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Most visitors come to Costa Rica for nature. Twenty-five percent of the country is protected, and most natural areas are easily accessible, though some require going off the beaten path. More than 10 conservation areas are within reach of the country’s capital, San José, and each offers a different nature experience. From the last remaining tropical wet forests in the Mesoamerican Pacific, located in Corcovado National Park, to the stalagmite- and stalactite-filled caves of Tempisque Conservation Area, travelers can see a variety of habitats in one trip. As for accommodations, there are plenty of options for roughing it, but Costa Rica also features upscale resorts where you can retreat and recharge after a day outside.

Where to Travel Next

These Are the 5 Best Countries for Retiring Abroad

These places don’t require a high budget for a very high quality of life.

June 16, 2025 02:32 PM

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Chloe Arrojado

Fall 2025

Track Wolves, Dive Shipwrecks, Hunt for Truffles: 52 Epic Adventures in Every State

Your guide to adrenaline-pumping, wildlife-filled, off-the-beaten-path experiences across all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

September 16, 2025 12:35 PM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

LGBTQ Travel

Why Washington, D.C. Is an Especially Meaningful Place to Celebrate Pride

Visiting historic sites connected to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights combined with the Capital Pride Festival in June makes for the ultimate way to observe Pride month.

Sponsored by World of Hyatt

Beaches

How to Plan for a Trip to French Polynesia

Prepare for the supreme sunsets and flavors of French Polynesia with these travel tips for Tahiti and Bora Bora.

February 3, 2022 06:26 PM

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Kristin Braswell

Airside Terrace at the new Centurion Lounge at Atlanta International Airport

Air Travel News

Outdoor Terraces, Soul Food, and a Whiskey Bar: AmEx Opens Its Largest Airport Lounge Yet in Atlanta

AFAR got a first look inside the new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

February 16, 2024 11:37 AM

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Paul Rubio

Travel for Good

How to Google Your Way to a Greener Trip

A handful of new tools from the search giant is making it easier than ever to make sustainable choices while traveling.

October 6, 2021 04:37 PM

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Jennifer Flowers

The Essential Guide to the Baltic States

Other

The Essential Travel Guide to the Baltic States

Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—and why you should be bound for the Baltics on your next trip.

August 26, 2019 11:16 AM

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John Newton

Other

The Essential Guide to Nova Scotia

Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, untouched nature, and culinary trails lined with lobster in this coastal Canadian province.

February 19, 2020 10:32 AM

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Renee Suen

An outdoor lounge area at Saruni Basecamp with two guests and a star guide.

Hotels

Dark Skies and Wild Nights: This New Safari Camp in Kenya Lets You Sleep Under the Stars

At this new safari camp in Kenya, the adventure doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Instead, the night sky becomes the main attraction.

April 8, 2025 10:59 AM

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Megan Eaves

At the Populus Hotel in Denver, an on-site biodigester turns food waste into compost for local farms.

Longreads

Hotels Waste 79,000 Tons of Food Per Year. Can AI and Fish Crackers Help?

Kitchens are trimming waste thanks to biodigesters, buffet cancellations, AI-enabled trash cans, and other creative solutions.

May 27, 2025 10:40 AM

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Jen Rose Smith

An Erupting Volcano on Spain’s La Palma Island Lures Visitors

Curious onlookers flock to see the glowing lava flows and thundering magma on the Canary Islands destination even as residents grapple with the damages.

September 21, 2021 01:43 PM

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Aritz Parra

back of woman with tattoos looking at ocean and boat

Solo Travel

As a Solo Female Traveler, Here’s What to Know and Where to Go

These are the best destinations for women traveling solo, plus tips for how to go.

March 3, 2025 09:47 AM

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Sarah Buder

Food + Drink

The Future of Restaurants Lies In Our Communities

Community activist, organizer, and restaurateur Reem Assil on the power of investing in people.

April 19, 2022 09:15 AM

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Reem Assil

Outdoor Adventure

7 Stunning Lakes and Rivers to Explore in Appalachia

Kayak, go whitewater rafting, and chase waterfalls through West Virginia this summer.

Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism

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