Exciting Travel Destinations on a Costa Rica Adventure Vacation

Costa Rica Adventure Vacation Activities and Tours

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Costa Rica is a tropical destination with lots to see and do! Discover active volcanoes, enjoy beautiful coastal surfing spots, and experience spectacular Monteverde on a thrilling Canopy tour.

The possibilities are endless! Look below at some of our recommendations for getting the most out of your Costa Rica adventure vacation.

We'll guide you to some to the best adventure locations, and also tell you about some activities that you don't want to miss!

Costa Rica Adventure Vacation Top Outdoor Activities

• Costa Rica Canopy Tours - Try exploring the rainforests of Costa Rica high above the jungle floor

• Surfing in Costa Rica - Two oceans to choose from with over 1000 kilometres of coastline
  
• Rafting - Plenty of selection and excitement for all levels of paddlers

• Diving - Experience the country's largest coastal reef in Cahuita National Park

• Hiking - There are trails everywhere including walks to the tops of some volcanoes

• Mountain Biking - Rentals and tours are available to see those out of the way places

Awesome Adventure Vacation Destinations in Costa Rica

Numerous well-marked trails including bridges makes walking high above the tropical forest an adventure the whole family can enjoy!

For the ultimate adventure in Monteverde, we highly recommend flying over the rainforest with Sky Trek Tours. There is absolutely no better way to experience the canopy than from suspension bridges as well as various platforms all connected by zip lines.

You, the harness, the cable, the scenery - that's a Costa Rica adventure vacation!

Santa Elena Forest Reserve - This Reserve is not as well known as Monteverde, but it is at a higher elevation. With fewer visitors to this area, it's a great alternative if you're looking to get away from the crowds. There are at least 10 kilometres of trails here, and guided and self-guided tours are available.

Arenal Volcano - A Costa Rica adventure vacation would not be complete without seeing and experiencing the Arenal Volcano. It's active daily, with lava flowing down the westward side every 15 minutes! And there are a number of ways to get there from Monteverde. Don't bother driving - but take one of the many tours which include bus, horseback, and boat transport all in the span of about 5 hours.

Cahuita National Park - Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, this is the place for viewing coral reefs close to shore. March through May are the best months to plan a diving vacation in this area of Costa Rica. Just as popular as snorkeling and diving is in Cahuita, it's also known for its extraordinary surf!

Corcovado National Park and Osa Peninsula - Considered one of the newest extreme diving locations in the country, this area is beginning to attract all sorts of adventure divers for drops down to 250 feet. If you're into adventure of a more remote nature, don't miss out on this area!

Day Tours in Costa Rica - San Jose and Surrounding Areas

Irazú Volcano - Go Mountain biking for the day! Get picked up at your hotel in the morning for a drive up to the top of Irazú Volcano - explore and view the magnificent crater, then cycle all the way down 10,000 feet through some of the best scenery Costa Rica has to offer.

This is an excellent 10 hour day tour out of San Jose, with about 50 kilometres of cycling!

Braulio Carrillo National Park - Located a short distance (45 minutes) from San Jose - its here that you can enjoy spectacular hikes and pristine wildlife viewing in one of the steepest areas of the country. See crocodiles, scarlet macaws, toucans, and much more!

The Rainforest Aerial Tram - Experience an aerial ride through the rain forest canopy in a safe and secure gondola, while learning about the many wildlife species in the area and its diverse eco-system. The tour lasts about 4 hours and is great for the entire family.

Day excursions from San Jose are also available to Calypso Island, Mahogany Park, and Sueño Azul Waterfalls.

Costa Rica Adventure Vacation - Best Time to Go

However, depending on what adventure activity you want to pursue, travel outside these months may be preferable. For example, if you are only interested in scuba diving, then March or May should be considered as well.

October and May are also good months for adventure travel in Costa Rica, with fewer crowds in popular destination areas. You'll find that Costa Rica travel at any time of year offers extremely good value when compared with other countries. And things like accommodations outside of the "dry season” will be cheaper still!

Travel to Costa Rica and Driving Distances

Direct flights are available from San Francisco and Los Angeles in the west, as well as New York, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston.

From overseas, there is direct service from Munich and Düsseldorf in Germany, and from Madrid, Spain.

Road Travel and Time - One misconception about Costa Rica is the length of time it takes to travel from one point to another. As the chart indicates below - travel time is somewhat longer due to the country's terrain and road system.....

• Distance from San Jose to Monteverde: 170 kms Travel time by road 4 hours 30 minutes

• Distance from San Jose to Jaco: 195 kms Travel time by road 4 hours

• Distance from San Jose to Liberia: 220 kms Travel time by road 4 hours

• Distance from San Jose to Tambor: 165 kms Travel time by road 3 hours

• Distance from San Jose to Arenal Volcano: 120 kms Travel time by road 3 hours

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