Where can you get all of this?
My definition of wellness travel is traveling with the desire to enhance your health and feel good, whether it’s physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, or all of the above. The destination I’m highlighting today, Costa Rica, hits so many of the wellness aspects. One of my favorites with Costa Rica is ADVENTURE.
Costa Rica is an adventurer’s paradise.
Costa Rica has endless beaches, rainforests, river valleys, and biodiversity all in one place, allowing different types of adventure around every corner. Most of the airlines offer routes to this country, making it pretty simple to get here.
Want to know what’s available? Read on for some awesome adventures to have in Costa Rica!
Forest Ziplining
Whether it's through the evergreen Monteverde Forest with the Arenal Volcano's view or through the vibrant jungle canopy, ziplining is one of the most popular tourist activities in the Costa Rican jungle.
Wildlife
Nearly 25% of the country is preserved for national parks and wildlife. It is home to 27 national parks and takes up five percent of the world's biodiversity. The Los Quetzales National Park allows birdwatchers to get a full aerial view of the various species of birds. Monkeys are very common as well. The Corcovado National Park is a great place to visit for whale-watching and dolphin sightings.
Surfing
Towns such as Samara, Avellanas, and Tamarindo are great places for year-round surfing on these Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The warm water and steady wind combo make Costa Rica a surfing paradise. Many of the beaches offer boards and lessons for beginners.
Volcano Hike
The massive Arenal Volcano is one of the most well-known spots in Costa Rica. The surrounding area around the volcano is often used for kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding. Hot springs and waterfalls are also present, with zip lines and horseback riding available below the volcano summit. Rincon de la Vieja National Park's centerpiece is another million-year-old volcano that offers views of the Nicoya Peninsula and Lago de Nicaragua.
Jungle Tranquility
The natural hot springs with a green background provide geothermal waters heated by the volcano. The springs have been utilized for therapeutic healing in addition to simply relaxing in the tropics.
Waterfalls
La Fortuna waterfall by Arenal is about a 20-minute hike to a massive waterfall with a jungle backdrop. Another favorite is in Tenorio Volcano National Park in the Northern Plains, offering bright blue waters. Lesser-known waterfalls include Bajos del Tori in the Alajuela province and Catarata del Toro, which plummets into an extinct volcanic crater with aerial views.
River Rafting
Named as a Biosphere Reserve, Rio Pacuare offers a white-water Caribbean experience through the safari-like jungle. According to National Geographic, it is one of the top spots for white-water rafting. The highlight of rafting in the Rio Savegre includes coming into contact with the jaguars, tapirs, and birds that pass by the riverside.
Jungle Drives
The 4x4 is recommended for the best driving experience throughout Costa Rica. The off-beaten paths present unique views but require vehicles that can beat their own path. Driving on the beach, however, is not permitted. Horseback is nother favorite way for locals to get around.
Deep Diving
The majority of shore islands on the Pacific coast are the hotspots for scuba and deep diving, offering plenty of ocean diversity with various species of sharks, dolphins, and much more. A renowned spot for divers is The Gulf of Papagayo in the Guanacaste province.
Last but not least, I have to mention another favorite wellness activity…
Yoga Retreats
Costa Rica is the PERFECT destination for a yoga retreat! You can be surrounded by jungle, beach, waterfalls, palm trees, or mountains. I’d love to help you take a group to Costa Rica if you’re a yoga teacher, or attend a retreat if you are a yoga lover or wannabe. There are so many types of retreats, which include whatever you’re looking for: yoga plus meditation, massage, surfing, hiking, dancing, nutrition, or fitness, just to name a few.
Sorry…I got a little carried away talking about yoga retreats. Back to Costa Rica. One of my favorite ways to book a Costa Rican vacation is to put you at a resort on the beach and add in a bunch of excursions and adventures. That way you have the luxury of staying in a beautiful location, and you can hang out on the beach anytime you like, plus have all the adventure of getting to experience all the things this amazing country has to offer.
Let me know if you’re interested in heading to Costa Rica; I got you covered, and you’ll for sure experience wellness here!