This post is a collaborative post. As always, all opinions and ideas are entirely my own.
When you think of vacations, most would dream of a lovely
beach getaway or something relaxing where they don’t have to lift a finger.
But, you don’t need to chill out all of the time. I think the word vacation and
adventure have some synergy there and I’m trying to be better about remembering
that. I’d book a yoga retreat in a heartbeat, but signing up for downhill
mountain biking takes some convincing, yet I’d do it in a heartbeat in the heat
of the moment. Getting the blood pumping
and the adrenaline racing is as vital as taking a deep breath to calm the soul.
Extreme sports are perfect for anyone tired of doing the
same thing on vacation, and, the locations are as impressive as the sports
themselves. I recommend booking an extreme sports vacation package for deals,
and also to test your waters. See what you like!
With that in mind, here is my hit list for extreme sports to
partake in while on vacation. Exotic place and extreme sports? What could go
wrong, haha
Volcano/Sand Dune Boarding
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| Photo Credit: @SidneyyJean |
Central and South America have both of these pastimes sewn
up. Leon in Nicaragua and Villarrica in the Chilean Lake District are top spots
for Sand Dune Boarding. You’ll be rewarded with a mammoth climb to the summit
with a crazy ten-minute descent. Usually, the sleds are nothing more than a
piece of plastic that picks up speed at an alarming rate. Still, for how
dangerous it seems, it’s the most fun you’ll have in the region. Huacachina is
a desert oasis where you can do the same thing but on dunes, and it’s
recommended by guide books such as The Lonely Planet. No amateurs here!
Downhill Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a universal sport, but have you ever done
it meters away from a sheer drop? Eeek! Probably not! For example, ‘Death
Road’ in Bolivia which is not far from the capital, La Paz, the road carves
through the hills and is infamous for the number of fatalities. I know what
you're thinking. How does that sound fun? But I’m telling you, this is one for
the adrenalin junkies. Biking tours are generally very safe while hitting
speeds of 20mph around sharp turns. Gravity Bolivia Mountain Biking is one of
the top-rated agencies in the region if you fancy defying death!
Waterfall Rappelling
Waterfall rappelling is most common in tropical areas, like
Costa Rica and Belize, so you might have to look outside of the United States
for these opportunities. This sounds scarier than it is. The waterfalls are
very manageable. You won’t have water shooting down your through the whole time
and they are usually broken up so it’s not one giant rappel down. Most tours
will provide you helmets and gloves to assist with the rappelling. Take
advantage of those. Talk about feeling accomplished though. When you’re at the
bottom and can look back up to the top where you started, that is such a
phenomenal feeling. Your endorphins are just buzzing!
White Water Rafting
Rafting is an activity that you can do around the world, from the West coast of Canada to the rivers of Nepal. These locations are ranked as two of the greatest places to raft on the planet, especially British Columbia. Just be careful of going into shock when the glacial waters touch your body! Freakin’ freezing temperatures. The US is also as good as any destination, according to New & Gauley River Adventures. New and Gauley are rivers in West Virginia that provide challenges for everyone regardless of your level. So, if you want to show off and tackle a grade 4 alone, or do a 3 with the family, you have those options.
Freshwater Scuba Diving
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| Photo Credit: AWirth |
Again, scuba diving isn’t particularly dangerous. Fish are beautiful but that’s child’s play compared to freshwater scuba diving. With Freshwater scuba diving you are surrounded by caves with a local crocodile for company. In Casa Cenote, an underwater cavern in Tulum, Mexico, that’s what divers have to deal with for a couple of hours. And, as Snorkel Around TheWorld points out, it’s what makes it the best scuba experience in Latin America. Don’t worry - the croc is usually pretty friendly!
ATVing rough the Jungle
My friends and I booked an ATVing tour through the jungle in
Costa Rica and that was the most fun I have ever had. I love America but there
is something about the rural area that really allows your soul to breathe in the adventure. They don’t have the laws (or lawsuits) we have here so there is a
bit more freedom with what you want to do. We each got our own TV and had a
guide take us through the swamps of the area and up to the tallest point on a
nearby mountain. There were views and memories I will forever hold due to that
experience.
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