What to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an incredibly diverse country, boasting vast swathes of rainforest, active volcanoes, gushing rivers and more than 760 miles of coastline among its attractions. The variety of its landscapes means there are plenty of different activities you can try during a holiday to Costa Rica.

As the nation is relatively small, it's easy to move from place to place, too, so you can experience all that this beautiful and exciting destination has to offer in a single trip. In fact, tours of Costa Rica are one of the best ways to get the most out of your break and ensure that you don't miss out on anything.

From adventurous pursuits like ziplining over the rainforest and river- rafting to more sedate activities such as horseback riding and snorkelling, Costa Rica really does offer it all.

Adventurous water sports in Costa Rica

There are plenty of opportunities for adventure on a holiday in Costa Rica, so if you love having an adrenalin rush, this is the place for you. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts offer thrills and spills in the sunshine. The Pacific coast is particularly well-known for its surf scene and has played host to international competitions in the past.

Guanacaste, in the north-west of Costa Rica, is one of the main surfing hotspots, although great breaks are located all the way along the Pacific seaboard. Potrero Grande, Jaco, Hermosa Beach and Pavones Beach are just a few of the options. On the Caribbean coast, top breaks for experienced surfers include Puerto Viejo and Bonita Beach, while the area around Manzanillo is better for beginners and intermediates.

Another popular sport is windsurfing, with Arenal Lake providing challenging conditions during the dry season that will test those with experience. Beginners are advised to head to the Gulf of Papagayo to learn the basics before attempting Costa Rica's more difficult windsurfing spots.

There are just as many thrills to be had under the water as on it in Costa Rica, with the nation renowned for the quality of its scuba diving sites. As large sections of the country's coast are protected, there is an incredible array of colourful creatures that inhabit the beautiful coral reefs. One of the best spots for experienced divers is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cocos Island, which is off the Pacific Coast. This isle attracts schools of hammerhead sharks at certain times of the year and is home to more than 300 species of fish.

Away from the coast, you can enjoy the thrills of white water rafting on one of Costa Rica's rivers. There are several class III and IV (intermediate to advanced) rapids in the country, with the Pacuare, Naranjo and El General rivers providing the most challenging and adrenalin-pumping rafting experiences.