:) lisa, that's exactly how I feel. I loved Paris, London, Jamaica, all for different reasons but something about CR captured me like no where else has. Many trips and I have barely scratched the surface! The people, the wildlife, the views, just the general atmosphere match me to a T.

I've planted lots of tropical plants in our backyard; we have gingers and angel's trumpets, loads of flowers. The other day my husband commented on how pretty the backyard was looking, and my first response was that it would look better with monkeys and toucans in it! The other thing is the warmth of the Costa Rican people; I haven't found that as much in other places we've visited. In CR, we always come away feeling that we've made friends.

If you like adventure under safe conditions, try Nicaragua. You have to fly into Managua, and can do so cheaply via Spirit(FLL).

Leave Managua IMMEDIATELY and head to the Corn Islands(google it), Grenada, San Juan del Sur or Leon (less gringo friendly there I'm told). A visit to Omateppe (2 volcanoes comprising an island inside Lake Nicaragua) is also recommended.

Nicaragua is dirt cheap by CR standards, the food is good, the people are friendly, and they have amazing natural life. SJDS is a surfer town that compares (favorably) to say Tamarindo CR. Granada is a real colonial gem, and a great place to take Spanish classes (20 hours over a week for $85! They'll also provide room and board for like $65).

Go before it becomes like CR, beautiful but pricey and overrun by Norte Americanos.