Costa Rica is synonymous with adventure travel. The adventure traveler will find an extraordinary selection of adventure travel ideas in this tiny Central American country. Because Costa Rica offers numerous national parks and natural reserves, there are an abundant number of opportunities to go on an adventure.

Costa Rica is an extremely varied country packed into a small geographic area. It's one of the most famous travel destinations in the world for adventure travel and ecotourism. The Pacific Coast is 1,060-km (665 mi) long and offers beaches, rivers, peninsulas, gulfs, surf, forests and lowlands. The center of the country is mountainous with active volcanoes and rivers and streams which can be chilled by cloud forests. The Caribbean coastline is flat and plain and runs 200-km  (125 mi) through lagoons, forests, and plains

Costa Rica is famous for its ecotourism industry and it's critical to understand a little about the industry before departing. The industry is growing rapidly and more than one million people arrive each year in Costa Rica. Traveling without leaving a trace is more important than ever. The rain forests of Costa Rica are frail and treating them with respect is important to their survival. While traveling, leave no trace and take only photos. Stay on the trails to prevent erosion.

Please note that Costa Rica is hot and humid. Overheating and dehydration are real possibilities and should not be overlooked. It's advisable to hike or mountain bike in a group or with a guide for safety. If hiking without a guide, be prepared with navigation and maps. Some national park offices provide trail maps, but this is not common. Travelers should bring their own maps.

What should you bring?

Each individual has a list of items required for his or her adventure and it's not the intent of this web site to tell you what to bring. However, adventure travel in Costa Rica is unique in that it's very wet and, in addition to a rain jacket and pants, footwear is critically important.

Costa Rica has a lot of mud, army ants and many streams and rivers. It's important to be properly prepared for these conditions. Some considerations to bring for hiking in the jungle are as follows:

• Hiking boots: Waterproof hiking boots that are sturdy and offer support and have good traction are a wise investment for an adventure trip to Costa Rica. They'll be sure to get wet, but having good quality boots will make you much happier at the end of a hard day on the trail. Be sure to be a pair of sports sandals for river crossings and for the end of the day.
• Rubber boots: During rainy season or in an exceptionally wet area, rubber boots will make travel considerably easier. Rubbers boots will protect against ticks and snakes. They'll provide traction and are easy to clean. Please note that rubber boots do not offer much support.
• Sport sandals: Taking a pair of sports sandals to cross rivers in or for the end of the day is invaluable. You won't want to hike in these because of the types of creatures on the ground. There's a fair amount of debate on the Internet about using sport sandals for hiking in extremely wet conditions. It could be possible to use a pair of sport sandals and neoprene socks (or neoprene boots which would be less comfortable in the sandal) to hike in extreme wet conditions. Please note: this will not protect from snakes which can be encountered when hiking.

Adventure travel ideas in Costa Rica

Some of the adventure travel ideas for Costa Rica include:

• Hiking opportunities around Costa Rica are abundant including forest and beach hikes. Planning your own adventure? Try trail source for maps and additional information.
• Mountain biking is a great option for the windy scenic less-traveled paths in the mountains or near volcanoes. You can do this on your own, but it's recommended to use a guide.
• White water rafting is one of the most popular adventure travel activities available in Costa Rica. There are a number of options but the waters are best from June through October.
• Deep sea & sports fishing has different seasons depending on the type of fish, but in general, there's is something to be found year round.
• Surfing is fabulous in Costa Rica and there are opportunities for experts and beginners alike.
• Scuba diving offers opportunities to view an incredible array of marine life but is not as "turquoise" as the Caribbean, e.g. Belize.

Travel info on destinations in Costa Rica

Learn about popular travel destinations in Costa Rica.