Driving in a car around tropical landscapes might not seem like an adventure, but bouncing around the dirt roads surrounded by nature is sure to get a few hearts racing.
About 75 percent of Costa Rica's roads are unpaved, making this Central American country one of the best places to explore with a 4x4 vehicle.
CNN travel writer Nick Parker decided to take his rental car out to the Nicoya Peninsula, a remote but beautiful and sunny part of Costa Rica.
"The road wound higher into the hills, taking in hairpin bends and precipitous drops," says Parker. "As we drove further inland, the arid countryside grew more lush until we could make out a forest ringed with a thin trace of mist."
One of the biggest adventures Parker and his travel partner found was the river crossings. Even with a GPS system, the couple often got lost, enhancing the excitement of adventures through the wilderness. Horrifying at first, these fordings are some of the best experiences on the 4x4 tour.
The best way to experience Costa Rica's wilderness is with a small group of adventure travelers.
Crossing the river in Costa Rica
Posted on Monday, April 11th, 2011
