Costa Rica holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Here’s a taster of our adventures and attractions. For loads more ideas, speak to your Rep.

Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Rainforest

You’ll go tropical in the rainforest on this jam-packed tour, where meeting a tribe and swimming in hot springs are on the agenda. And the big highlight of the day is getting up close to the fire-spitting Arenal Volcano – the most active in the Americas.

Prices from £83pp adult
Prices from £71pp child


Monteverde Cloud Forest

If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to walk in the clouds this is your chance. You’ll head high into the mountains to this misty, magical cloud forest for a breathtaking SkyWalk over hanging bridges in the treetops. Expect to see howler monkeys and jungle birds along the way.

Prices from £88pp adult
Prices from £68pp child


Tenorio White Water Rafting

Get your heart pumping with a hair-raising trip down the rapids in Guanacaste’s Tenorio River. Your day begins with some exotic plant and animal-spotting before the thrill of flying down eight miles of intense rapids.

Prices from £80pp adult

Palo Verde National Park River Tour

Keep your eyes peeled for white-face monkeys, howler monkeys, American crocodiles, Iguanas and hundreds of different bird species on this two-hour riverboat ride along Costa Rica’s largest river.

Prices from £46 adult
Prices from £39 child

Please note: This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Highlights

• Covering yourself in bubbling volcanic mud in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, then rinsing off under a cascading waterfall
• Getting back to nature in Costa Rica’s incredible tropical forests, home to an abundance of fascinating wildlife, from colourful butterflies to exotic birds
• Hanging high in the treetops on a canopy tour, an amazing trip letting you glide through the trees like Tarzan, safely suspended in a harness
• Bathing in the famous Tabacón Hot Springs in Arenal, a truly relaxing experience to enjoy on your holiday in Costa Rica
• Whizzing down a zip wire, with the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest all around you
• Getting an adrenaline rush, tubing down the waters of Rio Negro
• White water rafting on the Coribici River
• Treading carefully as you watch endangered leatherback and green turtles nesting on Costa Rica’s sandy shores
• Catching a wave in the surfers’ paradise of Tamarindo, where you can rent a board, take a lesson and soak up the laid-back beach vibe
• Seeing the sights on horseback, whether you’re riding across the beach or trekking through the rainforest
• Soaking up the hustle and bustle of San José, Costa Rica’s vibrant capital city

Food and drink

Costa Ricans love their rice and beans, especially served with sour cream, but you can also try spicy coconut milk stew, fried chicken and garlic potatoes.

Feast on fresh exotic fruit, including papaya, sweet mangoes and the Tamarindo fruit, or have them all in a smoothie.

Make sure you try the delicious local coffee but, for a more adventurous night-time tipple, brave the potent national drink 'guaro', a clear alcohol derived from sugar cane.

Evening Flavour

Tamarindo is the place to party: you can enjoy live street entertainment, dance the night away in clubs and sip cocktails in Ibiza-style chill-out bars on the beach.

In quieter resorts, nightlife is based within the hotel casinos and bars, but sometimes there’s nothing better than spending an evening unwinding on your balcony.

In Playa Conchal or the Gulf of Papagayo, you can take an evening stroll and gaze at glorious sunsets, hearing pulsating music.

Shopping

Costa Rica is famous for its flavoursome coffee; you can take home gourmet coffee beans, coffee liqueur and chocolate coffee sweets.

Pick up local handicrafts like leather goods, ceramics and colourful woodwork, or shop for gold and silver jewellery, made with semi-precious stones, which makes a great gift for someone special, or an excellent way to treat yourself.

Wander around Tamarindo’s craft stalls and shops, where you’ll find clothes, flip-flops, surf goods and souvenirs to remind you of your holiday in Costa Rica.

Dates for the Diary

Costa Ricans celebrate Independence Day on 15 September: expect colourful parades, marching bands and children carrying glowing homemade lanterns.

For the Family

• Go for a walk in the clouds and spot howler monkeys and jungle birds along the way at the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

• Head into the rainforest to swim in hot springs, get up close to the fire-spitting Arenal Volcano and meet a local tribe on a special day trip.

• Get your heart a-fluttering when you visit the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. Here, you won’t just see different butterflies but also spiders and insects.

Local weather

Information

Language: Spanish
Currency: Costa Rican Colón
Standard GMT: - 6 hrs
Costa Rican Embassy: Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH.
Tel: (020) 7706 8844
www.visitcostarica.com

Travel money

Colón

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.