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In a country filled with beautiful landscapes, biodiversity filled rainforests, extensive national parks and tropical getaways; Costa Rica is one of Central America’s most eclectic destinations. Of course, wherever there’s an abundance of outdoor settings, there’s usually a plethora of adventure/extreme sports as well! Looking for adrenaline-fuelled activities during your Central American tour? Costa Rica is the place to be; just make sure you hire a local Costa Rican guide to take you around.
What are the best adventure sports in Costa Rica? Here’s a list of our top five favourites:
Airborne Adventures:
Zip-Line and Canopy Tours
Costa Rica is filled with forests galore. Inside these forests are some of the world’s most beautiful and elusive species of animals, which are often difficult to spot when touring on the ground. There’s no better way to experience both the greenery and wildlife than quietly soaring over the forest’s canopy.
Zip-lining tours in Costa Rica enable the visitor to see these forests from a bird’s eye view, combining picturesque scenery with heart pumping activity. An adventurous and eco-friendly way to see, feel and learn about some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful destinations, canopy zip-line tours are one of the country’s top adventure activities.
Where are the best zip-line excursions in Costa Rica? Though they can be found all throughout the small country, some of the best canopy tours are found in the Monte Verde, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Parks.
Bungee Jumping
If freefalling through the air instead of gliding is more appealing to your sense of adventure, Costa Rica will not let you down. Home to some of the world’s best bungee destinations, clip onto your lifeline and let gravity take you through some of the country’s most stunning spots. Ensuring maximum adrenaline and maximum safety- you can rest assured when bungee jumping in Costa Rica, that you’re in good hands.
Where is the best bungee location in the country? Just outside of San Jose, the Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) is one of the highest bungee jumps in the Americas. Freefall 80 meters from the top of this old bridge and let the bungee cord dangle you over the rushing Colorado River below.
Underground Adventure:
Caving
If you’d rather take your adventures underground, Costa Rica has some excellent caving/spelunking destinations. Strap in and descend into some of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking subterranean settings, with stalactites, stalagmites, lakes, underground creatures and otherworldly sites surrounding you. One of the most unique adventure sports in Costa Rica, spelunking through the country’s underground cave complexes is not an experience you’ll soon forget (or regret!).
Where are the best caving experiences in Costa Rica? Venado Caverns outside of Arenal National Park and inside the Barra Honda National Park.
On Land Adventures:
Costa Rica is home to a wide array of land-based adventures. Whether you’re hiking volcanoes or trekking through the dense rainforest, there’s something to excite every adventure traveler. Our favorite land-based activity in Costa Rica?
Canyoning
If you’re looking to add a bit more excitement to your hiking/trekking excursions, canyoning may be your answer. Make your way through Costa Rica’s most famous and challenging canyons, combining hiking, walking, climbing, waterfall rappelling and whitewater rafting all in one. The ultimate on-land experience, canyoning is both extremely challenging and extremely rewarding to those who can take on the task.
Where are some of the best canyoning experiences in Costa Rica? Arenal National Park, the rainforests of Puerto Viejo de Limon and Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Water-Based Adventures
Thanks to its bi-coastal location, Costa Rica has some excellent water-based adventures. For the adrenaline-seekers looking to head underwater, some amazing diving and snorkeling can be found around Cano Island, the Catalina Islands, and Cocos Island. For those who are looking to stay on top of the water (for the most part), Costa Rica also has some amazing whitewater rafting destinations. From the Manuel Antonio and Arenal National Parks to the Pacuare River Valley and Guanacaste’s Tenorio River, rafting lovers will be in white-water heaven.