"Sloth Sanctuary Even if you don't consider yourself an animal person, it's hard to resist the odd charm of the sloth, one of the most easily spotted mammals in Costa Rica. Easiest of all, though, is spotting them at this Cahuita sanctuary dedicated to their care. The founders stumbled into the rescue project when neighbors brought them a baby sloth whose mother had been killed by a car. That led to a vocation in sloth rescue and rehab and a full-fledged center that's open to the public for visits."

"Irazú—70 minutes from the capital, in Cartago—is one of five active volcanoes in Costa Rica . The rideto the park is gorgeous in itself: You’ll pass farms whose cultivated fields and grazing livestockoffer abucolic scene, supplemented by great views of receding San José. Shrublands take over asthe roaddraws closer to the volcano. The cloud-shroudedmountain boasts multiple craters, including one with a magical green lake; as Costa Rica ’s highest volcano, Irazú offers glimpses of both the Atlantic and the Pacific on clear days. By Travesías"

"Guayabo National Monument Costa Rica’s largest archaeological find was uncovered in the late 1800s as laborers cleared land to plant coffee. The 540-acre site, believed to have once been home to 10,000 people, was abandoned before the Spaniards arrived. Its ancient residents left behind artifacts and relics that attest to major advances in civil engineering, notably aqueducts, paved streets, and sophisticated drainage systems, achievements that have led to the area’s designation as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Hiring a guide is recommended for understanding the site’s importance; it features several impressive monoliths, fascinating petroglyphs, and stone carvings that depict the jaguars and alligators that were central to indigenous belief systems. By Travesías"

"Nature has blessed Costa Rica in its gorgeous landscapes,fertilefields, and a thousand other bucolic miracles. Río Celeste, for example, is like no other river in the world. This stream gets its sky-blue color from rocksalong its bottomthat are rich in silicon, oxygen, and aluminum, and when the sun strikesthe murmuring waters, the color is sublime. Be sure to visit El Teñidero, the spot where two tributaries merge. Upstream from the nexus, the waters of both are clear, but when they meet at El Teñidero, their chemistry combines tomake a very unusual hue. A one-mile hike leads to a pristine lagoon in similar shades and an overlookabove the bluest waterfall you ever saw. By Travesías"

"At this dairy outside Fraijanes, a one-of-a-kind bilingual tour opens a window onto local farming. The two-hour experience flies by, takingvisitors from the milking stations all the waythrough the process thattransformsmilk from its raw formto its final near-perfect state ascheese. (Don’t worry: There are plenty of samples on offer at an on-site store.) Then thetour moves outside to the garden for a ride aboard the region’s gaily colored oxcarts that roll past the farm’s strawberry fields. Children, especially, will enjoy seeing all the bunnies, pigs, horses, and hens. By Travesías"

"The cultivation and export of coffeehave shaped Costa Rica’s economy since the 19th century, when the world began to cravethe country’s coffee varieties&nbspandtheir unique aromas, textures, and tastes. At the Vargas family’s Doka Estate, a sunnyplantation, visitors learn more about their favorite vice: from crop varieties and seed germination to first harvests, ripe-bean collection, and eco-friendly cultivation techniques. Naturallythe tour saves the best for last: Sample their famous Tres Generaciones brew, recognized in 2000 and 2001 as Costa Rica ’s top cup of joe. By Travesías"

"Poás Volcano National Park Known by indigenous peoples as Sibú Mountain—a sacred name that means “Creator of Life and Wisdom”—Poás Volcano, which soars to 8,885 feet, cannot fail to impress. The active volcano is a perennial favorite with locals and foreigners alike, an easy 34-mile drive from San José. In addition to the majestic peak (the crater of which is among the world’s largest), you’ll find enchanting jade-green lagoons and some of the best scenic outlooks anywhere in Central America. The park offers great access to visitors of all ages all the way to the summit, including travelers with disabilities. By Travesías"

"Fraijanes This enchanting corner of Costa Rica , blessed with a superb climate, provides visitors with achanceto experiencean ideal rural setting. If you’d like some action with your relaxation, you’re well positioned to hit localsights like Poás Volcano, as well as try camping, horseback riding, and trout fishing. Fraijanes Lagoon, set amid grasslands, forests, and strawberry fields, is particularly idyllic. There’s another attraction you may not associate with a rural setting:Good restaurants abound. Get up early to enjoy the sunrise and a cup of delicious coffee alongside warm bread and natilla , the local sour cream. By Travesías"

"Famed as one of Heredia Province’s hidden jewels, San Rafael is a sleepy rural town that mixes luxury real estate and old-style farms with a host of other contemporary delights. Surrounded by verdant highlands and cypress trees, it is known for its scenic beauty, which is augmented by cool weather and bucolic charm. Among San Rafael’s charms isa wide variety of cozy, highland-style restaurants and inns and access to nature.Trails into the woods start right from town, including one that leads to Bosque de la Hoja, a park ideal for picnics—or a full-day’s outing—amid babbling brooks and ahost of birdsong. By Travesías"

"La Paz Waterfall Gardens is Costa Rica’s most-visited private nature reserve and animal sanctuary. While walking the park’s two miles of perfectly designed trails, you’ll happen on exhibits that showcase jungle cats, butterflies, monkeys, snakes, and frogs.The hummingbird park, home to every color of the diminutivebirds, is particularly enchanting. La Paz’s five waterfalls are the main event. Suspended observationbridges were designed to offer breathtaking experiences,and allow you to snap pictures under the waterfalls themselves. Notably, all materials used in building the platforms and trails werecarried in by foot to reduce negative environmental impact. By Travesías"

"Jacó Jacó, first discovered by hard-core surfing enthusiasts, is now, thanks to Highway 27, the closest beach to San José. With buoyant nightlife and an ever more go-go real estate market, Jacó is much more than just its 2.5-mile shoreline. Swanky resorts and luxury apartments, galleries, and down-to-earth beachside shops create an activedestination. National parks, waterfalls, and many more natural attractions are just minutes away from town, so day trips are easy. Seafood takes the starring role in local eateries; options range from white-tablecloth eateries to come-as-you-are ceviche shacks. By Travesías"

"Wetlands everywhere are at risk due to global warming, and the private wildlife refuge known as El Viejo Wetlands was created to protect some of these ecosystems. Among the thrilling sightsyou’ll see ona boat tour of the refuge that will make you feel like you’re part of a nature documentary: crocodiles, exotic wading birds (like the huge jabiru, with its eight-foot wingspan), and fabulous amphibians. A visit to El Viejo merits the better part of a day and should definitely include a stop at an old-school sugar mill, as well as a delicious traditional buffet meal served in an old casona , a local style of wooden house with wide wraparound verandas. By Travesías"

"Guanacaste’s beaches are well worth exploring. The pink-sand shoreline of Playa Conchal, for example, is blanketed with almost three million tiny shells. Playa Flamingo is home to Costa Rica ’s most extensive marina; hotels there offer views of both Bahía Potrero and Brasilito Bay. Playas del Coco is a favorite for beachgoers seeking laid-back nightlife, and Playa Hermosa is notable for its family-friendly surf and services, as well as its sunsets. Maybe you should conduct a survey and see which you prefer. The region iseasily accessible thanks to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. By Travesías"

"National Museum of Costa Rica Thewallsof the National Museum still bear the scars of cannonballs. The museum, formerly the Bellavista barracks, was where prisoners were jailed, in cells that can be visitedby those interested inhow prisons and dungeons worked. Less grim aspects of Costa Rica are explored here, too, including a complete wing on pre-Columbian history and indigenous gold; a national history section, with photos and objects dating from colonial times to independent, republican days; and an area devoted to the country’s natural setting, including a great butterfly garden. In addition to the prison, the building’s past is explored inthe so-called Casas de los Comandantes—in useat theend of the 19th century andcontainingthe era’s luxurious furnishings—as well as another scarred wall. This one iswhere a mace blow was struck to abolish the Costa Rican army, turning the nation into an official land of peace. By Travesías"

"Reserva Ecológica Danaus Costa Rica’s identification with eco-tourism rightly reflects the nation’s remarkable environmental commitment, which is on glorious display at La Fortuna, an ecological reserve whose biodiversity is some of the planet’s most dazzling. Guided tours offer glimpses of frolicking monkeys, adorable bats and sloths, stolid alligators and frogs galore. Don’t miss the botanical garden, replete with splendid tropical flora and forty enchanting butterfly species."

"In an isolated corner of the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Samara is one of Guanacaste's most beautiful beaches, right at the spot where the five-hour drive from San José to the Pacific ends. As befits great shorelines, you’ll find top surf, boom-boom nightlife, and a winning small-town Costa Rica vibe that still seems like a secret, very worth the trouble it takes to get there. Pizza, burgers, and tacos fly beachside at Lo Que Hay; sexy, casual Microbar is ground zero for artisanal suds and flirt."

"Hardcore surfers and those in quest of Endless Summer see an icon in “Witch’s Rock.” Legend says a sorceress used to inhabit the stone formation and maybe it’s black magic that makes the ride so great for surfers at all skill levels. Getting there is not half the fun; hire a guide and maybe pitch a tent in Playa Tamarindo or Playa Grande, then make your way to the witch near Playa Naranjo in Santa Rosa National Park. But you’ll get it once you’re there. Active year-round."