BUNGEE JUMPING

Bungee jumping is the latest in a series of "Thrill Sports," activities like parachuting and tight rope walking. Costa Rica's bungee jumping hot spot is the "Viejo Puente Sobre el Rio Colorado," ("The Old Bridge over the Colorado"). If you think jumping off an old bridge is baby stuff, think again. The fall from bridge to terra firma is 300 feet. This is a long way to fall. You will have plenty of time to ask yourself, "Why did I do this?" before the bungee cord snatches you back to safety or not. Usually, jumps here are made with a one hundred foot bungee cord, which stretches to two hundred feet before it stops the jumpers fall. The Old Bridge is located about half an hour west of San Jose. Jumps are usually made Saturday and Sunday mornings, but groups can arrange for special jumping sessions.

SURFING

Every season is surfing season in Costa Rica. Like all surfing, you might find the best surfing is here today and there tomorrow, but in this garden paradise, that's no problem. Costa Rica is made up of two coasts on two oceans with some volcanoes and a rain forest full of monkeys in between. Beach breaks, reef breaks, river mouth runs, there's always lively surf running somewhere. It's never far away, and getting there's half the fun.

NATIONAL PARKS

There are one hundred and twenty four national parks, biological; reserves and wildlife refuges in Costa Rica where visitors tramp through rain forests which stand today as they stood a million years ago. There are beaches where people look down through seawater clean as window glass at fish the color of rainbows and turtles big as Volkswagens, almost. There are parks built around steaming, grumbling volcanoes, parks alive with bird songs, parks with white-water rivers running through them and parks where you sit and read a book.

HORSEBACK RIDING

As one of the most common activity, this can be enjoyed along the coast, in the communities or in the mountains of this region. Horseback riding tours are offered by tourism companies, landowning associations or families that rent horses.

HIKING

Hiking is a good way to take in various tourist attractions: natural parks, beaches, ecotourism trails, historical buildings, architectural monuments or cultural tours around various communities of interest.

RECREATIONAL CYCLING

The region features picturesque roads and adventure or relaxation sites for touring on regular or mountain bikes. Beaches and mountains also make for interesting rides.

ADVENTURE TOURS

Well developed for tourism, the Quepos–Manual Antonio area is very attractive to tourists, offering mountains and high places as well as quadricycle or all-terrain-vehicle tours. Tourists can walk over suspension bridges, tour mangrove swamps by boat, visit butterfly gardens, go horseback riding, dolphin- or bird-watch, go sport-fishing or enjoy an ultra light flight.

ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL SITES

The city of Puntarenas features a small old town with the characteristics of a historical center. There are buildings of architectural and historical interest as well as National Monuments, such as the old Port Military Headquarters facilities, Parque Mora y Cañas and the Central Church. San Lucas Island and the old San Lucas Penitentiary may also be visited.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Diverse flora and fauna in natural areas, stunning coastal landscapes and cultural interest make taking photos and video a highly popular tourist activity.

SPORT-FISHING

Sport-fishing is one of the Central Pacific’s main attractions. Artisan, recreational or challenging sport-fishing may all be enjoyed in the Quepos area.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Throughout the year, community activities are held celebrating historical, religious, sporting, civic or artistic events. Fairs are also held to raise funds for community development.

ARENAL VOLCANO

Arenal Volcano has been the center of attraction for tourists traveling to Costa Rica. This active Volcano will delight visitors with a fire show, rock and lava eruption. One of the best windsurf spots that can be found is at the volcano’s foot since winds on the lake can reach up to 45 Miles per hour.