Costa Rica

Such concentrated variety enables travelers to combine destinations; a volcano, rainforest, and beach can be included in the same itinerary without difficulty. Other highlights include hot springs, waterfalls, reefs, and islands.

These diverse biomes have attracted visitors for eons. Ancestor species crossing the land bridge settled in, and today Costa Rica is astonishingly biodiverse. With only 0.03% of the planet’s landmass, this tiny nation contains an estimated 5% of the world’s species.

Taxonomy is a minor national pastime. Citizens submit their finds to the National Biodiversity Institute, discovering one new species approximately every three days. To preserve these natural treasures, nearly 2.9 million acres—over 25% of the country’s territory—are protected as national parks and reserves.

Options for enjoying Costa Rica’s wild areas are equally diverse. Active pursuits such as white-water rafting, surfing, and zip-line tours can be blended into a trip with sunset sailing, forest walks and whale watching.

Variety is also expressed in Costa Rica’s assortment of boutique hotels and lodges—a collection unparalleled in Central America. We travel regularly to Costa Rica, inspecting these properties, discovering vacation options and sampling activities.