Say the name "Costa Rica," and what comes to mind? Before Jade and I went on our December, 2000 trip to this tropical paradise, I thought of three things: nice beaches, rainforests, and hippies.

What I found out is that Costa Rica has nice beaches and rainforests, but very few hippies. But more than that, it offers adventure. It's an exciting place.

Costa Rica is located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama. Unlike some of its neighbors we could name, it's politically and economically stable, which means it's a safe place to visit. Tourism is Costa Rica's #1 source of income, so by visiting, you're helping the local economy in a very practical way -- not just by purchasing a spoken-word album recorded by Sting or Susan Sarandon, proceeds to save the rainforest, available at participating Starbucks -- but by spending your money there. People will pay to see the rainforest, and that's why Costa Rica doesn't chop it down for something else.

Before our trip, I wasn't a tree-hugging hippie, I didn't really care that much about the rainforest, and I usually didn't recycle plastic unless my wife made me. In my favor, however, and preventing me from going to hell, was the fact that when my wife and I bought a used Toyota Celica years ago, it came with an "Earth Day" bumper sticker, and I did not scrape it off. But Costa Rica, I found, is just seeping with beauty -- and that beauty, in my opinion, is worth preserving.

Spot the mantis.

For American readers, Costa Rica is practically next door: many flights depart directly from New York. As of the time of this writing, the strong Costa Rican economy makes things a bit pricey by Central American standards, but the US dollar still gets you a pretty good deal: Jade and I had an excellent dinner in one cheap place for $8, and we found hostels for $25/night. (I recommend the Lonely Planet website for current economic comparisons.)

As with most areas of the world, if you don't speak the language, it's not much of a barrier. If you know a little Spanish, it helps (I listened to some cassette tapes before I left, so I knew how to order a cup of coffee and ask for the Hotel Columbus, if those life-or-death situations should happen to arise), but you can always get by with smiling and sign language. You could travel to the planet Felnoid-X, and you could get by with smiling and sign language. You would just mime "Take me to your leader," then maybe the "stuck inside a glass box" routine, and the Felnoid-Xians would understand you.

My wife and I had a wonderful time in Costa Rica. If you're considering a holiday in this marvelous country, I recommend it. Read on and see why.