Costa Rica
When Christopher Columbus first gave Costa Rica her name---rich coast---little
did he know that the "riches" lay more in natural diversity and friendly
people than in deposits of gold. With only 185 miles spanning her widest
point, and 0.03% of the world's landmass, Costa Rica contains a staggering
5% of the world's biodiversity. But in those 23,000 square miles, visitors
can find more options for nature related activities than they would think
possible.
The government of Costa Rica has protected 30% of its territory in both
national parks and wildlife of forest preserves, allowing visitors ample
opportunity to experience some of those riches. From adventure tourism to
ecotourism to educational travel, there is much to do and learn in Costa
Rica.
With a population of independent, gregarious people, Costa Rica provides
visitors with the opportunity to experience nature's abundance along with
a rich history of peaceful development. Costa Rica abolished its army over
50 years ago, allowing the country to put its resources into education,
social development and infrastructure. This has lead to a higher literacy
rate than most Latin American countries can claim. Those resources have
developed a highly trained work force that can enable companies and industries
to host conferences and conventions in one of the several fully equipped
convention centers. Both participants and their guests can expect both exciting
and relaxing day trips before, during or after the meetings.
Costa Rica's capital, San Jose is located in the Central Valley surrounded
by vistas of volcanoes and fertile hillsides. While the city has grown with
the unpredictability common to Latin American countries, visitors can find
some historical gems amid the new construction. Many of the city's century
old buildings have found new lives as museums, cultural centers and theatres.
One of the best museum with a world-class collection of Pre-Columbian gold
pieces housed in a somewhat futuristic building below the Plaza de la Cultura.
The now plentiful tour operators in Costa Rica have spent time and care
in discovering what our visitors are after. With over 11 different life
zones and ecosystems, and coastline on two oceans, nature lovers most likely
will find more choices than they have vacation time for. You can choose
our more rigorous tours and attractions, such as trekking up to cloud forests
or volcanic craters, or climbing up trees or down into caves, or choose
to experience nature more quietly by bird watching by waterfalls or estuaries-there
is well-qualified guide, or tour company who can help you fulfill your goal.
On the other hand, if you are more inclined to relax by the beach, swing
a 9 iron on courses with increasingly sustainable practices- or have a
photo-op with a trophy fish-catch and release by law, of course-you'll find
all that and more in this tiny Central American country. Here you can learn
more about our tropical ecosystem or expand your adventuring and sporting
skills on land and water-whatever your choices, you're sure to leave Costa
Rica enriched with memories of the experience.