Costa Rica’s experiences combine spirited adventure with sensational backdrops from rafting down jungle-fringed emerald rivers and safaris along wild black-sand beaches to ziplining in the cloud forests and kayaking in the shadows of the majestic Arenal volcano.
RAFTING DOWN THE PACUARE RIVER
It’s hard to imagine a better place to ignite your sense of adventure than in the surrounds of the picturesque Pacuare River. One of the best things to do in Costa Rica is undoubtedly a white-water rafting expedition down its emerald water ambushed by jungle. Head out in the cool morning air as the forest is awakening. Armed with all the safety equipment needed and under the tutelage of a specialist guide, experience heart-stopping thrills on rapids that course spectacular gorges flanked by tropical jungle.
BACK TO TOP
ZIPLINING IN THE CLOUD FOREST
The best views of the Monteverde Cloud Forest come from an ascent into the treetops. A zipline course pierces the dense, green canopy rewarding thrill seekers with an exclusive bird’s eye view of the forest. Led by a professional guide who’ll help you master your harness and navigate the treetop platforms, soar down suspended cables that loom over the heaving greenery of treetops so high they skewer the mist. Along the way keep an eye out for colourful macaws and camouflaged sloths that inhabit the wildlife-filled scenery. By the end of it you’ll feel so in tune, you’ll have no hesitations rappelling down to the forest floor.
BACK TO TOP
WILDLIFE WATCHING IN THE OSA PENINSULA
In the remote Osa Peninsula, wildlife encounters begin the moment you wake. From the terrace of your jungle lodge, watch scarlet macaws sweep overhead and hear the distant roar of howler monkeys carrying across the canopy. Join expert naturalist to explore rainforest trails where tapirs leave fresh tracks in the mud and bright poison-dart frogs flash against the green. Early morning walks reward those hoping to spot some of the Osa Peninsula’s 400+ recorded species of bird, while night tours reveal species such as tree frogs, tarantulas, and curious kinkajous. Adventure lovers can embark on rainforest hikes to hidden waterfalls, while – closer to the water’s edge – dolphins dart through the Pacific waters.
BACK TO TOP
A SAFARI IN THE TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Go wildlife spotting with a nature expert in the Tortuguero National Park, an area of pristine flooded rainforest. Boat rides through the network of canals reveal sightings of basilisk lizards skirting across the water, often observed by small alligators basking on the water's edge. Further inland, you can hike through the rainforest to see sloths and howler monkeys perched in the treetops, as well as hundreds of colourful bird species. Learn more about the country's rich biodiversity in our guide to Costa Rica's wildlife.
BACK TO TOP
HIKE ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Another rewarding experience in Costa Rica involves a hike along the base of the Arenal Volcano. Some of the most privileged vistas unravel around its rainforest-clad base along fields of bulbous black lava rock leftover from its last eruption in 1968. Absorb powerful scenes of Arenal’s towering, perfectly conical shape if conditions are clear. All the while you’ll take in giant ceiba trees, encroaching vines and punctures of colour from hanging bromeliads as well as incredible birdlife which you can spot with the help of a local guide. For more information, read our luxury guide to Arenal Volcano National Park.
BACK TO TOP
A NOCTURNAL WALK IN THE CLOUD FOREST
A nature walk in the deep inky night adds a fascinating dimension to any visit to Costa Rica's wondrous cloud forests. As the sun slips away and the evening descends, steal out from your cloud forest lodge armed with a torch and in the company of a naturalist guide, roaming the tropical vegetation which feels like yours alone to explore. There’s every chance you’ll spot many of the cloud forest creatures, eighty percent of which are nocturnal including armadillos, sedentary two-toed sloths and kinkajous, small honey-eating primates often seen hanging by their tails in the branches.
BACK TO TOP
KAYAK ON LAKE ARENAL
WHALE WATCHING IN THE GOLFO DULCE
Every July, majestic humpback whales begin to reach the calm and sheltered waters of the Golfo Dulce that lap Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Arriving with their calves, these enormous mammals remain in the region until late October, and setting out on a whale and dolphin watching expedition in glimpse of these remarkable creatures is one of the highlights of a visit to the Golfo Dulce at this time. Base yourself at serene and beautiful Playa Cativo to enjoy some of the easiest access to the waters of the Golfo Dulce, as well as expeditions into the surrounding pristine rainforest.
