There are few places on Earth where you can gaze at an active volcano one day and hit the beach the next. As a holiday destination Costa Rica has it all, from invigorating hikes through dense rain forests and adrenaline-pumping river rafting to pure relaxation in hot springs.
Costa Rica is a destination with a difference, a country of stunning contrast. Bordered by Nicaragua and Panama, this Central American country offers the requisite stretches of coastline on both pacific and Caribbean coasts. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll uncover an abundance of national parks bursting with wildlife. That’s not to mention tranquil waterfalls for a spot of swimming and dense rainforest canopies that are best seen from a zip-wire.
To truly experience the unique landscape of Costa Rica, there are tours to match your ability to trek through its jungle. Some of these will take you from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, from vibrant flora and fauna to crystal clear waters and intriguing marine life.
Take a trip to the town of Tamarindo which has a wide range of restaurants – from shacks on the beach selling fish tacos and seviche to swanky beach-side restaurants serving up fresh sushi and Argentineans style steaks.
If the local ‘pura vida’ (meaning ‘pure life’) lifestyle is anything to go by, it’s easy to see how Costa Rica was ranked the happiest country in the world by the New Economics Foundation Happy Planet Index. All trails seem to lead to waterfalls, while stumbling across deserted jungle-fringed beaches is the norm. For those looking for somthing a bit different, Costa Rica is a choose-your-own-adventure land.