More location information and points of interest are available in the above map.

ARENAL & NORTHERN LOWLANDS

North of the Central Valley and across the mountains lies a vast, flat area known as the northern lowlands. The centrepiece of this area is Volcan Arenal, a perfectly cone-shaped volcano. This is the adventure capital of Costa Rica. Venture further onto the wild rivers and into the tropical jungle of the northern lowlands and you will discover real-life Costa Rica, where agricultural commerce and ecological conservation converge as a work in green progress. Stretching from the borderlands of Nicaragua south to the Cordillera de Tilarán, fincas (farms) of banana, sugarcane and pineapple roll across humid plains. When the tourist hordes get you down, make your way here for a refreshing blast of rural realism and an invigorating dose of wild beauty.

NORTHWESTERN COSTA RICA

What did you come to Costa Rica for? To lounge on pristine beaches and ride glorious waves? To hike up volcanoes and soak in geothermal springs? To spy on birds and monkeys and get lost among ancient trees? The north-western corner of Costa Rica packs in all this and more. Unlike any other part of Costa Rica, Guanacaste – in the far northwest – is a wide, flat expanse of grasslands and dry tropical forest, where savanna vistas are broken only by windblown trees. Further east, the Cordillera de Guanacaste rises majestically out of the plains in a line of sputtering, steaming volcanic peaks that beg exploration. Guanacaste was once part of Nicaragua and the accent here is different. This region is fiercely proud to be Costa Rican and has arguably been more influenced than any other part of the country by the tourist boom. With some of the best surfing beaches in the world, funky tourist beach towns and the city of Liberia (plus its airport) - this is probably why you came to Costa Rica.

PENÍNSULA DE NICOYA

Península de Nicoya is where you want to go to sample sapphire waters, curling into perfect barrels up and down the coast. Or perhaps you just want to hang out on a pristine patch of sand and jut soak up some sun. By day, you might ramble down rugged roads, fording rivers and navigating ridges with vast coastal views. By night, you can spy on nesting sea turtles or take a midnight dip in the Pacific. In between adventures, you'll find no shortage of boutique sleeping pads, classy kitchens and indulgent spas to shelter and nourish your body and soul. Whether you come for the thrills or just to chill, the Nicoya Peninsula will deliver.

CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST

Stretching from the rough-and-ready port of Puntarenas to the tiny town of Uvita, the central Pacific coast is home to both wet and dry tropical rainforests, sun-drenched sandy beaches and a healthy dose of wildlife. On shore, national parks protect endangered squirrel monkeys and scarlet macaws, while offshore waters are home to migrating whales and pods of dolphins. With so much biodiversity packed into a small geographic area, it’s no wonder the coastal region is often thought of as Costa Rica in miniature.

Given its close proximity to San José and the Central Valley and highlands, and its well-developed system of paved roads, this part of the country is a favourite weekend getaway for domestic and international travellers. Jaco and Manuel Antonio are both with an easy drive from the Central Valley and are among the busiest beach areas in Central America. One look at the beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park will explain everything about why people come here.

SOUTHERN COSTA RICA & PENÍNSULA DE OSA

From the chilly heights of Cerro Chirripó (3820m) to the steamy coastal jungles of the Península de Osa, this sector of Costa Rica encompasses some of the country's least-explored and least-developed land. Vast tracts of wilderness remain untouched in Parque Internacional La Amistad, and the country's most visible indigenous groups – the Bribrí, Cabécar, Boruc and Ngöbe – maintain traditional ways of living in their remote territories.

Quetzal sightings in the cloud forests are not unusual, and scarlet macaw appearances throughout the coastal region are the norm. Besides the easily spotted birds, and monkeys, sloths and coatis roaming the region's abundant parks and reserves, in Parque Nacional Corcovado there's also the rare chance to spy on slumbering tapir. Meanwhile, the rugged coasts of the Golfo Dulce and Península de Osa captivate travellers with abandoned wilderness beaches, world-class surf and opportunities for rugged exploration. This is the land for intrepid travellers yearning for something truly wild.