Costa Rica, the Mecca of adventure tourism

All the natural spaces in Costa Rica are protected and the country is home to more than 20 parks and 8 nature reserves. The most popular is Manuel Antonio Natural Park, which is located in the province of Puntarenas along the central Pacific coast and just over two hours by car from Barceló Tambor.

In this park, visitors can delve into Costa Rica’s vegetation, observe the native animals and enjoy the idyllic beaches, although it is also the nation’s most touristic park. This ecological wonder is home to 352 bird species, 109 mammal species and 346 plant species.

But if you’d like to explore an authentic Costa Rican jungle, make your way to Corcovado National Park, which is also located along the Pacific coast, southeast of Manuel Antonio National Park. The nature here is completely untouched, and if you dare, head over to the Sirena Ranger Station to discover Costa Rica’s rarest animal species. Truly adventurous people will want to stay overnight, but the early morning is the best time to see the most exotic animals.

The Pacuare River in the Matina Pacuare Nature Reserve is the most beautiful river in Costa Rica. It begins in the Cuericí Mountains along the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range, runs down to the Central Caribbean plains in the province of Limón and eventually flows into the Caribbean Sea. This river is perfect for sports tourism. The rafting alternatives will take your breath away thanks to the rapids and the stunning vegetation.

Also read: Best beaches for surfing

There is a treasure that few Costa Ricans have discovered along the Caribbean coast, specifically in the Limón province, and it is called Tortuguero. As one of the wildest (and wettest) areas in Costa Rica, it features navigable fresh water canals that flow to the beach on the Caribbean Sea.

Tortuguero is surrounded by nearly 2,000 plant and 400 tree species. Above all, it is known for its beach where green turtles and other sea turtle species, such as leatherback and hawksbill, lay their eggs. The canals are also home to land turtle species manatees and crocodiles.

Costa Rica is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which houses most of the world’s volcanoes. Although there are 112 volcanoes in Costa Rica, only 5 are active. We suggest visiting the La Fortuna region, which is only a few hours by car from the Barceló San José hotel in the capital of Costa Rica. This area is known for its thermal waters that are heated by the constant activity of the Arenal Volcano and are famous for their therapeutic and cosmetic properties due to their extensive array of minerals and trace elements.

With its perfect cone shape, the small eruptions of the Arenal Volcano create an astonishing sight that can be seen in all its splendor at night. Arenal’s lagoon is the setting of windsurfing competitions and boat rides that visitors are sure to enjoy. Finally, sure to also check out the La Fortuna Waterfall.

Also read: Volcanoes of America

If you love adventures out at sea, then the remote Cocos Island is your sports destination in Costa Rica. Thousands of fish, shark and cetacean species await those who dare to dive into these waters. Cocos Island has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The residents of Talamanca still speak their own language, Bribri. As the largest indigenous group in the nation, their way of life is based on fishing, hunting or farming, and they also make handicrafts. Yorkín River serves as a natural border between Costa Rica and Panama, and although it is not easily accessible, it is worth visiting to discover the customs and culture of the indigenous Bribri community.

In the indigenous Bribri community, decisions are made by women who in turn are always backed by men, so be respectful of this if you plan on spending a few hours with the community for an unforgettable experience of your trip to Costa Rica.