Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica

Just a few miles from Puerto Caldera is Puntarenas, where stunning beaches, an array of wildlife, and streets lined with restaurants, bars and cafés await. Carara National Park is a must for nature lovers and features ancestral trees and secondary forests, perfect for spotting wildlife such as crocodiles and 400-plus species of birds, including colourful scarlet macaws. Or, switch gears and party with the locals at Jaco, about 30 miles south. There, find sun, fun and sand with plenty of bars and places to grab a bite.