Stepping off into adventures.

by Chandra Morice (Canada)

A leap into the unknown Costa Rica

I can feel the sturdiness of the solid wooden platform beneath my feet. ‘Just breath, just breath…’ I whisper like a mantra to myself. ‘This is what you came for - to adventure and feel alive.’ I wiggle my sneakered toes closer to the platforms edge, my senses buzz like electricity. There is a heightened awareness to everything I see and hear. I inhale and exhale deeply while taking in the beauty before me of the lush, green jungle valley. The sun is shining bright, and the warm breeze blows like a soft caress across my face. I smell scents of floral, fresh and green, with a slight hint of earth and dirt. I feel anxious and my nerves flutter like butterflies in my stomach. I swallow in a pathetic attempt to moisten my throat which has suddenly gone as dry as the Sahara Desert. My panic is interrupted by a slight tug on my harness and I turn to see my guide smile. “It’s time,” he says. With a few pulls on the tether, I’m hoisted into the air and settle swaying horizontal with the platform. Then with one little push I’m sent hurtling off through the air! And just like that I’m soaring like a superhero in the clouds, a hundred feet above the jungle on a mile long zipline. This is what I came to Costa Rica for. I came to adventure. I came to feel alive. With five destinations planned in my three weeks in Costa Rica, I was assured that invigorating adventures and life renewing experiences were readily available at every stop. And since the moment the wheels on the plane touched down, I’ve come to understand that the tico’s – as Costa Rican’s are fondly known as - certainly know how to adventure and live life fully. While in Costa Rica if you’re looking for spa experiences mixed with a little adventure then be sure to visit La Fortuna. Known as the gateway to the Arenal Volcano it is surrounded by natural hot springs and many luxury springs resorts. In addition to the hot springs there are many guided adventures to choose from including paddle boarding, waterfall rappelling, chocolate tours, cooking classes, volcano hiking and white-water rafting. If eco-tourism is a priority then visit Monteverde, as it’s known as one of the country’s many eco-tourism destinations and is famous for its cloud forests. You can hike by day and night with guided tours, experience coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tours, e-bike, horseback ride, hike the Skywalk Sky Tram or the hanging bridges in the cloud forests. And when your legs get tired from hiking check out one of the adventure ziplining company’s. There’s nothing more invigorating and life renewing then rushing along miles of zipline! In case you want great beaches, more hiking, kayaking in mangroves, parasailing or catamaran tours combined with access to a few more amenities like shops and restaurants then head to Manuel Antonio. Here you’ll find Manuel Antonio National Park complete with numerous hiking trails where maybe you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of a sloth, and most likely you’ll see the parks local and somewhat mischievous white-faced capuchin monkeys. If you really want to get away from the tourist crowds then plan to visit Drake Bay, which is located on the northwest side of the Osa Peninsula. You can get to Drake Bay by plane, car, bus or boat - although if you’re traveling during the dry season, I’d highly recommend renting a 4x4 and making the journey by road. It topped my list of the most beautiful and scenic, adventure filled road trips I have experienced complete with narrow, bumpy roads and numerous river crossings – all of which test your driving skills. Once in Drake Bay you can sit back and enjoy the stunning ocean views or sign up for a variety of guided adventures on both land and sea, including day adventures into Corcovado National Park or snorkeling off Cano Island. No matter where you choose to go in Costa Rica, when you step off the platform an adventure awaits you, and you will leave this country feeling more rejuvenated and alive then when you arrived.