Matthew Firestone - Costa Rica

Coordinating Author

Pennsula de Osa () is truly a stunning landform, but there is a whole different world lying offshore beneath the surface of the shallow seas. Down here, maritime life of every shape, color and size dashes and darts across your field of vision. Suddenly you hopelessly wish that the remaining oxygen in your tank didnt limit your time in the underwater world.

CEAR G SORIANO After weeks of sweltering under the infamous Guanacaste heat, it was time to cool off. So I took the day off for a bit of diving in Smara (), a beautiful beach town whose flora and fauna are equally impressive on land as they are beneath the waves. Pura vida!

CAROLINA A MIRANDA On this trip I got to explore the absolutely idyllic (and often overlooked) Central Valley. At El Silencio () in Bajos del Toro I planted a tree with name tag! in memory of my father and father-in-law. My plan is to go back in a year to see how its doing.

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Few travel destinations have the vast spectrum of stunning landscapes and exotic wildlife offered by Costa Rica, a tiny Central American country lodged between two great oceans. Of course, what Costa Rica lacks in size, it more than makes up for in biodiversity. In one day you can watch the sunrise over the Caribbean, and the sunset over the Pacific. Or spend the morning trekking through the highland cloud forests, and wind down in the afternoon with a cup of shade-grown brew on an organic coffee plantation. This incredible complement of landscapes is also inhabited by some of the planets most charismatic species, including the scarlet macaw and squirrel monkey in the canopy above, and the jaguar and tapir on the forest floor.

LUKE HUNTER

MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST

This iconic cloud forest was first settled by a community of Quakers who sought to protect their invaluable watershed. Home to such rare fauna as the resplendent quetzal, which is the Maya bird of paradise, Monteverde () is partly responsible for Costa Ricas international fame as an ecotourism hot spot.

Matthew D Firestone, Lonely Planet Author, USA

CHRISTOPHER BAKER

MANUEL ANTONIO

One of the countrys original ecotourism destinations, Manuel Antonio () practically put Costa Rica on the map for international jet-setters. While the secret has long been let out, capuchin monkeys bounding across a tropical beach remain an arresting sight.

Matthew D Firestone, Lonely Planet Author, USA

COREY WISE

LA FORTUNA AREA

In the shadow of Arenal (), mans recreation of the Garden of Eden.

Csar G Soriano, Lonely Planet Author, USA

COREY WISE

MONTEZUMA

A laid-back, budget beach town () with a hippie vibe (locals call it Montefuma), beautiful beaches, a chill atmosphere and great restaurants. Its the perfect base for exploring the southern part of the Pennsula de Nicoya.

Csar G Soriano, Lonely Planet Author, USA

JOHNNY HAGLUND

PARQUE NACIONAL CORCOVADO

Costa Ricas ultimate outdoor experience is anything but a walk in the park. With the proper gear, ample supplies and a healthy appetite for adventure, Corcovado () is where you can leave behind the tourist crowds and lose yourself in the wilds.

Matthew D Firestone, Lonely Planet Author, USA

R H PRODUCTIONS / PHOTOLIBRARY

JAC

I know its not the real Costa Rica, but I cant deny that Jac () isnt a blast every time I pass through. Sure, there are better surf spots and cleaner beaches, but its bar, restaurant and club scene is the best youll find along the entire Pacific coast.

Alex, Traveler, USA

PAUL KENNEDY

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

By day, lounge in a hammock, snorkel uncrowded beaches and visit the remote indigenous territories of the Bribr and KkLdi. By night, dip into zesty Caribbean cooking and sway to reggaetn at open-air bars cooled by ocean breezes. The villages of Cahuita () seem to have it all.

Carolina A Miranda, Lonely Planet Author, USA

LUKE HUNTER

TORTUGUERO

Watch endangered sea turtles practice the millennia-old ritual of building a nest and laying their eggs on wild black-sand shores in this charming Caribbean jungle town ().

Carolina A Miranda, Lonely Planet Author, USA

CARVER MOSTARDI / ALAMY

DOMINICAL

A permanently chilled-out beach town where time slows down to a crawl, Dominical () has a way of forestalling your future plans. But when the surf is crashing and the sun is blazing, few travelers seem to really care.

Matthew D Firestone, Lonely Planet Author, USA

CSAR G SORIANO

LLANOS DE CORTS

One of the most dramatic waterfalls () in Costa Rica cascades into a tranquil pond with a white sandy beach. Scramble behind the falls with your sweetie to reach romantic nooks veiled by curtains of water.

Csar G Soriano, Lonely Planet Author, USA

DAVE AND SIGRUN TOLLERTON / ALAMY

PAVONES

Pavones () is one of my favorite surf spots in the world, even though it doesnt attract as much attention as other, more famous beaches. I like that its difficult to get to and a bit of an unknown, though the waves here never seem to disappoint.

Daniel, Traveler, Germany

LUKE HUNTER

CERRO CHIRRIP

From the lofty heights of Costa Ricas highest summit (), you can get a true sense of the countrys diminutive size on a clear day, both the Caribbean and the Pacific are in full and glorious panoramic view.

Matthew D Firestone, Lonely Planet Author, USA

RICHARD CUMMINS

SAN JOS

Museums bursting with pre-Columbian artifacts. World-class eateries serving everything from Costa Rican fusion cuisine to Japanese sushi rolls. And a pumping nightlife that gets roaring after dark. Central Americas most cosmopolitan capital () has a little bit of everything.

Carolina A Miranda, Lonely Planet Author, USA

CHRISTER FREDRIKSSON

COFFEE PLANTATIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY

Soak up plenty of rural idyll and learn all about how Costa Ricas golden bean goes from plant to cup at the valleys picturesque coffee plantations. Among the best spots for a tour: Orosi ().

Carolina A Miranda, Lonely Planet Author, USA

CSAR G SORIANO