Overview
Accommodations
Outdoor Recreation
Beyond Tourism
Sights and Activities
Planning Your Trip
Basics
While Costa Rican culture and city life have their charms, the great outdoors is undoubtedly the country’s main attraction. Manifold opportunities exist for visitors looking for a quiet retreat from civilization or an unforgettable adventure in the wild. Boasting 12 distinct ecosystem zones, the forests, coasts, mountains, and countrysides of Costa Rica offer some of the most breathtaking natural spectacles in the world. Because of its unique location at the center of an isthmus straddling North and South America, the country is host to a variety of unique environments in which flora and fauna from both hemispheres can thrive. This distinctive status has created an environment where 6% of the world’s biodiversity occurs in a country with only 0.1% of the world’s landmass. Roughly 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is protected by an extensive system of national parks, biological reserves, and wildlife refuges; no other country in the world protects a greater portion of its territory. Costa Rican landscapes also offer opportunities for a wide array of adventure sports and camping. From mountaintop vistas that afford simultaneous views of the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea to cloud forests laced with ziplines for a thrilling experience and white-sand beaches perfect for surfing, Costa Rica offers something for everyone. With its combination of diverse flora, rare fauna, and exciting outdoor activities, the country lives up to its name, Costa Rica (rich coast).
Costa Rica’s terrain is dominated by forest, and 99% of the country was once covered by trees. Though deforestation has reduced forest coverage in Costa Rica to around one-quarter of the land, over ...more
Staggeringly, Costa Rica is home to over 200 known mammal, 850 bird, 180 amphibian, and 230 reptile known species, as well as an abundance of insects. Some of these species are extremely rare; Coco Island ...more
Costa Rica contains an impressive variety of distinct landscapes within its narrow borders. The country is dominated by a massive arc of highlands that include four mountain chains, comprising of more ...more
It’s easy being green in Costa Rica! Home to many of the rarest species found on the planet, Costa Rica is a heavy hitter in the world ecotourism industry. Approximately 27% of Costa Rica’s landmass ...more
Costa Rica’s extensive national park system provides good hiking and camping opportunities, but not all parks offer camping facilities. Many parks have short, looping trails that can be easily completed ...more
Good camping equipment is both sturdy and light. North American suppliers tend to offer the most competitive prices. If you bring your own camping equipment with you into Costa Rica, make sure it is ...more
Staying warm, dry, and well-hydrated is key to a happy and safe wilderness experience. For any hike, prepare yourself for an emergency by packing a first-aid kit, a reflector, a whistle, high energy ...more
Costa Rica is renowned for the diversity and affordability of its outdoor adventures, and many travelers come specifically to pursue these high-quality offerings. Activities run the gamut from scenic ...more
Organized adventure tours offer another way of exploring the wild. Activities include hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, climbing, photo safaris, and archaeological digs. Tourism bureaus ...more
A variety of publishing companies offer hiking guidebooks to meet the educational needs of novices or experts. For information about camping, hiking, and biking, write or call the publishers listed below ...more
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
