Sightseeing & Adventure in Costa Rica

Whitewater rafting on the Rio Sarapiqui

I am not normally the adventurous type, but my wife and I had a ball doing this—the first time for both of us.

Rio Pacuare near the Caribbean coast is a popular alternative and probably better suited for non-first timers.

As an added bonus, while trying to avoid drowning, we managed to see a huge amount of wildlife by the river. We did this as part of an organized excursion.

Mistico Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna

Given the height of trees in Costa Rica's rainforest, one way to see more of the action is to try some of the various hanging bridges. Mistico is one of the more popular ones. The pathways linking the various hanging bridges are undulating, so this is not the place for a gentle stroll.

Cruise the Pacific coast near Manuel Antonio

We spent a lovely afternoon cruising down the coast from Quepos on a wooden sailboat. Lovely views, quality food, and we even saw a few whales!

Wildlife viewing in the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Cloud forests are a rare, magical kind of rainforest located at higher altitudes. Monteverde is perhaps the most famous in the world and should really not be missed. Make sure you tour with a guide as they will spot wildlife you would walk past without even noticing.

Jaco Aerial Tram

A more relaxing way to experience the treetops is an aerial tram. We did the one just outside Jaco and were privileged to see toucans, macaws, and monkeys at close quarters. Take the tram back down (like I did) or zip-line like my wife did!

Sky Trek zip-lining in Arenal

For hardcore zip-liners, Costa Rica is something of a paradise. Monteverde probably has the oldest, but Sky Trek in Arenal is one of a number in that region and boasts speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

La Esquina de Buenos Aires in San Jose

I would stay in San Jose just to visit this restaurant! Unsurprisingly, this is something of a meat lover's paradise, but I took my vegetarian mother-in-law on our recent trip and she loved it, too. Great character, and a loyal band of locals welcomed like family. Insider tip: Book in advance or prepare to fight for a table!

Las Ventanas at El Silencio Lodge and Spa in Bajos del Toro

A must-eat for hotel guests, but they also seemed to get plenty of guests from outside. Really high-quality fine dining with a farm-to-table ethos that highlights the best of Costa Rican produce. Insider tip: Save yourself time and effort and just stay at the hotel!

Restaurante Celajes at Hotel Belmar in Monteverde

The hotel is a characterful Alpine lodge and the restaurant there boasts some great views and some high-quality cooking. We ate there every night of our stay and weren't disappointed.

Medusa Restaurant within the Fall Resort Hotel in Manuel Antonio

Nothing fancy, but a peaceful restaurant overlooking internal gardens that served some really tasty food. Would happily go back.

Asia Luna at Nayara Gardens in La Fortuna

There is no shortage of restaurants on offer for those staying at the Nayara group of hotels in La Fortuna. Realistically, you probably can't go wrong at any of them, but Asia Luna was our favorite.