Top 5 adventure activities to try in Costa Rica

Diverse landscapes with wonderful wildlife and spectacular scenery make Costa Rica the world’s unbeatable natural playground. Discover the essential adventure activities to include in your itinerary: from rafting to rappelling, these exhilarating outdoor experiences will create memories you’ll never forget.

Ziplining through the rainforest

Thanks to incredible conservation efforts which reversed deforestation in Costa Rica, over 50% of the country is rainforest. Remarkable wildlife can be spotted here, from howler monkeys and pumas to an array of exotic birds and reptiles, and visitors can hike through the trees with guides to get up close and personal with these protected creatures.

For an idea of the scale of these rainforests, the only way to view them is from above. Areas such as Arenal and Monteverde offer tourists the chance to soar over the canopy for up to five hours at a time, in a secure harness or seated in the slower-paced aerial tram.

White water rafting on the Pacuare

For anyone booking Costa Rica holidays for outdoor adventure, white water rafting on the Pacuare is a must-do activity that will literally take your breath away. This is one of the world’s top rafting destinations with thrilling rapids and astonishing scenery to match.

Travellers aged 14 and over will be well able to tackle the grade III and IV rapids, whether or not they have any experience. Following a full safety briefing, you can enjoy around five hours of exhilarating river rides, taking in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings in the periodic moments of calm.

Surfing at Playa Tamarindo

Celebrate Costa Rica’s picturesque shoreline by catching waves at Playa Tamarindo. You’ll find points suitable for beginners and experts and plenty of schools where qualified teachers are on hand to give you tips.

The best time to visit for larger and more challenging swells is the rainy season (May to November). Less confident surfers should come between December and April.

Hiking in Corcovado National Park

Ranging from lowland and highland cloud forests to mangrove swamps and coastal marine habitats, Corcovado National Park is a striking area rich in wildlife. Despite the wet, rugged terrain, the trails are accessible and easy to follow throughout the park. You can even ride horses along the beach!

You have a decent chance of spotting some of the country’s shyest creatures here: look out for vivid scarlet macaws and proud harpy eagles in the treetops and jaguars and tapirs moving through the undergrowth within view of the path.

Canyoning at Arenal waterfalls

Get your adrenaline pumping in Arenal with a course of canyoning and waterfall rappelling. Proper safety equipment and direction from guides keep you out of danger, but these glittering descents are sure to get your heart racing!

Hooked up to ropes, you’ll move across and down a mesmerising network of waterfalls, ranging from the 10-ft cascade beginner to the final 200-ft drop. Move at your own pace throughout, taking time to enjoy your incredible surroundings and feelings of excitement!

End with a calming dip at the Salto Swimming Hole which is next to a restaurant where you can get some well-deserved refreshments!