Adventure

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There are plenty of options for both soft and hard adventure, ranging from biking, hiking, white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking, diving, surfing, windsurfing, and horse riding to caving and mountain-climbing. These are discussed individually below, or separately.

mountain biking
Costa Rica is a marvelous country for biking. The hills of the center can be quite rugged, and the coast hot, but the sights can be spectacular and smaller roads and paths can be very pleasant. Most organized tours make sure you are mainly cycling downhill, and that you have plenty to drink. Costa Ricans are enthusiastic bikers, both mountain biking and cruising. Bear in mind, though, that Costa Rican drivers can be dangerous on the roads.

canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting
The many fast-flowing rivers in the country are highly attractive for rafters and kayakers. The main rivers are the Reventazon, Pacuare, and Corobici, and also the Naranjo river at Quepos. Rafting is highly developed in Costa Rica, as the rivers and scenery are fantastic, offering people of all skill levels an exciting element to their visit to the country. The coasts also offer many varied possibilities for sea kayaking which is becoming increasingly popular. Books:-

The Essential Road Guide for Costa Rica
by Bill Baker. Spiral-bound (1995)

The Rivers of Costa Rica : A Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting Guide
by Michael W. Mayfield.

canopy tours
There are many locations in various destinations of Costa Rica which literally give you a bird's eye view of the jungle from the treetop or canopy level. They typically consist of platforms at treetop level, linked by cables, and you slide between the platforms suspended with a harness from the cable. They require no experience. A motor-driven version is the Rainforest Aerial Tram located less than an hour from San Jose, and located in the Braulio Carrillo national park.

hiking
There are good opportunities around the country, although paths are not sign-posted and may not be easy to find. Organized tours, from half a day and longer, are starting to be offered by operators, or customized trips with a guide can be arranged. The toughest hike is probably climbing the 3,819m Chirripo mountain, which needs a couple of days and permission for staying overnight in the refuge. Wearing the right clothing, particularly for the mountains, is important.

horse riding
This is very popular in Costa Rica, where this is quite a culture, and so there are good opportunities for riding tours around the country. Several hotels and lodges either have their own facilities, or can arrange rides with local stables.

motorbike tours
Several operators have developed tours on Harley Davidsons and BMWs, as this has grown in popularity. The comments for the section on driving about the quality of the roads and drivers apply, but the experience can be great fun.