While there may no one best trip to Costa Rica, there are definitely a few ingredients that deliver, again and again. Try these on for size…
Imagine the thrill of balancing on a narrow treetop platform, dozens of feet above the ground – your toes dangling off the edge and the forest’s canopy all around you. Or the sensation of river spray hitting your face, as you maneuver your raft through frothy whitewater and submerged boulders. Or hiking on the flanks of active volcano, beside bubbling mud pots, and alongside mini volcanic vents. Or… well, you know the drill – the thrill, the adrenaline rush, and the guarantee that you’ve landed on some of the most memorable Guanacaste Costa Rica excursions.
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White-Water Rafting – A Gale of Adrenaline
Strap on your life jacket, grab an oar, and hunker down for an unforgettable ride! Guanacaste’s Upper Tenorio River offers a thrilling Class III-IV whitewater rafting experience – not an adrenalin rush but an absolute gale! – that strikes the perfect balance between excitement and challenge. With powerful rapids, winding turns, and a heart-stopping 12-foot waterfall drop, this river guarantees adventure seekers plenty of stories to tell.
For those who prefer a slightly calmer experience, the Colorado River offers Class II-III rapids, making it an ideal option for families and first-time rafters. Rather than intense whitewater, this adventure combines exhilarating twists with the opportunity to soak in natural hot springs afterward. Whichever river you choose, you’re in for an unforgettable water adventure and one of our most requested Guanacaste Costa Rica excursions.
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Helicopter Tour – Soar to New Heights
Want to experience Costa Rica from a toucan’s-eye perspective? A helicopter tour soars to unparalleled and breathtaking landscapes, from our vast Pacific coastline to dense tropical rainforests and towering volcanoes. Our advice: Choose a route that takes you soaring over Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, where you can peer into its steaming crater, or fly above the picturesque beaches of Guanacaste.
Helicopter tours are a window into our area’s more remote destinations, allowing you to witness hidden waterfalls, follow the curve of winding rivers, and even spot sunbathing crocodiles with nary a care in the world. And if you’re looking to guarantee a truly magical, even life-changing best trip to Costa Rica, schedule a flight at sunset to watch the sky explode in shades of orange and pink as the sun sinks into the Pacific.
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Canopy Zipline Tour – Fly Through the Trees
Few experiences match the excitement of soaring through the treetops, the whiiiiiizzzz of a zipline thrumming in your ears. Even better, these high-flying tours are also one of the best ways to experience the wild beauty you wouldn’t otherwise have access to, were you merely hiking the forest floor.
The magic comes courtesy of your location: in the canopy, rather than a hundred feet below it, allowing for the chance of incredible wildlife encounters. (Keep an eye out for playful monkeys, colorful birds, and well-camouflaged iguanas!) Aptly named, a canopy tour invites you to glide through lush rainforest at exhilarating (but completely safe) speeds, whether you opt for a family-friendly zipline or an adrenaline-fueled experience with Superman-style flights, rappelling, and heart-dropping Tarzan swings.
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Scuba or Snuba – Dive into the Depths
If you’re drawn to the depths, a scuba diving excursion is a must. We have a soft spot for Catalina Islands – volcanic islets, which you can spot off the coast of Playa Flamingo, that offer world-class scuba diving with opportunities to encounter giant manta rays, reef sharks, and an incredible array of other marine life. If you have some flexibility in your visit, know that the best diving conditions occur November to May, when visibility extends up to 80 feet and whale migrations add to the underwater spectacle.
Not a certified diver? No problem! Snuba is an excellent alternative – the ease of snorkeling with the thrill of scuba diving. Using a floating air supply and connected to the surface, snuba allows anyone to explore the ocean depths without the need for certification. And, as it’s suitable for kids age 5+, snuba is a fantastic option for families and first-time underwater explorers.
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Explore Rincón de la Vieja – A Kiss of Volcanic Heat
Looking to pack multiple thrills into a single day? A visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park delivers in spades! This active volcano and its surrounding fertile landscapes are peppered with hiking trails and rock climbing, hot springs and mud baths.
Option 1: High-Adrenaline Adventure
Kick off the best trip to Costa Rica with a horseback ride through the rainforest, then take on the zipline, which soars over deep river canyons. Test your grip on volcanic rock walls, cool off on a waterslide that ends in a swimming hole, and finally, unwind in soothing mineral-rich hot springs.
Option 2: Hacienda Guachipelín Adventure
A former cattle ranch turned adventure center, Hacienda Guachipelín bids you start your day with a white-water tubing experience on the Río Negro’s crystal-clear waters and feisty rapids. Then, tackle a unique canyon zipline tour featuring Tarzan swings, hanging bridges, and rappelling opportunities, before rounding it out with a well-earned soak in natural volcanic hot springs.
Option 3: Cañón de la Vieja Expedition
A short drive from Tamarindo, Cañón de la Vieja offers an adrenaline-fueled day, starting with a zipline course that crisscrosses a dramatic canyon carved by ancient lava flows. Then, take a peaceful horseback ride through the surrounding farmland (keep an eye out for howler monkeys and exotic birds!) and finish it out with a thrilling tubing trip down the Colorado River, followed by a soothing dip in hot springs.
Option 4: National Park Hike
Prefer to explore on foot? Rincón de la Vieja’s Las Pailas trail is a must, with boiling mud pots, steaming volcanic vents, and other geothermal features. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife – white-faced capuchin monkeys, toucans, and coatimundis, among them – or take a side trail to Oropendola Waterfall, where you can take a refreshing swim in cool waters. Round out the day with a volcanic mud baths!
Where to Stay
Ready to level-up your adventure? Here’s where to stay to have the best trip to Costa Rica.
Tesoro del Bosque
Hacienda Pinilla | 12 bedrooms | 15 baths | 18 to 28 guests
Discover Tesoro del Bosque, a modern retreat in the exclusive Hacienda Pinilla community. Designed for relaxation and adventure, this private estate features two stunning villas, 12 spacious suites, and high-end amenities, all set against a lush tropical backdrop.
Unwind in two private pools or a heated jacuzzi, or gather in the open-air rancho, perfect for yoga, dining, or celebrations. As a guest, enjoy access to Bosques de Pinilla’s amenities, including a 70-foot lap pool, children’s area, and fitness and yoga space.
Your stay includes Elite Service, with daily housekeeping, laundry, and breakfast and cocktail preparation, ensuring effortless luxury. Just minutes from Mansita Beach and a short drive to Tamarindo’s vibrant downtown, Tesoro del Bosque offers the perfect blend of seclusion, sophistication, and adventure. Whether you’re surfing, golfing, or simply relaxing, this elegant escape is where luxury and nature meet.
Casa Navidad
4 Beds | 5 Baths | 12 Guests
Welcome to everything you could want for your vacation: a luxurious retreat that combines minimalism and coziness, to create hygge (an environment of quiet comfort) and high design. Best of all, it’s just 200 meters (0.2 miles) to a secluded beach, accessible only to guests.
There is much to love about this spacious and upscale villa – one of our top luxury vacation rentals in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We’ll start with the bedrooms: There are four, each with ensuite bathrooms, king-sized beds, and TVs with cable. Here, no one draws the short straw! And then, there is the spacious and fully equipped kitchen, the inviting living room, and the incredible outdoor living spaces, which include a shaded terrace, outdoor living room, and indoor-outdoor dining with a grill, wet bar, ice maker, and wine refrigerator.
Welcome to where you’ll never want to leave! Because it gets better, thanks to your private pool, pickleball court, and a movie room! And did we mention? Your reservation includes a dedicated housekeeper, who will be available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon (holidays and some restrictions may apply).
6 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | 17 Guests
Introducing Villa Alegria, a luxurious retreat with a mini climbing wall, heated jacuzzi for 10, an expansive pool, and a fitness room, just a 5-minute walk to the beach!
Step into a sanctuary that transcends the definition of a home: Casa Alegria (the Home of Joy) is a total retreat, where unforgettable moments are curated and crafted. Graciously accommodating up to 17 guests, the villa’s pièce de résistance is its colossal pool. This is not your average pool; it’s a veritable aquatic kingdom that includes a 3x3m heated Jacuzzi capable of hosting at least 10 people, creating a complete and private pool party experience. But the marvels don’t end there…
At Villa Alegria, each master bedroom boasts a breathtaking pool view and its own balcony or petite terrace. Imagine waking up, sliding open the door, and immersing yourself in a paradise right at your feet. For our youngest guests, the children’s bedroom transforms into a play haven with three bunk beds, a mini climbing wall, and a mezzanine for epic sleepover adventures.
Need Help Booking the Perfect the Best Trip to Costa Rica?
Did you know that when you book adventure, adrenaline, and the best trip to Costa Rica with Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, you gain access to our full concierge services?
When you book, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you and your family to plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!