Costa Rica

Jungle-fringed sandy beaches - facing the Pacific Ocean on the west coast or Caribbean Sea on the east - and volcanic lakes give this Central American destination an exotic appeal like no other. Sandwiched between two continents, this biodiverse country boasts a protected jungle environment bursting with exceptional and rare wildlife. Its capital San Jose is a mix of neoclassical grandeur - with colonial mansions converted into cultural centres for art, restaurants, museums, boutique hotels - and vibrant nightlife.