From zip-lining and diving to relaxing at the poolside bar: what Costa Rica offers to people with limited abilities

Costa Rica offers tourists some of the lushest green spaces on Earth, breathtaking beaches, and countless options for those with an adventurous spirit.

Costa Rica first turned its attention to accessibility in 1996, and over the past two and a half decades, it has made steady improvements to make its top attractions and tourist destinations welcoming to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Travel + Leisure has outlined the best activities to enjoy while vacationing in Costa Rica, including where to stay, how to get around, what to see, and which tour operators to choose.

Hotels and Resorts

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

This boutique resort and spa offer panoramic views of the lush greenery of La Fortuna. Resort board member Mario Mikowski mentioned that the resort recently added a "wheelchair tour of the resort" and "converted the main pool so that guests in wheelchairs can access the pool bar." There are ramps throughout the hotel, including the resort's adults-only Shangri-La gardens. You can also obtain a one-day pass to gain access to the property. Prices start at $376 per night.

Bosque del Mar

Melanie Marcell of Dive the Americas, an accessibility-focused dive tour group, says Bosque del Mar's "garden suites" are the perfect choice for travelers seeking accommodations on one of Costa Rica's most accessible beaches. There are wide paths to all major amenities and easy access to the beach. This hotel is located near several parks, and its restaurant Niromi combines Costa Rican flavors with international favorites. Rates start at $181 per night.

Los Altos Resort

The country suites at Los Altos Resort offer unparalleled panoramic views of the rainforest, Manuel Antonio National Park, and the Pacific Ocean. All suites are accessible by elevator. According to Marcella, getting to the resort's amenities is easy as they offer an accessible shuttle to the restaurant and pool with a ramp. For travelers who enjoy cooking, there are 27 restaurants within a half-kilometer radius of the resort. Rates start at $366 per night.

Outdoor Activities and Nature

Lancaster Botanical Gardens

For orchid lovers, the Lankester Botanical Garden in Cartago is not to be missed. The gardens are home to over 3000 species of plants, of which almost 1000 are native and exotic orchids. The 27-acre botanical garden has wheelchair-accessible paths, and wheelchairs are available for rent in the gardens for tourists.

Tortuguero National Park

Many tour operators offer tours to Tortuguero National Park, accessible to people with disabilities, which can only be reached by boat or plane. The national park has a combination of beaches, canals, lagoons, and wetlands, making it a great place for bird and wildlife watching, turtle nesting, and boating.

Manuel Antonio National Park

In February 2018, the El Manglar accessible trail opened in the Manuel Antonio National Park of the Puntarenas province. Built over the mangrove forest, the trail stretches from the park entrance to Espadilla Sur Beach and connects to existing trails. The park has white sand beaches, tropical forests, and hundreds of species of wildlife.

Sky Adventures Arenal Park

For adventure travelers, Sky Adventure Park Arenal has wheelchair-accessible zip lines. This place offers views of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the primeval rainforest. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush on your next trip to Costa Rica, this is an accessible spot.

Museums and Culture

Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold

Costa Rica's Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, located in San Jose, has gold pieces and artifacts dating back to 500 AD. The museum is part of the Central Museum of the Bank, which hosts exhibitions on numismatics, archaeology, and fine arts.

Jade Museum

The Jade Museum, fully wheelchair accessible, houses the largest collection of Pre-Columbian jade artifacts in the world. The exhibition features over 7000 pieces, most of which date back to 500 BC and 300 BC.

National Museum of Costa Rica

The museum is wheelchair accessible and has a butterfly garden along with exhibits on the natural history, anthropology, and archaeology of Costa Rica. The former fortress in San Jose was converted into a museum in the mid-20th century.

Beaches

Costa Rica has 15 accessible beaches, thanks to the work of Red Costarricense de Turismo Accesible, a local organization that helps make beaches accessible to all. Their Donatapa campaign turns recyclable beach trash into colorful ramps that are accessible to people with disabilities.

In general, the western half of the country will be better for accessible tourism, as most of the accessible beaches are located on the Pacific coast rather than the Caribbean.

Transportation

In San Jose, city buses are wheelchair accessible. Most taxis throughout Costa Rica can accommodate a folding wheelchair. The national airline Sansa can also accept a folding wheelchair but requires that all passengers board and disembark unassisted. Only some shuttles have a wheelchair ramp, so it is important to inquire before booking to ensure that anyone who needs a ramp will be able to board the shuttle.