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elcome to earth’s national park. Green, moist, abundant Costa Rica, appropriately named the Rich Coast, except that there are two of them (Pacific to the left, Caribbean to the right). In a country only slightly larger than Switzerland, bicoastal relationships are easy. See for yourself.

The interior is even richer. Cloud forests, rain forests, active volcanoes. They harbor some of world’s rarest treasures, including the elusive quetzal — half myth, all trogon — with tail feathers of iridescent sapphire and emerald.

We begin in San José, whose climate rivals Camelot’s. At Xandari, 40 acres of green oasis, we stroll around waterfalls, we breathe in the spicy night air, we retire to our hidden villa for a final drink on a private terrace and a last look at the fireworks shot off by Arenal Volcano.

A pleasant foreshadowing of what’s in store.

But the rest of Costa Rica beckons.

Settle into Borinquen Lodge, then explore neighboring Rincon de la Vieja National Park with a savvy guide. Soak in a natural hot spring, have a mud mask.

On the Pacific side (the Gulf of Nicoya, to be precise), feel like European royalty at the Hotel Villa Caletas. Enjoy our own private sugar-sand playa on the gulf. Spend time at a sanctuary of a different sort: the Carara Biological Reserve, home to sloths, agoutis, rabbit-sized spoonbills, and non-passerine motmots. This is our planet’s northernmost tropical rain forest.

The Osa Peninsula is the most biologically intense place on earth, according to National Geographic. In Palmar Sur, enjoy secluded beaches and snorkeling among reef fish in undersea gardens, but keep an eye out for majestic humpback whales. Corcovado National Park supports 140 kinds of mammals and 267 species of birds. Remember your binoculars.

Cruise offshore to Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, picnic on the secluded beach, get stuck in marine traffic (of the swimming kind—rays, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles) in water that hovers at 98.6 degrees.

Back to San José and then home. Idyll has a new definition: Costa Rica.

Costa Rica. Noah’s Ark for the 21st Century.

Departures: Through the year on an independent basis

Price: Varies depending on length of the journey, hotels chosen, and meals included. Price does not include any air, but it does include all ground transportation within Costa Rica.

Feel the need to just get away? Playa Carrillo and the Hotel Punta Islita, nestled in the forested hills of Guanacaste Province, offer the perfect place to kick back for five days and indulge your urge to do nothing. Settle into your villa. Suddenly find you need some diversions? Beachcomb, hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, fish, take a jeep safari, or arrange a day at the full-service spa. For more information contact R. Crusoe at 888.490.8046 (or 312.980.8000, if you are calling from outside the U.S.).