Costa Rica Adventure Travel

Costa Rica goes hand-in-hand with exhilarating activities. Take a horseback ride along the Caribbean beaches, sail with the family at sea or hike around enormous Arenal Volcano, to name a few options. Without a doubt, there's no shortage of adventure travel in the "rich coast." A handful of visitors even make several stops across the country to cover all of the bases.

ATV Tours

ATV tours are a great way to explore Costa Rica off the beaten path. The much sought-after Manuel Antonio, biodiverse Guanacaste and the remote mountains of the Rincon de la Vieja area are some of the most popular places for ATV rides. Most companies offer round trip transportation from your hotel before a day weaving through the rainforest. If your teenagers tend to complain about hiking, these motors will surely keep them entertained. Plunge across rivers, eat authentic Tico lunches and experience the jungle in a way like you never have before. To sweeten the package, many of the pit stops allow you to take a dip underneath a waterfall.

Sailing Tours

Leave behind land as you cruise across the blue waters of the Pacific. Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio and the Papagayo Gulf rank on the list for top destinations to take up sailing tours. Since you're already on some of the most majestic spots, a few charters feature snorkeling and scuba diving. The sunsets out at sea are not to be missed, either. This is one of the most relaxing ways to soak in the Costa Rican sun without setting foot on land. And if you time your trip right, you can even embark on a full moon cruise, a popular option for romantic retreats.

Horseback Riding

As a laid-back activity to soak in the landscapes of Costa Rica, horseback riding will take you from deep jungles to soft sand beaches. The Arenal tour provides spectacular views of the massive Arenal Volcano while Mal Pais, a former cattle-farming village, serves up adventure along the glistening shoreline. Most excursions are led by bilingual tour guides who will point out the diverse flora and fauna along the journey. You might even catch a glimpse at some of the wildlife. Check out tours at Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo in Limon. Inexperienced riders welcome.

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Hiking

Nowhere else in the world are there so many habitats crunched into an area as in Costa Rica. As a result, hiking is one of the best ways to discover everything from the lows of Central Valley to the rainforest canopy of Monteverde Reserve. Even some of the top-rated trails do not pose overly challenging days, though you'll be sure to take in hundreds of distinct species of animals and plants along the way. Rincon de La Vieja National Park, La Selva Biological Station and Arenal National Park and Environs are some of the biggest names. If you can't make it to one of those, hiking tours set out daily throughout the country.

If you're searching for action-packed journey, you'll be sure to find it in Costa Rica.