In the end, we travel to feed our souls. To feed that need for new experiences, for growth, for dreaming. To go somewhere different, meet someone interesting, do something exceptional. To wander down an unexpected path and discover a treasure. To taste fresh flavors, smell exotic scents, and listen to unfamiliar and captivating sounds.

The enchanting little town will bring you back in time with colorful old wooden houses, and ancient ruins you can see at the Guayabo National Monument – one of Costa Rica’s principal archaeological sites.

Anyone who has been to Latin America will tell you that you haven’t lived or loved until you have traveled through these lands of vibrant culture and soulful romance.

Whether or not you bring your dog along to Costa Rica on vacation is not so much a question of “can you?” but a question of “should you?” You need to make sure your dog is a good traveler, comfortable with strangers, at ease in new places, able to deal with heat, and healthy enough to handle the adventure.

Close to 26 percent of Costa Rica’s territory is protected under the National Conservation Areas System (SINAC). From cold alpine climates to hot and humid tropical rainforest, from rare dry tropical forest to coral reefs and marine parks, from remote and wild areas to the national parks that can be seen an hour away from downtown San Jose – all encompass the wonders of nature available to see and experience in Costa Rica’s national park system.

With more than 800 miles (1,290 km) of coastline along two oceans – the Pacific and the Caribbean – warm tropical water and great waves, surfing in Costa Rica is some of the best in the world.