Forget Hawaii. Forget the Bahamas. Forget Bali. If you’re looking for a tourist destination that offers the best mix of adventures, then pack your backs and head to Costa Rica. Diversity is the main attraction in Costa Rica and tourists will never run out of things to do and sights to see.

Enjoy the water and the sun with its beaches

Sun-worshippers will have a great time in this gorgeous paradise because of its many beaches.

Head to Playa Montezuma, one of the most gorgeous beaches in Costa Rica, and enjoy its natural beauty, breathtaking waterfalls, and its long stretch of sand. This tiny beach town is flocked by funky and eclectic individuals out to experience a great night life. Whether you’re a vegetarian, a yoga enthusiast, or a backpacker, there’s something exciting in store for you in Montezuma.

You can also frolic to your heart’s content in Manuel Antonio with its cool, clear and calm waters. Whether you choose Escondido, Playita or Espadilla Sur, travelers will find this beach town a great place to relax and lounge around. The more adventurous travelers can try body surfing, boogie boarding or snorkeling.

Explore nature in Costa Rica’s national parks

Manuel Antonio National Park is perhaps one of the world’s richest and most diverse parks, despite its small size. It boasts forest-topped cliffs, spectacular beaches, deep foliage, and an abundant marine reserve. This national park is also home to the endangered squirrel monkey, three and two-toed sloths, coatis, pelicans, kingfishers, and more. Though Manual Antonio National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica, it remains the second most visited.

If you’re looking for some thrills and adventure, check out the Arenal Volcano National Park. Arenal National Park is quite different from other volcano national parks because it’s the only one located near an active volcano. Tourists instantly feel the adrenalin rush once they find out that they are just meters from a living, fire-breathing volcano. Other sights you can see in Arenal Volcano National Park include a dormant volcano called Cerro Chato and Arenal Lake.

Jungle adventures in Costa Rica’s rainforests

Costa Rica is home to Monteverde Forest. The place is also called a cloud forest because of cloud-like mists that help give moisture to its many plants. You can find more than 100 mammal species in Monteverde, over 400 bird species, thousands of insect varieties, and more than 500 plant species, including hundreds of orchid types.

Some of the animals that you can find in the forests around Monteverde include jaguars, tapirs, snakes, howler monkeys, etc. Tourists can take any of its many multiple trails but take note that it’s only open between 7 AM to 4 PM.

Although it’s less popular than Monteverde Forest, Santa Elena Cloud Forest is considered by many visitors to be a magical and enchanting place. This community-run reserve is less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery more. The weather in the area tends to be misty or damp all year long. This is a favorite place among bird watchers as it’s home to many bird species including the famous and elusive quetzal, one of the world’s most beautiful and exotic bird species. There are also several hiking trails that visitors can take. Visitors can arrange night hikes in Santa Elena, where an experienced guide will take you to see animals you’d never see otherwise, in their natural environment.

If you still need convincing why Costa Rica is one of the best getaway destinations in the world, here are two more things to remember. In 2009, the New Economics Foundation, through its Happy Planet Index, has declared the people of Costa Rica the happiest in the world. The same study also indicated that Costa Rica the greenest country in the world.

The study only goes to show that the state of mind of its people is reflected in the way they take care of their environment. And what better way to see what Costa Rica has to offer than to spend your vacation here?