Costa Rica

Photo: William Berry/Shutterstock

A small country of dense jungles, chilled-out surfers, hermit crabs, and tons of monkeys, Costa Rica has perfected the national motto of "Pura Vida.

Read More

" That can mean lazy afternoons in a hammock watching pelicans dive into the breaking waves or bobbing on your board waiting for the next perfect wave. The experiences are many, and the "pure life" is different for everyone.

Here, you'll explore national parks, snorkel, surf, raft, and chill out somewhere off-grid on the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. You'll watch Arenal, an active volcano surrounded by cloud forest, spill lava down its cone, then zipline through the canopy. Ditch the guidebook, and maybe even bring a tent — opportunities to camp on the beach are plentiful, and it can also save you some dough.

The first country to reverse deforestation, Costa Rica is also the first stop for many Americans — for a reason. Read below, and you'll start to see why.

Editors' Picks

Female Travel

Why Tamarindo, Costa Rica, Is an Ideal Base for Solo Travelers

Savor the Pura Vida vibe, even when traveling on your own.

National Parks

The 14 Most Amazing Waterfalls in Costa Rica

Do go chasing waterfalls.

Epic Stays

The Best Resorts for the Ultimate Vacation in Costa Rica

We’ve got your Costa Rica vacation covered.

Outdoor

9 Reasons Costa Rica Is the Ultimate Adventure Destination

Adventure + paradise = adventure paradise.

Beaches and Islands

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Every Type of Traveler

It’s always beautiful somewhere in Costa Rica.

Wellness

The Best Costa Rica Yoga Retreats to Reset and Recharge This Year

There's nowhere better than Costa Rica for a yoga retreat.

Outdoor

Jungle Waterslides and Cowboys Make This Costa Rican Province Perfect for First-Time Visitors

Deep in the heart of Costa Rica

Beaches and Islands

The Most Amazing Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s volcanoes have turned some of the country’s beaches as black as ink.

Costa Rica

Featured Film

Costa Rica: A surfer’s heaven

Perfect weather, perfect crowd, and perfect waves = a surfer’s dream.

Costa Rica

Latest Videos

Costa Rica

National Parks

Costa Rica

Epic Stays

Costa Rica

Outdoor

Costa Rica

Sustainability

Costa Rica

Beaches and Islands

Costa Rica

Wildlife

Wildlife

A Surprise Encounter With Costa Rica's Laziest Animal