A guide to all Costa Rica has to offer adventure seekers
The range of possible destinations for adventure holidays is vast, but few offer as many opportunities to thrill-seeking tourists as Costa Rica. With rugged landscapes, beautiful beaches and exotic wildlife, this Central American country has lots to see and do.
As there is such a stunning selection of places to visit, it can be a good idea to arrange your break through a specialist with experience of organising Costa Rica tours. They should be able to help you plan a holiday with the perfect combination of activities and relaxation.
There is a host of destinations worth looking out for when planning your trip, including cloud forests, volcanoes and cosmopolitan cities. Most are worth visiting, but some really stand out as unmissable.
Arenal National Park
No Costa Rica adventure travel experience is complete without a few days in the spectacular surroundings of Arenal National Park. Its focal point is one of the world's most-active volcanoes and you can look forward to the spectacle of seeing glowing lava and rocks being thrown into the night sky.
The land here is a mixture of rain and cloud forest, criss-crossed by rivers which have crashing waterfalls. It is the perfect terrain for hiking and while exploring the park's many trails you will see a huge variety of flora and fauna. If you would like a bird's eye view of the area, try a canopy tour using the network of suspended bridges high above the forest floor, before an exhilarating trip on a zip wire.
There are also lots of water-based activities on offer, including white-water rafting and waterfall climbing on the rivers. Nearby Lake Arenal has facilities for kayaking and wind surfing, while fishing for guapote is also a popular pastime.
After an exhausting day of trekking through the beautiful surroundings, you will find the ideal place to relax. The park has hundreds of hot springs, which are the perfect way to revitalise your aching body before you head to your tent for a well-earned sleep.
Samara
Another of the highlights of small group travel in Central America is sure to be visiting the Pacific coast resort of Samara. It is popular with Costa Rican holidaymakers because of its stunning white sand beach, affordable restaurants and lively nightlife.
The sea is the main attraction for people on adventure breaks, as it offers the potential for so many different activities. The waves here are great for surfing and it is easy to find an instructor for lessons, while you may also wish to try snorkelling or kayaking.
Monteverde
It is difficult to imagine a more tranquil location than the nature reserves that surround the mountain town of Monteverde. Located 4,662 ft above sea level, it is enclosed by cloud forest that boasts almost unrivalled biodiversity.
There are more than 2,500 plant species here, including 420 orchids, as well as 100 different types of mammal and 400 kinds of birds. It really is a nature lover's paradise.
The terrain is also perfect for outdoor pursuits and you can look forward to hiking or horse riding through the hills. The network of suspended bridges means canopy tours are possible, so you can have the unique experience of looking down on a cloud forest.
Volcan Irazu National Park
Perhaps the most rugged place you will visit during your time in Costa Rica is Volcan Irazu National Park, where you will find the highest active volcano in the country.
The top of Irazu is located 11,260 ft above sea level and has two main craters. One of them is around 980 ft deep, but it is the other that will prove more memorable. It is home to the Diego de la Haya lake, which is bright green some days and red on others.
As the land around Irazu is largely barren, there are few activities available other than hiking to the summit and spotting the tiger cats and coyotes that call the area home. However, it is located close enough to San Jose for it to be a day out.
San Jose
The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is one of the most fascinating cities in Central America. It is packed with busy markets and thriving cafes where you can try the locally-produced coffee, as well as being home to a selection of cultural attractions and museums.
Restaurants and nightlife are plentiful, so it makes a good base for part of an adventure holiday, as San Jose is located within easy travelling distance of rainforests and mountains.
