The Best Things to do in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

This tour introduces you to the origins of modern-day chocolate. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of cocoa agriculture.

One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica is on a white water rafting trip—you see places, animals, and scenery that are often otherwise missed. There are several options for this rafting excursion on the Sarapiquí River, including Class II and III tours, Class IV tours, and a safari float.

The Sarapiqui River flows along the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua and is home to some of the country's most gorgeous scenery. During this 2-hour river safari, you'll ride a comfortable boat down the Sarapiqui River and have ample opportunities to spot a range of wildlife.

This tour combines a safari-style float on the Sarapiquí River with a hike through the forest. As such, it is a fantastic way to experience both riparian and terrestrial environments in Costa Rica.

Feeling independent? Want to walk at your own pace? Take a self-guided tour of the Tirimbina Rainforest Center and experience a staggering variety of species of flora and fauna.

Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s premier bird watching destinations. Tirimbina Research Center is one of the few places you can see lots of rare species in a single area.

Take a 2.5-hour guided tour through the Tirimbina Rainforest Center with a naturalist guide. Along the way, you’ll learn about Sarapiquí’s intense variety of mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians.

This tour takes you to a coffee farm surrounded by colorful mountains. Along the way you’ll see every stage of the coffee production process, from harvest to cup.

Some 70 percent of all life in the tropical forest exists at the canopy level. During this tour, you’ll fly along zip-lines and experience the forest canopy in a new, exhilarating way.

Costa Ricans sometime refer to horses as the ultimate all-terrain vehicle. In many ways, this is true—you can forge across streams, trot through forests, and summit mountains on horseback. During this tour, you’ll get a taste of the Costa Rican countryside on these all-natural all-terrain vehicles.

Hacienda Pozo Azul’s 400 acres include tropical rainforests, quiet pastures, scenic rivers, and powerful waterfalls. A hiking tour is one of the best ways to experience this incredible outdoor abundance.

Take a nighttime tour of the Tirimbina Rainforest Center to see some of the rainforest’s most interesting species of nocturnal insects, frogs, and nocturnal mammals.

During this tour, you’ll rappel down a 90-foot rock wall into a beautiful river canyon. It’s an exciting way to experience Costa Rica’s beautiful outdoor areas.

There are approximately 113 species of bats in Costa Rica, which makes up about half of the species of mammals in the country. You’ll learn about the many species and classifications as you make your way through the Sarapiquí rainforest.

The Sarapiquí River courses through a tropical forest with fertile soil. Coffee thrives in this atmosphere, and on a mini coffee tour you’ll get a quick behind-the-scenes look at local coffee.

This one-day tour of Hacienda Pozo Azul allows travelers who are staying in San José to enjoy the many activities at the Pozo Azul property. The adventures here include canopy tours, rafting, rappelling, and horseback riding.

The Cinco Ceibas’ full day tour includes a walk along the elevated rainforest boardwalk and your choice of horseback riding, river kayaking or an educational oxen wagon tour. Transportation to and from hotels in San José area is also included.