INBioparque (tel. 506/2507-8107, www.inbioparque.com, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Tues.–Fri., 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $23 adults, $17 students, $13 children) is an educational park two kilometers southwest of Santo Domingo, a historic village three kilometers southeast of Heredia and three kilometers north of San José.

It’s run by the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, a nongovernmental organization devoted to cataloging Costa Rica’s biodiversity.

One exhibition hall focuses on the planet’s biodiversity. The second hall lets you observe how Costa Rica was formed and inhabited, including humans’ degradation of the environment. Interpretive trails lead through native habitats, with sheltered wildlife exhibits scattered along the trails.

Botanists will have a field day, and there are caimans, frogs, iguanas, and a butterfly garden. Visitors can opt for guided tours ($3 for two hours). Last admission is one hour before closing. Transfers cost $10.