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Seasoned travelers may balk at the thought of hiring a car and driver, but unless you're comfortable navigating cratered, winding one-lane roads yourself, they're an essential aid to getting around the country. Similarly, if you confine your visit to only two places, a guide is not vital. Two American-based outfitters, Abercrombie & Kent (800/554-7094; www.abercrombiekent.com) and Butterfield & Robinson (800/678-1147; www.butterfield.com), can create special itineraries—active or otherwise—for individuals or groups; both companies work with tico guides. Swiss Travel (011-506/282-4898; www.swisstravel.com), which has offices in San José and Liberia, also hires local guides and has relationships with most top hotels. Costa Rica Expeditions (011-506/257-0766; www.costaricaexpeditions.com) pioneered travel in the country in 1978 and still owns three of the most popular lodges in park areas. Its guides are naturalists and will have the driver pull over whenever they spot a three-toed sloth or a quetzal's nest.
WHERE TO STAY
Alta Hotel
DOUBLES FROM $135. ESCAZU, SAN JOSÉ; 011-506/282-4160; www.thealtahotel.com
Bosque del Cabo
DOUBLES FROM $240. CABO MATAPALO, OSA PENINSULA; 011-506/735-5206 www.bosquedelcabo.com
Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp
DOUBLES FROM $134. CARATE; 011-506/257-0766; www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Finca Rosa Blanca
DOUBLES FROM $175. SANTA BARBARA DE HEREDIA; 011-506/269-9392; www.fincarosablanca.com
Florblanca
DOUBLES FROM $290. SANTA TERESA; 011-506/640-0232; www.florblanca.com
Fonda Vela
DOUBLES FROM $85. MONTEVERDE; 011-506/645-5125; www.fondavela.com
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
DOUBLES FROM $290. GUANACASTE; 800/332-3442 OR 011-506/696-0000; www.fourseasons.com
Hacienda Cabo Velas
$65,000 A WEEK FOR UP TO 12 GUESTS, ALL-INCLUSIVE. GUANACASTE; 800/225-4255; www.sanctuare.com
Hotel Grano de Oro
DOUBLES FROM $85; LUNCH FOR TWO $50. CALLE 30, SAN JOSÉ; 011-506/255-3322; www.hotelgranodeoro.com
Hotel Milarepa
DOUBLES FROM $100. SANTA TERESA, MAL PAIS; 011-506/640-0023; www.milarepahotel.com
Inn at Coyote Mountain
DOUBLES FROM $139, DINNER FOR TWO $85. SAN RAMON; 011-506/383-0544; www.cerrocoyote.com
Lapa Rios
DOUBLES FROM $344, INCLUDING MEALS. OSA PENINSULA; 011-506/735-5130; www.laparios.com
Makanda by the Sea
DOUBLES FROM $175. QUEPOS; 011-506/777-0442; www.makanda.com
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
DOUBLES FROM $89. PUNTARENAS; 011-506/257-0766; www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Pachira Lodge
DOUBLES FROM $376, ALL-INCLUSIVE, TWO-NIGHT MINIMUM. TORTUGUERO; 011-506/256-7080; www.pachiralodge.com
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
DOUBLES FROM $300, ALL-INCLUSIVE. 866/348-7610 OR 011-506/735-5237; www.nicuesalodge.com
Punta Islita
DOUBLES FROM $170. GUANACASTE; 800/525-4800 OR 011-506/231-6122; www.hotelpuntaislita.com
Tortuga Lodge
DOUBLES FROM $104. TORTUGUERO; 011-506/257-0766; www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Tulemar
DELUXE VILLAS FROM $249. ADJACENT TO MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK; 011-506/777-0580; www.tulemar.com
ADVENTURE
Blue Fin Sport Fishing
HALF-DAY TRIPS FROM $300 PER PERSON. 011-506/777-1676; www.bluefinsportfishing.com
Costa Rica Sun Tours
FULL-DAY RAFTING TRIP FROM $75. www.crsuntours.com
Equus Stables
$35 FOR A TWO-HOUR BEACH RIDE. 011-506/777-0001
Iguana Tours
FULL-DAY RAFTING TOURS FROM $90. 011-506/777-1262
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