costarica
An adventure through Costa Rica
Lodged between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is home to a dazzling 500,000 wildlife species and offers a wealth of adventures on both land and sea. Jungle ziplines, whitewater rafting, surfing swells and beachside gallops. It’s for good reason that Costa Rica is often considered one of the world’s foremost adventure capitals.
On this captivating adventure, we’ll show you why – taking you on a breathtaking expedition through the heart and to the wild edges of this mesmerising country. The cloud forests of Central Valley, the roaring rapids of Pacuare, the fresh sea air of Osa and Nicoya. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the inspirational people working to preserve Costa Rica’s vital natural habitats.
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Central Valley
Home to over two-thirds of Costa Rica’s population, the Central Valley offers a dazzling array of landscapes and adventures. There’s San José, Costa Rica’s cosmopolitan capital, with the contemporary art galleries of Barrio Amon and the charming eateries of Barrio Escalante. Beyond the city, you’ll find two active volcanoes: Irazú (with its color-changing lake) and Poás (with its steam-spitting geysers). And then there’s the cloud forests – your first stop.
The Pacuare River
The Pacuare River – 124km from San José – is a renowned whitewater rafting spot flanked by primordial rainforest and deep, untouched canyons. Roaring rapids, breathtaking wilderness, toucans, monkeys, and blue morpho butterflies. It’s an unmissable habitat for those seeking adventure – and spectacular wildlife.
Osa Peninsula
Jutting into the Pacific Ocean at the southern tip of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula – a region of dense rainforests and secluded beaches – is home to 2.5% of the planet’s entire biodiversity, and half of all the species in Costa Rica itself. Rugged and remote, it’s famed for its mangrove forests, tumbling waves, and jaguars. There’s a lot of life here. And a lot of adventure.
Arenal
Centred around its massive, eponymous volcano, the Arenal region is known as Costa Rica’s “adventure capital”. This is a jaw- dropping place, where 15km of hiking trails follow old lava flows and ziplines loop over vast volcanic craters and evergreen forest. It’s also an inscribed and protected National Park.
Nicoya Peninsula
Known for being Costa Rica’s largest peninsula (and the “Hawaii of Latin America”), Nicoya borders the Pacific Ocean, boasting miles upon miles of sun-soaked sandy beaches – and mellow swelling waves perfect for surfing. As one of the world’s “Blue Zones” (regions where the inhabitants live a long, healthy life), life is more relaxed here – slower and peaceful. And you’ll dive right in.