Adventure Advice for Costa Rica Vacations

With everything from forest-clad mountains, to lowland tropical jungles, to two beautiful coastlines to gushing, foaming rivers, where could be better than a Costa Rica vacation for thrill seeking adrenaline junkies?

Costa Rica vacations offer an adventure activity for everybody and this overview, based on real-life Costa Rica travel experience, gives an introduction to the very best spots in the country.

River Running
White water rafting is one of the most sought after excursions in Costa Rica, and the country is home to plenty of fast flowing rivers with excellent rafting opportunities.

A good place to find convenient river running tours is in the town of Quepos, near the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park.

This region has several good rafting rivers, the Naranjo and the Savegre, which offer a range of difficulty from class two to class four, making both rivers suitable for intermediate and experienced rafters, but possibly not the best choice for beginners.

Rafting novices are more at home on trips that operate from San Jose, with a wide choice of rivers available, including the Reventazon, the Sarapiqui, the Pejibaye and the Pacuare. Rapids range from class one to class three, depending on the conditions and recent rainfall.

Things to consider when booking a rafting excursion include: choose an operator with the proper safety and first aid training, be clear on the period of time spent on the river itself, and only take a trip that includes a support canoe for emergencies.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Meanwhile, those looking for an underwater adventure need to choose their destination wisely, as Costa Rica’s two coastlines offer very different experiences for snorkeling and scuba diving.

For keen divers, Costa Rica’s Coco Island is one of the biggest dive destinations in the world. Only suitable for expert divers, getting to Coco Island takes almost two days travel by boat. Elsewhere, the resort towns of Papagayo and Tamarindo offer a number of diving outfitters who can cater for beginner and intermediate divers.

On the other hand, its collection of reefs, warm waters and high visibility make the Caribbean coast a good option for snorkelers. Ideal spots include the Manzanillo refuge, which includes over four thousand hectares of glistening Caribbean coastline with a large, brightly colored reef.

Slightly further north lies another national park, near the village of Cahuita, where another reef invites snorkelers, although a registered guide is required.

Hikes & Treks
The sheer range of scenery on offer makes Costa Rica a perfect trekking and hiking destination, with an almost limitless number of options from short walks to longer treks lasting several days.

A great spot for a short one-day hike is at the national park at Manuel Antonio, where visitors can enjoy a walk past the spectacular rock formations on the coast, or explore the lowland tropical forest further inland, along well maintained and marked trails.

For longer treks, Osa Peninsula and the cloud forests around Monteverde and Santa Elena are great destinations, where the national parks offer challenging routes deep into the wilderness, plus camp sites and backcountry shelters to allow overnight stays.

On-site facilities tend to be few and far between so you’ll need to stock up on provisions and equipment before setting off.

For either short hikes or multi-day trekking trips, visitors can choose between finding a guide locally, or booking ahead through a reputable operator. Booking tours in advance is often the best way to find the best deals and the highest quality services.

Canopy & Zip Lining Tours
Perhaps the most famous white knuckle adventures to be had during a Costa Rica vacation are the immensely popular zip line and canopy excursions on offer in virtually all of the country’s densely forested regions.

These tours offer two-in-one enjoyment: the opportunity to get right into the jungle canopy with a trained guide who will help identify some of the vast quantity of wildlife living in the trees, followed by flying through the branches on some very long, very high metal wires.

Platforms, walkways and bridges are built into the tree line itself, offering a unique - and literally bird’s eye view - perspective on the jungle. The zip lines can run to several thousand feet long and offer a totally different avian experience: flying through thin air.

Canopy tours and zip line centers operate all over the country, in most of the popular forest and jungle regions. Some of the most extreme centers, with the longest zip lines and the highest platforms, are in the Monteverde and Arenal Volcano regions.

Before booking onto a tour, double check that full safety gear, such as hard hats, a harness and hand protection, is provided. To be sure of safety standards, book ahead with a reputable Costa Rica tours operator.

Hints For A Safe Costa Rica Adventure
Most of these activities require additional travel and health insurance, be sure to check your policy before taking part and confirm your conditions of cover.

For the highest quality tour operators, book your excursions in advance through a reputable and recommended agency.

About the author
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.

Latin America For Less, a US travel agency established in 1998, offers a complete Central & South America vacation service to destinations across Latin America, including Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia.

The company is unique in its ability to offer a price match guarantee as well as the highest standards in quality and customer service.

Fully customized itineraries coupled with personal and friendly service are the hallmarks of a Latin America For Less vacation.