There are some travellers who prefer to sleep with the fishes—or at least swim with them. Thrill-seeking tourists staying in Costa Rica need to look no further than one of the many locations to swim with the region’s dense shark population.

Named by multiple travel publications and authorities as one of the best places in the world to take a shark tour, Costa Rica is ripe with prime shark-infested waters.

One of the best places in the country to don some flippers with the fierce sea-faring creatures is Cocos Island. While accessing the remote island is a little tricky—it’s about 300 miles off Costa Rica’s west coast—the journey is worth it to see the scores of sharks floating through the blue waters of the Pacific. The waters are a haven for hammerheads, and divers can also expect to see giant manta rays, reef sharks and dozens of species of brightly coloured fish. This underwater world is a smorgasbord of congregating fish species and isn’t to be missed by divers or tourists looking to tell a tall fish tale.

Intrepid travellers and vacationing families looking for an adventure have a number of options when heading (and staying) south of the Equator this winter. One of the more unique ways to explore Costa Rica is through volcano tourism.

 
The Central American nation has more than 200 volcanic formations, and the natural occurrences are a major draw for foreign travellers. That includes 112 volcanoes that are still active in some shape or form. That’s because the country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region in the southern hemisphere renowned for its high volcanic activity.
 
To take a break from exploring the country’s bustling beaches or charter fishing the waters adjacent to Jaco or Los Suenos, tourists can journey up to Arenal, Costa Rica’s most famous volcano. Investigate the country’s most active volcano on horseback or hike through the forests surrounding the massive summit. Lava still consistently flows from Arenal, and enjoy the gurgling waters of the adjacent hot springs. 

While on holiday in Costa Rica, many visitors take advantage of the innumerable tours available.

 
The country is a veritable playground for tourists hoping to escape the daily grind as well as adventurous explorers seeking unique excursions.
 
Luckily, there are plenty of tour types and family activities to captivate almost anyone’s interest. Here are a few types of Costa Rica tours travellers staying in Los Suenos, Jaco or Manuel Antonio can find:
 
1.     Marine tours: Surrounded on both sides by the sea, Costa Rica has more than 800 miles of coastline and beaches. Take a charter fishing expedition into the deep blue, or a marine wildlife tour to observe all the animal species occupying the adjacent waters.
2.     Nature tours: Costa Rica hosts the densest population of plant and animal life in the world.  And with beautiful scenery including cloud forests and the rainforest, tourists can take in the country’s diverse places.
3.     Culture/Educational tours: Travellers interested in immersing themselves into the agrarian culture of Costa Rica should take advantage of one of the many cultural tours around the country.
4.     Adventure tours: For the thrill seekers, Costa Rica offers a number of outdoor activities to get your adrenaline pumping. Take a spin in a kayak or tackle your fear of heights by ziplining through the forest.