A LITTLE SLICE OF EDEN.

Costa Rica may occupy only a tiny corner of Central America, yet few countries offer so much within such a compact area. Volcanic mountain ranges divide the land into an astonishing variety of climates and habitats, creating one of the richest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. Cloud forests, rainforest, waterfalls, winding rivers, mangrove estuaries, and two contrasting coastlines combine to create a destination where every turn reveals something new.

How you experience this remarkable country is entirely your choice. Brave the rapids of a white-water river, soar through the jungle canopy by zip line, relax beside warm tropical seas, or head offshore in search of sailfish, marlin, and tuna.

This extraordinary richness exists because Costa Rica chose to protect it. Conservation has become part of the national character and a source of immense pride. The familiar greeting Pura Vida—"pure life"—captures that outlook perfectly: a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures and the extraordinary natural world that makes such pleasures possible.

Walk among the treetops on hanging bridges, sharing the forest with sloths, monkeys, and brilliantly colored birds. Stay in secluded ecolodges where the nights come alive with the calls of tree frogs, follow forest trails to hidden waterfalls, or witness one of nature's greatest spectacles as sea turtles return to nest on protected beaches.

Whether soaking in volcanic hot springs, hiking through pristine forests, or unwinding at an exceptional wilderness lodge, Costa Rica has an effortless way of making the natural world part of everyday life.