Whether you fancy ziplining or sunbathing, there are seemingly no limits to the activities that you can do in Costa Rica. Read this article to find out what you can get up to while living in this Central American paradise.
If you have a thirst for adventure, you can easily fill your free time exploring rainforests and cloud forests on a zip line or in an aerial tram; or hitting the oceans on a surfboard or in scuba diving gear. However, the country also offers plenty of relaxing leisure activities and places to chill and rejuvenate after a hard week at work. Come Friday, you can head to tranquil corners of the country to unwind in luxury hot springs, swing in a hammock to the sound of the surf, find your balance on a yoga mat, admire the misty vistas of volcanoes, or simply enjoy an Imperial beer at a beach bar.
As the country is relatively small, one of the best things about living in Costa Rica is that you don't have to travel far to enjoy a world-class surf break or explore a wild refuge. If you are working in the Central Valley, you can easily venture to other parts of the country on the weekend and be back in time for your first coffee on Monday morning.
Outdoor activities
Costa Rica offers a mind-boggling array of outdoor adventures, from biking to canyoning. In your free time you can go hiking in Corcovado National Park, zip line over Guanacaste, watch sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park, climb a dormant volcano, go white water rafting down the Pacuare River during the rainy season, soak up the vitamin D on Manuel Antonio Beach, admire the animals at Ostional Wildlife Refuge, explore multiple ecosystems on horseback in the Osa Peninsula, soak in natural hot springs at Tabacon, practice yoga by the ocean in Santa Teresa, swim in the Nauyaca Waterfalls, go spelunking in the Venado Caves, scuba dive or snorkel at the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The list of things to do around the country is seemingly endless, and the diversity never ceases to astound.
As well as its reputation as a ziplining mecca, Costa Rica is also renowned for being a prime destination for surfing aficionados ' from beginner to advanced, there is a wave for everyone in certain spots along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Some particularly popular surf towns, such as Playa Guiones, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Negra and Playa Hermosa, offer consistently good waves, and days that revolve almost entirely around beach breaks, point breaks, high swells and heavy barrels.
So, whether you wish to develop a skill or start a totally new hobby, you're bound to find something to keep you entertained during your leisure time in Costa Rica.
Useful links:
Expat.com ' Leisure in Costa Rica Forum
Costa Rica Tourism Board www.visitcostarica.com
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