Lonely Planet Discover Costa Rica

Discovering a sleepy sloth in the rainforest or scaling a misty mountain peak, braving a rushing white-water rapid or riding a world-class surf break, in Costa Rica the heart is set a-flutter. The only limit is your return date.

If marketing experts could draw up an ideal destination, Costa Rica might be it. The rich coast has earned its name and stands apart from its Central American neighbors on the cutting edge of peace-keeping policy, farm-to-table restaurants and sustainable tourism. The dizzying suite of outdoor adventures offers thrills of every shape and size from the squeal-inducing rush of a canopy zipline to a sun-kissed afternoon at the beach. National parks offer glimpses into rainforest and cloud forest life, volcanoes simmer amid otherworldly vistas, and reliable surf breaks are suited to beginners and experts alike.

Meanwhile, wildlife that seems almost cartoonish abounds: keel-billed toucans ogle you from treetops and scarlet macaws raucously announce their flight plans. Blue morpho butterflies flit amid orchid-festooned trees, while colorful tropical fish, sharks, rays, dolphins and whales thrive offshore all as if in a conservationists dream. One-quarter of the countrys wild lands are protected by law, while developing infrastructure is balanced by green energy such as wind and hydro. And with no standing army, Costa Rica allows visitors to relax into the pure life, or as the locals say at every opportunity, pura vida, mai.

Wild ocean meets lush jungle

If you dig laid-back beach culture and lounging on sugar-white coves, head for Southern Nicoya. In the little surf towns of Mal Pas and Santa Teresa, the sea is full of wildlife and the waves are near-ideal in shape. Theres easy access to Cabo Blanco reserve or Montezumas triple-tiered waterfall, and some of the countrys best restaurants await.