Costa Rica LAND OF VOLCANOES: The Ultimate Volcanic Adventure

Your first destination is Sarapiquí, a lush lowland region known for its pristine rainforests, rushing rivers, and agricultural richness. This area offers a perfect introduction to Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity and rural culture.

Pineapple Tour: Dive into Costa Rica’s agricultural heritage with an fascinating tour of a working pineapple plantation. Sarapiquí is one of the country’s major pineapple-growing regions, and this tour provides an insider’s look at how this delicious tropical fruit is cultivated, harvested, and processed. Learn about sustainable farming practices, the life cycle of pineapple plants, and the important role agriculture plays in Costa Rica’s economy. Best of all, you’ll get to taste fresh, perfectly ripe pineapple straight from the field—a flavor experience that will spoil you for life!

Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve: Explore one of Costa Rica’s premier private biological reserves, a 750-acre protected area dedicated to conservation, research, and education. Cross the impressive 264-meter suspension bridge spanning the Sarapiquí River to access the reserve’s extensive trail system.

As you walk through primary and secondary rainforest with an expert naturalist guide, you’ll learn about the complex rainforest ecosystem, medicinal plants, and the incredible biodiversity that makes this region so special. The reserve is particularly famous for its chocolate tour, where you can learn about cacao cultivation and the chocolate-making process from tree to bar. Tirimbina is also an excellent location for birdwatching, with over 400 species recorded, and for spotting poison dart frogs, sloths, and howler monkeys.

White Water Rafting: Get your adrenaline pumping with an exhilarating white water rafting adventure on the Sarapiquí River. This thrilling experience combines exciting rapids with stunning rainforest scenery as you navigate through Class II-III rapids (perfect for both beginners and experienced rafters).

As you paddle through the rushing waters, you’ll pass through pristine jungle where you might spot river otters, iguanas, toucans, and other wildlife along the riverbanks. Your professional guides ensure safety while sharing interesting facts about the river ecosystem and the surrounding rainforest. The combination of excitement, natural beauty, and wildlife observation makes this one of Costa Rica’s most popular adventure activities.

Bajos del Toro Waterfall: Visit one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular yet lesser-known waterfalls. The Bajos del Toro waterfall plunges dramatically into a volcanic crater, creating a breathtaking scene of raw natural power. The 90-meter cascade drops into a turquoise pool surrounded by sheer cliff walls covered in lush vegetation, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

The hike to reach the waterfall takes you through pristine cloud forest, offering opportunities to spot the resplendent quetzal and other highland bird species. The viewing platforms provide multiple perspectives of this magnificent waterfall, each more stunning than the last. The mist rising from the impact zone creates rainbows on sunny days, adding to the magic of this hidden gem.

Journey to Arenal, home to Costa Rica’s most famous volcano and one of the most perfectly shaped volcanic cones in the world. This region offers the perfect blend of natural wonders and adventure activities.

Arenal Volcano National Park: Explore the trails of this magnificent national park, where the imposing Arenal Volcano dominates the landscape. Though currently in a resting phase, the volcano’s near-perfect conical shape remains one of Costa Rica’s most photographed landmarks.

Hike through diverse ecosystems, from old lava flows to lush rainforest, while learning about the volcano’s fascinating history. Until 2010, Arenal was one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and the evidence of past eruptions is visible throughout the park. The trails offer varying difficulty levels, all providing spectacular views of the volcano, Lake Arenal, and the surrounding Tilaran Mountain Range. Wildlife is abundant—keep your eyes open for coatis, white-faced monkeys, toucans, and the elusive ocelot.

Hanging Bridges: Experience the rainforest from multiple perspectives on a hanging bridges tour. These well-engineered suspension bridges and ground-level trails allow you to explore different layers of the forest ecosystem. Walking high above the forest floor, you’ll gain a bird’s-eye view of the canopy, where much of the rainforest’s biodiversity lives.

The gentle swaying of the bridges adds a touch of adventure while remaining safe and accessible for all fitness levels. This is prime territory for wildlife observation, particularly for spotting sloths, monkeys, and the incredible variety of tropical birds that call the canopy home. Your naturalist guide will help you identify different species and explain the fascinating relationships between plants and animals in this complex ecosystem.

Continue your volcanic journey to Rincón de la Vieja, one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes and a true wilderness experience. This remote region in Guanacaste province offers a completely different volcanic landscape—one characterized by bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and rugged terrain.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park: Explore this extraordinary park that encompasses an active volcano and diverse ecosystems ranging from dry tropical forest to cloud forest. The park’s geothermal features are unlike anything else in Costa Rica—walk among volcanic mud pools that bubble and boil, hissing fumaroles releasing sulfurous steam, and naturally heated streams.

The park’s trails lead to stunning waterfalls, including the beautiful La Cangreja waterfall with its turquoise pool perfect for swimming. The volcanic landscape creates unique soil conditions that support different plant species than those found around Arenal, making this a fascinating destination for nature lovers. The park is also home to over 300 bird species, tapirs, peccaries, and all six Costa Rican wild cat species.

One Day Adventure Combo: Experience three exciting activities in one action-packed day:

• Horseback Riding: Explore the volcanic landscape on horseback, riding through forests, rivers, and open grasslands just as Costa Rican cowboys (sabaneros) have done for generations. This is a wonderful way to cover more ground while experiencing the region’s rural culture and enjoying views of the volcano and surrounding countryside.
• Canopy Tour: Fly through the trees on an exhilarating zipline adventure that sends you soaring across the canopy. With multiple cables of varying lengths and heights, you’ll experience the forest from above while feeling the rush of adrenaline. Some lines offer spectacular views of the volcano and the Pacific coast in the distance.
• River Tubing: Float down a gentle river on an inner tube, relaxing as the current carries you through beautiful scenery. This is the perfect way to cool off after your other adventures, combining mild excitement with opportunities to observe wildlife along the riverbanks. The crystal-clear volcanic waters provide a refreshing end to your adventure-filled day.