If you are anywhere outside of San Jose, it might seem like you are always on an off road trail! But if you are looking for something a little more exciting than an unpaved road that is riddled with potholes, don’t worry, there are plenty of great off road trails for both motorbikes and other off road vehicles. Some of these trails are for experienced riders and drivers only. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting stranded in the middle of the jungle, which is no good. Not to mention there is no tow truck service out there!

Pit Bull Pass

Located near Orosi, Pit Bull Pass is not for the faint of heart. Starting at the town’s church the trail follows a gravel path towards Tapanti National Park. At Kiri Lodge a steep gravel road leads up to the mountain, taking about 35 to 45 minutes to reach the summit. Once at the top of Pit Bull Pass there are incredible views of the Turrialba Valley. The trail descends into primary and secondary rainforest, is quite scenic, filled with wildlife and offers a very technical, challenging ride. The route winds through the villages of Pejibaye, Tucurrique, Cachi and back to Orosi. The trail is 45 miles long (72.41 kilometers) and is recommended for advanced riders. Most riders take about six hours to complete the journey.

Drake’s Bay – Aquila de Osa Inn

Isolated, self sufficient and eco friendly, this rainforest inn has added mountain biking trails to their list of offerings for adventurous travelers. Drake’s Bay is accessible by boat or by a handful of dirt roads through the rainforest. The bike trails make use of some of these roads on routes that begin at Drake Bay’s beach and, depending on the route chosen, take from 1 ½ to almost 3 hours to complete. The simplest, known as Drake’s Planes takes you down into a river canyon, across a rope and wood suspension bridge and then uphill to Los Planes. Riders then can head back down towards the beach or take one of the side trails that loop through more old growth forest and pastures. The initial trail is suitable for beginners; the side trails are steeper and perhaps best for those with a bit more mountain biking experience. Bikes and helmets are available at the inn.

Irazu Volcano

Irazu Volcano tops out at over eleven thousand feet and last erupted in 1963. This intermediate trail starts in the parking lot, starting off on pavement then switching to a rough semi-graveled jeep trail after about 2 miles (3 kilometers). Working your way through ruts, loose rocks and segments of sand you are rewarded with impressive views of the valley, rich farmlands and lush primary rainforest. The trail has three options to finish. One is an off-road descent suitable for advanced riders that leads to Santa Cruz, the second is an easy ride on a paved road down to Capellades and the third is an incredibly scenic paved trail all the way to Turrialba.

Lake Arenal North and South Shore

Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal is the largest inland body of water in the country and is also home to the very active Arenal Volcano. Two distinctive bike trails ring the lake and offer impressive views of not only the surrounding countryside but of the imposing volcanic cone on the eastern shore. The northern trail is great for beginners offering a relaxing ride on a gently sloping, paved road starting in either Nuevo Arenal or Fortuna. The southern route is more challenging. A thirty minute boat ride takes you from Lake Arenal dam to Rio Chiquito. From there, a dirt road crossing several creeks leads you to the village of El Castillo and then the ride becomes a bit easier. A gravel road travels along Arenal National Park eventually meeting up with the paved road to Fortuna. Most riders take about three hours to make the trip from Rio Chiquito to Fortuna.

Poas Volcano to Doka Estate Farm

Beginning riders can combine the fun of chasing rainbows and looking for Quetzel birds along a part paved, part graveled trail with a visit to one of Costa Rica’s most productive and prized coffee farms. Start your ride at the Poas Volcano parking lot and follow the road down to the town of Poasito. Continue downhill to Sabana Redonda, home of Doka Estate Farms. Take a tour of the mill and roasting facilities, enjoy a buffet lunch and of course sample the coffee. The total ride distance is 13 miles (21 kilometers) and is rated easy.

Fortuna to Nuevo Arenal Epic

One of the most challenging and scenic rides in Costa Rica starts on a dirt road near a cemetery leading to La Guaria. After crossing the Arenal River (in the water, the bridge is past its prime) the trail climbs toward Monterrey and Lindavista ending at a mountain top overlooking the Vanado Valley. Continuing south takes you past the Vanado Caverns and the town of Tigra and eventually to the six thousand foot ridge that overlooks Lake Arenal’s northern shore. The return is on a downhill dirt road that takes you to Toad Hall. From there it is 28 miles (44 kilometers) of paved road back to Fortuna. The ride itself is about 6 or 7 hours, but when taking in the scenery becomes an unforgettable all day journey.

Original article can be found here: Off Roading Trails in Costa Rica

Want to really get to see Costa Rica? If you go to Jaco and spend a bunch of time with a lot of other tourists who spend their time enjoying the city’s club scene, you may leave and realize that you never truly caught a glimpse of the untamed wilderness of Costa Rica’s “pura vida.” There are many ways that you can really get to see the unspoilt beauty of Costa Rica, but one of the best is to take a Marlin Del Rey Sailing Sunset Tour in Tamarindo.

What to Expect

Marlin Del Rey Sailing Tours have an impeccable reputation for excellence. You have been on those cheap dolphin tours where the boat is old and you never see anything too exciting. Marlin Del Rey Tours blow these chintzy tours out of the water. On the five hour long tour, you will pass miles and miles of beach with literally no signs of civilization! Talk about really getting away from it all!

Marlin Del Rey Sailing Sunset Tours leave every day at 1:30PM from Playa Tamarindo Costa Rica. The boat that you go in is incredible! It is 66 feet long, and can travel farther and faster than any other boat in all of Central America. This sailing catamaran can reaching speeds of up to 25 knots, and is so large that even with 25 other passengers, you still feel like you have the place to yourself.

The tour takes you past mile after mile of gorgeous beaches and tropical rain forests. It is common for passengers see troops of monkeys from the boat. Then, at one point, the catamaran stops at a serene bay, in which you can get out and swim around. The black sand beach you stop at is incredible, and there is a palatial private house just up the beach which is the only house you will see the whole trip. At this bay, you can decide to kayak through sea caves, snorkel in the bay, or play on the beach. This beach also features a reef, so the snorkeling is actually really good.

While you play, the Marlin Del Rey staff gets a feast of feast of fresh fruit, chips, dip, ceviche and salads ready. The thing that you should know about the Marlin Del Rey Sailing Tours is that they have an unmatched reputation for incredible customer service. If you search through reviews, you find nothing but accounts of people who rave about how far the Marlin Del Rey staff will go out of their way to make your trip great. In addition to lunch, you can also get as many homemade smoothies and drinks as you want at any point in the trip for no additional charge. The kayaks and snorkel equipment also does not cost extra.

While you sail, it is common to be able to see dolphin, flying fish, rays, and sea turtles. If you come in the fall, there is also a good chance that you will get to see whales. Finally, at the end of the trip, you get to watch the sun go down over the Pacific. The tours are all around a wonderful experience!

Tips for Visiting

If you are planning on booking a sunse tour with Marlin Del Rey Sailing, you should know in advance that the trip costs $75.00 each person. This price is probably considerably higher than you would think it would be, and may even put you off from going. But you have to consider what you are getting. Endless drinks, delicious food, free equipment, a trip to a deserted beach and reef, over five hours of sailing, and the most helpful staff that you could imagine.

Marlin Del Rey Sailing Sunset Tours are a great way to really relax, soak up the sun, and really experience the untouched beauty of Costa Rica!

Original article can be found here: Marlin Del Rey Sailing Tours

You can have it all! There are so many incredible animals and plants in Costa Rica’s gorgeous jungles, and thousands more that have not been discovered. If you love learning about and experiencing wildlife, it can be hard to figure out which activities in Costa Rica will provide you with the best glimpses of rare animals. If you want it all, then consider Selvatura Park! It is one of the most fantastic destinations for any animal lover!

What to Expect

Selvatura Park is a cloud forest conservation project located in the famous area of Monteverde. They have pretty much every activity you can think of wanting to do in the jungles from zip lines to guided tours. At the park they have a butterfly garden, canopy tours, zip lines, a hummingbird garden, a huge rainforest insect display, and a reptile and amphibian center. You can also learn more about cloud forests. There are restaurants, private guides available, and free transportation to and from the park. So get a hotel in Monteverde and you could practically have your whole vacation in the park!

The Monteverde zip line is super exciting and really popular. There are fifteen different cables to and from eighteen platforms. There is a great variety of views from each zip line. Some of them are really long and a lot of them were really high. You actually go through the trees and the clouds on the zip lines, and the experience can often be as exhilarating as a rollercoaster!
The canopy tour, by contrast, is much more relaxed. There are huge bridges that are built into the cloud forest instead of above it. The bridges were actually built in San Jose and then transported to Monteverde. Workers had to carry the pieces of the bridges on their shoulders and assemble them inside of the cloud forest so that the forest could stay as pristine and undamaged as possible. The park boasts both the longest, safest, and strongest bridge system in all of Costa Rica. The tour is very peaceful and takes between an hour and a half and two hours.

The butterfly garden at Selvatura Park is one of the world’s largest butterfly exhibits. After a forty-five minute long guided tour, you are allowed to stay in the butterfly garden for as long as you wish. There is also a “Jewels of the Rain Forest” exhibit of insects. It is one of the largest private insect exhibitions in the world, and there are over a million bugs on display.

Also, you will probably want to see Selvatura Park’s hummingbird garden. There are over fourteen rare species of hummingbirds native to the Monteverde region on display in the garden. The birds actually get so close to you that they will accidentally fly into you once in awhile!

Tips for Visiting

If you are planning to visit Selvatura Park in Monteverde, it is good to know in advance that if you decide to do multiple activities, you will get a discount. Also, there are discounts available for students.

If you are planning on doing the zip line, do not wear flip flops, because they will fall off into the forest. Also, if is a good idea to wear longer pants because the harness will make shorts ride up.

Don’t sign up for the zip line tour hoping that you will get to see a bunch of animals. The zip lines are really just for the high-speed fun they provide; you won’t cruise right past a quetzal or a pack of monkeys on a zip line. If you are more interested in the nature aspect, then you should go on the canopy tour. If you go on the tour group and get a guide, they know everything about the animals of Monteverde. They are especially adept at spotting wildlife hiding in the forest canopy, so make sure and bring your own binoculars, if you own a pair!

Original article can be found here: Selvatura Park

Rainforests have an incredible, magical draw to them. So for someone who especially loves animals, they are truly a nature lover’s paradise! If you always been fascinated by the jungle and yet have never gotten to actually go, then you have got to go on your next vacation to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve in Costa Rica! The park is known as one of the most stunning nature reserves in the entire world, and is home to home to over 2,000 species of plants and trees, a hundred species of mammals, 490 species of butterflies, over 400 species of birds, and about 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.

Check out some other things to do in Monteverde.

What to Expect

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is on the west side of Costa Rica and is in the Puntarenas province. It is about a four hour drive from the capital city of San Jose. The reserve was actually initially created by a group of Quakers in the sixties. Luckily for the rest of the world, they were determined to preserve this watershed area.

The park has a totally unique cloud canopy system. While other rainforests are usually really rainy (hence the name rainforests), cloud forests are comparatively dry. Cloud forests are located at a higher altitudes, making them cloudier than a rainforest. So the plants in a cloud forest actually receive moisture from all the water that is in the air. This makes the park really surreal.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve has a ton of great trails for hiking, however most of them are not meant for beginning hikers. At some points, the trails are muddy and slippery. And additionally, the cloudy conditions can make it hard to spot animals and birds. But if you don’t want to hike, you don’t have to. You can also take a skywalk or rappelling tour of the forest. In these tours, you go on a series of bridges and cables that offer higher views of the reserve below.

There is an amazing array of wildlife and plants that make the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve their home. Tapirs, ocelots, jaguars, pumas, and tons of variety of monkeys. The park is home to Costa Rica’s most famous bird, the rare and beautiful quetzal. The park is also home to a the golden toad. This toad lives nowhere else in the world except for the Monteverde Reserve. It lives on the continental divide and is actually both deaf and dumb. The males of the species are a pretty bright orange color, and at certain times of the year, they are easy to find. The park is also home to more than 300 species of orchids and 200 species of ferns.

Tips fro Visiting

If you are planning on going to the park, and you are really serious about seeing the animals, there are several things that you should know before you go. First, because the plants and animals in the reserve are so fragile, only 120 people are allowed on a single trail at a time. Access to the trails are given on a first come, first served basis unless you booked a guided tour beforehand.

If you are an experienced hikers and you want to stay in the park overnight, you can. There are three backpacking shelters within the park, all equipped with bunks, showers, hydroelectricity, propane stoves, and even pots and pans. You will have to bring your own food and sleeping bag, and you will have to make reservations to camp in the park in advance. The huts are locked so that only those with reservations can get in. It costs anywhere from $3.50–5.00 if you decide to stay the night.
Make sure that you bring warm clothing and raingear. The visitors center sells trail maps and wildlife guides, so if you would rather go without a guide, you can. However, since they know the park so well, going with a guide can increase your chances of seeing wildlife.

Original article can be found here: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

You may not already know it, but Costa Rica is a fantastic vacation destination. Costa Rica is the most politically stable country in all of Latin American and is very Americanized. Many Costa Ricans are bilingual, making travel much easier. And, of course, the country boasts some of the most gorgeous attractions you could ever imagine! Volcanoes, acres and acres of lush rainforest, fantastic waves for surfing and gorgeous white and black sand beaches. Its pretty much paradise!

There is a ton to do in Costa Rica, so it helps to know where to go! One of my favorite cities in Costa Rica is Quepos. It is just a tiny little town, but there are a ton of great restaurants, places to stay, and things to do. And the city is right next to one of the most gorgeous national parks in all of Central America; the Manuel Antonio National Park.

<what to Expect
In the Manuel Antonio National Park, there are tons of trails through the rainforests and gorgeous beaches. In a single day I saw an incredible variety of wildlife. If you stay in the park long enough and keep your eyes open, you will be amazed at what you can see! There are incredible giant shiny blue butterflies, and there are disgustingly cool giant spiders with equally large webs who feast on bugs such as the butterflies. There are tiny crabs with giant red claws and huge iguanas that live in trees right on the beach. The iguanas don’t seem to care about the dozens of beach-going tourists. I also saw some monkeys, a coati (it is a little bit like a raccoon), and a three toed sloth!

I fell in love with the park, so much so that I just had to see more! The next day, we signed up for a Safari Mangrove Tour of the park. How it works is you get on a small boat that holds about fifteen people. There are bilingual guides who take you deep into parts of the park that you can’t really get into if you are just walking through the trails. Because of this, you get to see a ton of animals! I think a lot of them hide back there to stay farther from the tourists (although in general none of the animals we saw even seemed to care that we were there). It is so fun because you can kind of sneak up on the animals and get really close! We saw crocodiles, (yikes!) the back end of an anteater, and a ton of monkeys! There were loud, scary howler monkeys as well as smaller squirrel monkeys. The squirrel monkeys actually even came right down onto boat! It was such a great tour and an amazing experience!

Tips for Visiting

I absolutely recommend going to the Manuel Antonio National Park and going on the Safari Mangrove Tour! It was one of the coolest things I have ever gotten to do! But here is a little bit of advice if you plan on going. First of all, bring your camcorder! I didn’t because I was worried it would get wet, but my camera was fine, and I wished I would have brought my camcorder, too. It is quite wet on the boats though, although they do keep them really clean. Costa Rica is just a wet place. So you might want to wear a swimsuit or bring a poncho.

Water inevitably gets in the bottom of the boat, so I would recommend flip flops. Also, they don’t have anywhere to lock away your stuff, so don’t bring a ton with you. You never have to leave your things, though, so you do not have to worry about them being stolen. Those are some things I wish I would have known about before I went on the Safari Mangrove Tour, so I just wanted to pass them along. There are a ton of amazing things to do in Costa Rica, but this was one of my personal favorites!

Original article can be found here: Safari Mangrove Tours in Quepos

When you are a tourist visiting another country, you can sometimes feel like you are missing something. You have heard so many great things about a particular place, but when you go there yourself, it just is not what you expected. Maybe you simply aren’t eating at the right places or seeing the right things? It can be very frustrating, because you are usually on a time crunch and you want everything you do on your vacation to be magical!

Well, I have always been wary of hiring an sort of tour guide on my vacations. Usually just because I am cheap. It just makes me feel like I have a huge sticker on my chest that says ‘tourist.’ But when you go somewhere foreign to you, especially when you don’t speak the language, getting a tour guide can actually be one of the smartest things you can do. I recently took a trip to Costa Rica and while I really don’t think I could have gone wrong with any activity I chose to do in Costa Rica, we used a tour guide a couple of different times, and they helped to make our trip that much more magical!

What to Expect

It is just a little company called El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours. They do not even have a fully functioning website yet. (Don’t worry; they have fully functioning email and are easy to get a hold of, they just aren’t wasting their time and money creating a web page but instead rely more on word of mouth). The owner, Juan, gives many of the tours, and it is amazing how much he knows about local wildlife, plants, activities and restaurants, and even government.

El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours’s goal is to show you the local’s view of the Costa Rica. These guys know Costa Rica inside and out, and will pretty much take you wherever you want to go! If you don’t know where you want to go, they have plenty of suggestions. They are located in Quepos, which is one of the best tourist cities in Costa Rica.

Before we went on our tour, Juan had taken a different group on a kayak ride and then to one of his favorite local restaurants. We went on a tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park with Juan. His English is really easy to understand, and it was a good thing we were with him! Some of the animals were so well camouflaged that we would have never even noticed them he hadn’t pointed them out to us! He brought a pair of binoculars so that we could see tropical birds and monkeys high up in the trees easier.

Final Thoughts

At the end of our tour, he also gave us suggestions of places we should eat at and how to get to the best beaches in the city (most of the beaches are rather hidden, so you have to know where you are going). I had been skeptical, but getting a tour with El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours helped us see and experience way more on our vacation than we would have on our own!
Next time I visit Costa Rica, I will definitely use El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours again. Instead of eating food that wasn’t that great and only seeing a few animals in the national park, we felt like we really enjoyed everything we did, thanks to the great insider suggestions Juan had. If you are going to take a El Aguila Mayor nature tour, there are a couple of things I would recommend. First, if you have some at home, bring your own set binoculars. Also, tell your guide if there is a particular animal you would want to see most, because whatever it is, they will probably know where that animal hangs out.

Original article can be found here: El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours

Exploring the jungles and waterways of Costa Rica is something every visitor to Costa Rica wants to do. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that should be done on your own. It is way to easy to get lost and there are way to many dangers out there. It is for these reasons it is in your best interest to see these marvels of Costa Rica with a guide or tour company. The Canoa Aventura tour operator is a great one to go exploring with; be it by canoe or hike. They offer several exciting tours that last the better part of the day.

What to Expect

The Canoa Aventura tour operator offers a variety of tours, but the most popular are either the hiking tour or the canoe tour. Both are equally as cool, but you will have to decide for yourself which one is up your alley.

Canoe is the Mode of Travel – Safari Float

Stay alert because you will not want to miss a thing on this tour. The gentle lapping of the water as the canoe makes it way down the Rio Peñas Blancas (River of White Rocks) is about as peaceful as it gets. The cost of this tour will certainly be worth every penny spent. The topical birds and other wildlife are quite abundant. There is also a good chance you may catch a glimpse of the morpho butterfly. This American butterfly which is also a tropical has lustrous blue wings. The guides on these tours are extremely knowledgeable. You will probably end up learning more about the animal life in this area than you ever thought possible.

If Walking is more Your Style – Arenal Volcano Tour

If you want to explore the lush rain forest on the Arenal volcano, this is the perfect tour. Only a few minutes into the hike you will immersed in the lush rain forest. Depending on what time of the day you go, you are likely to see all kinds of wildlife. You can pretty much bet on seeing, or at least hearing, monkeys, toucans, and plenty of other jungle animals. Don’t expect to feed any of these animals, but be ready to snap some pictures for sure.

An hour and a half walk through the rainforest will allow many photos of the lush tropical beauty to be added to your vacation album. Relax at the end of the tour at the Tabacon Hot Springs. Like heaven on earth, surrounded by the lush jungle and waterfalls that will take your breathe away, the ultimate in rest and relaxation is possible here. And speaking of waterfalls, if you want to see the most overwhelming view of a waterfall, the La Catarata de la Fortuna is the one. With falling water from 70 meters, this is an exhilarating experience.

If you are really ready for some excitement, the Arenal Volcano which has been an active volcano since 1968 constantly erupts. This has been going on daily since that time and often you will hear thunder associated with the eruptions. After dark this is a spectacular show as the red rocks spewing from the volcano make their way down the side lighting the night.

Tips for Visiting

Arenal Volcano Tour lasts about 4 hours, so prepare yourself beforehand and wear comfortable shoes. This will be extraordinary sights that you will remember for the rest of your life. If you would like to stay closer to the volcano there is a new hotel which has been built, Hotel Arenal Kioro which is a great place to stay for a spectacular view of the volcano. The straight shot view of the active volcano will make for a wondrous show. If you are into nighttime photography you can get some spectacular shots of this volcano erupting and showing its own fireworks display.

When choosing Arenal La Fortuna, Costa Rica for your vacation, there are two seasons. The rainy season or green season and the high season make a difference in what prices are charged at many attractions and hotels. If you are on a budget but want to see the beautiful area, the green season is the time for budget minded people to take their vacation here.

Original article can be found here: Canoa Aventura in Arenal La Fortuna

One of the most breath taking and exciting things you can do in Costa Rica is an Arenal hanging bridge tour. These walking bridge tours allow you a chance to take your time and enjoy the natural surroundings at your own pace. There are many other different scenic tours you can take in Costa Rica, but very few offer the broad range of things that you can see on an Arenal hanging bridge tour. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure that takes you back in time and shows you a glimpse of what the world was like millions of years ago an Arenal hanging bridge tour is a perfect choice.

>>Tips for Visiting Arenal and La Fortuna

What to Expect

The Arenal bridge tour offers travellers a chance to really get out into the Costa Rican wild. There are several different options as far as tours go and each has their own unique sites to offer. You can take a guided daytime tour in which an expert will show you around the hanging bridges and point out and teach you on all the different things to see. This tour culminates in a trip to Arenal, one of the worlds ten most active volcanoes. As with any of the Arenal tours it will be the centerpiece but the guide can tell you about all the different flora and fauna you see along the way. There are many different plants and animals that are unique to the Costa Rican rainforest.

Take a tour with an expert guide and they can let you know all about what is there. If exotic birds are something that interests you, take an early bird watching tour. Over 50 different species of birds can be seen on these tours. The guides that take you on the bird watching tours are experts on all the different varieties you will see. Even if you are not a bird expert they will help you spot and identify all the different types. If you are looking for something a little bit more adventurous you may want to try a night walk tour. This tour offers a unique look at all the frogs and other animals that only come out at night. If you are lucky enough when you get to Arenal it may be erupting. The view at night is indescribable. Any of these three tours offers something different for each person. The one thing they all have in common is getting a close up look at Arenal.

Arenal is the most active volcano in Costa Rica. Learn more about Arenal National Park here. Similar to Mount Fuji in Japan the volcano towers a mile above Lake Arenal. It has been active for the last 7,000 years and looks to remain so for quite some time. It has daily eruptions that come with slow lava flow that can be easily observed on the evening and night tours. Every three to four years Arenal will have a significant eruption with lava shooting high from the top of the volcano. If you are patient enough though you should be able to see some kind of eruption.

Tips for Visiting

A trip to Arenal and one of the hanging bridge tours can be fun for anyone who wants to see nature at its most raw and primal. These tours offer a chance to see many different kinds of natural phenomenon that should keep even the most fickle travellers entertained. I recommend taking whichever of the tours seems most appropriate to your family. Pack a lunch and plan for at least a half day at the park. You can stay longer if you would like, but at minimum you will be there for this amount of time. Definitely bring a camera to get pictures of all the wonderful things you are sure to see. Do not forget to also be patient as some of the eruptions will take time to occur. Most importantly though have fun and enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Original article can be found here: The Hanging Bridge Tours in Arenal

One of the most interesting natural wonders that you may ever have a chance to explore is the Venado Caves of Costa Rica. Located just outside of Arenal Lake and Volcano in the town of Venado, this series of caves was created when years of water currents penetrated through the surrounding limestone of the area millions of years ago. The result is a fascinating tourist attraction which is of interest to those travelers who like to explore the outdoors, see unusual sites and get a little bit off the beaten path with their travels. Although the Venado Caves of Costa Rica are a popular natural attraction, they are not a major tourist spot because of the fact that they require a bit of physical activity to be enjoyed.

Be sure to check out these posts as well:
Tips for Visiting Arenal and La Fortuna

What to Expect

Visiting the Venado Caves of Costa Rica isn’t like visiting some of the caves that you might have explored elsewhere in the world. If you’ve been to caves that are well-lit and easy to navigate with your tour guide then you don’t know what to expect at a set of caves like the Venado Caves. These caves are not lit at all so you will be required to carry a flashlight and to wear a hard hat when you come to explore this site. You will also be required to do some stretching and some crouching to navigate through the different tunnels in the caves so this isn’t the right place for you if you’re not cut out for a bit of physical activity.

The Venado Caves are also not designed to attract people who are concerned about getting a little bit dirty. In addition to the general dirt and rocks that you’ll find in the caves, you are going to encounter some water and mud while you traverse the different rooms of the attraction. Most people love the little rivers and waterfalls that they’ll see on a tour of these caves but some people are hesitant about this part of the trip. And there’s something else that you should be aware of before you enter these caves; there are bats in here. They rarely bother anyone who is visiting the caves but they’re something to be aware of before you go.

Those people who are relatively fit and who have a great sense of adventure about them, however, will really enjoy visiting the Venado Caves. They are an impressive natural wonder with some rooms that reach as tall as twenty feet and others that are tiny little crawl spaces. The guides who will take you through these different areas of the caves are all passionate in their love for this natural wonder and they’ll have a lot of educational information to share with you about how the caves formed and why they do tours of the caves now.

Tips for Visiting

If all of this sounds like something that is worth checking out, you’re right. To do this, you will want to choose a good group or individual to give you a guided tour of the caves. After selecting the group, you can book an appropriate tour through the caves. The exact times and length of the tour can be set up with your tour guide but give yourself at least a few hours of exploration to really enjoy this attraction. Do your research in advance to see if there is anything specific that you want to keep an eye out for (such as fossils or certain rock formations) and then inform your guide of that desire before your tour begins. Once you’ve started your tour, simply enjoy the opportunity to explore a natural wonder that formed over fifteen million years ago!

Original article can be found here: Venado Caves Near Arenal

When Pure Trek first opened its doors in 2001 the proverbial flood gates were opened with the company quickly becoming the most popular destination for adventure seekers when they visit Costa Rica. Adventure is the dominant word when explaining the company as a whole, when they created Pure Trek Canyoning in Costa Rica it quickly took of with visitors from all over the world flocking to take part in adventure experiences that very few before them had ever taken part in. When the company says its staff is experienced they really mean it, as you will find out when you take one of their extensive catalogues of treks and tours guided by experts in all fields of expeditionary adventuring and exploring. This is helped by the fact that most of the adventure leaders are of South American or Costa Rican origin, so know the terrain better than anybody, this helps ensure your safety at all times through the expertise of staff members.

You will not find adventure tours anywhere on Costa Rica like the ones that Pure Trek offers. These are not just simulated experiences on theme park attractions but very real trips into what can be imagined as wandering into unknown territory. As you embark on one of the many tours you a prepared and talked through thoroughly by staff members who bring on an adrenalin rush as they explain what to expect before your adventure even begins.

What to Expect

Imagine being face to face with white water rapids and waterfalls as you speed down a river in a toughened inflatable raft on some of Costa Rica’s most challenging waterways. Not only will you spend the day negotiating white water rapids but you will see some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. It is not for the faint hearted but one of the many experiences that will really get your heart racing leaving you exhilarated and thirsty for more. The day starts with your breakfast and a quick but thorough talk as you are suited up with all the equipment for the day ahead; then you will be whisked away in the provided transport to your destination. You will also have lunch provided which is great news as it is quite hungry going out there. The river tours depend on what level of ability you feel you are up to the challenge of; as the rivers are rated class II to IV which basically means how much white water you might expect on your trip.

Pure Trek have adventure tour packages all over Costa Rica there isn’t a corner left untouched by the company. There are currently six regions to choose from which are; San Jose, La Fortuna and Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and Tamarindo; with plans for two more regions that the details are to be finalized for in Corcovado and Guanacaste.

Each of these regions have the finest adventure experiences that you will find in Costa Rica, all with their own unique features, such as the volcano hikes at Arenal Volcano and the tour of Venado Caves which truly are out of this world when it comes to scenery and views. The spectacular cloud forest in Monteverde is an absolute must for those who revel in scenery and wildlife; there is hardly a place like it on Earth.

There is river rafting and mountain biking among the adventure to be had in San Jose, deep sea fishing and ocean kayaking on the list of things to experience in Manuel Antonio. Other things to see in this amazing country are Green Turtles nesting and jungle hikes in Tortuguero, scuba diving and horse riding which can all be topped of with a relaxing sail into the sunset in Tamarindo.

Tips for Visiting

Without a doubt Pure Trek champion the words adventure and exploration without compromise. The experiences are not to be missed by anyone with adventure in their blood and an appetite for fun. The list of activities stretches beyond the horizon and simply cannot be taken in with just a few days to spare. You will need to plan for more or less a full two weeks at least if you want to take part the main portion of tours available. Also you should plan ahead of time when you book your trip to avoid any disappointment if you just turn up. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Most of your equipment is provided for by Pure Trek, but make sure you do bring some spare hiking equipment such as jackets, thermals, shorts, socks and a good pair of boots. You will have to be physically fit to try out some of the experiences which you will be warned about in advance by the staff and guides. There is a lot of common sense and being honest with yourself involved with some of the activities available; it is always better to know your limitations before you attempt to take part in any extreme sports or experiences. Remember nature is not to be taken lightly in some instances which in the long run, being careful will only benefit you when it comes down to your safety and enjoyment. With that information in mind you will not fail to achieve things you never thought possible in your wildest dreams, you are in for the time of your life.

Original article can be found here: Pure Trek in Arenal