Top Adventure Sights in Costa Rica
Volcan Arenal, National Parks, La Catarata, Culture. What's better?
The top 5 activities to immerse yourself in while travelling Costa Rica without the Caribbean Coast or the Peninsula de Osa.
Beyond sheer beauty, the awesomeness of Costa Rica extends to the innumerable activities and sights the country is comprised of.
Depending on your trip’s length, there’s a good chance you won’t have the opportunity to see most of what you hoped to. But even with numerous cutbacks to your itinerary, your trip will remain more than fulfilling.
You are still left with incredible adventure opportunity, even without the opportunity to head to the southern peninsula or the east coast.
Top things to do in Costa Rica…excluding the Caribbean Coast or Peninsula de Osa
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5) Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.
This national park is small but spectacular. In ways, the second-smallest park is like a summary of the rainforest—with some added benefits. Manuel Antonio may be tiny, but its tropical setting is breathtaking. This is the most tropical forest you can find before travelling further south to the Peninsula de Osa. Here the jungle juts out into the ocean, and is juxtaposed against enormous rock heads that protrude from the ocean. The scenery is remarkable. You may have the chance to see more than one type of monkey, tons of iguanas and birds, and other rainforest dwellers. The town of Manuel Antonio itself is somewhat touristy, but still has the pura vida vibe.
4) La Catarata de la Fortuna
This La Fortuna waterfall is one of the most tremendous panoramas in the country. A 70m crystal-blue torrent rushes down into the centre of the forest, creating a cylinder of jungle wall around anyone standing at the bottom of the fall. The cold, refreshing water is a more vibrant, yet clearer blue-green, than can be anticipated. The fall flows into a small rapid river that creates tide pools and rapids for swimmers to bask in. This view truly is one of the most spectacular scenes you will ever be graced with. The $6US entrance fee and heart-pumping hike to the bottom of the fall is more than worth it.
3) Volcan Arenal.
This active volcano lay dormant until one July 1968 morning, when the not-so-dormant mountain erupted, clearing everything in its path. Today, Volcan Arenal is active almost daily and lies in-between the two towns of La Fortuna and Arenal, with the current lava flow on the latter side. Night eruptions offer tourists a chance to see the smoldering volcano top with small rivers of molten hot lava. A national park surrounds the volcano and allows tourists to hike around previous lava flows and rainforest that has only been re-growing since the late-60s eruption.
2) Mixing with the Ticos.
Ticos are the name given to Costa Rican locals. These natives are the source of the country’s animation. Although Costa Rica has innumerable sights and adventure possibilities, meeting locals and forming relationships with them is one of the most rewarding things Costa Rica has to offer. Most locals are welcoming and passionate about their land. Strong and numerous cultural influences create unique characters and atypical friendships. Engaging with the locals offers you a birds-eye glimpse into the honest lifestyles and value systems of Costa Rica. Another pro to befriending Ticos: inside tips to lesser known sights and adventure spots. Mixing with the Ticos truly is the best way to immerse yourself in this culture.
1) Parque Nacional Carara.
This national park is where the dry forests’ of the north meet the wet forests’ of the south. Parque Nacional Carara offers a mix of the two forest classifications, and creates a unique combination of dry and wet vegetation and creatures that inhabit these environments. Trees with diameters over 10m reside in the cool, misty depths of the Carara jungle. The density of the forest is overwhelming and humbling. Even if you don’t spot a single animal, this national park cannot be missed. The awe of this jungle cannot be overstated.
