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Top 10 Destinations In Costa Rica For Adventures And Nature Lovers in 2025

Photo by Atanas Malamov on Unsplash
An aerial view of Playa Manuel Antonio, by Atanas Malamov on Unsplash

 

Costa Rica or “Rich Coast” in English is the perfect epitome of an adventure hub and wonderland, where nature is untamed. With more than 25% of the country’s landmass designated as protected areas, this country is one of the best places for adventures on the North American Continent, across all seasons. From several national parks like Manuel Antonio and Corcovado to virgin rainforests, the Pacuare River, and the prominent Mount Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica is what outdoor magical dreams are made of. Visit this country in 2025, and head to these destinations for mind-blowing adventures of a lifetime. 

 

Golfo Dulce

A view of Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica
A view of Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica, by sussexbirder via Wikimedia Commons

Golfo Dulce is a gulf in Southwest Costa Rica that separates the Osa Peninsula from the mainland and begins as an inlet from the Pacific Ocean. Translating to Sweet Gulf, this destination is a hot spot for extreme water sports adventures like scuba diving, snorkeling, and sport fishing. For tourists who love to fish, there are numerous whales, sharks, rays, barracuda, pompano, and other diverse fish species in the deep waters. There are also gorgeous beaches on the Gulf like Playa Cativo and Playa Cana Blanca where laid-back tourists can swim, catch the sunset, kayak, and boat on the water. In addition, nature lovers can hike through the Piedra Blancas National Park and Golfo Dulce Forest Preserve that surrounds the Gulf to see diverse bird species and some of the wildlife species Costa Rica is known for. Golfo Dulce Forest Preserve particularly hosts more than 50% of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna, including reptiles like Iguanas, marine mammals like Spotted Dolphins, and invertebrates like sea mollusks. 

 

Manuel Antonio National Park

A beach in Manuel Antonio, by Juan Pablo Mascanfroni on Unsplash

Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s smallest nature preserve at 683 hectares, yet it is incredibly rich in biodiversity. With over 350 bird species, a rainforest,  beaches, bays, volcanic rocks, and hiking trails to explore, the park comes big on adventures. The beaches and bays are more alluring, perfect for kayaking, canoeing, boating, and swimming. Tourists can also kayak through mangrove swamps to see more of the park’s natural splendor. Wildlife lovers can discover three-toed sloths, toucans, iguanas, and the nearly extinct white-faced capuchin monkey, among other species in this small park.

 

Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park

A beach in Corcovado National Park with views of the blue sky, by rob Stoeltje, via Wikimedia Commons

Corcovado National Park occupies the famous Osa Peninsula on the southwest coast of the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica. This peninsula is rich in nature and adventures, featuring spring-fed rivers, waterways, lush forests, and waterfalls. The Corcovado National Park is its highlight attraction, covering nearly half of the peninsula. It is home to abundant wildlife, especially monkeys, jaguars, puma, and scarlet macaws. Tourists can embark on wildlife tours to see these animals or hike the coastal and inland trails that pierce through the verdant rainforest and waterways of the peninsula. There are also cozy bays and beaches on the peninsula to bask in the sun and get in the water for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving adventures.

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Monteverde Cloud Forest

An aerial view of dense forest areas at Monteverde Cloud Forest, by JanBartel from Pixabay

A cloud forest is a natural wonder as it’s nestled in a subtropical or tropical mountain region, so high, that it is often drenched in the clouds and mists. Walking through such a forest is sure to be sensational and the 35,000-acre Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is where to get such an experience. Hiking through the over eight miles of trails with a guide or alone in this cloud forest is a thrilling venture. However, nothing compares to the canopy walk high above it, which just feels like strolling in a cloud mixed with lush greenery. Meanwhile, the park hosts over 100 mammals and 400 bird species, including jaguars, pumas, and margays. More interestingly, night tours are available to create a more mystical feel in the cloud forest experience. 

 

La Fortuna Waterfalls

La Fortuna Falls in Costa Rica, by J. Amill Santiago on Unsplash

Hiking on a trail that cuts through dense rainforest to a gorgeous waterfall with a swimming pool is one of the most satisfying adventures adventures one can have anywhere. Experience this soul-refreshing endeavor at the 200-foot-tall La Fortuna Waterfalls, located near the Arenal Volcano. Truly an adventure that rewards hikers with a refreshing swim, the trail to the waterfalls involves climbing down a steep staircase of 530 steps, with tree shades in some areas. At the emerald pool created by the fall, tourists can swim, enjoy picnics, or just take pictures with the cascading beauty as a backdrop. In addition, walking through the trail offers visuals of wildlife, such as monkeys and toucans. 

 

Tenorio Volcano National Park

A blue river surrounded by trees, by Panegyrics of Granovetter, via Wikimedia Commons

Costa Rica is home to a few volcanoes for adrenaline-pumping hikes, and the Tenorio Volcano is one of the most popular. Located in northern Costa Rica, the park is a natural paradise for hiking and features enchanting waterfalls, blue lagoons, thermal springs, cloud forests, and rainforests. Some of the park’s highlight attractions include; the Montezuma and Tenorio Volcanoes and the charming blue Rio Celeste thermal River. Guided hikes to the summit of the Tenorio volcano and through its forested areas are the most popular adventure in the park. Along the hikes, tourists will meet several blue lagoons and the iconic, 30-meter Rio Celeste Falls that forms a pool, which, unfortunately, prohibits swimming to protect its blue beauty. However, tourists can swim on the Rio Celeste River outside the park. 

 

Pacifico

A swimming pool and sun loungers at Pacifico Beach Lounge

Pacifico is a gated coastal community along Playas del Coco beach, where residents and guests enjoy unlimited access to the beach for recreation and adventures. The community has a boat club that offers thrilling boating adventures. Even better, condominiums and estate homes here are surrounded by rainforests, photogenic beaches, mountains, and coves, making adventures just at the doorsteps of residents. From hiking the surrounding volcanoes and swimming on beaches to surfing waves and snorkeling deep in the waters, a retreat or residence in Pacifico is a call to exclusive luxury comfort and intriguing adventures.

Tortuguero National Park

A river surrounded by a dense forest in Tortuguero National Park, by caspar s, via Wikimedia Commons

Considered the Amazon of the North, Tortuguero National Park is a nest for wildlife and scenic waterways, situated off the northern coast of the Caribbean.  The park is only accessible by boat or flight owing to its remote location, which makes it an exclusive getaway with nature. It is home to several waterways, lagoons, and creeks that can be explored on a boat, canoe, or kayak while spotting wildlife such as reptiles, monkeys, and birds. On a boat, kayak, or canoe tours of its waterways, tourists can also witness the sight of sea turtles, especially the green turtle while it is nesting. Most tourists visit this park just for the visual indulgence of seeing these turtles that gave the park its name – Tortuguero, which translates to turtle in English. Meanwhile, the Tortuguero Canal is another water body to explore on boat tours, spotting more wildlife and birds such as crocodiles, Jesus Christ Lizards, and Caimans.

 

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Pacuare River

White water rafters tumbling on the Pacuare River, by Autentico Adventures Costa Rica, via Wikimedia Commons

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime thrilling adventure at the Pacuare River, Costa Rica’s most famous destination for water sports. This wild and scenic river is also one of the world’s best rivers for white water rafting, with category III, III, and IV rapids. Hence, adventurers will be up for some adrenaline rush all through the process. The river runs for 120km from the Talamanca Mountain Range down to the Caribbean Coast, winding through pristine rainforests and creating canyons covered in greenery. This scenery, which also includes elegant waterfalls, complements the rafting adventure with charming views of nature as adventurers embark on half or full-day tours, slugging it out with the raging and aggressive rapids.

 

Arenal Volcano National Park

A view of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by volcano, by Yricordel, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s impossible to talk about adventures in Costa Rica and skip Arenal Volcano, as it is revered for being the adventure capital of the country. At the core of the national park is the imposing Arenal Volcano, shaped like a cone and drenched by the lushness of a dense forest. Truly an adventure capital, there are many things to do here in the quest for boosting adrenaline. Hiking is the most famous adventure to capture the magical views of the conical volcano. Take the 2.5 km Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail, which runs through a lush forest, bypassing lava fields and devastated lands caused by a volcanic eruption that created the mountain. Keep an eye out for wildlife like monkeys and deer, and afterward, unwind at Lake Arenal in kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and boating expeditions. 

 

Conclusion

Experience the thrill of the great outdoors like never before in one of South America’s premier touristy countries, as breathtaking landscapes put up a show. Costa Rica is not only rich in coastal beauty and endowments, just as its name suggests but boasts other magnificent landscapes that set the stage for dreamy adventures. Find waterfalls, lush, pristine forests, wild and scenic rivers, mountains, lakes, and nature preserves in their numbers on a visit here. Embark on water sports, canopy walks, hikes, cycling, and extreme water-based adventures like snorkeling, skiing, and scuba diving on its charming waters, your call. 

 

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