EXPLORING COSTA RICA ONE ADVENTURE AT A TIME
Somebody has already nicknamed Costa Rica the happiest place in the world, and if you get your buzz from adrenaline-busting activities be prepared to grin from ear to ear with our guide to the hotspots.
Start in the small, laid-back surfing town of Santa Teresa which is on the tip of the wild Nicoya Peninsula. It faces the heart of the Pacific Ocean, and has miles of sandy beaches complete with bleached-hair inhabitants, yoga workshops and vegan cafes, and is a great base to get out in the swell and enjoy the uber-reliable waves and pura vida lifestyle.
Catering for a friendly, international community, you will find yoga studios, surf schools and small hotels for every kind of budget. The town itself is scattered around a 3 km road with a wide range of laid-back restaurants (no chains here), boutique shops, crystal healers, hippy stalls, ubiquitous surfboard stores and countless quad bike rental booths – which are the best way to navigate the potholed roads (4×4’s are also available, but it’s way cooler on a quad!).
From horseback riding to kayaking, paddle boarding, zip-lining, surfing and yoga, this is a do-ers paradise. If your visit coincides with the rainy season, you’ll still be met with a smile, and there are plenty of art, cooking or language workshops available to keep you occupied.
The main beachfront runs parallel to the principal road, and resembles a typical Robinson Crusoe hideaway, as it’s shrouded in greenery, palm trees and miles of sand. You won’t expect beach bars and bustling nightlife, as the vibe is much more chilled, and locals and visitors tend to migrate to the ocean for the incredible sunsets which light up the sky with their tangerine hues.
My destination was the Nantipa Hotel, which is known for its understated luxe, sustainable credentials and first-class Spa. Plus, it offered direct access to the beach. Base yourself here for surfing, the local ticos will be happy to point you in the right direction. If you’re new to surfing, there are plenty of places to get a lesson, and if you persevere (like me), you might eventually stand up on the board! My lesson took place in Playa Hermosa which is a secluded beach a short drive north of Santa Teresa. Surrounded by lush vegetation and towering palm trees, the soft sand, and gentle waves are the perfect place to get involved in the swell.
You can also witness Costa Rica’s magical bioluminescence on this coast, and the concierge at Nantipa Hotel can organise a nighttime excursion on a boat where you can snorkel amidst the surreal, glittering illuminations for a truly unique nighttime experience.
With an abundance of nature and wildlife, it would be remiss not to canter down a deserted beach on horseback, or witness, first-hand, baby turtles being released back to the ocean. The location on the Pacific Coast is a hotspot for Olive Ridley sea turtles to lay their eggs on the beach, and now, thanks to a volunteer-led turtle sanctuary, the eggs are collected and incubated and you may be lucky enough to witness their first foray into their new world which is a sight like no other.
From the sublime diving opportunities in the plankton-rich waters, you can expect to spot everything from white tip reef sharks, harlequin clown shrimp, seahorses and octopus to schooling eagle rays, plus the magnificent oceanic manta ray (January-April) and humpback whales (August-September).
Venture further southwest to soak up the impressive biological diversity of the country. Take a hike through Corcovado National Park, which was founded in 1975, and has been a landmark nature reserve ever since, as visitors have spotted native mammals including margays, ocelots, tapirs and, on occasion, jaguars!
The region surrounding the impressive Arenal Volcano provides an abundance of howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, tree frogs, toucans, and the country’s famous sloth which will no doubt be dozing on a branch without making its presence known. Enjoy the tropical rain forest from the vantage of the hanging bridges at Mistico Park in La Fortuna, or queue up for a solo flight on a zip-line, once you have overcome the fear of the vertiginous disembarkment platform and sink into the equipment, you’ll be engulfed in the swoosh of the refreshing wind and glide above the birds, trees and waterfalls, with your whoops being soaked up by the nature.
If you’re ready for further adventure, the north of the country is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Canyoning is possible in any season and most trails consist of volcanic terrain and fern-lined waterfalls, natural slides and green-tinged lagoons which are accessible for all levels, or enjoy a guided boat trip around Palo Verde National Park, where your guide will point out gigantic crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and more. Into birdwatching? Be on the lookout for the Jabiru, osprey, the white ibis, tiger herons and scarlet macaws.
You can put your life in the hands of a charismatic rappelling instructor, and cross everything as you teeter on the edge of an icy waterfall. You are advised to trust the grip as you edge gingerly to the cliff edge, with nothing but a helmet, harness and a pair of scaffolding gloves to focus on as you are released gently down the 40 ft drop. It’s not a game where you can decide you don’t want to play anymore – once you start there is no going back, and there is no doubt you will splash ungracefully into crystalline water at the bottom.
From one extreme to another, the natural springs and spa at Tabacon Resort at the base of the Arenal Volcano were the chilled time I needed. Designed completely in harmony with nature, this five-star resort is the ultimate place to finish your trip. Close to the town of La Fortuna, and having direct access to thermal springs that feed its internationally-renowned spa, you can escape to this Garden of Eden to soak in 18 natural hot pools with cascading waterfalls set in pristine tropical gardens. Or enjoy relaxing by the pool taking a lemon grass wrap or sixth chakra Indian massage in one of the waterfall-facing cabanas which are the ultimate representation of pura vida, which is not only a philosophy but a motto for life.
Whether you have a New Year’s resolution to be kinder to yourself, or you just want to indulge in a much-needed dose of vitamin D and learn more about wildlife, Costa Rica has something for everyone, especially if you like adventures.
Words: Sara Darling
