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Costa Rica Sports Travel

The West coast..... - Costa Rica
The West coast.....
by gcmm
Tips on Costa Rica sports and recreation, posted by real travelers and Costa Rica locals.
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Costa Rica Sports TravelTips 1 - 10 of 49  
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Jaco Beach.. Surfer Dudes and Dudesses
  • Tip Rating:
    • frank_delargy
  • By frank_delargy on January 10, 2005
  • Costa Rica Page by frank_delargy
    • Jaco Waves - Costa Rica
    Jaco Waves
    by frank_delargy
    If you are into surfing, you don't need this tip, but if you are a regular tourist to CR, you may notice as you are on your way to Manuel Antonio, a plethora of surfing shops. This coast is very popular with the surfers. It's a combo of waves and way of life. Plus, I guess, the ability to drive to the other coast if the waves are better in the same day can't hurt! :-)

    rent a surfboard and get some lessons. Be prepared to find out that it isn't as easy as balancing on a log.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Surfing
  • Phone: (011) 643-3574 - surfing lessons
  • Directions: Jaco Beach, On the way from San Jose to Quepos.
  • Website: http://www.jacosurflessons.com/default.asp
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Zip-lining in Costa Rica
  • Tip Rating:
    • TheTravelSlut
  • Updated By TheTravelSlut on July 27, 2006
  • Costa Rica Page by TheTravelSlut
    • A bonus horseback ride to the top of the zip line - Costa Rica
    A bonus horseback ride to
    the top of the zip line
    by TheTravelSlut,
    4 more photos
    Zip-lining over the rain forest canopy is a unique experience and although it can be considered a "touristy thing" to do, I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure.

    It is hard to describe my feelings as I left for the top of the mountain. I knew that I would have to go first, otherwise I was afraid I might lose my nerve about the descent through the trees. The safety briefing was good but I was still a little nervous.

    NOTE: I am so sorry I can't recall the name of the tour company.

    While in downtown La Fortuna, I booked a horseback trip up the slopes of Arenal volcano that included a zip-line adventure. The tour company picked me up at my hotel.

    THE TRAVEL SLUT TIP: For the zip-line canopy tour and horseback ride you will want to come prepared wearing loose-fitting clothes including a t-shirt,long-sleeved shirt and long pants and insect repellent.

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Arenal volcano area
  • Directions: Near the base of Arenal volcano.
  • Website: http://www.arenal.net/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Costa Rica Rios Whitewater Rafting, Turrialba
  • Tip Rating:
    • ABankerMU
  • By ABankerMU on January 4, 2005
  • Costa Rica Page by ABankerMU
    • Costa Rica Rios, Turrialba - Costa Rica
    Costa Rica Rios,
    Turrialba
    by ABankerMU
    Costa Rica Rios runs full or half day rafting trips on the Pacuare River out of Turrialba. The group is owned by young Americans, one of which accompanied us on our full-day trip. All the staff were extremely friendly and energetic, and all spoke at least some English. The van ride to the start point was long, but enjoyable, as the owner answered questions and pointed out sights along the way. Once in the water, the scenery was breathtaking. There were plenty of opportunities to swim along the rafts during lazy portions of the river--depth around 4ft most of the time (suppose this changes depending on rainfall). We stopped at a small stream cascading over a rocky embankment and hiked up to a larger pool at the end of which was a large waterfall. We all tried, unsuccessfully, to swim up to the waterfall, but the flow was too strong to allow it. The rapids are a blast. No rafts flipped, but we did fall out occasionally. The guides are very professional and get you back into the raft in a jiffy. There is a safety kayaker following behind if you get separated from the raft. Costa Rica Rios keeps the number of rafts at a minimum to enhance safety. We did run into several other groups at different points with larger groups of rafts. I was happy to be with the smaller, more familiar group. Lunch was served on an upside-down raft and consisted of various freshly-cut fruits, sandwiches, guacamole (prepared on-the-spot) and chips, and homemade cookies for dessert. It was delicious. Pineapple has never tasted so good. The rest of the river yielded plenty of action and plenty of scenery. More waterfalls, indiginous villages, etc to be found. I've done a fair amount of rafting in Colorado on different stretches of the Arkansas, and it does not compare at all. If you're into rafting, this is a must-do!

    Swimsuit
    Fleece (or something that stays warm when wet)
    Change of clothes
    Waterproof Camera (buy in the states)

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Rafting
  • Address: Turrialba
  • Phone: 888-434-0776
  • Directions: Call for directions, they are a bit confusing...
  • Website: www.costaricarios.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Surfing at Tamarindo Beach
  • Tip Rating:
    • Paul2001
  • By Paul2001 on June 28, 2003
  • Costa Rica Page by Paul2001
    • Surfing, Tararindo Beach - Costa Rica
    Surfing, Tararindo Beach
    by Paul2001
    The surfing at Tararindo Beach is very good. It is in fact supposed to be at times fantastic but while I was there the waves were fairly low. That said that makes this a great place to learn to surf which a lot of people were doing while I was there. In fact I observed a seven year old English girl who took up the sport like a natural. (I wonder if there is a good place to surf in England?).

    Surfboards can be rented a numerous shops in case you did not bring your own.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Surfing
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Up for some awesome Zip Lining?
  • Tip Rating:
    • SumTingWong
  • By SumTingWong on April 23, 2003
  • Costa Rica Page by SumTingWong
    • Jungle - Costa Rica
    Jungle
    by SumTingWong
    Jungle Zip Lining is one of Costa Rica's most thrilling activities. The Adventura Canopy is the best zip lining in Costa Rica, located in Monteverde.

    What is zip lining you may ask? ...well zip lining is where you have the oppertunity to fly through the jungle as you are hookes with a pully on a cord through the treetops. There are guides to help you and connect you to the cords along the way. It's really a lot of fun!! You must do in if you are in Monteverde!!!

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Adventura Canopy, Monteverde, Santa Elena
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Futbol
  • Tip Rating:
    • SumTingWong
  • By SumTingWong on April 22, 2003
  • Costa Rica Page by SumTingWong
    • GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! - Costa Rica
    GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!
    by SumTingWong
    Football is very popular in Costa Rica. I saw a few matches in Santa Elena at the school field. Its a lot of fun anf you really get involved with the culture. Kids screaming for their team, its fun! Go out and watch, or try and play in a Football match!

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Sports Watching
  • Address: (Santa Elena)
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Zip lines!
  • Tip Rating:
    • daffodil
  • By daffodil on August 27, 2004
  • Costa Rica Page by daffodil
    • Yep, I did it! - Costa Rica
    Yep, I did it!
    by daffodil
    There are many places in Costa Rica that offer Zip line tours of forests. I would definately advise people to try it out. I am a totally afraid of heights and after you get over your fear (if only a bit temporarily) it is totally cool! It also offers a different perspective on the landscape.
    Regulated by the Costa Rican government all zip line operators must always have your harness attached by a safety line and the pulley. We did a zip line in Monteverde, so you can check out that page for more in depth info.

    They provide it, but you should try to sneak in a small camera to take photos!

  • Theme: Extreme Sports
  • Directions: Monteverde, Arenal, and Rincón de la Vieja
  • Website: http://www.costaricabureau.com/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    surfing!!!!
  • Tip Rating:
    • vicky_cannae
  • By vicky_cannae on February 5, 2003
  • Costa Rica Page by vicky_cannae
    • Costa Rica Sports Travel
    by vicky_cannae
    the best spots in costa rica are Tamarindo,jaco and there are a lot more breaks on the pacific and they are less crowded!!
    The best spot on the carribean coast is Puerto Viejo

    the best place to buy a board is jaco and tamarindo...i bought a board for 100 dollars and sold it when i left!!It depends on the size of your board...if you wanna buy a longboard you pay a lot more of course!

  • Theme: Surfing
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    SUFING TRIP IN COSTA RICA
  • Tip Rating:
    • balieyes
  • Updated By balieyes on February 29, 2004
  • Costa Rica Page by balieyes
    • BEACHES TO SURFING
    CARIBBEAN:
    Beach Break
    Salsa Brava
    Cahuita
    Westfalia
    Isla Uvita
    Los Tumbos
    Playa BonitaNORTH PACIFIC
    Potrero Grande
    Playa Naranjo
    Playa Grande
    Playa Langosta
    Playa Avellanas
    Playa Negra
    Mal País

    CENTRAL AND SOUTH PACIFIC
    Boca Barranca
    Puerto Caldera
    Playa Escondida
    Jacó
    Roca Loca
    Playa Hermosa
    Boca Damas
    Manuel Antonio
    Playa del Rey
    Dominical
    Matapalo
    Pavones
    Punta Banco

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Surfing
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Rio Pacuare Rocks!
  • Tip Rating:
    • VdV
  • By VdV on June 30, 2005
  • Costa Rica Page by VdV
    • Get ready for some fun on the Pacuare! - Costa Rica
    Get ready for some fun on the
    Pacuare!
    by VdV
    Before my trip, I had heard great things about the incredible beauty of the Rio Pacuare. Although I had never been rafting before, I sought the advice of a work colleague, asking whether a novice like myself should raft on the Revantazon or Pacuare. His advice was: "Don't waste your time on the Revantazon--it's basically a float trip (i.e., not very challenging)...You MUST raft on the Pacuare! It is incredible!" When I mentioned I had never been rafting before, he laughed and said, "Well, you MUST raft on the Pacuare!"

    I'm so glad I took his advice. The Rio Pacuare was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my life. The rafting experience was incredible--a good mix of floating/scenery with good doses of whitewater challenges that definitely gets the adrenaline pumping!

    Rios Tropicales is the outfitter we used, and they have a good reputation. They offer one day trips (about $95 USD pp), and 2-3 trips as well. They will pick you from your San Jose area hotel, feed you really good, hearty breakfast and lunch, provide you with shower facilities, and take really incredible digital photos if you'd like to purchase the photo CD (it was well worth it for my first time rafting.)

    The guides were all very nice and friendly, and the experience top-notch.

    Do it!

    If you go on the one day raft trip (you spend about 3.5 -4.5 hours on the river), do not bring much. They will secure your totebag/backpack with change of clothes, etc. on the bus, but when you are rafting, bring nothing but the clothes on your back (bathing suit/trunks; wear a t-shirt if you want to avoid sunburn) and rubber-soled strapped sandals or sea socks.

    One major tip: DO NOT FORGET TO PUT SUNSCREEN ON YOUR THIGHS. Everyone always forgets, and doesn't realize until the next day that this is the part of your body that gets the most sunburn, as you are sitting in the raft, with water splashing on your thighs, and the sun burning down directly upon then.

    The other major tip: PADDLE HARD! during the rapids, it is important to paddle hard, even if you are scared out of your pants. If you do not paddle, your raft will spin, causing you and your raftmates a harrowing experience. LISTEN and FOLLOW your guides.

    HAVE FUN! PURA VIDA!

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Rafting
  • Address: www.riostropicales.com
  • Directions: Will pick you up from San Jose area hotels.
  • Website: www.riostropicales.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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