An hour's flight from San José will transport you to another world. Topnotch resorts operate out of the area and specialize in giving personalized adventure tours. Diving, snorkeling, hiking and bird watching are ideal for the true exploration of a country.

Expert guides can take you on single or multiday treks. You will learn about the different facets of the forest's major players. The guide will enable you to see the more elusive or unobtrusive sights the forest has to offer. Your provisions should include insect repellent, and if you're camping, bring your netting. The mosquitoes and sand flies are abundant.

The traveler will find a variety of lodging in the area offering efficient and friendly service. Boats are the main means of transportation for visiting coastal areas of the peninsula, so throw in the sun gear. The beaches of Pan Dulce, Carate and Carbonara are quite beautiful and great for day trips.

Corcovado National Park

Spanning more than 40.000 hectares, this park is an excellent expanse of primary forest. There are many species of flora found here that aren't found in many other parks because of gaps caused by deforestation. Visitors will find an incredible wealth of animals in Corcovado. Bird species alone number more than 400 and are followed by more than one hundred different species of amphibians. Mammal species also surpass the 100 mark. A real treat of Corcovado is its population of scarlet macaws. These raucous birds aren't that difficult to spot if you can recognize their call. The sight of pairs of scarlet macaws flying above the canopy is a sight that will most assuredly leave you breathless.

The trails that wind through the park are lengthy and will take you through an amazingly rich tropical forest. Epiphytes and lianas abound on the trunks and boughs of majestic trees.

Cocos Island

This gem lies 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica. This emerald island is surrounded by azure waters and will relax any tension you may feel as soon as you step on land. UNESCO declared it World Patrimony in 1997 for its natural beauty and biological riches.

The island is most visited by scientists, underwater photographers and divers, all of which are attracted to the wealth of marine life found just below the waves.

Liveaboard operators conduct tours to the island on a regular basis and are quite popular with the diving crowd. Cocos Island is famous for its intense diving experiences. Schools of hammerheads are frequently sighted in the waters off Cocos. Pelagic sightings are also frequent. Spotting a whale shark swimming beside you is truly an unforgettable experience!

For landlubbers, the trails that twist around the island are dramatic and worth the effort. Two waterfalls make for refreshing stops as well as excellent photo opportunities.

Cano Island

Found 12 miles off the Osa Peninsula's western coast. Cano Island is a treat to visit. Armed with binoculars and a guide, travelers will have no trouble enjoying the island to the fullest. Intrepid naturalists enjoy hitting the trails while divers and snorkelers head for the water!

The rich archaeological sites found on the island counterbalance the intricate forest system. The island is believed to have a burial site for pre-Columbian indigenous from the mainland. These people and their beliefs remain a mystery buried beneath the growth of the primordial forest.

During your hike you will most likely see a great deal of artifacts, but refrain from touching or moving them. Pestles, corn-grinding tables and pottery have been found. Some of the most interesting pieces are large solid rock spheres scattered around the island. They are believed to have been used as markers for graves and are made of granite.