10 Unforgettable Things To Do On A Group Trip To Costa Rica

For nature, wildlife and adventure wherever you look, Costa Rica is the ultimate tropical haven – and the perfect destination for fun-loving groups. So round up your squad and head to these excursions for an unforgettable trip.

Hop on a catamaran and go snorkelling

Want to see humpback whales, jumping stingrays, flying fish, sea turtles and Costa Rica’s dramatic and dynamic coastline? Grab your crew and hop aboard a catamaran. There’s nothing quite like sharing a day at sea, and you can find reputable tour operators up and down the Pacific coast, especially in Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, Jacó and Quepos. Most day-trip tours include a locally inspired lunch and an opportunity to snorkel.

A snorkeller looks at a coral reef along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

Hit the whitewater rapids

Soar through the rainforest on a zip line

Costa Rica’s verdant valleys, national parks and forests are nothing less than stunning: but they look even better from up high. A zip line tour is the perfect group activity as it offers plenty of unforgettable thrills as you whiz past the most incredible views. Plus, if you head to areas like the Arenal river canyon, Monteverde, or Rincón de la Vieja, you’ve got the chance to feast your eyes on everything from volcanoes and beautiful plains to rare plants and wildlife.

Fly through the rainforest on a zip line adventure

Go sea-turtle spotting

An arribada is when thousands of egg-carrying sea turtles lay their eggs under the new moon, at only a few beaches around the world. One of the most famous in Costa Rica is Playa Ostional, and during the peak months of September and October, species like the Olive Ridley sea turtle make their way to the high-tide line to lay their clutch of eggs. Find a certified guide who can escort you to a site, as this is an incredible display you don’t want to miss.

These, believe it or not, are sea-turtle tracks

Discover incredible wildlife in a park

In Costa Rica’s national parks you’ll find thousands of plant and wildlife species, as well as unique ecological zones including rainforests, mangrove swamps and coral reefs. You’ll want to hire a private group guide with a trained set of eyes and an encyclopedic knowledge of the country’s unmissable natural wonders.

Friends hike in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park in Costa Rica

Tour a forest at night

It’s quite amazing how much wildlife you can see on a guided night tour through one of Costa Rica’s mystical cloud forests. Cloud forests like Monteverde come alive at night, and the music and movement in the dark forest are truly enchanting.

A visitor stops along a secluded path in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Discover the national wetlands by boat

The Térraba Sierpe National Wetlands are some of the most extensive in Central America, bursting with wildlife. You can access these wetlands only by boat, but that’s the best way to witness the magic of the vast waterways of Térraba Sierpe. The boats are also a great size for a group.

The river mouth at Isla Violín in Humedal Nacional Térraba Sierpe

Take a dip in a thermal pool

La Fortuna and the area around the Arenal volcano are famous for their natural hot springs. However, nearly all of them are part of one of the many exquisite resorts in the area. Río Chollín is one of the few free places where you can access the glorious volcano-fed thermal pools; you can kick back and relax with a mineral-rich soak in the forest.

Tuck into homegrown coffee and chocolate

Costa Rica is world-renowned for its coffee and chocolate, and many plantations also grow cacao, the raw fruit that becomes chocolate. The central region of the country and the Caribbean slope are revered for their boutique coffee and chocolate farms that offer educational tours complete with taste testing.

Learn how to catch a wave

With dozens of wave-riddled beaches, it is easy to understand why thousands of visitors a year come to Costa Rica to learn how to surf. There is no shortage of surf instructors and surf camps here, especially in Tamarindo, Playa Guiones and Santa Teresa on the Pacific coast. There are often great group discounts for surf lessons and camps too.

Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches boast some of the world’s best surf

Ready for your next travel adventure? Click here to discover everything Costa Rica has to offer all year round.

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