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