If you want to beat the heat, heading to a tropical rainforest may not come to mind as a first choice. However, there are more ways to stay cool in Costa Rica than you might think – and none of them involve wandering around an air-conditioned mall all day.
Whitewater Rafting
With the spray of water in your face and the rush of wind around you, whitewater rafting is a thrilling way to beat the heat. The summer months fall within Costa Rica’s wet season. This is the the perfect time to go whitewater rafting, as the rivers swell with the heavy rainfall and create the ideal rush of currents. There are many rivers in Costa Rica, and there are rafting options for those of any skill and comfort level.
Surfing
Costa Rica is one of the surfing capitals of the world, and surfers from all over visit the Central American country to test, hone or learn new surfing skills. With just over 800 miles of coastline, and extensive beaches along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, there are a wide range of prime surfing spots located all over the country. You’ll have point breaks, reef breaks, beach breaks and river mouths to choose from, and whether you want to take lessons from the experts on the relatively tame Jaco Beach, or you are an expert looking to challenge yourself on the famed Salsa Brava, there is a way for you to keep cool in the surf in Costa Rica.
Diving
You won’t feel the heat underwater, and Costa Rica’s two oceans make it a fantastic place to get a glimpse of colorful undersea life. A multitude of dive companies all over the country offer diving tours and excursions of all kinds. The best spots for diving are on the Caribbean coast, but the area is more secluded and less developed, making tours harder to come by.
Heading Upward or Inland
Costa Rica’s mountains loom thousands of feet high in the air. The air gets considerably colder the higher you go – even in the summer, hiking through the mountains can be quite a chilly experience. Be sure to bring a jacket!
In Costa Rica’s inland valley, you’ll find beautiful green rolling hills, stunning volcanoes, lush cloud forests, and year round temperatures of 72 degrees. Hiking along volcano crests and trekking through cloud forests won’t just help you beat the heat – it will introduce you to some of the country’s most incredible wildlife.