Enjoy the Pura Vida (Pure life) in Costa Rica as you immerse yourself in the culture of the Tios, climb the most famous volcanoes, explore the vast rain forests and underwater paradises and master the Spanish language – all in the span of one summe... see more »
Enjoy the Pura Vida (Pure life) in Costa Rica as you immerse yourself in the culture of the Tios, climb the most famous volcanoes, explore the vast rain forests and underwater paradises and master the Spanish language – all in the span of one summer! We recommend the white sandy beaches of Puerto Viejo, the Turralaba and Arnel Volcano, the epic waves of Tamarinmdo and the coral reefs in Samara. There are so many natural wonders and amazing sights waiting for any teenage traveler so grab your passport because you are in for an adventure of a lifetime!
Puerto Viejo is home to the most powerful wave, the Salsa Brava which attracts only the most skilled surfers. For the non-surfer, visitors can enjoy the sun-kissed beaches such as the Playa Chiquite, Playa Negra and Punta Uva, perfect for day-time relaxation. A budding marine scientist can explore life below the turquoise waters, the thrillist can mountain bike or kayak and the avid horse rider can take tours of the area. Another nearby-attraction is the Cahuita National Park, which was created to protect Costa Rica’s biggest coral reef. This national park protects a vast amount of ocean and marine life, just one of the many green initiatives in the country. Dive into the water to see manta rays, sea stars, barracudas, and so much more. Lastly, don’t miss the 18th century shipwreck at the River Perezoso.
In Turroalba, the volcano makes it the star, although because of its recent eruptions, the Turrialba Volcano National Park is currently closed. However, that does not keep the adrenaline junkies from enjoying the climb up the volcano. To continue the thrill, try river rafting through one of the world’s top 10 rivers, the Rios Pacuare and enjoy the lush tropical forests and waterfalls along the way. If you’d rather explore by foot, grab a hiking stick and head down the trails along the volcano where you can see the footprints of lava flows and you may even run into an armadillo or two.
Explore the famous Arenal Volcano at La Fortuna. Following the volcano’s eruption in 1968, the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos still remains a popular hotspot. From here you can enjoy the Tabacon Hot Springs (heated by the volcano) go for a swing on a canopy tour or the visit the Fortuna waterfalls and dangling bridges. There is no shortage of activities to keep an eager teenager busy – enjoy horseback riding, whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, hiking, canopy tours, cave explorations and much more. Plant lovers should head over to the Arenal Botanical Gardens, where you’ll be amazed by the 2,500 species of tropical plants including, orchids, ferns and roses.
The heart of the Tamarindo is bohemian style surfers hitting another famous beach for the waves. This beach is the best choice for beginner surfers, as it has calmer waves and is much safer then Putero Viejo. Nearby estuaries are filled by the Rio Matapalo and Rio San Francisco where large mangrove forests are present and provide homes to water birds, crabs and other species. Teenager can keep themselves busy in the water or aboard a catamaran or sail boat or perhaps they’d like take up sport fishing or scuba diving. Jungles await for zip lining, horseback riding and ATVing. The Marino Las Baulas National Park was put into place to preserve the authentic beauty of the land and protect the nesting area of Leatherback Turtles.
Samara is named the hidden tropical paradise with its beautiful coral reefs showing through the crystal clear water. For the best snorkeling spot head to Cangrejal, where the coral reef connects to the shoreline and in dry season you can swim through the water and see the abundant sea life. Kayak over to the Isla Chora, which is wildlife protected area for maritime birds. After snorkeling and kayaking, take it all in and relax on the pink sand beach.
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