20 honeymoon ideas in Costa Rica
Dazzling beaches in Costa Rica make for a luxury honeymoon destination. Photo: Shutterstock
Planning your honeymoon? When it comes to romantic vacations, Costa Rica definitely tops our list — especially for couples who crave a bit of adventure. Known the world over for its natural wonders, exotic wildlife, and jaw-dropping beaches, this Central American gem is a lovers' paradise.
Read on for our selection of honeymoon ideas in Costa Rica that are anything but ordinary.
1. Hit up the spectacular beaches in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is nestled between the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Translation: virtually every beach is a stunning one. From upscale, developed shores to quiet, remote patches of sandy bliss, there's truly something for everyone. Our top picks include Nosara, Punta Uva, Playa Montezuma, and Manuel Antonio (to name a few).
2. Take in the incredible wildlife
Costa Rica is home to some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife on the planet, including a wide range of wild plant life (like more than 1,200 species of orchid). Round out your visit by catching glimpses of monkeys, rare butterflies, exotic frogs and more. If you find yourself in Costa Rica from July to October, a sea turtle nesting tour is all at once surreal and inspiring.
3. Explore volcanoes
Costa Rica is home to some impressive active volcanoes, with four active cones in the Central Valley alone. Couples who enjoy a good hike are sure to get a kick out of this adrenaline-pumping honeymoon activity. Arenal, Poás and Irazú are among the very best.
Ready to explore Costa Rica? Let one of our local experts plan your adventure for you. We're waiting for you!
Beautiful beach in Manzanillo, on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Go zip-lining
Adventurous couples can't go wrong with a zip-lining canopy tour. The longest and highest (and arguably the most popular) is Sky Trek in Monteverde, which boasts speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
5. Try your hand at waterfall rappelling
Not for the faint of heart, waterfall rappelling is a thrill from start to finish. It begins by stepping backward off the top of a waterfall. (Don't worry, you'll be secured by ropes and guides on both the top and bottom.) From there, enjoy the cooling spray of water as you make your way down.
6. Escape above the trees
What couple on honeymoon wouldn't love spending the night in a treetop? In Hacienda Baru, visitors have the opportunity to scale 100-foot trees (using safety ropes, of course), before settling in for a secluded, luxury night above the forest.
7. Give parasailing a whirl
Float high above the jungle on a Costa Rican parasailing tour. This Central American country has plenty of opportunities on offer, each one offering views more dazzling than the one before. Nothing spells romance quite like getting lost in the clouds as the ocean shimmers beneath you.
Let us whisk you away to paradise with our Costa Rica Eco Adventure trip!
Add parasailing to your honeymoon itinerary. Photo: Shutterstock
8. Uncover ultralight tours
Another way to take in Costa Rica from above is with an ultralight tour. Here a fixed-wing aeroplane provides magnificent aerial views of the wild jungle and sparkling water below.
9. Stay at an eco-lodge
Costa Rica is known for its fantastic, luxury eco-lodges, especially in the country's more remote regions. The experience is a special one as these lodges are often found right next to national parks and attractions. Perfect for couples who love the outdoors, eco-lodging usually brings bird watching and hiking to mind.
10. Explore local Costa Rican food
Foodies won't be disappointed by Costa Rican fare. If your honeymoon in Costa Rica brings you to San José, homemade food can be found nearly everywhere. At Central Market, local cuisine bursts to life with sweet plantains, rice, beans, vegetables and more. Wash it down with a 'natural,' which translates to a fresh fruit juice.
Discover the beauty of Central America with our Tropical Costa Rica trip! We're waiting to whisk you away...
A luxury eco-lodge in the rainforest at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Photo: Shutterstock
11. Get lost in San José
In addition to the out-of-this-world food choices, San José is also a refreshing change of pace for travellers looking to break away from the jungle. The bustling city is full of cool crafts, souvenir shops, local vendors, cultural landmarks, and countless can't-miss fresh fruit and vegetable markets.
12. Spend a day horseback riding
Newlyweds can take in misty mountain views on horseback as they make their way through hidden trails and local farms. Relaxed and slow-paced, it doesn't get much more serene where honeymoon ideas in Costa Rica are concerned.
13. Go bird watching
This part of the world is absolutely brimming with gorgeous species of wild birds. Couples can strap on their hiking boots and grab a pair of binoculars before taking to a bird-watching tour. Costa Rica is known for its hummingbirds, resplendent quetzals, great green macaws and more.
14. Stroll through the jungle
You can't very well go to Costa Rica without experiencing the jungle. And while zip-lining may be the activity of choice for most travellers, it's certainly isn't the only way to soak up the raw beauty all around. For something different, couples can take to the jungle during the dark hours with a bat jungle night tour.
Go horseback riding in Bajo del Toro's rural landscapes! Our local experts can take care of the planning. Or simply marvel at natural wonders with our Costa Rica's Wild South trip.
Tourists on horseback in Costa Rican cloud forest. Photo: Shutterstock
15. Take a farm tour
Coffee aficionados are sure to enjoy a guided tour through coffee crops. Some local farms boast everything from macadamia nuts and sugar cane to bananas and tilapia.
16. Set off on a boat tour
With such extraordinary coastlines, it only makes sense to explore Costa Rica by water. Local catamaran tours let visitors sail above sapphire waves amidst stunning cliffs and pristine islands all around. Lucky couples will even get to throw the anchor down for a round of snorkelling before returning inland.
17. Kick back with some surfing lessons
Let's face it; lazing on a white-sand beach isn't for everyone. For couples with a penchant for water sports, one of the best honeymoon ideas in Costa Rica is to jump on a surfboard. Lucky for travellers, there are plenty of professional surfing lessons on offer.
Uncover all of our Costa Rica adventures online now!
Surfing in Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock
18. Try kayaking
Unlike river kayaking, which is notoriously more difficult, sea kayaking is generally viewed as a more mellow event. If surfing doesn't ring your bell, take to the ocean by kayak for a day of adventure in the Costa Rican sun.
19. Take a hanging bridge tour
Take a page out of Indiana Jones's book by treading hanging bridges in the jungle. In reality, the bridges of Costa Rica are nowhere near as harrowing. In addition to being perfectly safe, they're also a great way to immerse yourself in the jungle and discover local wildlife. We suggest opting for a guided tour.
20. Meet some cuddly sloths
Animal lovers will be in heaven at the Toucan Rescue Ranch, where rescued baby sloths are being nursed back to health. The facility rehabilitates these beautiful little creatures, with the main goal being reentry into their natural habitat. In the meantime, these lovable sloths will definitely steal your heart.
Discover more romantic adventures in Insight Guides: Costa Rica
A young Hoffmann's two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) in Puerto Viejo. Photo: Shutterstock
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