Piercesdesigns, I agree. It's a very special place. They are unique in that they value the natural world around them and have made conservation pay off. This was our second visit. After the first I was also determined to return one day. On our way back from that first trip, at the airport, I bought a book on national parks and wildlife. I carefully read it and picked my next destination based on viewing opportunities the country offers. On the first visit we saw Scarlet macaws in Carara National Park and visited Volcan Irazu. We also visited a coffee plantation, museum of the history of volcaninc activity in the country, a botanical garden, and a cathedral in San Jose among others. Culture and nature are the two biggest attractions for me and my wife when it comes to travel.