A sampling of the activities inCosta Rica
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Boat Tours The rivers are like roads to the deepest parts of the rainforest and you are likely to see more wildlife from the water than from a trail. The two main destinations for river/canal/marsh cruises are Cano Negro and Tortuguero National Parks. |
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Golfing The weather is nearly always perfect for a round, and the sport is gaining popularity in Costa Rica as more courses are built. |
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Horseback Riding Costa Rica has a strong equestrian tradition. Guided rides are common, and one of the best is offered by Rancho La Merced wildlife refuge north of Marino Ballena National Park. |
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Rafting As you might suspect in a country covered in rain forest that rises from one ocean to 12,000 feet and drops back to sea level in the space of 70 miles, whitewater abounds in Costa Rica. Trips cater to all ability levels and interests. |
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Sportfishing World class tarpon and snook fishing attract anglers from all over, and other game fish include bluegill, rainbow bass (guapote), alligator gar and machaca in the rivers of Barra del Colorado and around Cano Negro. |
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Scuba Diving Costa Rica, the rich coast offers a number of excellent dive sites. |
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Surfing With its huge ratio of coastline to land mass, Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise. You can cross from the Pacific to the Caribbean in under an hour in a small plane, so you can chase the waves wherever they are best. |
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Wind Surfing The constantly balmy water, average wind speeds of 24 mph (40 kph) and the exquisite setting combine to make Costa Rica a world class destination for windsurfers. |
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Birding Avid birders know that Costa Rica is one of the top spots in the world, but you don’t have to spend hours with binoculars glued to your eyes to see fascinating bird life in Costa Rica. |
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Butterfly Gardens Large domes created from nearly transparent netting concentrate hundreds of species of butterflies in gardens of their favorite flowers and fruits. You’ll see them fluttering in the wild, but the gardens also often provide educational materials and guides. |
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Turtle Nesting It’s possible to see turtles nesting any time of the year, but there are definite seasons for the spectacular ‘arribadas,’ when hundreds come ashore in a single night to lay their eggs. Tortuguero National Park is one of the world’s most spectacular sea turtle nesting sites. |
