- Population: 4.2 Million
- Area: 51,000 sq.km, slightly smaller than West Virginia
- Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April) – almost no rain; rainy season (May to November) – some rain May to August, heaviest rain in October; cooler in highlands
- Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
- Large agricultural economy with strong technology and tourism sectors
- Intel has their largest Pentium chip manufacturing plant in San Jose
- Excellent healthcare system
- Phone coverage in all but remotest areas
- 1.5 Million internet users
- Long history as democracy
- No standing army
It’s a lush tropical paradise, widely referred to as the “Switzerland of the Americas”. It is a safe and peaceful, Democratic country with friendly people and you can drink the water. 
The weather is amazing with the central highlands experiencing perpetual spring and the Pacific and Caribbean coasts experiencing perpetual summer.
This tiny country with an area of just over 50,000 sq km is slightly larger than Switzerland and slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia or the province of Nova Scotia, yet encompasses one of the world’s most diverse natural landscapes. Costa Rica also supports a fascinating variety of wildlife protected by enlighten national conservation system which is widely regarded as a model. More that 27% of the land is protected. All of this makes Costa Rica one of the world’s prime eco-tourism destinations.
People rave about the lush rainforests, exotic wild life, gorgeous beaches and friendly people. Here you can explore the canopy of the rainforest by gliding from one tree to another on a zipline, or bath under a waterfall in the jungle. You can go to the beach to watch for whales or just relax in a hammock under the palm trees. An evening’s entertainment can be dining on exceptional international cuisine in a restaurant in the jungle or watching a lava flow of an active volcano from the comfort of your hotel terrace with a glass of wine.
If you have not heard that much about this fascinating country, part of the reason may be that it has not been in the news headlines—no one has invaded it lately, not since the time of Christopher Columbus who discovered it. Costa Rica stands in sharp contrast to the brutal conflicts of its neighbours.
Unlike Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south not to mention the rest of South America, Costa Rica has been politically stable with a reputation for being peaceful. In 1948 the President declared the country no longer needed a standing army. He turned army bases into schools and the military budget was put into education. The country now has a literacy rate of 96% which compares well to the US of 97%.
Its reputation as a peaceful democracy has been an important factor in its spectacular growth in tourism and as a treasured destination for people choosing to retire abroad. Costa Rica is experiencing a friendly invasion of 50,000 North American and European expatriates who are currently living here, in a country of four million people. Costa Rica is ranked the happiest country on earth in 2012 for the second year in a row by Happy Planet Index.
Why visit South Costa Rica?
The landscapes here in South Costa Rica are dramatic—jungle covered mountains meet the ocean and rise up sharply from pristine sandy beaches with panoramic ocean views and lush tropical rainforest.
The vibrancy of nature here is a truly invigorating experience. The area abounds with scenic waterfalls and holds one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. South Costa Rica is alive with unique and memorable experiences for eco-tourists and adventure travelers.
Learn more about the extraordinary natural beauty you can see and experience here, without the crowds. It’s a lifestyle that has attracted many world travelers to make South Costa Rica their home.