With its famous range of stunning natural environments and dramatic landscapes, adrenaline seekers enjoying their Costa Rica vacations will find themselves in the perfect place for white knuckle thrills and adventures.
Costa Rica has something for everyone: from hiking through a mountain-side cloud forest to sport fishing on the Pacific Ocean; from ziplining between the trees in a tropical jungle to rafting on wild white water. The only dilemma is deciding on what to do, and where to do it.
White Water Rafting
Rafting is an immensely popular activity and good quality water can be found in, or near, many of the most visited Costa Rica vacation destinations.
One of the most convenient bases for a rafting trip is the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, where the beautiful beaches of the Manuel Antonio National Park make an ideal place to relax after a full day on the water.
There are two main rivers suitable for rafting near to Manuel Antonio, the Savegre and the Naranjo. Both rivers offer rapids between class II to class IV, and so may not be suitable for absolute beginners depending on the season and river conditions.
Tours to both rivers include a road transfer to and from the put-in and take-out points, plus a bi-lingual guide, all safety equipment and personnel, and lunch or snacks after the trip. Rafting trips are generally half-day excursions and include at least two hours on the water itself.
Less intense rafting trips are available close to Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose, on the Pacuare, Sarapiqui, Pejibaye and Reventazon rivers. Here the standards generally range from class I to class III and are suitable for beginners.
As at Manuel Antonio, tours usually last for half a day, but full day or even multi-day excursions can also be arranged.
Rafting tours can be arranged through a Costa Rica vacations package provider, or can be booked at the destination itself. When booking a trip, be sure to choose a reliable outfitter with certified safety and medical qualifications. Confirm in advance the amount of time that will actually be spent on the water and only participate in a rafting trip that is supported by an emergency kayak.
Diving & Snorkeling
Costa Rica's coastal waters offer a varying range of visibility, meaning that divers and snorkelers will need to choose their Costa Rica travel destinations carefully in order to avoid disappointment.
Snorkelers often have a better time on the Caribbean coast due to the warmer waters, the better visibility and the higher abundance of coral reefs. Good places for snorkeling include Cahuita National Park whose reef can only be visited with an official guide, as well as on Puerto Viejo tours to the nearby Manzanillo marine reserve.
For scuba diving, Costa Rica is home to a world-leading, if slightly inaccessible destination, Isla del Coco, several hundred kilometers off the mainland and involving a long boat journey. A trip to Isla del Coco is only recommended for experienced divers who take their sport seriously. For a more relaxed introduction, the beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula - especially at the Gulf of Papagayo -are a good place to start.
It is important to book your diving trip with a reputable and certified operator and non-accredited divers need to take an introductory accompanied dive before undertaking anything more ambitious.
Hiking
Costa Rica is a hiker's paradise with trails and routes through a vast variety of landscapes, from the jungle to the mountains to the coast. With such a choice it's possible to enjoy anything from a one-day solo hike to a multi-day organized trek.
All of Costa Rica's 35 national parks offer well maintained tracks and trails while the larger parks and reserves, including Monteverde and Corcovado also offer opportunities for camping for longer treks. Services inside the parks are generally non-existent so make sure you bring all the food, water and camping equipment that you'll need.
Good destinations for shorter day hikes include the smaller Cahuita National Park on the southern Caribbean coast and the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park which, although small, offers a huge range of landscapes and environments.
At many popular trekking locations it is possible to hire a local guide, or alternatively consider booking a pre-arranged trekking trip with a Costa Rica tours agency.
Sport Fishing
As with diving and snorkeling, fishing fans need to choose their destination carefully as Costa Rica's various fishing locations are highly varied, depending on which part the coast you are visiting. On the Pacific side, the resort towns of Quepos, Tamarindo and Jaco have the widest range of options with the main draw being marlin, sailfish, yellow fin tuna and barracuda.
Be aware that fish stocks are increasingly depleted, so you may prefer to choose an outfitter that releases some of the catch, although it is common for fishers to take some of their catch back with them and have it freshly prepared in their hotel kitchen.
Most Costa Rica sport fishing tours include transfer to and from the dock, plus snacks and drinks whilst onboard. The larger boats are covered, but you'll be out in the sun for most of the day so remember your sun block and a good sun hat.
Canopy Tours & Ziplining
Finally, one of the most popular (and hair-raising) Costa Rica adventure activities are the famous canopy and zipline tours that are available in many of the country's thick jungles.
Canopy tours are perfect for getting up to the best height for wildlife-spotting, where much of the forest life is hiding. Walkways and suspension bridges are constructed from platform to platform and tours are usually accompanied by professional guides who help you to spot the many creatures that live in this high-altitude world.
The whole experience becomes really thrilling when the ziplines get involved. Many canopy tours involve sailing from tree to tree strapped to a thick steel cable with nothing but thin air between you and the ground, which is often dozens of meters below.
Canopy and zipline tours are available all across Costa Rica, but the longest established and best outfitters can be found in the cloud forests of Monteverde or the volcanic mountains around Arenal Volcano.
These tours are generally very safe and follow stringent safety practices but to be sure, consider booking ahead with a reputable Costa Rica travel agency and only use operators that offer full safety equipment, including helmets, proper harnesses, knee guards and thick gloves.
Tips For Enjoying Your Costa Rica Adventure:
As with any risky activity or extreme sport, it's vital to ensure you have adequate travel insurance before taking part. Medical costs for even minor injuries can become very expensive and insurance is absolutely vital.
Only choose an operator that is recommended and certified and that is clear on what standards of safety are implemented.
To get the best safety standards and quality of service, consider booking ahead before your vacation. Otherwise, talk to other travelers, ask for recommendations in your hotel, and shop around to find the best price and the most reliable outfitter.
This Costa Rica vacations guide to was written by a travel-loving expert at Costa Rica For Less, a member of the Latin America For Less family.
For more impartial travel advice from Latin America For Less' team of on-the-ground experts, visit the Latin America For Less Travel Blog or follow @LatAmForLess on Twitter.
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