Criss-crossed by mysterious mangroves, swamps, pristine saltwater and freshwater lagoons, Palo Verde National Park beckons you to discover a landscape practically unchanged since its prehistoric days. As you travel along the Bebedero River, you’ll encounter a fascinating range of wildlife, including howler monkeys, anteaters, crocodiles, green iguanas and a variety of brilliantly colored Costa Rican birds.

Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010, the Arenal Volcano soars above the fertile northern lowlands. The volcano’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream while its abundance of outdoor activities ensures it’s a favorite of adventurers and explorers.

Although not as popular as Arenal, the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, along with its namesake national park, is an undiscovered treasure. Test yourself on challenging hiking trails, explore mysterious sulfur hot springs and volcanic mud deposits and marvel at majestic jungle waterfalls.

One of the oldest and biggest national parks in Costa Rica, Santa Rosa boasts the largest remaining stand of tropical dry forest in Central America along with vital nesting sites for several sea turtle species. Surfers flock to the near-perfect break at Playa Naranjo, which is created by the legendary offshore monolith known as Witch’s Rock.

Located on the Guanacaste Gold Coast – encompassing the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas, Langosta as well as the Tamarindo Estuary – Las Baulas is one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherbacks visit the shores to lay their eggs. These Jurassic reptiles, the biggest of all sea turtles, can weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds and measure six feet in length.

Boasting lush hiking trails and paths and scenic, meandering rivers, this national park is popular from December to April. Naturalists, adventurers, photographers and scientists visit to explore an astonishing diversity of flora, fauna and wildlife with more than 140 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, 100 amphibians and reptiles, and more than 10,000 species of insects discovered so far.

Set on Costa Rica’s Pacific shores, this magnificent 505-hectare refuge protects a large region of tropical dry forest and coastal mangroves. The refuge is home to a diverse variety of marine birds, including the brown pelican, frigate birds, ibis, kingfishers, egrets, parrots, eagles, cormorants and sandpipers. Olive ridley turtles, hawksbill turtles, green turtles and leatherback turtles come ashore to nest along the beach during their breeding season. On land, spiders, iguanas, monkeys and deer populate the forests in stunning numbers.

Perched atop Costa Rica’s continental divide, Monteverde offers magnificent views of Costa Rica’s shoreline. The park is a mystical land of cloud forests and coffee plantations, monkeys, mist and friendly locals. Its altitude – nearly 4,662 feet above sea level – blesses Monteverde with constant cloud cover and nourishing rains, which supports a complex and fascinating ecosystem that includes over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species and over 2,500 varieties of plants, 420 of which are orchids alone.

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the northern coast, Tamarindo, is a great place to find nightlife (discos, casinos, etc.), eco-tourism, souvenir shops, surfing and a wide range of restaurants with food of all kinds, from local dishes to seafood, sushi, pizza and sports bar favorites. Although the district has nearly 7,000 residents, Tamarindo town itself is home to about 500, but can swell to 5,000 or more during the tourist season and holidays.

Playa del Coco  is a historic fishing village city 20 miles from Guanacaste's capital of Liberia. Since the 1990s it has come alive as a hub for tourism and business and the beach’s white-gray sands offer a popular hangout for Costa Rican youth looking for fun on the shore. Today, it is one of the most frequently visited tourist locations in the country. 

Filled with fine white sand, it’s no wonder that the lavish Flamingo is one of Costa Rica's most popular beaches and a favorite of deep-sea fisherman. Make a splash in the clear blue waters of the crescent-shaped Playa Blanca (White Beach), or explore one of the areas many secluded beaches and lagoons or entertainment hotspots! 

As the capital city of Costa Rica, San José is also the nation's largest city with a population of over 288,000 most who live outside the city center. This is a focal point of political and economic activity and  one of the fastest growing and safest overall cities in the region. It was appointed the Ibero-American Capital of Culture and consistently ranks as one of the most important destinations in Latin America. 

Find Grande Beach (Playa Grande) inside Marino Las Baulas National Park, separated from Tamarindo by the Matapalo River. This beach is most well-known as a place where the declining population of leatherback turtles comes to nest, with many coming on shore to lay eggs during the nesting season. Also known for being a great surfing spot. 

Nicknamed "little Hawaii" by locals, Playa Avellana packs extraordinary offshore waves that can reach up to 18 feet, making it an ideal destination for experienced surfers from around the world. Additionally, this secluded white sand beach invites tranquility and peace – it’s a great spot to sit by the beachfront bar and take in the sights and sounds of the ocean. A very special feature of the beach is "Lola", the 400 kg pig that will be there to welcome you! 

At Playa Conchal, the sand is composed of millions of tiny crushed shells that rustle beneath your feet. The mesmerizing beach is surrounded by turquoise waters in a bay formation next to Playa Brasilito. The clear waters of this particular beach make it a wonderful place for swimming or snorkeling with an array of tropical fish.