Costa Rica Itinerary: Wildlife Tours, Hiking & Adopting a Cat (like Matt Damon)

Alright, if you haven’t seen that viral Matt Damon video, you’re probably looking at that headline and thinking ‘what the heck is this person on about?’ – and I get it. Who goes to Costa Rica to adopt a cat? 

You go to Costa Rica for the beautiful beaches, the cloud forests, the canopy tours, the national parks with sloths, white-faced monkeys, iguanas, etc. – and of course, you go for the luxury resorts.

But hey, if you can adopt a cat while you’re at it – 10/10 vacation, instantly. 

Jokes aside though, if you still haven’t booked your 2024 vacation, I can give you four great reasons to add Costa Rica to the list of possible destinations.

Get lost in the jungle (metaphorically speaking, of course!)

With 29 national parks alone, Costa Rica is one of the best places to go if you’re looking to explore wildlife. From white-faced and howler monkeys, red-eyed tree frogs, and sloths to hummingbirds and the elusive quetzal bird – Costa Rica is a haven for any nature lover, of any age. (If you got kids, they will be absolutely delighted by these furry, colorful creatures!)

To make sure you don’t miss any of these beautiful animals – some of them are very stealthy – it’s a good idea to go with a guided tour. Local guides have knowledge of Costa Rica’s wildlife, landscapes, and history, so not only will you see amazing things but you will also learn about amazing things. 

And while you’re out there admiring the wildlife, you can also do some fun activities like snorkeling, white water rafting, or… if you’re less adventurous, try to make your own chocolate. 

Zipline through the treetops on a canopy tour (or just go for a hike)

One of Costa Rica’s main attractions – at least for the thrill seekers among us – are the zipline canopy tours. And honestly – what’s not to like? If you’ve ever dreamed about being Spider-Man, this is as close as you’ll get. Or maybe you were obsessed with Tarzan as a kid? You can make your dreams a reality on a canopy tour. 

Hike through the rainforest, enjoy the flora and fauna from the ground – and then just hop on one of the many cables to enjoy the beautiful sights from a bird’s eye view. 

These are guided tours, of course, so you’ll have someone on hand to both help you stay safe and tell you all about the plant and animal life (and more!) while you enjoy the scenery, on the ground; no one will shout facts at you as you swing through the air.

Is your Spidey sense tingling?

Swim your worries away on beautiful beaches (or go for a surf)

Costa Rica has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches– from Playa Manuel Antonio in Quepos to Playa Negra in Puerto Viejo. It’s really hard to go wrong here – and you don’t have to settle for just one beach, either. 

Beach hopping is quite popular these days – and for good reason: why sit on one beach all day, every day, when you can go to a different beach every day? Or maybe hit five in one day – you do you. 

And if you get tired of sitting around and swimming, you can always try surfing. Just make sure you go to a designated surfing beach – and if it’s your first time, it’s probably a good idea to get some surfing lessons, too.

Rescue and adopt a jungle cat (like Matt Damon)

You didn’t really think I’d just leave you hanging like that, did you? Of course I’m gonna talk more about the cat! In case you haven’t seen the video of, or read about, Matt Damon adopting a cat in Costa Rica, allow me to make your day. Fair warning: if you’re faint of heart, get some tissues. 

In a recent interview, Matt Damon talked about how he met a cat on his Costa Rica vacation, 10 years ago – a cat which he felt ‘compelled to take home’, so when he went back to the US, the cat came with him. 

Sadly, the cat got sick: he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He received treatment but was still suffering – losing weight and only walking in circles, due to his illness. A neurologist suggested giving the cat steroids as a last effort to improve his quality of life.

That was two years ago – he is now the cat version of Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to Matt Damon. Good job kitty!

Many luxury resorts in Costa Rica, like Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel, offer canopy tours, wildlife tour guides, and even surfing lessons – cat adoptions are, sadly, not yet part of these packages. 

But you can always just bring your own cat to Costa Rica – just find a pet-friendly hotel.