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 preRead More ... fer 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.< Show Less
