1. Canopy Tour. Take a canopy tour of the Monteverde rainforest.on Sky Trek. This is a canopy tour with a difference because it is on a larger scale than other tours of this nature in other countries. There are more zip lines, platforms and suspension bridges. You don't need any specific athletic ability to take this tour as the guides will make sure you have the equipment on properly and get you started from each platform. You can also spend more time at each stop than the rest of the people taking the tour, which allows you to customize your activity to your needs.



2. Coffee Plantation Tour. Since coffee is a big business in Costa Rica, you can't leave without taking a tour of a working plantation and tasting the great coffee. You can easily arrange a day tour from San Jose to the coffee growing region of the Central Valley, but such tours are available anywhere that coffee is grown in the country. The tour starts with a walk around the plantation with a guide explaining the process of production. You can taste the coffee at the plantation and buy samples to take back home with you.

3. Culinary Tours. Get an insight into the culinary tastes of Costa Rica with one of several tours. At the Monteverde Cheese Factory you will learn about the history of the Quaker's in the country and dairy farming. See the cheese being made and then taste some of the delights. If you want to learn about the growing of macadamia nuts, then you can take a tour of Finca La Anita in Miravalles, Guanacaste, where you will enjoy a lunch and a canopy tour. Just outside Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, you can take a tour of a chocolate plantation and see how the beans are still harvested in the traditional manner.

4. Surfing and Windsurfing. The breaks off the beaches of Costa Rica are known all over the world and draw thousands of surfers. Even if you don't surf, you will have an enjoyable time watching those that do. In the inland region, Lake Arenal has calm waters and wind speeds of about 40 kph, which makes for exquisite windsurfing conditions.

5. Volcano Watching. At Arenal Volcano National Park, you will have the opportunity to watch the most spectacular volcano in the country. Night time is the best time for viewing the red hot ash and cinders that spew from the mouth of the volcano. Eruptions are the main attraction, but it is possible that you won't see any if there is a lot of cloud cover. There are observatory type lodges that offer accommodation so that you can get the best view and have the best chance of seeing the sight of a lifetime on your vacation.