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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

Visitors at the poppy fields near the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, Calif., Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Where to Go in Spring

These California Destinations Could Have a Superbloom This Year, Plus Where to Find Wildflowers in the State

From desert blooms in Death Valley to coastal florals in the Channel Islands and popular poppies in the Sierra foothills, here’s where to find California’s wildflowers.

January 29, 2026 01:46 PM

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Deb Hopewell

While it appears to be a one-off event, it’s another indicator of the challenges sparked by overtourism across Europe.

June 18, 2025 12:23 PM

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Blane Bachelor

Where to Travel Next

Come for St. Augustine, Stay for Amelia Island: A Guide to Northeast Florida

Tempting restaurants, new hotels, and plenty of outdoor adventure await.

January 27, 2022 03:32 PM

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Terry Ward

Tierra Bomba is a 15-minute boat ride from Cartagena, one of the largest cities on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

Longreads

How Cartagena’s “Forgotten Island” Kick-Started a Recycling Movement

The tourism industry abandoned Colombia’s Tierra Bomba island decades ago. Today, locals and hospitality pioneers are rebuilding from scratch.

May 30, 2023 01:15 PM

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Alexandra Marvar

For some, crossing the Atlantic via cruise ship represents a way to connect with history.

Ocean Cruises

The Thrill of an Off-Season Transatlantic Cruise, Rough Seas and All

Late fall and winter sailings across the Atlantic on Cunard line’s classic “Queen Mary 2” ocean liner can bring unpredictable weather. For enthusiasts, that’s part of the appeal.

January 5, 2023 09:14 PM

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Fran Golden

Hiking + Cycling

3 Spectacular Places to Hike in Switzerland

Meander through Alpine meadows, scale sheer peaks, and visit centuries-old villages on these top-tier walks.

September 16, 2022 12:34 PM

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Melanie Haiken

Packing Tips + Gear

The 10 Best Vaccination Card Holders for Every Type of Traveler

Because you’re not throwing away your shot . . . literally.

March 11, 2022 01:20 PM

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Juliet Izon

Tall, rounded orange rocks in the sunlight

National Parks

8 Most Breathtaking Utah National Parks and Monuments

Where to go for gravity-defying rock formations, vast and colorful canyons, and surprising water features.

September 26, 2023 07:13 AM

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Jacqueline Kehoe

Islands

Exploring the Other Side of Haiti

A world traveler returns home to Haiti and finds the beauty, history, and warmth that the world is overlooking.

November 23, 2021 02:00 PM

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Mariette Williams

Colorful homes and craggy seaside cliffs in Italy's Cinque Terre with a ramp into the sea lined with sea kayaks

Outdoor Adventure

Cinque Terre’s Most Beloved Hiking Path Fully Reopens After More Than a Decade

In an effort to ensure more responsible tourism, new rules for visiting require reservations and limit how many people can walk the trail daily.

August 21, 2024 04:45 PM

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Erica Firpo

Soak on your private terrace with a glass of wine in Auberge du Soleil’s newly designed private maisons.

Restaurants + Cafés

5 of the Best Napa Valley Hotels for Food Lovers

Come for the wine, stay for the incredible food to pair it all with.

December 20, 2019 05:46 PM

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Sara Button

Natural Wonders

Promising Texas Bluebonnet Season Predicted Despite Winter Storm

Wildflower experts say all that snow and ice ended up insulating Texas bluebonnets.

March 26, 2021 04:22 PM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Photo Essays

Celebrating the Cultural Contributions of Charleston’s Black Community

From Lowcountry cuisine to a rich history of arts and culture, take a photographic trip through the immense legacy that makes the city what it is today.

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