The Central Pacific region comprises a thin coastal plain narrowing to the southeast and backed by steep-sided mountains cloaked in dense forest. The coast is lined by long gray-sand beaches renowned for fantastic surf.

It is distinguished from more northerly shores by its wetter climate. The region grows gradually humid southward, with the vegetation growing ever more luxuriant.

No surprise then that this region has some of the nation’s prime national parks, where visitors are virtually guaranteed to see scarlet macaws screeching overhead and rare spider monkeys swinging from treetop to treetop.

Rivers cascade down from the precipitous mountains, providing opportunities to hike to the base of spectacular waterfalls. The rivers slow to a crawl amid extensive mangrove swamps separated by miles-long sandy swathes interspersed with craggy headlands.

The resort town of Jacó, the sportfishing town of Quepos, and more relaxed Manuel Antonio are in the throes of rampant development. For now the road south of Quepos is still an unpaved adventure, and parts of this region are still being opened up, luring offbeat travelers in search of tomorrow’s find.

South of Jacó, vast groves of African palms smother the coastal plains. Interspersed among them are quaint workers’ villages, with gaily painted plantation houses raised on stilts.

Highway 34 (the Costanera Sur) runs the length of the coast, linking the region with Puntarenas and Guanacaste to the north and Golfo Dulce and Osa southward. It is paved almost the entire way and at last visit was being widened and tarred with the intent that Highway 34 will become the new Pan-American Highway linking Nicaragua and Panamá.

The Best of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific

• Jungle Crocodile Safari
• Carara National Park
• Rainmaker Conservation Project
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Barú National Wildlife Refuge
• Parque Reptilandia