About Costa Rica

Things to do in Costa Rica

Watching the world go by is not everyone's idea of a perfect retirement, in fact for many, this is the opportunity to get out and enjoy all the things you never seemed to have time for.

A peaceful and tropical landscape is the perfect retirement setting and if you want to do more than relax on a sandy beach then Costa Rica will not disappoint. A top travel vacation destination, Costa Rica has received numerous recognitions for its innovations in tourism, so, should you decide to retire in Costa Rica, you will never tire of things to do.

Nature tours and outdoor activities throughout Costa Rica

• Go sport fishing in Bahia Drake in the South Pacific of Costa Rica.
• Enjoy hikes through the tropical rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Take a pleasant boating adventure tour along the Rio Corobici in Guanacaste.
• Enjoy a snorkeling tour to the Isla Coco in Puntarenas.
• Catch a wave in Playa Tamarindo and fulfill your lifelong ambition of learning how to surf.
• Take a canopy tour over the Costa Rican tropical rainforest in the Corcovado National Park.
• Go on a bird, dolphin and whale watching adventure in Marina Ballena National Park.
• Hop on a sedge way and travel through the Central Pacific rainforest in Manuel Antonio.
• Visit the sloth sanctuary in the Caribbean town of Cahuita, Limon.
• Visit the Nauyaca Waterfall near Playa Dominical in the South Pacific.
• Visit one or all of the seven volcanoes in Costa Rica including Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Poas and Irazu.
• Visit the natural hot springs in La Fortuna, San Carlos near Volcano Arenal.
• Strong along the beautiful Playa Conchal in Guanacaste at sunset.

Things to do in the South Pacific of Costa Rica

If you are planning to retire to the South Pacific of Costa Rica there are plenty of things to do. From eco tour adventures to nights out and fine dining, there is something for every retiree in Costa Rica’s South Pacific.

Playa Dominical, Playa Ojochal and Playa Uvita are three fine examples of why this part of Costa Rica has become popular with eco tourists. Retaining its natural authenticity, the South Pacific has not succumbed to overdevelopment. Extending white beaches, deep blue seas and undulating foothills make the South Pacific a paradise retirement location.

Although development in this part of Costa Rica has been moderate many of the beach town’s benefit from excellent facilities making the transition to paradise living all the more easier.

Adventure activities and eco tours in the South Pacific

If you are looking for something to do during your retirement and love nature then the South Pacific has it all.

• Enjoy a spot of sports fishing during your retirement in Dominical. With private fishing charters available this is the perfect way to spend your retirement. The South Pacific coast of Costa Rica has abundance of Pargo, Wahoo, Marlin and Tuna and the most frequented areas for sports fishing are Faruno Bank and Cano Island.
• Take a whale watching and dolphin tour during your retirement in Dominical. You can take a day long eco dolphin and whale watching tour in Drake Bay and Cano Island. With five species of dolphins and three species of whales in the area not many people can say they get the opportunity to witness this spectacle more than once in their lifetime.
• Take a relaxing waterfall tour and hike through the rainforest landscape during your retirement in Dominical. The Nauyaca and Diamante waterfalls are the most notable in the South Pacific area. Tour operators offer hikes or horseback rides to the waterfalls requesting a small entry fee which also includes the bilingual tour guide.
• Take an exhilarating canopy tour during your retirement in Dominical. If you have never taken a canopy tour before then this is the perfect opportunity. Suitable for all ages canopy tours are a great way to get familiar with your paradise surroundings. The South Pacific has plenty of canopy tours to choose from including the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge Canopy Tour, the Rainforest Canopy Tour, the Canopy Observation Platform and Rainforest Tree climbing.
• Enjoy a bird watching tour in Corcovado and Marina Ballena National Park located in the Osa Peninsula.
• Enjoy snorkeling in the South Pacific coast during your retirement in Dominical.
• Enjoy a couple of rounds of golf surrounded by paradise in the South Pacific.
• Catch a few waves in the South Pacific; learn how to surf in the South Pacific.

Dining out and cultural activities in the South Pacific of Costa Rica

• Largely due to the South Pacific’s popularity as an eco tourist destination there are many top rated restaurants located here.
• The South Pacific has a large expat intercontinental expat community. Many retirees continue to run small businesses here including restaurants. Expect to find international cuisine ranging from Italian, French, Spanish and South American to traditional U.S and Costa Rican dishes.
• Retirement hobbies to enjoy in the South Pacific
• If you enjoy gardening then the South Pacific offers the perfect climate. With thousands of tropical plants to choose from you begin to grow your own produce; you will never need to buy fruit and vegetables from the grocery store again.
• Take up nature photography, with the beautiful landscapes and abundance of flora and fauna in the South Pacific you are sure to capture fantastic images.
• If you are an artistic person and love to paint, then the South Pacific provides the perfect setting.
• With several restaurants in the South Pacific offering live entertainment, if you enjoy playing the guitar or any other musical instrument this might be an opportunity for five minutes of fame,

Things to do in San Jose, Central Valley

Art Galleries, Live Music and Restaurants

• Visit the Museo de Arte Costarricense, with a permanent exhibition of Costa Rica's most recognized artists as well as regular diverse expositions.
• Take a walk through the Museo del Oro, The Gold Museum in the downtown San Jose
• Visit the Teatro National and Teatro Popular Melico Salazar which offer regular functions including the National Philharmonic orchestra, opera, ballet, tango as well as international and national theatre.
• Look out for fixtures at the Jazz Cafe located in San Pedro and Escazu. Local and international artists of caliber show off their talents throughout the week. Covering a wide range of musical tastes including, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Rock and Metal.
• Catering for the many tourists that visit Costa Rica, there are a wide range of restaurants in the central valley ranging from high end cuisine to the biggest fast food chains. Quality traditional Costa Rican, Italian, French, Indian, Asian, Japanese and South American cuisine can all be found in the Central Valley.
• Avenida Escazu opened at the beginning of 2010 and is home to Costa Rica's first IMAX theatre which also features a VIP lounge. A large amount of movies are available in English with Spanish subtitles.
• If you enjoy shopping Multiplaza Escazu is the largest mall in Central America with international stores including Kenneth Cole, La Senza, Carolina Herrera, Zara, Clarks, Calvin Klein, Nine West amongst many others.