Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano
Río Celeste full-day hike.
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Wildlife is wild. Keep your distance, never feed animals and follow your guide’s instructions.
#9 Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
A volcano landscape with hot springs, waterfalls, hanging bridges and wildlife tours.
- Region: Northern Plains
- Time to allow: Two to three days
- Plan: Cloud cover can hide the volcano, so allow flexible days.
#10 Monteverde cloud forest
Mist-covered forest with hanging bridges, birdwatching and night walks.
- Region: Highlands
- Time to allow: One to two days
- Plan: Roads are winding; bring a light rain jacket.
#11 Tortuguero canals
Wildlife along narrow waterways, with seasonal turtle nesting. Follow guide rules and never use lights or flash near turtles.
- Region: Caribbean
- Time to allow: Two days
- Plan: Reach it by boat or small plane; confirm transfers and tours with your lodge.
#12 Tárcoles River and Carara
Large crocodiles are visible from the bridge area, and Carara National Park is known for birds including scarlet macaws.
- Region: Central Pacific
- Time to allow: Half day
- Plan: Choose guided options that keep a safe distance from wildlife.
#13 Río Celeste
A bright blue river and waterfall in the Tenorio Volcano area.
- Region: Northern Plains
- Time to allow: Full day
- Plan: Trail and water conditions change after rain; check before you go.
#14 Poás Volcano
An active volcano with a viewing area not far from San José.
- Region: Central Valley
- Time to allow: Half day
- Plan: Check the park’s current ticketing and visit rules; clouds can hide the crater.
#15 Drake Bay and Corcovado
One of the country’s most remote wildlife areas, reached by boat or small plane.
- Region: Osa Peninsula
- Time to allow: Three days or more
- Plan: Remote; arrange transport and guides in advance.
#16 Palo Verde wetlands
A river and wetland park known for birds, reached by boat tour.
- Region: Guanacaste
- Time to allow: Half day
- Plan: Dry season concentrates wildlife around water.
#17 Irazú and the Orosi Valley
A volcano crater and a valley of coffee, old churches and hot springs.
- Region: Cartago
- Time to allow: Full day
- Plan: Mountain weather changes quickly.
Guided options
Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket
Poás Volcano National Park admission.
See experienceMonteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk with Expert Naturalist
Guided cloud forest walk in Monteverde.
See experienceBirdwatching Tour in Monteverde
Birdwatching in Monteverde.
See experienceBirdwatching tour in Carara National Park
Birdwatching in Carara National Park.
See experienceJungle Crocodile Safari: Tarcoles River Crocodile Tour
Tárcoles River crocodile tour.
See experienceTortuguero National Park Canal Tour with Canoe
Tortuguero canal tour by canoe.
See experienceTortuguero: Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park
Canoe tour in Tortuguero National Park.
See experiencePalo Verde Natural Park Boat Tour
Palo Verde boat tour.
See experienceDay Trip from San Jose to Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley
Irazú Volcano and Orosi Valley day trip.
See experienceManuel Antonio National Park guided tour
Manuel Antonio guided tour.
See experienceManuel Antonio National Park: Guided Tour with a Naturalist
Manuel Antonio park guided tour with a naturalist.
See experienceSloth Watching Tour in La Fortuna - Wildlife Experience
Sloth-watching tour in La Fortuna.
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Where to stay
Compare stays in La Fortuna
La Fortuna.
Compare staysCompare stays in Monteverde
Monteverde.
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Night walks
Night walks with a naturalist can show frogs and other wildlife. Choose operators that keep lights low and distance high.
Small Group Wildlife Refuge Monteverde Night Walking Tour
Monteverde night walk, small group.
See experienceManuel Antonio: Night Walking Tour with a Naturalist Guide
Manuel Antonio night walk with a naturalist.
See experienceAffiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, inclusions and availability are set by the provider and change often.