The nightlife

Just imagine spending a tranquil evening sipping a cold drink at an outdoor cantina, lulled by the crashing of waves below and entertained by monkeys cavorting in nearby trees.

Costa Ricans love getting groovy, and much of the action takes place along the beach. Discos dot the shoreline, with music blaring after the sun goes down. However, one thing to keep in mind: the male leads the dances in Costa Rica, so aspiring Michael Flatleys should brush up on their salsa before hitting the dance floor.

Costa Rica is not as cheap a destination as some of its neighbors, but food and drink are very affordable, nevertheless. The beach bars are often fairly spartan and inexpensive, but not even the most luxurious decor could not compete with the natural surroundings.

For a few dollars, visitors can chow down on Ceviche (a cold, zesty fish dish) or gallos (open-faced tortillas covered with cheese and fresh salsa). A potent liquid called Guaro is the national alcoholic drink. Keep in mind that restaurants add a 15 percent sales tax and 10 percent service charge to all meals, so additional tipping is unnecessary.