One of the most notable things about Costa Rica from a plane is just how green it is. This verdant paradise gives you the opportunity to view wildlife (including some very rare species), explore volcanoes or the rainforests, or just enjoy the beaches.

The Costa Rican winter (May to November) gets a lot of rainfall in the forests, but the beaches remain sunny and lovely. Prices are much lower during this time, and so is the amount of tourists. If you’re concerned about safety, know that Costa Rica is a peaceful democratic society which abolished its armed forces some time ago and does not suffer from internal political strife or terrorism. Costa Ricans are known for their friendliness and hospitality.

The plant life is extremely diverse with over 10k species of plants and flowers and almost 2k tree species. Many tours emphasize the diverse and beautiful birds you can see in Costa Rica: this island boasts more bird species than are to be found in all of the United States and Canada put together. Reptile life on Costa Rica is also fascinating, as are the many species of saltwater fish.

If your main focus is on seeing the wildlife in the rainforest, you may want to book your travel between November and May, when the rainfall is less intense. Some regions actually close down for those months because the rain makes travel treacherous. Whether you take walking or horseback-riding tours, guided tours are a great way to see Costa Rica.