Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures ranging from howler monkeys to toucans are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.
The extraordinary array of national parks and reserves provides an incredible stage for the adventure traveler in search of everything from mountain-biking excursions to multi-day jungle treks to some of the best white water in Central America.