Canopy Tours
For adventure junkies, canopy tours are an exciting way to view the rain forest. Not only do you get an aerial view, but much of the wildlife lives in the rain forest's canopy. You'll be strapped into a climbing harness and hoisted up to a platform about 100 feet in the air. Next, you'll attach your harness to a pulley so you can glide through the air to the next platform. When you've reached the end of the line, you'll rappel to the ground. There are many tour companies offering views of different parts of the rain forest.
Beaches
Costa Rica has an array of attractive beaches. If you're looking for a less crowded area, try the Santa Rosa National Park. However, expect crowds in October, when sea turtles arrive to nest. Playa Montezuma, a more popular destination, has miles of beaches and even features waterfalls. If you're looking for a surf spot, try Malpais. Other options include Manuel Antonio, Punta Uva and Manzanillo. At any of Costa Rica's beaches, be careful of riptides, which can drown even a strong swimmer.
Hiking
Costa Rica abounds with hiking trails. For casual strolling, try the Lankester Gardens, which features meandering trails among the displayed flora. You can also try the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, a volcanic park where you can hike up to a crater lake. Or take a guided tour at the La Selva Biological Station. Other hiking options include the Arenal National Park, Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve, Cahuita National Park and the Corcovado National Park, which also offers camping facilities.
