In the past 20 years Costa Rica has jumped out of travel obscurity into the spotlight of active adventure and eco-travel. Costa Rica, which literally translates as Rich Coast, is situated in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. Ranking first in the Happy Planet Index and being the “greenest” country in the world, one can expect to find this place to be the ideal tropical paradise.
Costa Rica has diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna. From rain forests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands.
Having that biodiversity, its no surprise why Costa Rica is one of the world’s most popular destinations for eco-tourists. As an amazing initiative to protect the their country’s ecosystem (and subsequently the world), the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021. Kudos for them!!
If you’re looking to have an active vacation in a tropical haven, look no further and go to Costa Rica. Most visitors can enter the country without the need of a visa and can stay in the country for 90 days. There is a US $26 exit fee at the Juan Santamaría Airport.
So, What can you do there?
Having more rivers per square kilometers than anywhere else in the world, rafting is definitely an active sport to look for while adventuring in this country. Some rivers to look for are Pacuare, Savegre, Naranjo, Reventazon, Sarapiqui, Penas Blancas, El General, and Toro River, among others.
Other active and extreme sports are Canyoning, Spelunking, Canopy, among others. Most of these adventures can be found near San José and at La Fortuna by the Arenal Volcano (which is active). You can also find great mountain biking routes near Irazu, Turrialba, and Arenal Volcanoes.
Costa Rica has many surfing hotspots. The Pacific coast, particularly in the Central Pacific and Guanacaste, has some of the best surfing in Central America. Playa Grande is the most consistent break in the area with surfable conditions most days of the year. Comparably, wind surfing in the Tilarán area is considered as some of the best in the world.
Regardless of your travel interests, it’s pretty sure you’re going to want to spend time relaxing at one of the country’s great beaches. Most beach tourism is concentrated on the Pacific side, in the Central Pacific region near San José, the Nicoya Peninsula, and in the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste. Less touristic, but no less beautiful are the beaches in the tropical rainforest of the southern Pacific coast near Corcovado National Park, or on the exotic eco-touristic paradise on the Caribbean side.
So, what are you waiting for?! Go to Costa Rica and immerse yourself in this eco-adventurous oasis. It will be an experience that will make you crave for more! If not sure what to do, check out what I did on my trip to Costa Rica. It was Amazing!
OMG the first pic looks like in a fairy tale! Esp the colors
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Wow, costa rica looks absolutely stunning. I would love to take a month long mountain biking trek around the country. What an adventure.