Things to do in Costa Rica

Pura Vida Pass is a curated, source-backed guide to things to do in Costa Rica: tours and adventures, hot springs and day passes, wildlife, beaches and food — with start times, how long each activity takes, prices as published by each place, practical tips distilled from traveler reviews, and secret spots (waterfalls, viewpoints, swimming holes, trails) with coordinates from OpenStreetMap and free-licensed photos from Wikimedia Commons.

Secret spots worth the detour

• El Avión Restaurant (C-123 plane)Landmark · hidden gemBar built around the sister plane of the C-123 shot down in the Iran-Contra affair; sunset views.
• Monte de la CruzViewpoint · hidden gemCool pine-forest hills with lookouts, trails and picnic areas.
• 727 Fuselage Home (Costa Verde)Landmark · hidden gemBoeing 727 converted into a jungle hotel suite.
• Aguas Minerales de OrosiSwimming spot · hidden gemFamily pools of mineral water 21–35°C, local favourite.
• Blue Falls of Costa Rica (Bajos del Toro)Waterfall · hidden gemChain of six blue-water falls and pools you can swim in.
• Coopedota coffee townNature spot · hidden gemQuiet mountain coffee town; cooperative café/tours, birding, few tourists.
• Territorio de Zaguates (Land of Strays)Landmark · hidden gemHuge no-kill dog sanctuary where you hike hills with hundreds of dogs.
• Arenal Peninsula Lookout TowerViewpoint · about $17 · hidden gemThe quiet half of the national park: a mostly flat path through forest to a lookout tower over Lake Arenal, with the volcano rising behind the water.
• Heliconias Hanging BridgesBridge · hidden gemThree ~95 m bridges on quiet 2.5 km rainforest trail—calm alternative to Arenal/Monteverde bridges.
• Catarata Dos AguasWaterfall · hidden gemTwo streams merge into one deep, clear swimming basin.
• Playa ChiquitaBeach · Free · hidden gemA string of small coves between Cocles and Punta Uva, with jungle hanging over the sand and coral-rimmed tide pools.
• Playa Negra (Cahuita)Beach · Free · hidden gemA long black-sand beach on the north side of Cahuita village: palm-lined, quiet and a world away from the park crowds.
• Punta Uva PointViewpoint · Free · hidden gemA short path climbs from the end of Punta Uva beach onto the rocky headland, with views up and down the coast and a little sea cave with a natural arch just off the trail.
• Catarata ElysianaWaterfall · hidden gemFall with trails and pools on the 'Ruta del Agua'.
• Catarata Rana RojaWaterfall · hidden gemFall 1.5 km from Platanillo on Ruta del Agua.
• Catarata San GabrielWaterfall · hidden gemFinal fall of Ruta del Agua; needs permission.
• Playa ColoniaBeach · about $6 · hidden gemThe quieter southern stretch of Marino Ballena's beach, backed by shade trees and a park station, less busy than the main Uvita entrance.
• TopolandiaLandmark · hidden gem500 m of hand-dug tunnels with rooms, springs and sculptures—16 years of work with hand tools.
• Catarata Vuelta del CañónWaterfall · hidden gemTwo-tier waterfall dropping into a green canyon with a blue swimming pool; one of the least crowded big falls in CR.
• Cataratas Las TrillizasWaterfall · hidden gemThree falls (20/30/40 m) on a dairy farm; swim at first two.
• Cerro de la Muerte lookout (Cerro Buena Vista)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA high-altitude páramo stop on the Pan-American Highway, around 3,400 m, where telecom towers sit on Cerro Buena Vista.
• Finca Dos RíosNature spot · hidden gemFarm with river and falls that a CR hiking blog calls its favourite place in Bajos del Toro.
• Mirador Los CartagosViewpoint · hidden gemRoadside pasture lookout for sunsets and picnics; cold, bring a jacket.
• Piedra de AserríLandmark · hidden gem100 m+ rock formation tied to a witch legend, short hike to Central Valley views and a cave.