Costa Rica Thrills & Spills
Costa Rica
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Costa Rica ranks first in the ‘Happy Planet Index’, which is an index of human well-being and environmental impact, based on general utilitarian principles. It is the ‘greenest’ country in the world and has the largest percentage of protected areas.
The Republic of Costa Rica is located in Central America and is home to just over 4.5 million people. The capital, San Jose, stands at an elevated perspective with a year round average temperature of 21C.
Nicaragua sits to the north and to the east the Caribbean Sea takes up 185 miles of coastline. Panama is to the southeast. Costa Rica has 630 miles of the Pacific Ocean on its western... (Read more...)
The Republic of Costa Rica is located in Central America and is home to just over 4.5 million people. The capital, San Jose, stands at an elevated perspective with a year round average temperature of 21C.
Nicaragua sits to the north and to the east the Caribbean Sea takes up 185 miles of coastline. Panama is to the southeast. Costa Rica has 630 miles of the Pacific Ocean on its western... (Read more...)
shore and just 75 miles lies between the two oceans at the country’s narrowest point.
The country covers 19,730 square miles and has several small islands, of which the island of Coco is the largest.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast rises rapidly into central highlands, and a volcanic mountain chain forms the backbone of the country. The rugged mountains include over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes and some remain active.
The highest point is Mount Chirripo, at 3,819 metres. Tourists can drive along paved roads that brush along the volcanoes’ craters.
The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. The tropical climate here is variable, and the topography and geography cause changeable temperatures.
Costa Rica protects 23 per cent of its national territory and possesses the greatest density of species in the world. Although it only has 0.25 per cent of world’s landmass, it is home to 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
The parks here comprise a sweeping range of ecosystems, such as tropical rainforest, cloud forest, dry and elfin forest. Other parks feature active volcanoes, turtle nesting sites and coral reefs.
The hub of Costa Rican transportation is in the Valle Central, particularly the capital, San Jose. Juan Santamaria is the main international airport and is just outside the capital, and there is another international airport in Liberia.
The road system, although greatly improved in recent years, is still very basic. Railways are of a similar standard, with few options to travel locally or nationally. However, the Inter-American Highway connects Costa Rica with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south making overland travel easier.
The country covers 19,730 square miles and has several small islands, of which the island of Coco is the largest.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast rises rapidly into central highlands, and a volcanic mountain chain forms the backbone of the country. The rugged mountains include over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes and some remain active.
The highest point is Mount Chirripo, at 3,819 metres. Tourists can drive along paved roads that brush along the volcanoes’ craters.
The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. The tropical climate here is variable, and the topography and geography cause changeable temperatures.
Costa Rica protects 23 per cent of its national territory and possesses the greatest density of species in the world. Although it only has 0.25 per cent of world’s landmass, it is home to 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
The parks here comprise a sweeping range of ecosystems, such as tropical rainforest, cloud forest, dry and elfin forest. Other parks feature active volcanoes, turtle nesting sites and coral reefs.
The hub of Costa Rican transportation is in the Valle Central, particularly the capital, San Jose. Juan Santamaria is the main international airport and is just outside the capital, and there is another international airport in Liberia.
The road system, although greatly improved in recent years, is still very basic. Railways are of a similar standard, with few options to travel locally or nationally. However, the Inter-American Highway connects Costa Rica with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south making overland travel easier.
Surfing
Surfs up! You can learn with the hippest surfers in Costa Rica. Qualified BSA and ISA surf coaches are the best people to ride waves with, and rather than camping out in a hut, why not stay in an all-inclusive, luxury surf coaching resort, like the one in Nosara?
Surf holiday options here give you the choice to learn Spanish and teach English during your stay. That way riders are able to put something back into the local community using their Spanish to teach English, sport, music and art in the local school.
Life is good in Costa Rica: beautiful beaches, warm water and consistently perfect waves suit every style of surfing. Check out the packages in Santa Teresa if you want to mix surfing with other adventure sports.
Multi-Activity
Are you a true adventurist at heart? Then why not explore Costa Rica by bike, foot, raft and kayak? Spectacular natural wilderness awaits those wishing to delve deep into the countryside; picturesque farmland, smouldering volcanoes and virgin forest all providing amazing scenery to explore.
The Hidden Valleys above the Pacuare River are a great place to start if you fancy some rafting. This river is one of the world's classic whitewater experiences, where class 2-5 rapids propel rafters through a series of spectacular canyons. This is an exciting activity choice that presents lashings of fun.
The area of Ocotal is a haven for those who wish to sample a little bit of everything. A small sample of multi-adventure choices includes scuba diving, tubing, horseback riding and kayaking.
All experience levels can be catered for during walking holidays in Costa Rica. From hardcore excursions in pristine tropical rainforest, to leisurely wildlife tours with easy walks and riverboat rides, like in the Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio National Parks.
Bike riding excursions in areas around the Poas, Arenal, Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes provide epic climbs and fun descents. Hot springs relax the muscles at the end of a hardcore day out while cold local brews provided by riding guides help everyone unwind.
Wildlife and Nature
The Monteverde Reserve is well known for its walking trails through luscious cloudforests that team with a glorious array of wildlife, including quetzal and iridescent hummingbirds.
Here you will find over 2,000 species of rare plants and maybe even catch a glimpse of the unusual bare-necked umbrella bird. Nearby, the Arenal volcanic cone regularly spews out lava and steam, and is an awesome sight to catch whilst in the area.
A trip to The Poas volcano and Guayabo Ruins are a good example of an enticing day out. The gigantic Poas volcano is easily accessed from San Jose, its towering (and still smoking crater) is bordered by tropical forest. The Guayabo Ruins introduce a human element to the trip, an Indian ceremonial centre; it is Costa Rica's most important archaeological site.
The Tortuguero (meaning ‘full of Turtles’) National Park provides a captivating landscape is full of jungle waterways and teams with wildlife. Riverbank lodges around the waterways provide excellent facilities among the remote areas of lush rainforest.
Scuba Diving
The island of Cocos is well known in Costa Rica; it is famous for big fish and drift diving. Week-long diving trips are the best way to explore this gem, and this secluded spot should be number one on your places to explore if you are a diver.
Bajo Alcyone is one of the most famous dive sites and for good reason. An enchanting range of species is present, from all manner of rays, to sharks, turtles, barracuda and countless schools of brightly-coloured fish.
Volcanic activity created this island and the substantial reefs of Cocos are lush and healthy, and home to a myriad of smaller fish, which draw the big stuff ever closer.
If you would dive from the mainland, the area of Ocotal and coast of Guanacaste are home to huge groups of manta rays, with schools of 50 or more a common sight. Underwater locations for exploration are numerous; unspoiled reefs, caves and rocks providing natural habitat for plants, animals and fish.
Costa Rica is the perfect choice for people looking for exploration and multi-adventure holidays, set among stunning, seductive scenery.
Classic Itineraries
The main international airport, Juan Santamaria, is the best platform from which to leapfrog around the country. From here you can easily access the mountains or coast. You will find the Poas Volcano and National Park less that 10 miles from the capital (San Jose) and from there the cloudforests in Monteverde are just 40 miles away.
If you want to refresh yourself after your jungle adventures the coast is not far! You can easily get to favoured surf-spot Nosara or use it as a jumping point from which to undertake the long, but ever-so-rewarding boat trip to the dive-haven that is Isle de Coco.
Other Activities
Want even more from your trip in Costa Rica?! No problem! As continuous improvements are made to infrastructure and the service sector, more adventure companies are popping up all the time. So you can add these activities to your ever-growing list! Snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing, sea kayaking, bungee jumping and sports fishing! Cool!
