The 4 Best Tickets & Entry Passes in Costa Rica

1.Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 609 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Reserve entry to La Fortuna Waterfall and explore at your own pace without a guide. Walk through the Río Fortuna Ecological Reserve, descend roughly 500 steps, and reach a powerful 70-meter waterfall where swimming may be allowed. Admission costs $20, with parking, restrooms, changing areas, and rest stops near the top.

“Beautiful waterfall. Be prepared for all the stairs as it is not for everyone. The restaurant and gift shop were also nice. 4 stars only because of the stairs, but that’s not a reflection on the excursion. We did not swim at the base which might have given more rest”

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2.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

La Paz Waterfall Gardens gives you a flexible day pass to explore five waterfalls, rainforest and cloud forest trails, orchids, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Plan on at least two hours, though four to five hours lets you slow down. You will need your own transport, and the waterfall trail includes many stairs.

“Awesome. Beautiful grounds. Beautiful up close experience with the animals. Gorgeous waterfalls. Was uncrowded.”

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3.Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · 1 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $47

Spend up to five hours at Paradise Hot Springs in La Fortuna, moving between mineral pools, hot tubs, and hydromassage areas beneath tropical vegetation. Changing rooms, showers, lockers, and towels with a refundable deposit are available. Add lunch or dinner if desired, but arrange your own transport.

“We were very satisfied with the hot springs. There was plenty of space and several pools at different temperatures. The bar at the one pool was convenient and served delicious specialty cocktails. The whole area was covered with vegetation which made it feel like part of the rainforest and not a tourist location. We read that others were not happy with the dinner option so we decided to do lunch there instead and were happy with it. Overall a solid option to kill a few hours while in La Fortuna.”

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4.Private Guided Walking Tour in Hacienda Baru TICKET NOT included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $88Top rated

Walk Hacienda Baru near Quepos with a bilingual guide such as Freddy or Pedro, searching for monkeys, sloths, toucans, birds, agoutis, and peccaries. Your guide carries an HD telescope that attaches to your phone for close wildlife photos. The private walk lasts about three hours, with a 7:30 a.m. start and a $17 entrance ticket paid separately.

“Freddy is incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the Baru reserve. He knows about the ecosystem and each of the animals that inhabit it. It was well worth the cost for the private tour as we saw many more animals than the folks who did not book a tour!”

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