Sporting events take place year-round in Costa Rica

Mountain Biking through Forest

Whether it's land recreation like hiking and rock climbing or water sports like white water rafting and scuba diving, there are opportunities for travelers of all interests to exercise and experience the natural wonders of Costa Rica during their vacation. 

Professional & Semi-Professional Sports

For those looking to simply relax during their Costa Rica vacation, there are also a number of professional and semi-professional sporting events that take place throughout the country during the year. Many of these events welcome the participation of visitors, while others provide the perfect way to view some of the country's top athletes.

Marathons

One event that offers the best of both worlds is the Costa Rica International Marathon, which began in 1996 and was designed to test even the most hardcore runners through the hilly terrain of the capital city of San Jose. The race covers the streets of San Jose from La Sabana Park toward the airport, giving runners a chance to wind through 26 miles of an urban jungle landscape.

The event, which typically takes place in December, is open to visitors of various ages and skill levels. Wheelchair-bound participants can also take part in the marathon. Additionally, many people line the streets to see some of the top runners from around the country test their abilities on a demanding course.

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Bike Races

Bike races are also extremely popular sporting events that take place throughout the year in Costa Rica. One such race, the Ruta de los Conquistadores Mountain Bike Race, is the largest mountain bike event in the country. Spanning more than 240 miles of trails from coast to coast, the four-day event is a stage race that has time limits for each leg of the trip. However, those who do not finish in the allotted time can still continue and complete the race. Dozens of fans line the trails to witness the impressive athletes competing in this race, which generally takes place in October or November.

While bike and running races are extremely popular events to attend, the major sport in Costa Rica (like most of the world) is soccer. The Costa Rica Cup, which invites amateur soccer teams from across the globe to compete, is an excellent way for fans to check out some of the best up-and-coming players in the sport. In addition, Costa Rica hosts a semi-professional and amateur soccer season between May and December. The Mejenga, which are Sunday morning soccer matches, are a national tradition and the championships are held in December.