osta Rica offers a vast number and variety of attractions available throughout its principal tourism areas. At Elements we offer only the most interesting activities in each area of the country that will complement you stay at the country’s best hotels. Let us help arrange multiple excursions for a well rounded trip that is tailor made to your interests. Following are some of the most popular excursions available in Costa Rica:
• Sport Fishing: Recognized internationally for the richness of its marine habitat, Costa Rica is considered one of the most popular destinations for sport fishing in the world. Its warm waters offer abundant opportunities for catch-and-release fishing all year round. Along the Pacific coast, embark from Tamarindo (north Pacific) and Quepos (Central Pacific) in search of world-class game fish, such as marlin, sailfish, and tuna. We offer travelers a variety of boats and equipment operated by experienced crew to make your day out on the water an unforgettable experience. Choose half-day or full day excursions.
• Canopy (Zipline): Considered Costa Rica’s signature adventure activity, canopy tours offer travelers the chance to glide across the treetops from one platform to the next while hooked on to a zipline cable. Canopy tours are found in most tourism areas and each tour will vary in length and height of the cables, duration of the tour, and level of difficulty. Most, however, are accessible for children and adults in good physical condition. The most important requirement is the love of adventure and adrenaline. Our choice for canopy tours are located in areas such as Monteverde, Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Jaco, Playa Herradura, Manuel Antonio and throughout the Guanacaste province.
• ATVs (All-terrain vehicles): Another activity that our clients love is taking an ATV to areas of great beauty where conventional vehicles cannot access. These tours marry off-road adventures with the relaxation of traveling though breathtaking scenery. See Costa Rica from a different perspective on trips to rural areas, hidden beach coves, agricultural areas and small towns. Some of the most popular areas for ATV tours are Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo and Arenal Volcano.
• Sunset Sailing: The perfect activity to add a special romantic touch to you trip. Relax on a fun-filled sailing experience on the tranquil waters of the Pacific Ocean near Tamarindo and Ocotal and admire the beauty of Costa Rica’s coastline set against the tropical sunset. Combine this trip with snorkeling at a special dive sites and bear witness to the abundant marine life in these coastal regions.
• White-water rafting & Safari Float: Without doubt another of the country’s most popular adventure activities. Due to its special geographical characteristics, Costa Rica has been blessed with remarkable number of rivers that are ideal for rafting. Surrounded by great scenic beauty, these rivers are world renown for white-water rapids and tranquil natural pools, as well as abundant flora and fauna along their banks. Rafting excursions have different levels of difficulty, but most do not require previous experience. Slow-moving safari floats on the Peñas Blancas and the Corobici Rivers are perfect way to observe wildlife and provide the best option when traveling with small children. For a white-water adrenaline rush, the best rivers are the Pacuare, Savegre, Sarapiqui, and Toro. Each river is located in different parts of the country. Some rafting excursions, such as the Pacuare, can be arranged with one or two nights lodging included.
• Horseback Riding: The rural Costa Rican countryside is dotted with little farms and haciendas set among wild natural scenery that makes for excellent backdrop while horseback riding. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes at the foot of active volcanoes, ride through the tropical dry forest, and feel like a cowboy traveling through the pastures and cattle ranches of Guanacaste. All of these experiences and more are available at several of the country’s tourism spots. Among the most sought after places to go horseback riding are in Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, Arenal, Uvita and Dominical, as well as several beaches along the northern Pacific coast.
• Volcano Hikes & Nature Walks in Tropical Forests: Costa Rica is the land of active volcanoes, each with own personality. At Arenal, visitors are mesmerized by the perfect conical shape and glowing lava rocks. Poás and Irazú volcanoes offer easy access to their craters and colorful crater lakes. Barva, Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles volcanoes offer nature trails through tropical forests. In addition to their majestic presence reaching to the clouds, most of these volcanoes provide travelers with interesting activities, such as a therapeutic soak in hot springs, wildlife viewing, and nature walks past exotic flora and fauna. Tropical forest trails are also found all over the country offering nature lovers the chance to walk through sites of incredible natural richness. From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the rainforests of southern Caribbean and Manuel Antonio, to dry Tropical forests of Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica has a something special for all travelers, no matter what area of the country you decide to visit. At Elements, we can recommend excursions that best match your expectations, based on where you want to go.
• National Parks & Protected Areas: Costa Rica’s national parks and conservation areas comprise some 25% of its national territory, which gives you a good idea of the number of natural areas of great scenic beauty available to travelers. Each national park offers a unique set of attractions, and all offer hiking trails through fascinating flora and fauna. Visit impressive volcanoes such as Poás Volcano National Park or opt for more adventurous sites off the beaten track at Corcovado or the Ballena National Marine Park. Whatever your interests, Costa Rica offers multiple options, and Elements will help make the right choice for you.
• Coffee Tours: There’s a reason Costa Rica is known the world over for its coffee, one of the country’s most important exports. You can find out more about what goes into making a great cup of coffee on organized visits to working plantations and processing plants in a variety of areas where coffee ins grown. During your visit, follow the coffee bean from seed to harvest, drying, roasting and packaging. Highland areas throughout the Central Valley, Monteverde and Santa Maria de Dota are the most important areas to visit plantations.
• Diving and Snorkeling: Water babies will enjoy several top dive sites in Costa Rica, each one offering unique characteristics and underwater topography that showcase the biodiversity off Costa Rica’s shores. The southern Caribbean, for example, has one of the most important coral reefs in the country with the best visibility and the best climate between September and October. The Pacific coast offers an even greater variety of dive sites with good visibility throughout the year. While Isla del Coco is the most important dive site in the country, traveling there requires a 10-day trip. Closer sites, such as Isla del Caño (Osa Peninsula), Ocotal, Tamarindo, and Flamingo in the Guanacaste province are also know as a top diving destinations holding great underwater beauty.
• Hot air ballooning: Costa Rica offers one of the most interesting natural settings to enjoy a hot air balloon excursion. Glide through the air past landscapes that include active volcanoes, green valleys, plantations, rural towns, and tropical forests for a unique way to discover this destination’s beauty. Currently balloon trips are available only in the Arenal Volcano area. This region offers spectacular scenery crowned by the majestic volcano and its constant eruptions. The trip is very relaxing and the balloon stays relatively close to the ground to allow for closer observation of the forest and the possibility of spotting animals in the treetops, such as iguana and monkeys. To coordinate your special balloon adventure, Elements will be happy to arrange all details.
