15 Costa Rica Adrenaline Activities Worth Booking

1.Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 262 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $72Our pick

At Monteverde Extremo Park, you’ll tackle more than 10 cloud forest cables, including a 1-kilometer hands-free Superman line, a subway-style cable, Tarzan swing, and other high-adrenaline rides. Plan on three hours, steep walks between platforms, changing weather, and dark clothes that can get dirty.

“The rides were amazing. My son really enjoyed it. The main drawback is it is easy to miss some rides as they were not marked clearly and getting to each ride requires a lot of walking/hiking.”

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2.White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $170Top rated

Spend about eight hours near Alajuela combining white-water rafting with canyoning, five rappels, three waterfall descents, a zip line, a rainforest hike, snacks, drinks, and a Costa Rican lunch. Maquique Adventure supplies the rafting and rappel gear. You need moderate fitness, swimming ability, and good weather.

“This was hands down the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica! The entire experience was thrilling and unforgettable, from rappelling down waterfalls to canyoning through stunning gorges and rafting in the rushing rivers. Each activity was increRead more”

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3.5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

At The Park at Ocean Ranch near Jaco, you’ll combine jungle ATV riding, a tractor ride, waterfall rappelling, and more than 2,000 meters of zipline. Guides such as Jesus and Carlos lead the activities in English and Spanish, with equipment, refreshments, and selected hotel transfers included. Lunch costs extra.

“Rappelling from the waterfall was so much fun!! Wish there was more of it. Our teenager really enjoyed the ATV tour. You'll have the option to order a lunch with this activity. Guides were excellent and you can tell they love their jobs. 100% would book this again. Great communication prior to the activity. Guides speak English and Spanish.”

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4.Pure Trek Canyoning & White Water Rafting in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $204

Start with Pure Trek’s waterfall canyoning, including rappels, rock climbing, and a forest zipline. Then ride about 45 minutes to the Balsa River for Class 2 to 3 rafting, swimming, snacks, drinks, and lunch. Guides such as Byron, Myron, Warner, Mario, and Augusto have helped make this a friendly, safety-focused day.

“It was an absolutely amazing tour. Full of thrills. We loved the combo tour of both rappelling and Rafting”

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5.Pure Trek Canyoning & Sky Trek Zip Line Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $259

Spend about eight hours combining high zip lines with Pure Trek’s waterfall canyoning near La Fortuna. You’ll ride above rainforest, rappel four waterfalls, try the Monkey Drop, climb rock, and eat a typical Costa Rican lunch. Guides provide equipment, safety support, hotel transfers from selected properties, and canyoning photos for purchase.

“Loved this experience! Perfect day of adventure in the Arenal Volcano mountain side. Family with adult kids had fun zip lining & waterfall repelling!”

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6.Canyoning Area 360

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99

Set out from La Fortuna with guides such as Pablo, Orlando, Warner, Fofo, or Chamo for three waterfall rappels, including a 160-foot drop. Afterward, soak in natural hot river water, hike through primary rainforest to a century-old Ceiba tree, and finish with a local buffet lunch, coffee, and dessert.

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7.3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $104

Spend about three hours flying across Monteverde on nine zip lines, including five very long runs, two Superman rides, a rappel, hammock bridge, and Tarzan swing. The course reaches 150 meters high and includes steep hikes between platforms. Hotel pickup is available, and the maximum group size is 65.

“There are some very long ziplines on the tour, some of them are together with another person. Very cool experience.”

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8.Combo Arenal Rafting and Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start early in La Fortuna with waterfall rappels, pool jumps, and rainforest canyon trails, then paddle the Balsa River through 45 minutes of class III rapids and a gentler lower section. Guides such as Victor help with safety and wildlife spotting. Lunch, fruit, water, towels, and transport are included.

“Canyoning is exhilarating. No prior experience needed. I am a 51 year old who is not athletic, but they were very helpful.”

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9.2-Day Extreme Nature Hike from La Fortuna to Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $160

Hike from La Fortuna to Santa Elena over two days with a small group of up to eight. Expect steep, humid forest trails, river crossings, a basic cabin stay, dinner, breakfast, and farmland views before reaching Monteverde’s cloud-forest country. Guides such as Hugo, Errol, Carlos, and Santiago have led this route.

“Had a great time on this hike! It definitely is a tough hike especially on the first day (13km of lots of hot and humid uphill through muddy jungle and heavy bags) but the views, animals, cabin and sunrise were so worth it. You definitely want to be in decent shape for this one! The second day is easier only 7km and lighter bags but still some steep uphill. Our guide Errol spoke great English and taught us loads about the local wildlife. We saw spider monkeys, hummingbirds, all sorts. Few things to note: They give you extra food to carry so save a bit of space in your bag.…”

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10.Canyoning and Arenal Rafting (COMBO TOUR)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start early in La Fortuna with ABC Canyoning, where you rappel four waterfalls from 49 to 131 feet. Then paddle Rio Balsa through Class III rapids before a calmer river section with fruit, wildlife, swimming, and lunch. Guides such as Osa and Axle add friendly local insight.

“We are adventurers, my kids are 9, 9 and 11 - the waterfall part of this tour is a true adventure and the hike takes work, that's my only warning to others, get ready to work for it - it's worth every second. We had a small group of about 12 people in our group - we arrived at the house where you get set up for the waterfall repelling and there were kittens, baby chicks and a family setting up for our breakfast (eat something small before you go b/c they don't feed you until after!) You get to the first small waterfall quickly and then you work your…”

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11.Jungle Hike with Canyoning and Rappelling in Drake Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $115

Start at 7:00 a.m. with Sukia Travel and ride by 4x4 into Corcovado National Park. Guides such as Emilio, Bryan, Allen, and David lead you through primary rainforest, river crossings, waterfalls, swimming holes, and several rappels before lunch. The six-hour outing is limited to eight people and requires strong fitness.

“Ended up being a private excursion with our guide Emelio. The company as a whole were attentive and aided us to make our experience both smooth and exhilarating. Emelio was knowledgeable, personable, and an amazing guide. Highly recommend to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure.”

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12.Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $191

Spend about nine hours combining canyoning and Balsa River rafting. Rappel waterfalls, climb, zip-line, then paddle Class II and III rapids with guides such as Mario, Sassy, or Julio. Hotel pickup, equipment, fruit, drinks, and a Costa Rican lunch are included. Bring secure shoes, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes.

“This was a great day to spend with my adult son. lots of adrenaline and great staff. Also good food.”

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13.Water Adventure: La Leona Waterfall, River tubing & Cliff jumps

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $224

From Playa Flamingo, you’ll hike and swim along the Blanco River to La Leona Waterfall, tube at Poza Los Coyotes, try optional cliff jumps, and eat a Costa Rican casado lunch. Private transport, water, gear, and a bilingual certified guide are included. Hernan and driver Jose have earned special praise for care and service.

“The lazy river is not very long or interesting but the cliff jumping and hike are a lot of fun. Our tour guides were awesome and we had a great family trip.”

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14.Half-Day Canyoning in Balsar Abajo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $113

Meet Drew, Emanuel, Jeff, and the Osa Canyoning Adventures team at Balsar Abajo church for eight waterfall rappels, rainforest walks, snacks, and a meal. The route includes a 45-meter first rappel, clear pools, wildlife sightings, and a 35-meter final descent. Expect about five hours of strenuous hiking and rope work.

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15.Adrenaline Pack (Zipline + Rafting)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $166

Start with nearly 3 km of ziplining above La Fortuna, then tackle the Balsa River with a professional rafting guide. You get fruit, water, lunch, gear, and return transport. Guides such as Andre, Susan, and Nelson have earned praise for safety, humor, and clear instruction. Minimum age is 7.

“One of the best days we had in Costa Rica the guides were great super friendly and very helpful. We had lots of excitement but always felt safe. Then to top off the great adventure the meal was one of the best we had.”

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