REST API pagination is a critical technique for managing and retrieving data efficiently from large data sets, enhancing both user experience and server performance. Various pagination methods, such as offset, page-based, keyset, time-based, and cursor-based pagination, offer different advantages and challenges depending on the data set's nature and application requirements. Offset pagination is straightforward but can suffer from scalability issues, while page-based pagination simplifies data handling but may struggle with fast-changing data. Keyset pagination is suited for large, frequently-updated data sets but lacks flexibility in random access, and cursor-based pagination excels in vast data sets with improved consistency but is more complex to implement. Combining these methods can optimize data retrieval by leveraging the strengths of each approach. Best practices for implementing pagination include using standard parameter names, providing pagination metadata and navigation links, allowing custom page sizes, setting offset limits, implementing rate limiting, and supporting data ordering. These practices ensure seamless user experiences and efficient backend operations.