Costa Rica is a place forgotten in time, nature’s wonderland set within a backdrop of fiery prehistoric volcanoes and lush tropical rainforests. For those who are adventurous, sensitive to nature or open to spiritually awareness, Costa Rica is definitely the trip of a lifetime.

Surprising to most, Costa Rica is not your typical Central American country. It is one that has miraculously married the extreme beauty and energy of nature with humanity and the demands of a modern-day society. The equilibrium of the two can be described only as spiritual with the population maintaining an ancient respect for all forms of life. This includes a level of cleanliness and orderliness that could put the whole world to shame. Most travelers cannot help but feel the peace created by this environment and the friendship extended to strangers by its people.

Excitement for this destination already builds at Costa Rica’s International Airport in San Jose where billboard-sized photos of the Arenal Volcano greets you along with life-size mannequins zip-lining overhead. The road to Arenal, one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes, is extremely picturesque and with expert naturalist guides, one comes to understand the history of the country and its government’s policy on the safe-guarding of both its natural and human resources. The Costa Rican Army was dismantled years ago and with it, the economic drain it placed on the country. Instead, an educational system was put into place to allow all residents of Costa Rica an equal opportunity to obtain proper instruction, including the learning of English as a second language. Indeed, it is amazing how well informed the average Costa Rican is not only about his country and its natural resources, but of other countries of the world as well. In Costa Rica, almost everyone speaks English, and well at that!

Many resorts are located only minutes from the active side of the Arenal volcano and are truly magnificent. It has taken painstaking years to clear the jungle while maintaining the delicate balance of nature with development in the area. Certain resorts have also redirected the volcanic thermal mineral waters of the Arenal River so that all can enjoy their restorative properties.

Days just seem to “zip” by at Arenal. You can either zip-line over the jungle canopy (1000 feet over the jungle floor on Austrian-constructed steel cables), hike through the virgin rainforest along cable bridges, horseback ride to the breathtaking La Fortuna waterfall or spend hours just relaxing the body and soul in the thermal waters produced by the volcano. All this is in the midst of a lush rainforest with rare wildlife, tropical birds and unusual plant species. In nature’s wonderland, fragrant ginger, colorful haleconia and beautiful orchids fill your senses while the crow of a toucan shocks you from your dream-like state and the growl of the howler monkey playing at dawn stirs you from a deep and relaxing sleep. Most visitors to Costa Rica will agree that it is hard to find this sense of peace and harmony with nature anywhere else in the world.

Viewing the rare quetzel on the way to the La Paz Waterfalls is a highlight for most travelers. The exotic bird with its bright predominately emerald green and gold plumes is easily camouflaged by the avocado trees where it normally perches while it feasts on the tree’s fruit. For most, this is only the beginning with the reserve providing close-up viewing of colorful hummingbird species, rare iridescent-colored butterflies and pupas (so shiny gold that they resemble gold jewelry), colorful frogs including those with red bodies and blue legs and exquisite orchids of every variety imaginable. Hiking down a paved path through the thick jungle to the breathtaking waterfalls is an outstanding experience, and well worth the effort. However, most would agree that it is nice to find transportation back to the top.

The landscape changes along the northwestern coast of Costa Rica. The landscape is much dryer than the rest of the country until the area around Quepos where the Manuel Antonio Nature Reserve is a target for further rainforest exploration and an understanding regarding the importance of the natural medicinal plants that grow rampant through the country.

Drake’s Bay on the remote Osa Peninsula is simply magnificent and is reached only by air or sea. The scenery, especially along its hidden rivers, can only be enhanced accompanied by a native Costa Rican Indian. The wildlife encountered here is unmatched with majestic multi-colored scarlet macaws that gracefully glide overhead while you bathe in 85-degree waters surrounded by the peacefulness and beauty of a place truly forgotten in time.

Tortuga Island and the Curu Reserve offers first-hand views of the howler and cappucin monkeys, coatimundis and blue Mojo butterflies in their natural habitat.

In a nutshell, Costa Rica is a country that offers special experiences hard to find elsewhere. It seems that many Americans and other foreigners feel that way too and many have decided to retire there. You can definitely see why.