Things to do in Guanacaste

Tenorio Volcano National Park Hiking Tour with Sloth Encounter

The flora and fauna of Costa Rica come to life on this thrilling tour. It kicks off with a morning hike in the rainforests of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Admire the wildlife as you trek to the River Celeste waterfall – famed for its sky blue waters – before breaking for lunch. Then, in the afternoon, you'll have the chance to observe up-close wild animals such as sloths and tree frogs.

Rum Estate & Ecological Boat Tour

This tour combines two of Costa Rica's national treasures – the wildlife of the River Tempisque and rum. You'll cruise the river, tour the Hacienda el Viejo estate and round off with a rum-tasting session on this full-day experience.After arriving at the eco-friendly Hacienda el Viejo estate, you'll kick off the adventure with a boat trip along the River Tempisque. Observe well-preserved fauna such as spoon roses or the mythical Jabiru stork as well as crocodiles or white capuchin monkeys.Then, spend the rest of the day on an exclusive rum tour, where you can tour the rick house and taste aged Sabandi rum from its oak barrels.

Sensoria Rainforest Hiking Tour

The northeastern slope of Rincón de la Vieja volcano is swathed in rainforest. And it makes for some of the most exotic hiking trails in Costa Rica. Trek through an exclusive private estate packed with wildlife and endemic flora. You may even get the chance to bathe in a thermal stream. A traditional local lunch is also included.As you hike through the jungle, you'll reach waterfalls, streams and thermal springs, and see colourful orchids and wildlife. Here, tapirs, howler monkeys and pumas roam freely. You'll visit waterfalls – some tinted electric blue – before reaching the hot springs. Depending on the season, you can slide into the warm volcanic water.And if you want to put a bit of oomph into your experience, you can hire a 4x4 vehicle to explore the reserve. It gives you complete freedom to roam around the hilly terrain. You can choose between a self-drive option or one with a driver.

Palo Verde River Ride

This boat trip on the River Tempisque gives you a taster of the vast Palo Verde National Park. You'll have the chance to discover its biodiverse habitats and observe animals such as crocodiles and monkeys.Palo Verde is on such a scale that it covers terrains as diverse as swamps, savannahs and rainforests. The river stretches for 144km through the park and is by far the longest in Costa Rica. As you cruise along its waters, your guide will point out wildlife including white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, snakes, iguanas and bats. Look out for the eyes of crocodiles peeking out from beneath the murky waters, too.It's also a paradise for birdwatchers. More than 300 types of birds have been seen in the park, including flamingos, herons, spoonbills, toucans and eagles. You'll also visit a typical farm and savour a local delicacy.

River Tenorio Whitewater Rafting

‘Left', ‘right', ‘get down' – no, not an aggressive gym instructor but what you'll hear as you make your way down the River Tenorio rapids. This whitewater rafting tour is Costa Rica at its best – action and adventure in the wild.

Sloth Adventure Tour

Set off on an adventure in Costa Rica's great outdoors with a tour that ticks off waterfall swims, wildlife-spotting and more. You'll trek into the jungle searching for sloths, splash around in the pools of a thundering waterfall and feast on a typical local lunch at a waterfront restaurant.

Arenal Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Tour

One of the best nature trails in Costa Rica, this hiking tour near Arenal volcano is a blockbuster. You'll observe endemic flora and fauna up close, cross a hanging bridge over the rainforest canopy and visit one of the country's most famous hot springs. A local food tasting is also included.

Sky Walk Montverde Tour

Set high in the canopy of the spectacular cloud forest, you'll find the world-famous Sky Walk Monteverde – a network of wooden suspension bridges, some as long as 170 metres and raised up to 60 metres above the forest floor.Enjoy unhindered views of the tropical ecosystem as your guide brings the forest to life by keeping an expertly trained eye out for wildlife – from chattering monkeys and elusive sloths, to the famous quetzal bird. Then, it's off to the Magical Hummingbird Gardens, where you'll have the chance to see up to 14 species of hummingbirds before heading off for a tasty, freshly prepared lunch.Costa Rica is world-renowned for its fantastic coffee, and a trip to Monteverde would not be complete without experiencing some of the best coffee that the country produces. At the Don Juan coffee plantation, you'll witness how the beans are picked on the mountains of Monteverde, ultimately arriving in your coffee cup on the breakfast table.

Buena Vista Del Rincon Activities Package

Holiday adventures don't get more thrilling than this. With Costa Rica's great outdoors as a backdrop, you'll zoom through the treetops on a zip line, plunge down an extreme waterslide and take a horseback ride in wildlife-packed jungle. Then, you'll round off with a mud bath and a well-earned soak in a hot volcanic spring.

Palo Verde National Park Tour

Nourished by the River Tempisque, the fertile lands of Palo Verde National Park provide sanctuary to a mind-boggling array of exotic birds and other wildlife. And this excursion provides unique access to the reserve, which is world-renowned for its biodiversity and natural beauty.We have the only boat on the river at this time of day and you will enjoy exclusive views of the multitude of nesting birds – there's a vast array of heron species – hollering monkeys, iguanas and even crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.Next, you'll witness and partake in a trapiche – the centuries-old sugarcane processing method. You'll prepare your own local snacks such as tortilla, washed down with a cup of world-famous Costa Rican coffee. Then, it's off to tour the Casa de Sabaneros. Known as the ‘cowboys of Guanacaste' – thanks to their sun-leathered skin and wide-brimmed hats – sabaneros evoke the Old West.