What to do? What to do? Fly through the rain-forest canopy on a zipline? Go white-water rafting? Climb a volcano? Laze on a white-sand beach? Check out colorful marine life while snorkeling? Or try to hook one on a deep-sea fishing excursion?
Costa Rica offers plenty of exciting choices like these, especially if you're interested in nature and outdoor activities. That's why so many people have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the number of visitors has quintupled, and tourism has become the leading sector of the nation's economy.

Costa Rica is practically synonymous with ecotourism—travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. The country has a large number of national parks and nature preserves that boast a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The variety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some 850 species are packed into a relatively small area.

The country also excels in adventure sports, including surfing, mountain biking, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving. Those who prefer a less-strenuous vacation can view several active volcanoes, take boat trips down jungle rivers and float through the rain-forest treetops in a rain-forest aerial tram or speed through the forest canopy on any of several dozen thrilling zipline systems.
Costa Rica has a lot to offer. The itinerary below is good for an overview, but most people will want to extend it, spending extra time in areas that sound especially appealing.

Day 1—Arrive San Jose. Visit Gold and Jade museums, National Theatre, Plaza de Cultura. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 2—Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Overnight at Arenal Volcano Observatory and Hotel and view Arenal's awe-inspiring performance.
Day 3—Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 4—Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste. Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 5—Rain Forest Aerial Tram near Braulio Carrillo National Park, Jaco. Visit Jaco.
Day 6—Visit Manuel Antonio National Park. Overnight in Quepos.
Day 7—Return to San Jose. Enjoy Avenida Central open-air shopping promenade, Central Mercado National Museum and Plaza del Democracia. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 8—White-water rafting on the Sarapiqui or Reventazon rivers. If you're feeling less adventurous, enjoy an aerial tram tour or visit the craft center of Sarchi. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 9—Depart Costa Rica.

San Jose
San Jose, Costa Rica, is the country's social, political and commercial center, and it's more cosmopolitan and prosperous than many cities of Central America. San Jose is a pleasant place to visit, although it has comparatively few colonial structures, and most travelers use it a stepping stone to somewhere else in the country. Volcanoes and mountains ring the city's neighborhoods and suburbs; cloud forests, raging rivers and rain forests lie within a few hours' drive.
San Jose has its own attractions worth exploring, however. The architecture is a mishmash of historic colonial structures, glass high-rises and run-down buildings (although the streets are plagued by congestion and pollution), but San Jose's older neighborhoods have revived thanks to the recent boom in tourism.
And the city is blessed with gourmet restaurants, excellent (albeit small) art galleries and boutique-hotels.
San Jose's delightful springlike climate is never too hot and never too cold because of the city's location in the Central Valley; it is surrounded by mountains; and the Ticos, as locals are known, are friendly hosts who do their best to make your stay enjoyable.
Sights—The European-style Teatro Nacional; the elevated square in Parque Central; the variety of goods and lively activity at the Mercado Central; the crafts fairs in front of the Museo Nacional.
Museums—Exhibits of pre-Hispanic cultures and colonial artifacts, and exhibits on 19th- and 20th-century history and culture at the Museo Nacional; pre-Columbian gold sculpture, jewelry and other artifacts at the Museo de Oro Precolumbino; pre-Columbian jade figurines and jewelry at the Museo de Jade; contemporary art at the Museo de Arte Costarricense.
Memorable Meals—A romantic dinner of tilapia in macadamia sauce at Restaurant Grano de Oro; delicious seviche and Peruvian seafood at Machu Picchu.
Walks—Exploring the galleries, cafes and stately mansions of Barrios Amon and Otoya; strolling the pedestrian precinct along Avenida Central; walking leafy Parque Nacional; an informal walking tour of downtown San Jose with Tico Walks.
Especially for Kids—The hands-on science exhibits at Museo de los Ninos; Costa Rican animals at Parque Zoologico Simon Bolivar; INBioparque in Santa Domingo; La Paz Waterfall Gardens with its aviary, butterfly farm, hummingbird garden and Costa Rican jungle cats exhibits.

Facts to know
Passport/Visa Requirements: U.S. and Canadian citizens need passports but not visas. Proof of sufficient funds and onward passage are also required. There is a departure tax of US$26.
All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.

Population: 4,133,884.
Languages: Spanish and English.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic).
Time Zone: 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Telephone Codes: 506, country code. All phone numbers in Costa Rica now have eight digits. Seven-digit numbers must now add the prefix 2 (land line) or 8 (cell phone). Emergency numbers and 800 or 900 numbers remain the same.;