Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [391]
Caño Negro (Click here) Expansive wetlands provide refuge for reptiles and avians alike.
Monteverde and Santa Elena (Click here) The reserves provide unique insight into the cloud-forest ecosystem.
A quality pair of binoculars is highly recommended, and can really make the difference between far-off movement and a veritable face-to-face encounter. For expert bird-watchers, a spotting scope is essential, and multipark itineraries will allow you to quickly add dozens of new species to your all-time list. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that Costa Rica is brimming with wildlife at every turn, so always keep your eyes open and your ears peeled – you never know what’s waiting for you just ahead!
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SURFING
Point and beach breaks, lefts and rights, reefs and river mouths, warm water and year-round waves make Costa Rica a favorite surfing destination. For the most part, the Pacific coast has bigger swells and better waves during the latter part of the rainy season, but the Caribbean cooks from November to May. Basically, there is a wave somewhere waiting to be surfed at any time of the year. See the surfer’s map opposite for an idea of what’s around.
Surfers ready to chase that perfect wave.
CHRISTIAN ASLUND
For the uninitiated, lessons are available at almost all of the major surfing destinations – especially popular towns include Jacó and Tamarindo (Click here) on the Pacific coast. Surfing definitely has a steep learning curve, and can be potentially dangerous if the currents are strong. With that said, the sport is accessible to children and novices, though it’s always best to inquire locally about conditions before you paddle out. Having trouble standing up? Here is a tip: long boards readily maintain their stability, even in heavy crashing surf.
Throughout Costa Rica, waves are big (though not Hawaii-big), and many offer hollow and fast rides that are perfect for intermediates. As a bonus, Costa Rica is one of the few places on the planet where you can surf two different oceans in the same day. Advanced surfers with plenty of experience under their belts can tackle some of the sport’s most famous waves. The top ones include: world-famous Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock, off the coast of Parque Nacional Santa Rosa; Mal País and Santa Teresa, with a groovy scene to match the powerful waves; Playa Hermosa, whose bigger, faster curls attract a more determined (and experienced) crew of wave-chasers; Pavones, a legendary long left across the sweet waters of the Golfo Dulce; and the infamous Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, which is for experts only.
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WHITE-WATER RAFTING & KAYAKING
Since the birth of the ecotourism-based economy in the mid-1980s, white-water rafting has emerged as one of Costa Rica’s top-billed outdoor pursuits. Ranging from family-friendly Class II swells to borderline unnavigable Class V rapids, Costa Rica’s rivers offer highly varied white-water experiences.
First-time runners are catered for year-round, while seasoned enthusiasts arrive en masse during the wildest months from June through to October. There is also much regional variation, with gentler rivers located near Manuel Antonio along the central Pacific coast, and truly world-class runs along the Ríos Pacuare and Reventazón in the Central Valley. Since all white-water rafting in Costa Rica requires the presence of a certified guide, you will need to book all trips through a reputable tour agency (Click here for listings).
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SPOTS TO RAFT & KAYAK
Turrialba Home to the country’s most popular rafting rivers, the Pacuare and Reventazón.
La Virgen The base town for rafting and kayaking on the Río Sarapiquí.
Manuel Antonio (Click here) A tourist mecca that offers family-friendly rafting year-round.
Parque Nacional Tortuguero Boasts 310 sq km of wildlife-rich and kayak-friendly lagoons and canals.
Bahía Drake Extensive mangrove patches are optimally explored by kayak.
Plunging down the challenging Río Pacuare.