Top Reasons to Go

Adventure sports: Snorkel among colorful fish, get muddy on mountain adventures, and zip through treetops near Jacó and Manuel Antonio.

Fishing: Deep-sea fishing at Quepos, Jacó, or Herradura gives a chance to hook a sailfish, marlin, wahoo, or yellowfin tuna.

Nature and wildlife: Explore the seaside forest and see sloths, iguanas, agoutis, monkeys, and 350 species of birds at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Sunsets: Whether you view it from the beach or while sipping hilltop cocktails in Manuel Antonio, this region has some of the country's best venues for watching the sunset.

Surfing: This is Costa Rica's surf central. Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, and Manuel Antonio beckon surfers, from beginners to pros.