Guanacaste

Here you can drive to the very edge of a volcanic crater, hike through the heart of a mountain jungle and explore a cherished rainforest in the same day. The Guanacaste region is a beach lover's paradise with its unforgettable white sand beaches and remarkable salt and pepper shores. Costa Rica has become a mecca for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and peacefulness of nature. With more of its land protected in natural parks, biological preserves and wildlife sanctuaries than any other nation on earth, excursions are a must.

Arenal

Arenal, in Costa Rica, is the site of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

On almost a daily basis, red-hot rocks crash down its steep slopes and volcanic grumbles produce huge ash columns above the crater.

In addition to the volcano, the area features exciting attractions such as, rafting, hot springs, pristine beaches, and rainforest expeditions.

Cano Negro

A haven for birds and wildlife, Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge is located in north-central Costa Rica, 120 mi/195 km northwest of San Jose. The best way to see it is from the water—narrow boats leave from Los Chiles near the Nicaraguan border for an enchanting trip down the Rio Frio.

Shorebirds cruise the banks alongside caimans, crocodiles and iguanas, while comical Jesus Christ lizards dance across the surface of the water. In the tangled treetops above, howler monkeys can be heard proclaiming their territories. Of Costa Rica's six types of kingfishers, four are found along the Rio Frio, as are exquisite roseate spoonbills and jabiru and wood storks.

Cano Negro is one of the best places to spot birds and animals—they are more concentrated along the river banks because much of the land around the water has been cleared for farmland. Efforts to return the forests are under way. Be prepared for a long, bumpy ride to Cano Negro village—the road to the refuge is rough and sometimes impassable in wet season.

The lakes and lagoons that distinguish this park boil with tarpon and snook—feisty gamefish that lure anglers. Three dedicated sportfishing lodges in the village offer trips. http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/arenal/tours/cano-negro.

San Jose (C.R.)

The sophisticated capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, has been endowed with a vibrant street life as well as a refined cultural life. You'll see contemporary structures of glass and steel, as well as colonial, Victorian, and classical architecture, exotic birds, giant butterflies, and picturesque scenery. Costa Rica offers some of the world's most thrilling sights to those who seek a new adventure.