Activities

At La Fiaca, we have a luxurious pool and lounge chairs, grounds complete with palm trees and beckoning hammocks for relaxing, plus a deliciously empty shell-filled beach. The beachcombing is great!

Walks on the beach in the early morning or at sunset are among our favorite activities. .

Sunset itself is on our top ten list. It occurs at close to the same time each day all year (at approx 5:30 PM), since we are so close to the equator. You’re in the tropics, so darkness falls like a rock soon after. Watching the sunset on the beach is one of our favorite things and a great time to meet the neighbors. Get out there early because the colors change dramatically and no two sunsets are alike. Early morning walks on the beach are also superb.

For the actively inclined, there are plenty of water sports. The surf on the beach is strong, perfect for surfing, boogie boarding, or body surfing. The world surf championships were recently held just a few miles away. If you are interested in surfing lessons, we can line you up with some great bilingual surf instructors who will come to the house and give you a lesson right on our beach or take you to other nearby beaches, depending on what sort of surf experience you’d prefer.

La Fiaca is located between two of Costa Rica's national parks. Carara National Park is to the west of us, and Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most famous and beautiful parks in all of Costa Rica, is to the east. The beaches there are perfect for snorkeling, scuba and sea kayaking. A nature walk through the park is sure to reveal amazing wildlife, including sloths and monkeys. A bit further south of us is Marino Ballena National Park, which is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate here each year from December to April.

Mangrove forests line the shores of this part of Costa Rica. A guided tour of the mangroves at the Boca de Damas will expose you to this marvelous eco system. You will learn all about the amazing wildlife and plants that inhabit this special world. Alternatively, you can take a tour of the mangroves closer to our property with a local guide. See the Resources section.

Hiking opportunities abound throughout Costa Rica. Many areas are renowned for their trails. Waterfalls are often found along the trail to reward your efforts. Make sure to wear your swimsuit, because you won't want to resist a dip!

Canyoning opportunities also abound!

Canyoning combines hiking, zip lining with waterfall rappelling and is another adventurous activity.

Canopy tours, aka zip lines, through the treetops are located throughout Costa Rica and are a great experience for the adventurous. There are several good operators to choose from in the area.

Trams are also available for those who are like their thrills a little less adrenaline-charged.

Ultralight flights are available on our beach, five minutes from the house. Get a bird's eye view of the beach, the nearby rivers, the town, or your choice of itinerary. Fly right over the house and wave at your friends. Especially great to do at sunset.

Horseback riding is available nearby. Select from a choice of itinerary. Sunset rides on the beach provide a memorable experience.

Those interested in boating can visit the nearby marinas at Los Sueños Resort and at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos where you can cruise the docks and check out the vessels and their intrepid owners, or use the marina as a base for your off-shore fishing adventures.

Sportfishing charters are available at the Marina Pez Vela at Quepos, as well as at Los Sueños Resort at Playa Herradura, each a short drive away. Costa Rica is noted for marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, tuna, tarpon and snook on both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. Both marinas are home to some of the top international billfish tournaments.

Many anglers fish right off the beach by Villa La Fiaca for a variety of species.

Play golf at La Iguana Golf Course, an 18 hole, par 72 championship Ted Robinson- designed course. The course is located at nearby Los Sueños at Playa Herradura, and is the closest golf course to us.

Colorful farmer’s markets take place in the nearby towns of Jaco (Friday), Parrita (Friday), and Quepos (Friday afternoon & Saturday). This is a chance to see the freshest local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and seafood straight off the boat. Many locals do the majority of their grocery shopping at these ferias. Similar ferias take place all over the country. Roadside fruit stands are also a great place to find fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

If you’re interested in being pampered, there are many full service spas only a short distance away.

Some of the excellent choices include the Spa at Alma del Pacifico at Esterillos Este, 15 minutes away from the house. Quepos/Manuel Antonio has several, including the top-rated Raindrop Spa, a Bali-style spa whose treatment rooms open to a view of the rainforest. Los Sueños Resort on Playa Herradura boasts yet another. Call ahead to book massages and other sybaritic treats.

We can also arrange for your own personal manicurist/ pedicurist and masseuse to come to the house for treatments. Enjoy a massage under the almond tree at the edge of the beach, cooled by the sea breezes. You don't even have to leave home to be pampered.

Galleries and shopping for that perfect Costa Rican memento are available in Manuel Antonio, Quepos and Jacó. Many of the galleries feature Costa Rican handicrafts, art and jewelry. Don't forget to check out some of the shops at the better hotels, as they often have an excellent selection. There is also an excellent - and huge- artisanal shop located on the Highway 34, close to the junction with the autopista. It has a vast selection of handicrafts created from Costa Rica’s amazing variety of hardwoods, ceramics, clothing, artwork, and even furniture.

Make a visit to one of Costa Rica's colorful surfing communities. Closest to us are Playa Bejuco and the larger town of Jacó, favored as a permanent residence for many of the world's top professional surfers due to the consistency of the "break". Further south is Dominical, also a noted surf community and home to many surfers.

Among Costa Rica's top attractions are its five active volcanoes: Arenal, Poas, Irazu, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba. They captivate the attention of both tourists and scientists from all over the world. The rich volcanic soil, in turn, has contributed to the lush tropical landscape that supports so many bird & wildlife species, as well as tropical and exotic plants and trees. The volcanoes of Costa Rica provide fabulous recreational grounds for hiking, white water rafting, sport fishing, surfing, boating, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking & exploration.

A boat trip to Isla de Caños offers access to one of the top scuba diving sites in the world. Hammerhead sharks, rays & dolphins are some of the many species found in the waters there. The site is on the bucket list of many scuba divers worldwide.

Closer to home, Quepos offers a dive operator that can help you with dive and snorkel adventures in the area.