In the initial stages of planning my Costa Rica holiday, I never thought that I would fall in love with Costa Rica as I did. It is worth traveling to Costa Rica, or should I say that it is like walking into a dream of beautiful rainforests, beaches as far as the eye can see, volcanoes, and the nicest people in the world. Each day was a novelty of its own. Costa Rica vacations are perfect with family or alone, and there are more than enough activities to keep you busy in Costa Rica that suit all types of travellers. This is my list of the top 23 things I did during my Costa Rica vacation, and I feel like this would definitely turn out to be the best if you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, too!
1. Soaked Hot Springs of La Fortuna
Table of Contents
- 1. Soaked Hot Springs of La Fortuna
- 2. Hiking in the Arenal volcano
- 3. My room was in a Treehouse hotel, which lay in a jungle!
- 4. Zip-lined Over the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- 5. Manuel Antonio National Park, the perfect spot to see a raccoon!
- 6. Feel lazy on the Beach of Santa Teresa
- 7. Central Valley’s coolest Coffee Tour!
- 8. Snorkelled in Cahuita National Park
- 9. Rode Horses on the Beach, Nosara
- 10. Cruised along the Tortuguero River.
- 11. At Tamarindo, I had my first surfing experience!
- 12. Hotel in Costa Rica -Beachfront
- 13. Watched Turtles Hatch at Ostional
- 14. Kayaking on Lake Arenal
- 15. Ate Gallo Pinto Morning, turned out to be a daily addiction!
- 16. Checked out Rio Celeste Waterfalls
- 17. Stayed overnight in San Jose
- 18. Became a Part of Chocolate-Making Class
- 19. A drive through the Nicoya Peninsula
- 20. Touring the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica
- 21. Yoga Classes around the Ocean
- 22. Learned Spanish Phrases to have a better experience in Costa Rica
- 23. I sobbed while I was leaving!
- Final Thoughts
La Fortuna was one of the first places I went to in Costa Rica on my trip. The hot springs are the ideal starting point for your Costa Rica holiday after a long flight. It was like swimming in heaven because the hot spring was surrounded by lush green jungle that was so pleasant to feel.
2. Hiking in the Arenal volcano
Exploring the Arenal Volcano is a thrilling adventure that should not be missed in Costa Rica. As I trekked around its base, the awe-inspiring landscapes left me in a state of excitement. It’s the kind of experience that ignites a sense of adventure and makes you feel alive in the best possible way, a testament to the grandeur of nature.
3. My room was in a Treehouse hotel, which lay in a jungle!
For a truly unique Costa Rica experience, I decided to stay in a treehouse. Waking up to the sounds of toucans and howler monkeys was a fascinating highlight of my trip. It’s these kinds of unique experiences that make Costa Rica vacations so memorable and worth trying.
4. Zip-lined Over the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Rafting is one of the most thrilling activities in Costa Rica if you are an adrenaline junkie. This was on my bucket list since the moment I planned my trip to Costa Rica, and I kept screaming out of excitement throughout the ride.
5. Manuel Antonio National Park, the perfect spot to see a raccoon!
The park is an absolute attraction for any family visit in Costa Rica. There were monkeys, sloths, and raccoons, too. It is among the best activities in Costa Rica to engage wildlife enthusiasts.
Visit Now > National Park
6. Feel lazy on the Beach of Santa Teresa
I was in need of rest during my Costa Rica vacation, and Santa Teresa provided me with that experience effortlessly. White beaches, blue ocean, and sunsets that resembled paintings from the Renaissance period. This was the coolest time of my travels.
7. Central Valley’s coolest Coffee Tour!
Coffee in Costa Rica is a piece of cake. I attended a local coffee farm tour where I got to know how Costa Rican beans are cultivated. It is one of the most unique activities in Costa Rica.
8. Snorkelled in Cahuita National Park
It was my first adventure in snorkelling during my Costa Rica holidays. The reefs were alive, and I could see so many fish. In case you are in love with the sea, add this to your Costa Rica travel list without even thinking twice!
9. Rode Horses on the Beach, Nosara
Riding a horse on the beach at sunset was one of the most magical activities to do in Costa Rica. Nosara is a calm jewel of Costa Rica for family holidays as well.
10. Cruised along the Tortuguero River.
Tortuguero is always referred to as the Amazon of Costa Rica, and now I understand why. I encountered crocodiles, birds, and turtles. Here, the Costa Rica trip actually felt like experiencing a Safari!
11. At Tamarindo, I had my first surfing experience!
I tried to surf in Tamarindo as the spot is pretty good and safe for beginners. I walked many times, crashed to the ground many times, but it is one of the best activities I have performed in Costa Rica. It is a great place to have fun when you are on a Costa Rica holiday.
12. Hotel in Costa Rica -Beachfront
Costa Rica hotels are so amazing, and the one that I chose for myself was the one with hammocks and a sea view. This is when my Costa Rican journey started turning into a heavenly experience.
13. Watched Turtles Hatch at Ostional
Baby turtles crawling in the sea is one of the most touching things to see in Costa Rica, and I was fortunate enough to have witnessed this experience. It was seriously one of my golden moments in Costa Rica.
14. Kayaking on Lake Arenal
I enjoyed the kayaking experience on Lake Arenal, and it was so picturesque. An excellent destination for a Costa Rican family vacation. I even came across some exotic birds in the process.
15. Ate Gallo Pinto Morning, turned out to be a daily addiction!
Travelling to Costa Rica also means that you literally have to taste local food, and gallo pinto turned out to be my daily addiction. It seems to be a standard Costa Rica vacation that I dreamt of.
16. Checked out Rio Celeste Waterfalls
The Rio Celeste Waterfalls are a sight to behold. The vibrant blue water looks like a scene from a dream. Experiences like these make Costa Rica a truly magical destination, leaving you in awe and inspired to witness its beauty.
17. Stayed overnight in San Jose
My first night’s stay was in a comfortable Costa Rica hotel in San Jose. The city is charming and has excellent local markets.
18. Became a Part of Chocolate-Making Class
Yes, chocolate! With cocoa, Costa Rica holidays taste even better. This is a practical tour, and doing this was one of the good-tasting things I did in Costa Rica, and I met new friends.
19. A drive through the Nicoya Peninsula
Hiring a car gave me more flexibility to travel in Costa Rica. Touring Nicoya was an adventure on its own. As we drove to the location, it was surrounded by beaches, rainforests, and mangoes by the roadside.
20. Touring the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula is unspoiled, rustic, and touristy. This is where my Costa Rica vacation got wild. I could see jaguars and scarlet macaws everywhere. It is literally meant for people who desire to have wild activities in Costa Rica.
21. Yoga Classes around the Ocean
Travel to Costa Rica comes with inner peace as well. I participated in a yoga session at the sand in Nosara, and my soul could actually stretch. That was one of the best options in Costa Rica with teens or health enthusiasts.
22. Learned Spanish Phrases to have a better experience in Costa Rica
From all the places I visited during my Costa Rica holidays, people were friendly and cooperative. I learned regional expressions that facilitated my trip to Costa Rica and made it more relationally oriented.
23. I sobbed while I was leaving!
Of course, goodbyes hurt the most!. The really difficult part was to leave. The holiday in Costa Rica provided me with a sense of tranquil satisfaction, thrill, and memories to take along. Amongst all activities that one could have engaged in Costa Rica, being there was the greatest.
Final Thoughts
The Costa Rica trip was more than a vacation because it gave me stories to tell. The activities in Costa Rica are limitless, whether you want to find excitement, outdoor activities, or just relaxation. Everything was a gift. Costa Rica has beautiful hotels, wild and memorable wildlife, and kind people. Costa Rica family vacations are the best, literally!