1. Go Surfing

If there’s anywhere in the world that you should try surfing…it’s in Costa Rica. The vibes are high, the waters are warm, and the threat of sharks is minimal. You can throw a stone along the beaches in Costa Rica and hit a surf instructor, and they are all great! If you’re a beginner, definitely sign up for private lessons or a small group lesson, as these instructors are area and ocean experts and will keep you safe on the water while you are learning. The ocean is powerful and unforgiving, so having a private instrutor close by is essential. We stayed at an all inclusive surf resort in Dominical Costa Rica so we had a private instructor out in the water with us the entire time, which made me feel safe and I was able to catch a few (small) waves!

2. Visit a Nature Reserve

Costa Rica’s dedication to ecological sustainability, rainforest restoration, and wildlife rehabilitation is unmatched and is a global model for its efforts – having doubled its forest cover from 21% in the 1980s to over 50% today! So, when visiting Costa Rica, support a Nature Reserve or Conservation area, and take a tour of their efforts. You’ll witness beautiful fauna and wildlife galore. We came upon a sloth and a family of spider monkeys and it was the most magical moment I’ve ever witnessed. We visited the Hacienda in Dominical area.

3. Take a Yoga Class – preferably perched above the trees during sunset!

That Pura Vida lifestyle sets Costa Rica on a different frequency than the rest of the world, and it’s most likely because yoga and wellness culture is at the helm. If you’ve ever been interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor, it’ll just take a quick Google search and dozens of programs in Costa Rica will pop up…and for good reason! Who wouldn’t want to learn and train in paradise? It’s education for the body, mind, and soul! Now, yoga didn’t bring me to Costa Rica, but staying close to Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort was such a treat, and I was able to take a few pilates and yoga classes and they were fabulous. It feels so good to move your body in the heat, and it’s even better if the class is at sunset.

4. Go chasing waterfalls!

Costa Rica is home to over 300 named waterfalls plus over a thousand that haven’t been discovered in the dense mountainous rainforest. Wherever you choose to stay in Costa Rica, a waterfall won’t be hard to find, so definitely find one! We have visited two waterfalls in Costa Rica, Bellen Waterfall near Nosara, and Nauyaca near Dominical. Both were amazing, but I must say, if you show up as soon as the park opens to Nauyaca

5. Go Ziplining and ATVing

Costa Rica might be the most diverse tropical country you can visit – from yoga classes to waterfall swimming to rainforest hikes to ATVing – this really is a destination for anyone of any ability and interest! We ended up booking the highest and longest zipline adventure in Costa Rica and it was a lot of fun! With mountainous landscapes throughout the island, it shouldn’t be hard to find a zipline tour near you. But, our favourite adventure was a private ATV tour through the mountains where we visited a coffee bean farm, rode through one of the world’s famous Blue Zone’s, and stopped for lunch at a local mother and daughter owned restaurant. This tour is one of the many offerings at Casa Vitality Bed and Breakfast in Nosara – I highly recommend booking your stay with them!

Affordable Accommodations

1. Casa Vitality Bed and Breakfast in Nosara – BEST location, AMAZING hosts, EPIC adventures, INCREDIBLE food! Highly recommend!

Splurge Accommodations

1. Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort – we splurged on this resort for my Birthday and it was fantastic! Private chef, private surf lessons, curated experiences, and the resort was stunning!