Things to do in Costa Rica – Tours and Activities Near Pura Vida House

There are endless things to do in Costa Rica, many opportunities to see beautiful landscapes, wildlife and nature, as well as experience many adventure tours and activities within a short drive of Pura Vida House. Our luxury Costa Rica house rental provides for the vacation of a lifetime.

There are many unique things to do in Costa Rica, from exploring national parks full of biodiversity, to nature tours, adventure tours, cultural tours, and educational tours.

Hike or mountain bike around an active volcano with steaming geysers and bubbling volcanic mud pits; then soak in natural mineral hot springs for your body and mind to rejuvenate. Or horseback ride on the beach at sunset or across a prairie and along shade-covered dusty trails to a gorgeous waterfall for a swim.

Contact us with questions about any activity or booking your Costa Rica vacation: info@thepuravidahouse.com

Discover the magic of the rainforest crossing hanging bridges high in the tree canopy, giving you a glimpse into one of the most diverse spots on the planet. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting or tubing in a tropical river, or rappel down a rushing waterfall.

Thousands of tropical fish make snorkeling in Guanacaste exciting. And of course, everyone must experience zip lining in Costa Rica … you’ve never really zip lined until you do it in Costa Rica! An adventurers’ paradise, the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica has to be experienced, one of a kind place.

We are happy to help guide you to the best known and secret spots in Guanacaste, and help arrange tours and excursions. Some of our favorites are below. Arranging these for our guests is just part of the reason we offer the best Costa Rica vacations, tailored to you and what you want to see and experience while in the country.

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Inside the Resort, Hacienda Pinilla

: Golf Cart Rental: Enjoy this fun and convenient way to get around in the Resort and see lots of wildlife – monkeys, iguanas, anteaters, birds, and more!

: Beach Club: Set on the North end of Avellanas Beach, in front of the world class Little Hawaii Surf Break, you can enjoy days on end inside the Hacienda Pinilla private Beach Club. Here there is a restaurant, tiki bar, swimming pool, surfing, boogie boarding and spa. Plus, you can walk south to Lola’s famous surf restaurant in the sand with famous Lolita the pig. Pura Vida House is the only villa that offers 100% free and unlimited access to the Beach Club.

: Tennis and Pickleball: Play or take lessons to your heart’s content on 2 lit hard courts.

: Yoga: Classes offered at the Beach Club gym – Inquire at front desk for schedule. Or you can schedule your own private session anywhere you like – the gym, the villa, the beach!

: Golf: Play the world class Hacienda Pinilla ocean course, with its famous #15 Shark hole. We’ll get you a great discount on their regular rate, or ask us about unlimited weekly golf packages.

: Langosta Beach: Enjoy a nearly-private section of the beach. Walk for miles on the white sand, play in the waves, explore the sea-life in the rocks and the wildlife in the dry forest behind the beach – monkeys, iguanas, birds, hermit crabs and more.

: Mansita Beach: Next to the JW Marriott; great for snorkeling, exploring tide pools, and swimming.

: Massages: Enjoy a great massage or spa services in the comfort and privacy of your own villa. You’ll want one every day! There are also spa services available within the resort at the Beach Club or JW Marriott spas.

: Surf: Surf the world famous Little Hawaii break at the Beach Club or take a surf lesson with our local pros; Costa Rica has waves for every level.

: Snorkeling: Snorkel off the beach at various locations in the area, including Mansita, or at islands off of one of the boat tours.

: Mountain Biking & Hiking: Venture onto one of two trails snaking throughout Hacienda Pinilla’s 4,500 acre property; one geared towards amateurs, the other for pros. A great way to get a workout in and earn that time lounging around the Beach Club pool. Our favorite hike is up to the resort water tower for fantastic ocean views, ask us where! Pura Vida House offers two free bicycles for your use; and more can be rented at the JW Marriott.

: Horseback Riding: Ride through tropical dry forests, hills and open grasslands, then out onto Playa Langosta. Ideal for beginners or experts alike. Duration 2-2.5 hours. What to bring: clothes YOU feel comfortable riding in, most people prefer longer shorts, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen.

: Marimba Band: Enjoy the festive and authentically Costa Rican sounds of a local marimba band for the evening at Pura Vida House. Local musicians will arrive to the villa for a night of music and dancing with marimba (the official musical instrument and style of Costa Rica) and other instruments performing live. Duration 2-3 Hours. What to bring: Dancing shoes and your Pura Vida spirit!

: Lola’s Restaurant: Walk south from the Beach Club, or drive to the south end of Playa Avellanas. Grab a great meal and some cocktails at Lola’s famous surf restaurant in the sand. Surf or watch the surfers, great sunsets, and visit famous Lolita the pig.

Near the Resort

: Zip Lines: Fly through the forest canopy on the best zip lines in Costa Rica. Fly forward, upside down, superman/superchica, and see great views of the Guanacaste hills and lowlands. Duration 2-3 hours. What to bring: shoes that strap-on (no flip-flops).

: Rio Celeste: Hike Rainforest, Blue Waterfall and Wildlife at Tenorio Volcano. This excursion has moderate to intense hiking, gorgeous blue waterfall and river, and wildlife like sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans and other tropical birds. Duration full day. What to bring: Shoes for hiking, often through mud, layers of clothes, rain jacket, camera, binoculars.

: Adventure day at the Foot of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & Swimmable Waterfalls: This is a day of action and activity with relaxing volcanic spring-water pools and volcanic mud spa at the end. Activities include zip lines, rappelling/rock climbing, horseback riding, tubing or white-water rafting and the spa. Choose which activities you do, or do them all! Includes lunch. Duration full day. What to bring: Shoes that are both athletic and amphibious are ideal – that both strap on and will be comfortable in water; bathing suit, outfit for dry activities. But we can make it work with what you bring.

: Estuary Biodiversity & Wildlife Boat Ride: Take a boat ride up the Tamarindo Estuary to view birds, crocodiles and other wildlife. See up to 20 or 30 bird species, howler monkeys and crocodiles with some of Guanacaste’s best naturalists. Duration 2 hours. What to bring: Shoes that may get just a bit wet. Camera, binoculars.

: Palo Verde: Take a boat ride up the Tempísque River in Palo Verde National Park. Here you will see many varieties of birds — including the possibility of seeing scarlet macaws, and the endangered Jabiru — capuchin monkeys, giant iguanas, crocodiles and more. You will also stop to see an indigenous pottery demonstration. Includes a typical Costa Rican lunch. Duration Half-day. What to bring: Shoes that may get just a bit wet. Camera, binoculars.

: Ostional Giant Turtle Arribada: Only occurs once every 45 days. Witness this prehistoric event for yourself. Walk on the beach in the early dawn light with thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles crawling up onto Ostional Beach to nest. Duration half-day. What to bring: Shoes good for walking on sand, camera.

: Giant Turtles Nesting at Night: Witness this prehistoric event for yourself. Each night, giant turtles (Pacific Green, Pacific Black, and if you’re lucky, Leatherback) crawl up onto the beaches in the Playa Grande area to nest. Hike out on the beach in the dark with some of Guanacaste’s best naturalists, and watch a giant turtle come up out of the water dig a hole, and lay up to 120 eggs in the sand. May contain strenuous walking/hiking. Duration 2-3 hours. What to bring: Shoes good for walking on both sand and trails.

: Sunset Sail Adventure: Snorkel, swim, or laze around the boat, then Sail into the sunset. Trip includes food and open bar. Be ready for a good time! And, there’s a chance you’ll see whales and dolphins! Duration half-day. What to bring: Shoes that can get wet, bathing suit, sunscreen and hat/shirt.

: Fishing: One of our more popular excursions, fish for dinner or sport! Sport fishing includes rooster, sailfish or marlin, or catch tuna, mahi mahi or snapper for dinner. You can also jump off the boat and snorkel! Duration; half or full-day. What to bring: shoes that can get wet, sun screen and hat/shirt, bathing suit if you’d like to swim.

: Surf: Surf the world famous Little Hawaii break at the Beach Club or take a surf lesson with our local pros; Costa Rica has waves for every level.

: Snuba/scuba: Dive to see the enigmatic large sea life of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Snuba with no certification, or dive full-scuba to reach even deeper. Duration half-day. What to bring: Shoes that can get wet, bathing suit, sunscreen and hat/shirt.

: ATVs: Guides will lead you through the lowlands and tropical dry forest of Guanacaste on semi-automatic ATVs. Duration 2-3 hours. What to bring: Closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

: Costa Rican Rodeo: Experience a truly unique Guanacasteco experience at one of the local fiestas. Most weekends, Thursday through Sunday nights, Dec-April, one town in the county will hold a bull-riding rodeo. Most weekends you will be the only foreigners.

: Swimmable Waterfalls: Drive to one of Costa Rica’s famous swimmable waterfalls, experience the tranquility and be literally immersed in nature. This is often visited with Adventure Day or the Outdoor Spa.

: Eco Adventure Park: See rescued Costa Rican wildlife up close (think sloths, ocelots, toucans, butterflies and more!), as well as a great ocean view zip line, ATVs and more. Packages are available for any combination of activities. This activity is about 90 minutes from Pura Vida House, and a great way to see wildlife if you or members of your family would rather not hike!

: Coffee Tour: On this half day tour, you will see the whole process of producing Costa Rica’s gold … coffee! From seed to plants to drying, production and roasting. You will also learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and of course — coffee tasting! Lunch is included.

: Chocolate Creation Class: Learn the history of cacao the plant, and chocolate the food. Tour the production facilities, make 3 chocolate bars of your own, and learn how to taste chocolate professionally while tasting the many varieties of chocolate they produce, the cacao fruit, roasted beans and occasionally other tropical fruits.

: Where the Two Oceans Meet: Take an adventure to visit this remote beach with two beaches in one! Great snorkeling and exploring the rocky point and tide pools. 1/2 day, 1.5 hour drive on dirt road each way. There are no restrooms on the beach, it’s pure wild and rugged Costa Rica nature – the reason you traveled here!

: Lola’s: Walk south from the Beach Club, or drive to the south end of Playa Avellanas. Grab a great meal and some cocktails at Lola’s famous surf restaurant in the sand. Surf or watch the surfers, great sunsets, and visit famous Lolita the pig.

: Tamarindo Beach & Town: Tamarindo is the largest beach town in this part of the Nicoya Peninsula. Come here for shopping, dining, surfing and night life. Let us know if you want recommendations.

: Barra Honda National Park and Caves: Venture down and explore through the caves and hike the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste at Barra Honda National Park. Great panoramic views above and adventure-filled caving below! A good fitness level is required.

Pura Vida House is the best and most personalized vacation experience with Costa Rica house rentals in the country. See why we have over 400 5-star reviews! We will help tailor your Costa Rica vacation exactly as you want it!