Normally, the only way to experience tree tops is via zipline, but at Mistico Park, you can follow a much gentler path. Simply follow their non-slip, step-free concrete paths and cross over one of their hanging bridges to feel like you’re lost in nature. Don’t forget to keep an eye out, though – all creatures at Mistico roam free and you never know who you’ll encounter! Luckily, I was joined by naturalist guide Luis Briceño during my visit, and he made sure I met many of the park’s inhabitants as we climbed higher and higher.

Through traditional farming practices, Arenal Vida Campesina has one simple goal – to preserve the Costa Rican identity by creating a bridge from older generations to the newer ones. Here, you’ll find an organic farm, a learning center, and a kitchen all in one. With guide Rebeca Paniagua, I learned all about how Arenal Vida Campesina manages their organic, closed system of farming. I also had the chance to try some of the many plants and fruits they grow and even wielded a machete!

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a gentle boat ride along a beautiful jungle river. Over in Sarapiquí, located in northwestern Costa Rica, you can board one of Oasis Nature Tours’ open-air boats to explore. This area is known for its abundant wildlife and rainforests, so get ready to see as many animals as you can. (There are 500 different species of birds alone.) On our cruise, my guide, Daniel Ramirez, pointed out all sorts of creatures – including crocodiles!

One of the reasons Costa Rica has become a leading expert in sustainability and environmentalism? The scientific work done by scientists like those found at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). For over 60 years, a consortium of 50 universities, colleges, and institutions worldwide have worked to sustain tropical ecosystems at OTS, sending undergraduates, graduates, and professionals to one of their campuses for training. At La Selva campus, I joined the Head of Scientific Operations, Orlando Vargas, to learn more about what they’re studying and doing to protect Costa Rica’s environment further. We even met with two University of North Carolina students, Tab Henry and Claire Pringle, to learn more about their research into poison frogs.

Did you know that Costa Rica is responsible for 75% of the world’s pineapples and nearly 100% of its organic pineapple production? I had a chance to see what goes into organic pineapple farming at Finca Paraíso Orgánico, a family business that’s been in operation for over 20 years. Sustainability specialist, Elian Alvarado, took me around the farm to show how they manage to keep their farm organic. He also gave me some great tips on how to pick a pineapple in the grocery store (hint: it’s not what you’d expect!).

There are only about 63,000 – 70,000 indigenous people in Costa Rica, and the Maleku people are one of the eight remaining groups. With as little as 650 people in their tribe, they work hard to keep their traditions and culture alive. With my guide, Ulises Elizondo Alvarez, who’s 100% Maleku, I had a chance to visit with some of the community to learn more about their traditions.

Even at luxury levels, Costa Rica does not sacrifice its eco-friendly standards. Checking into the beautiful Hideaway Rio Celeste means you’re enmeshed in the jungle. This is the kind of place where a walk to your casita means you might just encounter a sleepy friend hanging out!

If you really want to see a different side of Costa Rica, just book a night safari. Almost 75% of the wildlife here is actually nocturnal, so getting lost in the jungle when the sun goes down is a completely different experience. Just be sure to go with a guide who knows their way around because you never know what’s around the corner. My guide, Christopher Chavez, very comfortingly told me that the snakeskin we found on the ground meant that snakes only shed it a few hours ago.

Growing up, Odir Rojas used to drift along Río Celeste with his friends and some inner tubes. When he grew up and became a guide, he thought, “Why not bring outside visitors along this river, too?” These days, his tour company, Onca Tours, brings visitors along a four-kilometer trip that lasts two hours. With 25 pools (and thus 25 rapids at the end of each pool), you get a good balance of exciting and relaxing. And boy, did I have an adventure!