15 things you must do in Costa Rica

The turquoise river has become a picture-perfect symbol of Costa Rica, and you absolutely must take a river tube to see it. The water looks photoshopped, and the lush foliage rains down on those who ride its rapids. The waterfall draws tourists in (for good reason), but the river itself is one of the coolest things we've seen in Costa Rica. 

Do you like sloths, monkeys, tropical beaches, and crystal-clear waters? If you answered "no," then you might want to check with your doctor about a lack of fun. The rest of us will be wowed by this National Park, which gives visitors an up-close look at the country's most verdant wildlife. Start with a walk through the main roads, then venture toward the forest sections, where you can spot sloths and hoards of monkeys without a tour guide. Finish with a dip at one of the park's two main beaches. 

You can't go to Costa Rica without going in the water--the marine life and coastal landscape are just too stunning to miss. This beach town has all the water activities you could possibly want. Make sure to rent a surfboard while you're here, preferably from a local company like C&C which charges only $5 per hour. 

It isn't every day you get to see turtles up close...unless, of course, you live near Ostional Beach, in which case you can see turtles hatch their eggs from sunrise-to-sunset every day between October and January. In the off-months, you can still spot turtles as well, though if you want to get a really cute pic for Instagram, we recommend you show up around November. 

Escape the high prices found at most restaurants and head to a Soda for some authentic Costa Rican cuisine. These spots don't look like much--there are literal holes in the wall at some of these hole-in-the-wall establishments--but they serve the best food in town. From pintos to casadas, this is what the locals eat on a daily basis. 

You weren't going to visit Costa Rica without doing some surfing, were you? That would be impossible since most beaches offer rentals and lessons and smiling locals who just wrapped up their evening session. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, from Samara to Tamarindo to Montezuma to Nosara. But we recommend you paddle out at whatever beach you are staying at. 

This is the life. The walk to Arenal Volcano is a gorgeous hike and the perfect escape that takes about two hours if you stop to take pictures of the volcano and Arenal lake. There's never been a hike with this many steps that feel like a meditation class. 

Costa Rica's most famous building is also the most important. It opened in 1897 as a source of national pride, a theater, and a museum. Walk inside to admire the neo-classical design or catch a concert to admire the music. 

Head to the Caribbean side for a different slice of life. One that comes with slices of pineapple, mango, and silence. There are not as many tourists in this beach town, allowing visitors to lay out on the beach without the noise of drunken tourists. 

Costa Rica is serious about its coffee, and there are lots of coffee tours across the country, from Samara to Puerto Viejo. But we recommend you tour San Jose, where most of the coffee is brewed on sight. If that doesn't work, places like Monteverde make a pretty great cup too. 

Who let the dogs out? Apparently, everyone, since this country has more strays than most countries, have people. Territorio takes thousands of strays and nurses them to health, giving them a place to roam and letting visitors hike alongside them. Dog lovers will not know where to look. 

Those staying in a beach town will want to rent a bike. In a country without trains or reliable buses, the only way to get to other beaches is to rent a bike. Plus, it doesn't hurt to get those steps in. 

A Corona ad come to life. Carrillo Beach is packed with palm trees, green grass, and long stretches of white sand that never seem to end. In the summer months, you can see locals cracking open Coronas from their hammocks as the sun sets over their family picnics.

Soar above forests and rivers on a series of scenic ziplines, then jump off a 70-foot platform with a bungee cord tied around your waist. It's an adrenaline junkie's dream, best explored in places like Monteverde. 

Visiting Monteverde 1,000 years ago, you might have found a few differences. There would be no bridges, no zip lines and certainly no tourists. Mostly, though, this cloud forest looks exactly like it did when the first Costa Ricans stumbled upon its path. It's a thrill to explore a place that hasn't changed in eons, to wander the misty jungle, and feel like you have stepped back in time and discovered a new world and a new form of travel.