Costa Rica is the ideal location for those who love an adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes. The country offers active volcanoes and rainforests teeming with wildlife for every kind of holiday.
Below is a guide to some of the best things that Costa Rica has to offer, whether you’re planning a nature-packed trip or just want some time to relax on the beach.
[Photo by Diego Madrigal]
Things to Do in Costa Rica
Explore the Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
The stratovolcano was dormant for nearly 400 years before it suddenly erupted in 1968 and frequently until 2010 until it entered it’s resting phase. It makes one of Costa Rica’s most iconic landmarks for travellers to visit today.
This event shaped the local landscape, burying three local villages. Today, the Arenal Volcano and the surrounding national park offer great activities to do, such as a variety of hiking trails, canopy tours, wildlife spotting and scenic viewpoints, which can create a perfect photo opportunity to commemorate the trip. For a more relaxing experience, you can visit the area’s natural hot springs for a self-care-filled day.
Try Surfing
Costa Rica is one of the world’s top destinations for surfers, all thanks to the Pacific Coast, which creates long and consistent swells that are suitable for first-time surfers to seasoned surfers. With warm waters year-round, it makes it the perfect location for laid-back surfing.
The rainy season, which falls between May and November, is seen as an underrated time to surf with bigger waves for those with more surfing experience. And if you’re a beginner, the drier seasons from December to April are better suited for those with less experience, as the water is gentler. Whenever you go, Costa Rica holidays are one of a kind for surfing.
[Photo by TonyNojmanSK]
White Water Rafting
Adrenaline junkies can't go wrong with white water rafting in Costa Rica. It’s seen as a popular outdoor activity amongst the locals and continues to draw visitors from all around the world. Navigating the water in an inflatable raft is a great group activity for adventurous families or friend groups. Several rivers, including the Pacuare and Sarapiquí, are especially celebrated for their mix of Class II to IV rapids and animals, including jaguars, by the banks.
Watch Sea Turtles Nest in Tortuguero
Costa Rica is home to roughly 5% of the world’s known biodiversity and houses over 500,000 colourful species of animals, plants, birds, insects, and fish to discover on wildlife tours.
For a chance to spot sea turtles nesting, head to Tortuguero National Park on the northeast Caribbean coast. It is one of the world’s most important turtle nesting sites, as green sea turtles appear between March and October to lay their eggs on shore. Leatherbacks and loggerheads also use the beach at different times of the year. Observe the natural spectacle on a guided night tour without disturbing the animals for an unforgettable experience.
