Craving Some Adventure? Visit Costa Rica!

October 10, 2013

Like your travel with a hint of adventure? You need to visit Costa Rica!

When I stop and think about the type of vacation that is perfect for me, I think about mixing together food, local culture, adventure and relaxation. Costa Rica has all of these plus volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, miles of untouched beaches and of course, the cute little howler monkeys. You could easily stay for the winter and never get bored.

One of the best things about Costa Rica is its west coast. The coast is lined with beautiful white and black sand beaches that give visitors the special treat of seeing the sun set over the water– something that those of us who live on the east coast are particularly thrilled to see. You can fly to Costa Rica from either US coast in roughly 4-6 hours, which makes it a convenient getaway for families and adventure seekers.

Here are my top picks for things to do in Costa Rica:

Take a Hike Through a Rainforest

You might be thinking, why not fly through the rainforest canopy on a zip-line? If you prefer the high-speed adrenaline rush, then definitely book yourself on a canopy tour. I love to take hikes through virtually untouched nature with the reward being panoramic views, seeing some rare wildlife, and an occasional waterfall. You can go with a guide or tour or hike some of the many popular trails and I think you’ll appreciate all that Costa Rica has done to preserve its natural beauty.

Stay at the Buena Vista Lodge

Some people like to relax on vacation. While you could do that at The Buena Vista Lodge (Guanacaste) is a perfect playground for adventure junkies. You’ll never hear the dreaded words “mom I’m bored” during your stay here. The Extreme Mountain Water Slide is 1,365 feet long and powered by rushing, cold water from the mountain. It’s so extreme you have to wear a helmet and women need to wear leather diapers to protect their bathing suits. Yes leather diapers.

Visit the Manuel Antonia National Park

This amazing park is a little chunk of paradise. It’s located on the west coast, just south of Quepos, about 130km from San Jose. The reserve is a terrific place to hike and enjoy Costa Rican wildlife. You have the opportunity to see iguanas, howler monkeys, capuchins, sloths, squirrel monkeys, plus 109 species of mammals and 184 types of birds. The park has a clearly marked trail system and you’ll love the views across the bay to the outer islands. For the thrill-seekers, the park offers sunset sailing, canopy zip-lining, and white water rafting tours.