One of the gems of the Costa Rican adventure tourism industry is Canopy Tours. If you’ve always wanted a bird’s eye view of the rainforest, canopy touring is definitely for you. A canopy tour is certainly not for the faint of heart and those with any acrophobic tendencies are well advised to steer clear as the platforms can be as high as 27 metres. (90 feet) The tours usually feature suspension bridges, zip lines, viewing platforms and trails to facilitate viewing the tropical flora and fauna from many different vantage points. You will be supplied with a helmet and harness so you can enjoy the view with complete freedom. Seeing birds from above is a once in a life time experience! If this sort of eco-adventure sounds just your style then sign yourself up for a canopy tour with one of the many companies that offer the service.
Wind surfing has grown immensely in popularity over the past decades. The combination of speed and water is quite alluring and will not disappoint those looking for a bit of an adventure. Lake Arenal, a manmade lake in the Tilarán-Guanacaste area, is surrounded by companies that offer windsurfing. Surfing on winds of up to 45mph really gets the adrenaline going and will satisfy anyone with a need for speed. If the lake sounds a bit dull, there are plenty of place to hire equipment at any of the Caribbean or Pacific beaches.
It may seem a bit incongruous but cowboy culture is very widespread in Costa Rica. There are extremely large cattle ranches throughout the country and horses are a very common mode of transportation. Horseback riding is a great way to see a large amount of forest with very little effort…all you have to do is get on and go. The horses are very docile so you will not encounter any problems if you haven’t ridden before. Often horse tour operators have sussed out the very best areas and will take you deep into the forest to clear, fresh water pools or hot water springs. If your horsemanship is on par with Princess Anne, let the tour operator know when you are booking and they will either provide a higher spirited animal or recommend a company that can do so.
Sea kayaking is a very popular sport that is offered up and down both coasts. Paddling against the pounding waves is exhilarating fun for those who love water sports. Although you don’t have to be experienced or extremely fit to participate, a strong back and good arms will allow you to get the most out of the outing. When the waves are calmer, you can use them to you advantage to travel into mangroves and estuaries on the sly. Because you able to approach so quietly, you will be privy to unparalleled wildlife viewing.
If sea kayaking doesn’t sound adventurous enough for you, there is plenty of opportunity to up the ante with whitewater rafting. There are a variety of different choices available ranging from a relatively smooth family paddle to ferocious Class V rapids. There are lots of rivers in Costa Rica so it is very easy to find a good location. Planning your trip during the rainy season will also increase the adventure quotient as higher water levels make the rivers even wilder.