ZIPLINE IN A NATIONAL PARK
You might not have time to visit all of Costa Rica’s 26 national parks, but be sure to check out Manuel Antonio National Park. Sail through the treetops on a zipline tour or hit the surf at Manuel Antonio’s beach. If you tend to travel with a rash guard, you'll be happy to hear that Manuel Antonio has got some great breaks that are good to surf any time of year. Then, hike the beautiful forest trails or just relax on the shore and snap some photos of the epic neon sunsets.
RIDE HORSES IN LA FORTUNA
Ride a horse through the foothills of the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and explore the Arenal Volcano, one of the most active in all of Costa Rica. Next, get extreme as you rappel down some of La Fortuna’s waterfalls. For a more tranquil experience, wander the sprawling sugar cane fields on horseback, and finish the day in the famous geothermal hot springs. Now doesn't that sound lovely?
HIKE IN MONTEVERDE
Home to one of the world’s premier cloud forests, Monteverde invites you to indulge your inner nature-lover. Hike through clouds on platforms suspended in the treetops. Enjoy a unique glimpse into a rare and diverse ecosystem, including the nearly 500 species of wild orchids housed at a nearby orchid farm.
RELAX IN HOT SPRINGS
If you’re looking to take a break from city life, head just outside of Cartago to the Orosi Valley to enjoy the rugged beauty of rural Costa Rica. Spend some time wandering the streets of the colonial town of Orosi, and stop into the Church of San Juan, the oldest church in Costa Rica. Then, slip on your swimsuit and let your worries melt away as you soak in one of Orosi’s famous hot springs.
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL
At Cartago’s Basilica, you’ll find Costa Ricans flocking to the country’s most famous church. Explore Cartago’s simply divine bakeries or invest in a jersey to show your support for the local fútbol -- soccer -- team, the oldest club in the nation. Take advantage of the chance to mingle with the frenzied crowds packing the stands -- and crowding atop parked buses around the perimeter -- of Cartago’s fútbol stadium. By the end of the day, you might just be mistaken for a Tico -- Costa Rican -- yourself.