Costa Rican Tour Operators

'We've been traveling through Costa Rica for a week now, and we haven't seen any of the beaches yet. Isn't it amazing for such a small island?'. I look at the woman I just helped her put on a canyoning harness. 'Yes', I reply, 'it's even more amazing that we've got elephants here. I've always wondered how they got to this island'. She raises her eyebrow and says:'You don't fool me, there are no elephants on this island'.

Those who visit Costa Rica not for the beaches, will most likely spend their time in the country side. Rivers, mountains, jungles, villages, volcanoes, hot springs and its wildlife, Costa Rica has all the ingredients for a vacation full of adrenaline and nature elements. Just travel through the country and you will come across hundreds of operators for canopy zip line, white water rafting, horseback riding, canyoning, all terrain vehicle, caving, kayaking, mountain biking and many, many other tours. For naturalist lovers, you can fill a month of vacation with every day a different activity. Visit the active volcanoes or any other of the 26 National Parks. Spot the Quetzal in Monteverde's Rainforest Reserve or view hundreds of caimans on the Cano Negro. Monkeys, sloth, crocodiles, snakes, armadilos, jaguars, tapirs, frogs, butterflies, elephants, we got them all on this island. Corcovado is for the die hards , but definitely worth 'doing it' (see my previous post).

What ever activity you are coming to Costa Rica for, be prepared. Know what each one entails, what you need to know beforehand and what operators not to go for. The latter is difficult since most likely you will not know the difference between a sign that says 'White Water Rafting trips' and the other saying 'White Water Rafting trips'. I don't blame you, because who can?

Safety is mandatory. A fraction of the operators, and that is a fraction too much, do not live by the highest safety standards. Other elements operators can be lacking are service and the will to give you a great time. Money is only what they are interested in, and therefore chances are you get way less than you pay for, and it might even be life threatening.

If you are coming to CR thinking it's an island, you better have a travel agency arranging every detail of your vacation. Just like the lady that went canyoning with me. She didn't know a thing of Costa Rica, but had the best time of her life.