Costa Rica: Things To Do

Beaches Loll about on one of Costa Rica’s pristine ocean beaches. The tourism board recommends 43 stretches of sand suitable for sunning; most lie on the western, Pacific Ocean shores, although six, including the near-perfect Playa Cocles, are found on the country’s Caribbean coast. Playa Cocles; 866-267-8274; www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/playas.asp
beach | family | outdoors | editor pick

Cafe culture Play at being a native Josefino and grab a cup of locally-grown coffee and a bite at one of San Jose’s trendiest cafes, the ultra-chic Café Mundo. Café Mundo, Ave. 9 and Calle 15; 011-506-222-6190
culture | culinary | nightlife

Diving Costa Rica’s world-famous offshore reefs – particularly near remote Isla de Coco – are packed with colorful sea life for scuba aficionados. Book an 8- or 10-day trip from Puntarenas to Isla de Coco on the Okeanos Aggressor, part of the Aggressor Fleet. Aggressor Fleet; 800-348-2628; www.aggressor.com
wildlife | adventure | sports | editor pick

Fishing With such a diverse selection of waters – countless lakes and rivers in addition to the Pacific and Caribbean coasts – Costa Rica is an ideal fishing destination. Fishing trip operators are legion, but we recommend Quepos Fishing, based in the popular Pacific Coast resort town. Quepos Fishing; 800-603-0015; www.queposfishing.com
fishing | adventure

Go to Isla Tortuga This one-day catamaran excursion to Isla Tortuga may be touristy and pricey, but the picture-perfect island destination just off the Pacific coast makes the indignity of going along with the crowd worth it. Choose a weekday trip to have more white-sand beach to yourself. Calypso Cruises; 800-887-1969; www.calypsocruises.com
beach | cruise | tour | smart splurge | editor pick

Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristán View breathtaking displays of pre-Columbian artifacts at this museum housing the largest collection of jade in the Americas. Ave. 7 (between Calles 9 and 11), 11th Fl.; 011-506-287-6034; portal.ins-cr.com/social/MuseoJade
culture | museum | history | art | editor pick

National Theater This opulent theater modeled on the Paris Opera was built in San Jose between 1891 and 1897 with proceeds from coffee taxes. Take a guided tour of its lavish salons, savor a coffee and pastry in the café, or catch a performance by Costa Rica’s national symphony or opera company. Plaza de la Cultura; 011-506-221-1329; www.teatronacional.go.cr
culture | tour | theater | historic

Pan-American Highway Gutsy types might brave steep car-rental premiums and speed-demon Tico drivers to tour the country on their own via Highway #1, Costa Rica’s main cross-country route. You’ll traverse rain and cloud forests across valleys, mountains, and plains. A popular drive is the so-called Route of the Saints, a 15-mile, half-hour drive from Santa Maria de Dota to San Pablo de Leon. 011-506-436-2000; www.budget.co.cr
tour | adventure

Rainforest Aerial Trams Skirt the treetops via open-air tramway to get up close and personal with the flora and fauna (think colorful bromeliads and croaking tree frogs) of the tropical rainforest canopy. Pick from two tramways: one at Jaco on the Pacific coast, and the other, called the “Atlantic” tram, near Braulio Carrillo National Park outside San Jose. 866-759-8726; www.rfat.com
family | outdoors | adventure

Volcanoes Hotfoot it to one of the country’s volcanoes, many of which – including Arenal, its youngest, and Irazu, its tallest – are still active. As many as eight such hot spots can be visited independently or on tours. If you have to pick just one, head to La Fortuna; nighttime displays of spewing lava are particularly spectacular. Ranger station; 2 miles east of Lake Arenal, La Fortuna; 011-506-695-5180; www.fortunawelcome.com
tour | outdoors | adventure | editor pick