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Water Rat Paradise (3 Weeks):

Wait! Don’t head for the coast just yet. From San José, catch a bus and get ready to set sail at Laguna de Arenal. Windsurf the day away and spend the night loosening up in natural hot water springs while you bear witness to Volcán Arenal’s flares of molten rock. From Volcán Arenal, the long ride to the Nicoya Peninsula will be redeemed by the warm sand and tame tides of Playa del Coco, one of Costa Rica’s best scuba beaches. Pass over some of Nicoya’s more heavily developed towns to enjoy the rustic charms and secluded shorelines of Potrero, whose empty beaches are perfect for hanging out on the sand, jogging at dawn, or swimming into the sunset. Farther south, the undisovered beachs of Brasilito and nearby Playa Conchal remain uncluttered by tourists, though their shores are crowded with thousands of pink and white crushed shells. Down the coast, cosmopolitan Playa Tamarindo’s endless silvery waters are celebrated by surfers and snorkelers alike; its glittering streets are rocked by all when the music picks up at night. Enjoy the peaceful vibes of hippie enclave Mal País before heading back to the Central Pacific with a ferry to Puntarenas Head to the thumping streets of Jacó, where surfers savor the waves by day and storm the streets after dusk. Those tired of youthful partiers need not fret— secluded Playa Hermosa lies just to the south, where the black-sand beaches are perfect for lounging or surfing, and travelers can relax on hammocks outside the Rancho Grande. Further down the coast, Dominical shows visitors a good time with its vibrant expat community and funky eateries, while Uvita is a favorite destination for tico families or visitors looking to escape the gringo experience. The marine wildlife at Golfo Dulce makes for ideal snorkeling. You can base yourself at Puerto Jiménez to explore the unparalleled wonders of Corcovado, an area that National Geographic has called the “most biologically intense place on earth.” When you're ready, cross the gulf, where peaceful Playa Zancudo holds gorgeous beaches and sportfishing world records. Rest for a while before embarking on your own “banana train” style commute to the Caribbean Coast—a grueling journey well worth its length. Punta Uva, where mango trees line the coast and sunsets drape the shores in color, is a stunning place to enjoy the water. Check out the reggae culture at Cahuita, to the north, where howler monkeys and turquoise waves beckon snorkelers and scuba divers to enjoy the east coast’s largest coral reef as they indulge in Caribbean flavors and beachside cocktails before heading back to the urban daily grind.

Extreme Adventure Tour (3 Weeks):

Whether you are a seasoned kayaker or an amateur whitewater rafter, there is no better place to start a three-week Costa Rican adventure tour than the rapids of Turrialba. Nearby Ríos Reventazón and Pacuare offer some of the world’s best river runs, with several Class III-V rapids. Continue your water adventures in Cahuita as you snorkel amidst the largest reef on the Caribbean coast. Parque Nacional Cahuita’s 600 hectare reef showcases 35 different types of coral. San Gerardo de Rivas in Southern Costa Rica may entice you to leave your snorkeling gear behind to brave the 200km hike up the tallest peak in the country. From the summit of Chirripó on a clear day, you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You probably won’t stick around to enjoy the summit for too long, however, if you’re competing in the annual Chirripó marathon, when runners scale the 13-mile trail to the peak and back again in just a few hours. After braving the mountains of Parque Nacional Chirripó, venture further south to Corcovado National Park, where Escondido Trex offers waterfall rappelling and tree-climbing trips. Head west to the town of Quepos to plan your next adventure. The tour companies of this small town offer multiple opportunities for rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, canopy tours, and ATV expeditions. The trails of adjacent Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio offer short hikes with breathtaking views. If you’re looking for that perfect wave, make your way to Puntarenas and hop the ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula. Playas Negra and Avellana draw expert surfers, while Playa Tamarindo features waves for surfers of all abilities, as well as lessons for those just looking to learn, and an exciting nightlife for all. Shake the sand from your feet and journey east to the cloud forests of Monteverde. Canopy tours will send you zipping through the trees at breathtaking speeds. The area around active Volcán Arenal lures travelers with numerous adventure options and tour companies. Short trails through the national park promise stellar views of the volcano. The falls of Río Fortuna will provide a cold shock to your system, while nearby hot springs at Tabacón will help you wind down again. Don’t miss the multitude of horseback-riding trips throughout the area. Round out your adventures with a tour of the nearby, less-touristed Volcán Tenorio, where the Río Celeste beckons travelers to splash around in its falls, and several trails wind amid amid cloud forest, hot springs, and craters.

The Tico Experience (2 Weeks):

Go no further than the capital, San José, to immerse yourself in la vida urbana by exploring a slew of boutique art museums and local craft markets. Visit the Museo de Oro to revel at the gold whose short supply dismayed colonial settlers, or catch an opera performance at the century-old Teatro Nacional. Take refuge from bustling San José in Sarchí, birthplace of the brightly-colored oxcarts seen across the country. Talk with local artisans and visit their workshops in the largest crafts center in the nation. An awe-inspiring cathedral will draw you to marvel at its Byzantine spires in Cartago, where La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles annually welcomes thousands of pilgrims from around the world. From Cartago, move on to Turrialba—a mecca for river rafters and a convenient gateway for the Monumento Nacional Guayabo, an important archaeological site with ongoing excavations of a long-gone civilization’s intriguing remains. Brave the long bus ride from the Central Valley to Southern Costa Rica in order to spend some time at the Reserva Indígena Boruca. This friendly community has maintained many of its original traditions and warmly welcomes visitors to stay in their homes. A bit farther south is San Vito, home to a community of WWII Italian immigrants and some of the best homemade pizza and pasta in the country. Skirt the Costa Rica-Panama border on your way north to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, where a strong Afro-Caribbean influence permeates the language, food, and music. Although Puerto Viejo has a growing population of Europeans and gringos, the region is also home to the majority of the country’s indigenous population. Guides offer tours of the Reservas Indígenas Cocles and Kékôldi—home to Bribri and Cabecar indigenous families.

Creatures Great and Small (2 Weeks):

Almost every town in Costa Rica offers a glimpse of the exotic wildlife for which the country is famous. The cloud forest around Volcán Tenorio is crisscrossed with bridges, enabling you to eavesdrop on numerous forest creatures and birds. Nearby Río Celeste has multiple fishing opportunities. Once you reach Monteverde, you will be overwhelmed by the number and diversity of the animals inhabiting the surrounding reserves. Search for quetzals and coatis at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, or find similar wildlife on the less touristed trails of the Santa Elena Reserve. Opportunities for bird-watching abound at Reserva Forestal Bosque Eterno de Los Niños, but you can also observe wildlife in more contained quarters at the nearby hummingbird gallery and butterfly garden. Tear yourself away from the animals of Monteverde to meander down along the Central Pacific Coast. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, a popular tourist destination, doesn’t make its visitors choose between white-sand beaches and tropical forest; it offers both. Spend the day watching sloths hang out in the trees while spider squirrels and white-faced monkeys scamper by at comparatively break-neck speeds. Puerto Jimenez, the gateway to Parque Nacional Corcovado, beckons from the Peninsula de Osa, luring travelers with promises of intense wildlife experiences. Over 50% of the country’s biodiversity can be found within this national park. Harpy eagles soar through the sky while anteaters browse the underbrush. Head to Cahuita to explore the largest coral reef on the Caribbean coast, where massive brain corals surround an impressive variety of fish. No view of the country's wildlife would be complete without a visit to the sea turtles that annually return to lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero. The journey up to turtle-town is well worth the effort once you see these giant marine animals lumbering out of the sea to nest at night. If you’re looking for someplace less touristed than Tortuguero, you need only travel several kilometers south to Parismina. This tiny town offers similar opportunities to observe the nesting grounds of leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles, but with fewer crowds.

Week of Wanderlust (1 Week):

If you only have a week to spend here, consider visiting a few spectacular destinations rather than trying to do everything. Though it generally gets a bad rap, it’s easy to make the most of your time in San José if transportation logistics leave you with a few hours to spare. The Museo de Jade houses the world’s largest collection of American jade; its 11th-floor panoramic window offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the entire city. Most visitors don’t linger long, however, before moving on to more exciting spots like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, founded by a group of Quaker cheese-farmers, where friendly family-run cabinas provide an excellent base for exploring the mist-shrouded jungles that have made this region so famous. Hike through labyrinthine trails or explore the treetops on a canopy tour that will send you soaring through the trees on ziplines and swings. From Monteverde, make your way to the secluded black-sand beaches of Playa Hermosa, an under-touristed surfers’ paradise whose shores are perfect for lounging away your days or testing your mettle on the water. Farther south, an astounding variety of adventure tourism opportunities await in Quepos. Though the town itself is no beauty queen, local tours will give you the chance to try everything you’ve ever (or never) imagined: kayaking through mangroves, ATV off-roading, sportfishing off the coast, mountain biking along rugged inland trails, or canyoning through rushing waterfalls. Quepos also makes a convenient gateway to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most popular parks. The waves come right up to the edge of the jungle here, where it’s easy to spot exotic birds and ambling armadillos while jestering monkeys vie for your attention from the trees. Though Manuel Antonio sees its share of crowds, they come for good reason—it offers the perfect combination of Costa Rica’s most distinctive terrains and their quirky inhabitants.