Adventurous activities to do in Costa Rica
Adventure tours and vacations in Costa Rica
Over 25% of Costa Rica consists of pristine and protected rainforest. This makes this country extremely suitable for adventurers. Can you imagine it? Walking, paddling on a kayak or riding a horse to discover this beautiful nature. In the nature reserves, you will have the opportunity to enjoy special wildlife. Beautiful exotic birds, caimans, sloths, and many more.
You can choose between impressive volcanic landscapes and vast beaches. The sea also offers adventurers the opportunity to make unforgettable memories. For example, you will find numerous famous surf spots, you can snorkel and dive alongside the coral. Costa Rica also offers endless opportunities for sport fishermen. In short, Costa Rica will keep you busy.
Check out our selection of 11 adventure activities
In Costa Rica, you can encounter smoldering volcanoes, pristine rainforests full of panthers and caimans, and a sea full of hammerhead sharks and whale sharks but there is more excitement to be had. How about exploring the rainforest while dangling from a cable? Or rafting down a rough river or where the water where you can admire caimans in their natural habitat.
Of course, not everyone is an adrenaline junkie. For travelers looking for something quieter, Costa Rica also offers plenty of opportunities. Have you become curious? Then check out our list of 11 adventurous activities in Costa Rica.
11. Pirate Island
Do you imagine it? A turquoise sea in which you can see the fish shooting away far into the depths and in the farthest you can see a rocky hill. This is what you will experience if you book a tour to Coco Island. This beloved island, which is also called Pirate Island is the place where many divers and biologists like to go them.
After traveling about 500 kilometers from the west coast of Costa Rica, you will arrive at this pirate's nest. This island has officially belonged to Costa Rica since 1869. Before that time it was a place where many ship robbers stayed.
10. Discover Costa Rica from an ATV
Costa Rica isn't simply a place to visit; it's also a place to discover. Imagine riding your own ATV through Costa Rica's beaches, rainforests, remote communities, waterfalls, and wildlife.. We have tours for everyone, whether you're a first-time ATV rider seeking for a relaxing excursion through the rainforest or a seasoned veteran searching for something more technically challenging.
9. Discover Costa Rica deep underground
Near La Fortuna you can take a cave tour. While climbing and crawling you will go through the caves at a depth of no less than 45 meters. You will encounter bats, scorpions and spiders. During the trip you will also encounter impressive underground waterfalls. Some have a height of 35 meters. These caves of Venado are literally a bent jewel. They were only discovered and explored at the end of the last century. Researchers have now mapped 11 caves.
8. Horseback Riding tours in Costa Rica
In almost every region of Costa Rica you can go on a horseback riding trip. During these tours you can visit Costa Rica's most beautiful areas. Horseback riding offers the ideal opportunity to see stunning views, nature, animals.
Most horseback riding trips in Costa Rica are suitable for people of all levels of experience, and no prior experience is required.
7. Hot Air Balloon trip
Looking for a less strenuous activity? Then a hot air balloon trip may be for you. In the vicinity of the La Foruna and Arenal Volcanoes you can take a ride and see the beautiful landscape pass by below you. Some tours offer the opportunity to experience the sunrise. Truly a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
6. Diving Adventures
Discover the mystical underwater world with a scuba tank on your back. You can enjoy the silence, the corals and the colorful fish in peace. You can also make your diving trip a little more adventurous.
There are opportunities in Costa Rica to see sharks, orcas, dolphins and even whales.
Coco Island we have already discussed and is definitely a diver's paradise. Another paradise is Bat Islands. These can be found at the end of the Santa Rosa National Park.
5. Fishing adventures in Costa Rica
For sport fishing enthusiasts, Costa Rica is a paradise. There is no area in the world with a more diverse range of fish. You will find huge numbers of sailfish, marlin, wahoo, dorado, red-snappers, roosterfish and much more. All these beautiful fish you can catch in the Pacific Ocean.
Tip: Garza is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in the northwest. Here the Gulf Stream runs very close to the coast. Ideal for a fishing expedition.
4. Surfing in Costa Rica
You wake up and the first thing you do is get your surfboard under your arm. You start your day by catching the waves. In Costa Rica, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches all day long. This country has miles of coastline and offers the most unparalleled waves.
Costa Rica is located between the Caribbean coast and the Pacific Ocean and surfers here can choose from the most beautiful waves from both the East and West coasts. It is not for nothing that Costa Rica is considered one of the world's best surfing destinations.
3. Visiting a volcano
Following a hiking trail for no less than 4 hours, that too is possible in Costa Rica. Do you have enough stamina? Then take on this challenge. In the vicinity of Arenal Volcano you will find special routes that will amaze you. Although there have been no eruptions since 2010, you will occasionally see a plume of smoke rising from the crater.
Are you an experienced hiker? Dan is the Chato route suitable for you. This route is only hikable if it is not raining. This is because of the steep climbs in the route. The hiking trail starts at the La Fortuna waterfall and continues over a steep route through the rainforest further up the volcano. Have you reached the top? Then you have a breathtaking view. After you have conquered the top, you descend towards the crater lake.
2. Ziplining through nature
The most famous place in Costa Rica where you can zipline is In Monteverde Forest Reserve.This natural beauty is a fifteen minute drive from the Santa Elena.
During a zipline tour you have the opportunity to admire waterfalls and the forest from a unique perspective. You will literally throw yourself into the depths and be tossed back and forth and float high in the air on the line more than 1 km long. You can have these unique experiences of ziplining at numerous locations in Costa Rica. Zipline tours are offered throughout the country.
1. Rafting and Kayaking
Do you want to see wild animals? Then the nartional park Tortuguero is the best location for it. The sweet and the salty water come together here. You can explore the jungle here via the many jungle canals.
Are looking for more excitement? Then you can raft on the Pacuare River.
During rafting you will regularly grab onto the edge of your raft. You will, however, do this with a huge smile on your face. Along the way you will see crocodiles, turtles, monkeys and the most exotic birds flying above your head.
Do you find rafting too intense? Then choose a boat cab tour. Also this way you can discover the beautiful nature and see the wild animals of the jungle