Things to Do in Guanacaste

It's game on from the moment you hit the water on this sport-fishing tour, with a professional crew getting you ready to reel in fish like mahi‑mahi, tuna, wahoo, sailfish and maybe even marlin if the season aligns. Gear, drinks and snacks are included, too, so you can kick back, cast out and soak up Costa Rica's coastal views as the day unfolds. Whether you're a seasoned angler or brand new to the rod, the crew keeps things lively, helpful and enjoyable for everyone on board.

Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned angler, this private sport fishing trip off the coast of Guanacaste has a mix of relaxation and world-class fishing. Your experienced crew will set you up with top-quality gear and expert guidance on getting the best from the warm pacific waters. You can book a half, three quarter or full-day trip and tailor it based on the kind of fish you're chasing. For big game like marlin, sailfish and dorado you'll head out to deeper water, or for coastal picks like roosterfish and snapper, you'll stick closer to the shoreline.

This guided tour blends nature, wildlife and authentic Costa Rican flavours into one culture-filled day out in the countryside. You'll begin with a dip at Posa Rio Celeste, where sky-blue natural pools and a waterfall are waiting. Next, you'll visit a farm where sloths, monkeys and toucans are known to hang out. While you're here, you'll head off on a cacao, pineapple and coffee tour, learning how each one is grown – you'll have the chance to taste them along the way, too. Then, savour a lunch made from the farm-fresh produce grown here, offering a true taste of Costa Rica.

No holiday to Costa Rica is ever complete without soaring through the jungle canopy on a zip-line. After all, 25% of the entire country is protected land, so seeing it as you whizz along a zip-line is a must-try. This experience includes your transfers to and from an adventure park nestled in the greenery, where you'll throw on some safety equipment, get a briefing from the experts that run the place and start your zip-lining experience.

Whether you want to zoom through the treetops on a zip line, plunge down an extreme waterslide or take a horseback ride in wildlife-packed jungle, Buena Vista Adventure Centre serves up some of Costa Rica's top thrills. And when you need to slow things down, there's a tasty local lunch and a well-earned soak in a hot volcanic spring to enjoy.

At the heart of the Costa Rican surfing scene, Playa Tamarindo is one of the best spots to hit the waves. With excellent breaks and year-round warm water, the well-known beach makes for the perfect surf lesson location for beginner and advanced surfers alike. During this 2-hour class, amateurs can grasp the basics on land before hitting the waves, while experienced surfers will hone their skills alongside an expert instructor.

Most of Costa Rica's rich wildlife lives in the upper levels of the trees. So what better way to see them than a suspended bridge hike, high above the jungle floor. Spot spider monkeys, sleepy sloths and 400 species of tropical birds alongside an expert guide. And after a refreshing swim in Llanos del Cortes waterfall and a Costa Rican lunch, you'll spend the afternoon floating down the river on a raft.

Saddle up for the ride of your life on this horse riding tour at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. With no previous experience required, you'll don your helmet for a lazy ride through tropical forests, spotting backcountry wildlife along the way. There's even a stop off at a beach, where you can take in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Thrill-seekers will love this off-road adventure at Diamante Eco Park. With an experienced guide in tow, you'll whizz through jungle and tropical forests on a quad bike, spotting wildlife along the way. Then, round off the tour heading uphill for the chance to take in the views of the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

Thrill-seekers will love this off-road adventure at Diamante Eco Park. With an experienced guide in tow, you'll whizz through jungle and tropical forests on a quad bike, spotting wildlife along the way. Then, round off the tour heading uphill for the chance to take in the views of the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

Visit Guanacaste's largest animal sanctuary to learn first-hand, all there is to know about Costa Rica's rarest wildlife. During a day out at Diamante Eco Park, you'll interact with animals from viewing platforms, join in feeding times and marvel at an incredible array of species that call Costa Rica their home. What's more, there'll be a welcome drink and snack included.

Diamante Eco Park doesn't do things by half. Not only is it Guanacaste's largest animal sanctuary, it's also home to Costa Rica's longest zipline, too. Hit the heights on a thrilling 15-platform zipline course that sees you whizz along cables slung between canyons and take on a 1,360m-long Superman-style flight across tropical valleys and views over the Gulf of Papagayo.

Come face-to-face with Costa Rica's rarest wildlife at Diamante Eco Park – Guanacaste's largest animal sanctuary. Cross dizzyingly-high sky bridges in the jungle canopy to marvel at everything from small frogs to big cats. And with the Adventure Pass, you'll also get lunch at the park's first-rate restaurant, plus exclusive access to the world-class butterfly observatory.

The flora and fauna of Costa Rica come to life on this thrilling tour. It kicks off with a morning hike in the rainforests of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Admire the wildlife as you trek to the River Celeste waterfall – famed for its sky blue waters – before breaking for lunch. Then, in the afternoon, you'll have the chance to observe up-close wild animals such as sloths and tree frogs.

This tour combines two of Costa Rica's national treasures – the wildlife of the River Tempisque and rum. You'll cruise the river, tour the Hacienda el Viejo estate and round off with a rum-tasting session on this full-day experience.After arriving at the eco-friendly Hacienda el Viejo estate, you'll kick off the adventure with a boat trip along the River Tempisque. Observe well-preserved fauna such as spoon roses or the mythical Jabiru stork as well as crocodiles or white capuchin monkeys.Then, spend the rest of the day on an exclusive rum tour, where you can tour the rick house and taste aged Sabandi rum from its oak barrels.

The northeastern slope of Rincón de la Vieja volcano is swathed in rainforest. And it makes for some of the most exotic hiking trails in Costa Rica. Trek through an exclusive private estate packed with wildlife and endemic flora. You may even get the chance to bathe in a thermal stream. A traditional local lunch is also included. As you hike through the jungle, you'll reach waterfalls, streams and thermal springs, and see colourful orchids and wildlife. Here, tapirs, howler monkeys and pumas roam freely. You'll visit waterfalls – some tinted electric blue – before reaching the hot springs. Depending on the season, you can slide into the warm volcanic water.

‘Left', ‘right', ‘get down' – no, not an aggressive gym instructor but what you'll hear as you make your way down the River Tenorio rapids. This whitewater rafting tour is Costa Rica at its best – action and adventure in the wild.

Set off on an adventure in Costa Rica's great outdoors with a tour that ticks off waterfall swims, wildlife-spotting and more. You'll trek into the jungle searching for sloths, splash around in the pools of a thundering waterfall and feast on a typical local lunch. Then, you'll delve into the heart of some of Costa Rica's most famous exports – coffee and cocoa – with tastings of both.

One of the best nature trails in Costa Rica, this hiking tour near Arenal volcano is a blockbuster. You'll observe endemic flora and fauna up close, cross a hanging bridge over the rainforest canopy and visit one of the country's most famous hot springs. A local food tasting is also included.

Costa Rica is a country bursting with natural beauty – but the Rincón de la Vieja National Park stands out from the crowd. Set off into the great outdoors and wander through the ever-changing landscapes, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – it's prime nature spotting territory. After passing by the park's namesake volcano, you'll arrive at Oropendola waterfall for a refreshing dip, before finishing up with a delicious lunch.

See a Costa Rican sunset in style with an evening aboard a swanky sailboat. But before watching nature's nightly show, you'll spend the day sailing by beautiful beaches and dropping anchor to swim, snorkel and explore onshore. What's more, there'll be premium drinks and snacks served throughout, plus a tasty lunch on board.