Top Things to Do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica occupies a narrow isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, a country roughly the size of West Virginia that contains roughly five percent of the world's biodiversity. The country's system of national parks and biological reserves protects over a quarter of the national territory, a commitment to conservation that began in the 1970s and has shaped both the landscape and the economy ever since. From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the volcanic peaks of Arenal and the wildlife-dense lowlands of Corcovado, the ecological variety compressed into this small country is extraordinary. First-time visitors should plan around geography rather than checking off a list. The country divides naturally into distinct zones: the Central Valley (San Jose, coffee country), the northern lowlands (Arenal, La Fortuna), the Pacific coast (Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste), the southern Pacific (Osa Peninsula), and the Caribbean coast (Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo). Driving distances are deceptively long on winding mountain roads, so limiting yourself to two or three zones in a week produces a far better trip than trying to cover everything. A 4WD rental is strongly recommended, outside the Central Valley. The national currency is the colon, but US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere. "Pura vida" is not just a slogan -- it is a genuine cultural disposition toward contentment and simplicity that visitors notice immediately.