With the beginning of a new year everyone should try to make the most out of each day, after all, if you live in Costa Rica there are a lot of different things you can do to enjoy your life to the fullest.

Here are three options of adventure tourism high in adrenaline that you can do in Costa Rica:

Paragliding: Paragliding in Costa Rica continues to increase in popularity, what better way to feel alive than flying, this is not as extreme as skydiving (although you can also do that in Costa Rica), but it is still a thrill and you don’t need any previous training you can go with an instructor in the first try and if you like it, then you can take classes to be able to fly on your own. One of the best areas to do paragliding because of the scenic views, is Turrialba. You need to take comfortable clothes, tennis shoes, sunblock and of course your camera with a security lace. Caldera is also another great option if instead of mountains you also want to catch the view of the ocean from atop. These two are the most popular sites for paragliding but you can also do it in Jaco, Turrubares and Dominical.

If heights and flying is not your thing perhaps water is your element, and there’s plenty of water sports in Costa Rica, how about some rafting?

White Water Rafting: Rafting has been practiced in different Costa Rica rivers for many years now, and it is one of the preferred adventures for tourists and locals alike. Here you can find Class 1 rivers for the inexperienced rafter who wants to test the waters (this is recommended for the whole family and it’s more of a relaxing ride), all the way to Class 5 rivers for the more experienced and daring rafters. Naturally the river you visit will depend on the level of thrill you are looking to experience, Reventazon in the Caribbean is a great option for families, as it is a moderate level of rafting; if you are the more adventurous type, the Pacuare River also in the Caribbean, is one of the best sites for rafting. The dry season is the best time to practice this sport, due to security reasons; take into consideration that rafting in the 3rd through 5th class is recommended for kids 12 years and older. Savegre near Manuel Antonio is also a popular site. Naranjo River is considered for experienced rafters only. Aside from the adrenaline, this is an awesome way to be in touch with nature, since these rivers are surrounded by forest and there’s plenty of wildlife you can spot.

If you are the type of person who rather stay dry and be more in control of your adventure, try rappelling.

Rappelling: Rappelling is a great way to explore Costa Rica, it is safe and you can enjoy it in many different areas. There’s also the possibility of doing waterfall rappel, this last one is more challenging. You can do rappelling in Sarapiquí, Jacó, San José de la Montaña, Cachí, Arenal.