Costa Rica lies between Panama and Nicaragua
and it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the North Pacific Ocean to the
west. It is comprised of 51,100 square kilometers and the territorial waters take up about
589 square kilometers. The beaches extend to more than 1100 miles of sheer beauty with the
Pacific Ocean on the western side and the Caribbean Sea on the eastern side.
At the Costa Rican beaches you can engage yourself in various kinds of activities. Among
the numerous activities you can spend time in snorkeling, scuba diving, yachting,
kayaking, surfing, water-skiing, deep-sea fishing, sports fishing, diving, swimming and
many such water sports.
Surfing is perhaps the most popular activity. The Playa Avellana, Nicoya Peninsula's Playa
Santa Teresa, Santa Rosa National Park's Playa Naranjo, Playa Negra, Playa Hermosa, Playa
Grande, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Dominical and Playa Pavones are considered as the best
options among the Costa Rica beaches for surfing with regards to the breaks and swells.
Fishing in this country, is also a popular most satisfying water sport. Costa Rica has a
vast resource of fish in its huge stretches of lakes, seas and ocean. Be it deep sea
fishing or fresh water fishing, Costa Rica has it all. Due to the large scale in which
fishing is carried out there are several formal units of Costa Rica fishing. There is a
wide variety of fish that are available, like the Sailfish, Wahoo, Billfish, Roosterfish,
Marlin, Dolphins, Tuna, Cubera, Snapper, Blue runners, Snook and various other unusual
fish. One can fish in various places with a lot of success.
The primary center for fishing is the stretch between Gulf of Papagayo Flamingo Beach and
Cabo Blanca that has a complete marina option.
Popular ports of the Pacific area that is used for fishing are Flamingo, Carrillo, Coco,
Ocotal, Tamarindo, Golfito, Dominical, Punta Leona, Puntarenas, Zancudo, Quepos and Manuel
Antonio, Drake Bay, Zancudo and Tambor.
Another popular area for fishing in the Central Pacific region is the stretch between
Drake Bay Quepos and Cabo Blanco.
Golfito is probably the major juncture for fishing in the South Pacific region with two
developed marinas.
The lodges that let you experience great fishing at the Caribbean are situated in
Parismina, Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero.
In Costa Rica you can also enjoy
Diving and Scuba Diving. Little discovered, and still uncrowded, Scuba divers travel here from all parts of the world to see thousands of
hammerhead sharks and enormous schools of innumerable fish in our tropical, plankton rich
water. The waters offshore also teem with marine life.
You can dive in calm transparent waters on the Caribbean coast or opt for the wilder and
more spectacular Pacific side. Most good diving is on the Pacific side. The Caribbean
reefs were decimated some years ago due to pesticide runoff from the banana plantations
although the last two or three years have seen a definite return of life to the region.
The best months are in September-November.
There are three main areas for diving on the Pacific Ocean side. The first area is Isla
del Cano, located on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. The other two lie in the
northern province of Guanacaste.
Canoeing and kayaking is one of best low impact ways to enjoy this amazing area and sea
kayak and canoe tours are designed with an educative emphasis that seeks to assure
preservation of the environment for years to come. The warm, rushing rivers which sweep
through Costa Rica's lush countryside offer world class white water rafting and kayaking
opportunities. Rafting enthusiasts from around the world try their skills against these
wild and turbulent rivers.
River Rafting is also great. If you're trying river rafting for the first time, there are
gentle rapids and lovely places to just float through. Whichever type of experience you
have, you will be paddling through prime nature viewing areas, and so you will likely see
otters, herons, parrots and iguanas too.
Most of the rivers in Costa Rica flow towards the Caribbean. After a heavy rain they come
to life, going from being a reasonable river to become a place to enjoy the best
whitewater rafting. The waters of these rivers are fairly warm so you are not at all
uncomfortable unless you are nervous about trying Costa Rica rafting. Experienced water
goers can also try their hand at kayaking the rivers as well.
Boating in Costa Rica is the ultimate experience. There are several boat trips that are
well worth doing and are perhaps the most interesting way to get from one region to
another. Traveling by boat across the eastern end of Lake Arenal is expensive, but by far
the fastest and most beautiful way to travel between Arenal and Monteverde. There is a
fascinating four-hour boat trip from Puerto Viejo on the Sarapiqui River into Nicaragua on
the San Juan and on the Tortuguero. The boat trip from Cano Blanco to Tortuguero is also
worth doing.
This a small list of the water fum you can have in Costa Rica. A country blessed with
beautiful beaches, tropical waters and peacefull energy, has a lot to offer, especially
for the water sports lovers!
For more information on the fascinating land of Costa Rica, visit In Costa Rica Guide
There are several water activities you can enjoy while visiting Costa Rica. Find out at In Costa Rica
Guide, Water Activities
You can learn more about the outdoor adventures in Costa Rica by visiting our other
Costa Rica Pages:
