Costa Rica is made up of many diverse geographical regions including beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, and mountain ranges.
These diverse settings make it a prime location for outdoor activities and it also offers travellers a myriad of possibilities.
Below are a few destinations that you shouldn’t miss on your Costa Rica travel itinerary:
1. Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica is also the home of the Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in the country. The volcano’s largest eruption was in 1968, and has had smaller constant eruptions since then. There hasn’t been much action since 2010, but smoke can still be seen coming out of the volcano some days. The lava still flows under the surface, heating the natural hot springs.
2. Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a great place to experience nature. Clouds cover the canopy of the forest, allowing very little sunlight to shine through. Because these clouds cause slower evaporation, they leave plenty of moisture to promote plant growth. This means you can find over 400 species of birds, 100 mammals, and 1200 species of reptiles and amphibians living in the forest. This is one of the best places you can visit on a gap year in Central America.
3. Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is the third most visited park in Costa Rica, and can only be reached by plane or boat. The park gets it name because of the sea turtles which regularly visit the 20 miles of coastline to nest and lay their eggs. There are lots of wildlife volunteer programs here which are a great way to help conservation efforts.
4. Tamarindo
Located on the northern pacific coast, Tamarindo is a great place to visit if you enjoy surfing or lounging on the beach. The beaches are clean and a great place to swim or sunbathe during the day.
Tamarindo is known for its prime fishing and surfing, and travellers can also enjoy other outdoor activities such as sailing, horseback riding, and sea turtle watching. There are also plenty of bars, shops, and restaurants to enjoy after the sun goes down.
5. Rincon de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja is located in northwestern Costa Rica and it is a mountain range that reaches a height of 6,286 feet above sea level. There are a number of activities that will keep visitors busy including horseback riding, hiking trails, mountain biking, and water tubing. Hot springs and numerous waterfalls can be found in the mountains and are great for swimming and relaxing.
Keen to experience Pura Vida? Plan a gap year to Costa Rica today!