Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness. And, a very nice setting for medical tourism. The close proximity to the United States and Canada and a significant English speaking presence make Costa Rica a growing destination for medical travel.
Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies.
Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats. Ecotourism is extremely popular with the many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism.
Costa Rica is a stunning land, with much of it heavily forested. The coastal areas are ringed with mangrove swamps, and beautiful white, sand beaches.
Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. English is the second language.
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Costa Rica has a high standard of living, especially when compared to other nearby countries. Among Latin American countries, Costa Rica ranks 4th in terms of the 2007 Human Development Index. The country is ranked 5th in the world, and 1st among the Americas, in terms of the 2008 Environmental Performance Index. In 2007 the government of Costa Rica stated that they want Costa Rica to be the first country to become carbon neutral by 2021. |
