included.

Head out into the Cosa Rican night in search of Green Pacific and Olive Ridley sea turtles laying their eggs on Playa Grande. During this evening tour from Tamarindo, you may even see baby turtles hatching, depending on the conditions. National park fees included.

Explore one of the world’s most diverse collections of species gathered in one place with a visit to the animal sanctuary at Diamante Eco Adventure Park in Guanacaste. From adorable three-toed sloths to scaly reptiles and sleek jungle cats, see an amazing array of animals rescued by the Costa Rican Ministry of Wildlife, and learn about the park’s conservation projects. The naturally designed habitats include hummingbird gardens and a large butterfly observatory teeming with jewel-toned beauties.

Experience Costa Rica’s longest ocean view dual zipline with admission to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where you can ride side by side with family and friends. Your experience includes access to the 4,461-foot (1,360-meter) zipline, as well as a Tarzan swing, ‘Quick Jump’ free fall, and a hanging bridge that dangles over crocodile-infested waters.

Part of what makes Costa Rica the world's premier destination for ecotourism is its extensive coastlines. Explore the waters off Guanacaste aboard the Blue Dolphin, a 40-foot catamaran that slices through the surf and offers a fully stocked bar, paddle boards and kayaks for your enjoyment. Breathe in the salt spray and keep a lookout for dolphins, turtles, whales, and spectacular coastal views.

Take a ride aboard the Dream Chaser catamaran, with plenty of opportunities to snorkel in the sea, with this small-group tour, limited to 16 passengers. You'll also get the chance to dine on an included lunch with a variety of vegetable and meat options or order drinks from the onboard tiki bar.

Horseback riding through the jungle might sound too good to be true, but this tour certainly isn’t. Saddle up for a relaxed ride through a private jungle ranch outside of Tamarindo—well-trained horses make this tour suitable for beginner and advanced riders alike. As follow your guide through forests and pastures en route to waterfalls, vista points, and natural springs, look out for wildlife like iguanas and monkeys in their natural habitat.

Explore the sandy beaches, secluded bays, and jungle-clad shorelines around Playa Hermosa on this afternoon catamaran cruise. Admire the views as you sail along the coast, look out for dolphins and whales, and stop to swim and snorkel in a picturesque bay. While onboard, enjoy a tasty BBQ chicken lunch, grab yourself a drink from the open bar, and watch the sunset as you cruise back to shore.

Fly through the canopy of a rare tropical dry forest on this ziplining excursion from the Tamarindo area. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of monkeys, lizards, and more as you traverse the treetops on a kid-friendly morning outing. Choose between 'Easy' or 'Adventure canopy tours to suit your level of skill.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 2-hour cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and adventure of Costa Rica on this all-day experience. First, learn about coffee, sugar cane, and ceramics, then head out on a ziplining adventure or traverse the hanging bridges. Go for a horseback ride through the forest. Finally, relax in a natural hot water pool and slather yourself in volcanic mud.

Encounter Costa Rican wildlife on a jungle safari cruise along the Tempisque River. A nature guide is on board to help you spot monkeys, coatis, crocodiles, and many species of migratory birds that make their home on this waterway bordering Palo Verde National Park. You'll also learn about Costa Rican culture on a drive through sugar cane fields and traditional villages, plus get a taste of local cuisine with included lunch.

Experience Tamarindo’s perfect breaks with a 2-hour surf lesson at a legendary beachside shop. Get in the water for the first time and practice paddling, popping up and riding in a forgiving beach break. More experienced surfers can hone their skills by surfing alongside an expert instructor, learning to read the breaking surf while improving technique and form. Riders of all skill levels can soak up the sun on the Pacific Coast and enjoy the security of an experienced surf school that places the emphasis on safety and fun.