Costa Rica punches far above its size when it comes to natural diversity. A country roughly the size of West Virginia contains 5% of the world's known species — jaguars, tapirs, four species of sea turtle, over 900 bird species, and a bewildering variety of frogs, insects, and orchids packed into rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, and wetland ecosystems.
The Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste in the northwest offer classic Pacific beach scenery — long stretches of golden sand backed by dry tropical forest, with excellent surfing at Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa. Humpback whales pass offshore during migration season, and manta rays cruise the waters around the Bat Islands. The Papagayo Gulf is popular with sailing and sport fishing.
On the Caribbean side, Tortuguero National Park is accessible only by boat or small plane, a network of jungle-fringed canals where green sea turtles nest in enormous numbers from July to October. Boat tours through the canals encounter howler monkeys, caimans, manatees, and kingfishers in spectacular density.
In the central highlands, the Arenal Volcano area is perhaps the country's most iconic destination. The near-perfect cone rises above a lake and cloud forest, with hot springs heated geothermally providing a comfortable way to soak after a day's hiking. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is equally celebrated: walking the suspension bridges through misty forest canopy in search of the resplendent quetzal is an experience that justifies the trip on its own.
The Osa Peninsula in the far south shelters Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on Earth. Puma, scarlet macaw, giant anteater, and white-lipped peccary roam trails that see relatively few visitors.
Costa Rican food is simple and satisfying. Gallo pinto — rice and black beans — appears at breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. Casado, a plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain, and protein, is the national lunch. Fresh tropical fruit and excellent local coffee are highlights of any morning.
The best time to visit the Pacific coast is from December to April during the dry season. The Caribbean side is wettest from June to August but greener and often less crowded.
