Costa Rica Spring Break: Fun Things to Do & Travel Tips

Planning a spring break vacation to Costa Rica? If so, you’ve made a great choice! Costa Rica offers sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and fun activities spring breakers will love!

Whether you’re planning to visit Costa Rica with friends, family, or solo, you’re bound to have a fun-filled spring break in Costa Rica when you visit the following places:

Best Things to Do in Costa Rica During Spring Break

#1

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is located on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast and is one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks. Whether you’re searching for a relaxing holiday or an opportunity for outdoor adventures, you can find both if you head straight to Manuel Antonio Beach!

There are plenty of fun things to do at Manuel Antonio, including nearby hiking trails, surf tournaments, and endless fishing opportunities. It’s also a popular place to see wildlife, like monkeys, toucans, and iguanas. When the sun goes down, head into town to explore the nightlife scene, including nearby dance clubs, bars, restaurants, and other establishments, where you’ll find the perfect mix of excited spring breakers, college students, and friendly locals!

#2

Tamarindo Beach

Known as the “Gold Coast” of Costa Rica, the gorgeous, sunny beaches lining the Pacific Ocean in the Guanacaste Province, like Playa Tamarindo, are the perfect place to spend a Costa Rica spring break!

Tamarindo attracts spring break students and families for fun activities like surfing, scuba diving, sunbathing, and more. It’s also a great destination to base yourself at if you’d like to take a few day trips to nearby national parks, like Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Las Baulas Marine National Park. Tamarindo has all the amenities you crave, including hip local breweries, excellent restaurants, and lively nightlife. Whether you’re a party animal or a chill vacationer, you’ll have a fantastic Costa Rica spring break in Tamarindo!

#3

Puerto Viejo

If you’re looking for a unique destination while visiting Costa Rica for spring break, you can’t miss Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast!

The Caribbean Coast has a different feel than the Pacific Coast, and since the area attracts fewer tourists, you can enjoy a chill, laid-back atmosphere—you won’t find any hard-core partiers here! Instead, spend your days snorkeling in the coral reefs, touring the nearby jaguar rescue, or walking around town. However, be prepared for some rainy days since the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is in the middle of the rainy season during spring break.

#4

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is another famous beach in Costa Rica filled with natural beauty in the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica!

While you’re here, you can go horseback riding on the beach, explore the shops, boutiques, and restaurants in the village, take surfing lessons, or relax around a bonfire on the beach while watching the sunset.

#5

Arenal Volcano National Park

Does enjoying stunning volcano views sound like your perfect spring break vacation? If so, you’ll love visiting Arenal Volcano National Park! While you’re here, you can soak in the natural hot springs heated by active volcanoes, hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall, go whitewater rafting on the epic rapids, go kayaking in Lake Arenal, or take a canopy tour through the stunning rainforest. If you want an adventurous spring break in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano National Park is a great location to base your trip!

#6

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

If you enjoy eco-tourism, you’ll love all of Costa Rica, especially the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. You’ll find more than 3,200 species of plants, 425 species of birds, and 120 species of mammals in this stunning and unique destination in the clouds.

Stay in one of the charming eco-lodges with a rainforest backdrop in the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a unique spring break experience in Costa Rica. During the day, embark on the longest zip-line tour in Latin America (with a Tarzan Swing!), visit a coffee plantation, or walk over some of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

#7

Nosara

If you’re a health enthusiast and nature lover, you’ll love visiting the well-known yoga resorts with inspiring ocean views in Nosara.

However, there is so much more to do in Nosara than just yoga! You can also rent a paddleboard and go paddleboarding in the ocean, fish, take surfing lessons, or try all the fantastic health-focused restaurants and eateries in town. You can truly embrace the laid-back “pura vida” lifestyle by visiting Nosara during your trip to Costa Rica!

Travel Tips for Your Costa Rica Vacation During Spring Break

There are plenty of fun things to do in Costa Rica during spring break. However, before you visit, here are some travel tips you should know:

• Look for flights to the San Jose International Airport if you’re planning to visit Arenal, Monteverde, or the Caribbean Coast, and look for flights to Liberia International Airport if you’re planning to visit Tamarindo, Nosara, or Santa Teresa for a shorter drive.
• Central America is a popular spring break destination, and spring break is a peak travel time in Costa Rica. If you’re planning to come to Costa Rica for spring break, book your flights, accommodations, and tours several months in advance for the best prices.
• Holy Week lasts from early to mid-April in Costa Rica, and many Costa Ricans go to the beach with their families to celebrate the holiday. If you want to avoid the crowds, try planning your trip to Costa Rica in March.

Plan Your Spring Break Trip to Costa Rica with Special Places of Costa Rica

Looking for the perfect place to stay during your spring break in Costa Rica?

Special Places of Costa Rica has dozens of properties in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province that are just footsteps away from the beach. We have a wide range of properties, from luxury villas to cozy condos, to accommodate every budget and travel style. Browse our properties to find the perfect place to stay in Costa Rica for an unforgettable spring break!