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About Costa Rica "Switzerland of Central America" is what you often hear when people start to talk about Costa Rica. It is a small country, about the size of West Virgina, located between Nicaragua and Panama and bordered by both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The country has a population of approximately 5 million people, with most (over a quarter) living in and around the capital city of San Jose. This year, 2009, Costa Rica was named one of the happiest places on earth to live, maybe that is because of the weather. Costa Rica does not have an army, it was abolished on December 1, 1948, by then President Jose Figueres Ferrer, who had won a victory over one of the countries civil wars. Perhaps another reason for so much happiness, is the life expectancy is close to 80 years for both men and women. Costa Rica boasts 25% of its overall land, as dedicated to national parks and preserves. Is it any wonder why people travel to Costa Rica every year just to experience what most people consider to be heaven for ecotourism? There are not many ingredients missing for a real adventure vacation. There are rainforests, volcanos (both active and dormant) mangroves, exquisite beaches, mountains and forests ripe for exploration and enjoyment. Tiny Costa Rica only represents 0.03% of the land mass of planet earth, but it represents more than 5% of all biological species found in the world. Ecotourism creates more revenue than the profits made from the export of coffee and bananas put together. It is one of the largest contributions to the Costa Rican economy, second only to the manufacturing of chips by Intel. Overall, Costa Rica is a fun, friendly and safe country to visit for anyone wishing to have a vacation experience that encompasses a wide range of travel opportunities. However, because it has such diverse options, it is important that you learn as much as possible about the natural environments and cross cultural experiences, before you leave your home. The main reason for this is for you, the traveler, to make the most of your stay, visiting with the people and places that you decide will give you the most insight into this special paradise. "Pura Vida" is what Costa Rica is all about. It is a phrase unique to Costa Rica, that translates the joyful feeling experienced by the people who make Costa Rica their home and the thousands of travelers who enjoy the hospitality of this country, year in and year out. If you wish to visit other parts of Costa Rica, learn more about the country, its people and culture, plan a trip, schedule a flight to Costa Rica, and maybe in the future purchase real estate to eventually retire to, you might want to try these resources below. Vacation and Travel Packages to Latin America You will find tour packages to Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Chile - all of Central and South America, when you visit the Latin America Collection website. Costa Rica English Classes - Learn to Speak English - Spanish / English Translation Company Soluciones Idiomaticas SA can help your employees speak better English for the growing tourism and foreign business market. We also have positions available for qualified English language instructors, and provide certified translation and interpretation services in English and Spanish. Costa Rica Map Online - Maps of All Areas of Costa Rica Costa Rica Map Online.com has driving directions and maps to all parts of Costa Rica - Detailed maps and directions to San Jose, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Monteverde, Dominical and more. Costa Rica Beach and Golf Resort - Hotel Tango Mar Tango Mar Hotel / Resort is a favorite among wedding couples and honeymooners. This romantic and isolated resort on the Nicoya Peninsula, near Tambor, has comfortable accommodations, an infinity swimming pool, golf, nature hikes, monkeys and more. There is much to do in the area with horseback riding, deep sea fishing, snorkeling at Tortuga Island and more. Costa Rica Hotels, Trips, Tours & Information Guide Great source of facts and information about Costa Rica - what to do, where to go, hotels, tours, vacations, surfing, real estate and more. Read two books online about Costa Rica, one by author Christopher Howard about living and retiring in Costa Rica. Costa Rica Real Estate - Puriscal Property For Sale Puriscal Real Estate Company has beautiful mountain properties, homes and condos, with great valley and city views. There are still developer properties and farms available in this mountainous region of Costa Rica that has a great, comfortable climate. Costa Rica Real Estate Properties - Information on Trends, Financing, Condos & Property Listings Interested in buying a house or condo in Costa Rica? What areas are right for you...the beach or the mountains? Check out the information and listings on this site, with references to other real estate websites in Costa Rica and Central America. Costa Rica Tour Operator, Travel Packages Costa Rica Green Forest Travel Agency has a selection of vacation packages to Costa Rica from Europe and from other Latin America countires. Custom itineraries are a specialty. English and Spanish versions of the website are online. Costa Rica Green Forest is a licensed Ground Operator - DMC for your incentive tour packages. Costa Rica Rent a Car by Service Car Rental Service Car Rentals, near the airport in San Jose, offers discount prices on late model rental cars. They will pick up and drop off your vehicle almost anywhere in Costa Rica. Mineral Hot Springs Resort Hotel & Lots A most amazing spa on the river Celeste in Costa Rica, the Blue River Hot Springs Resort is a place to vacation or own a vacation home in a natural, cloudforest setting. Costa Rica Art Have Costa Rican art shipped back home and take a piece of Costa Rica with you! San Jose, Costa Rica Hotel, Airport Close A great place to stay close by the International Airport is the Adventure Inn outside of San Jose. Costa Rica Horseback Riding at Nature Lodge / Hotel in Montezuma Finca Los Caballos has horseback riding and honeymoon packages at this secluded nature retreat in the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Montezuma. Costa Rica Eco-Lodge Hotel Accommodations in the Mountains The Celeste Mountain Lodge is proud to adhere to a philosophy of sustainable tourism, with low environment impact and eco-friendly practices. Enjoy our primary forest and cool, green mountain atmosphere. Costa Rica SEO, Website Design & Internet Marketing / Promotion Costa Rica Accounting & Business Center Randall Zamora, President and CEO of Costa Rica ABC, is the former CFO of several multinational companies including Health Care Merger, Inc. and The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica. English spoken. Costa Rica SCUBA Diving Cano Divers, a certified PADI instruction center, offers guided dive tours at beautiful Cano Island - a National Park Marine Sanctuary near Drake Bay in the South Pacific Region of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Educational Tours for College Credit Visit Costa Rica is a study abroad provider agency dedicated to organize successful programs to prestigious universities worldwide. Our services provides custom made summer study abroad tours in business, sociology, criminal justice, marine biology, marine turtles, culinary sciences and more. Costa Rica Weddings No place in the world is better to have a wedding than Costa Rica, and no wedding planner is more experienced than long time Costa Rica resident, Randy Gritz. Costa Rica Hotel / Luxury Caribbean Bungalows Near the the beach and the Cahuita National Park, are the deluxe Coral Hill Bungalows, an adults only wedding, honeymoon and romantic getaway retreat. Costa Rica Beach View Condos Located near Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, these luxurious condos and residential lots offer the best in the Gold Coast, Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Resort Eco Lodge / Hotel with Adventure Tours Lands in Love is dedicated to preserving the natural environment on this 250 acre private reserve, and offers waterfalls, hiking, horseback riding, canopy tours, and a vegetarian restaurant. Costa Rica Hotel Association Eco hotels, Beach hotels, Mountain and Spa hotels - you'll find them all and pre-approved to our specifications at www.adventurehotelsofcostarica.com. Costa Rica Videos If you had a great time on vacation in Costa Rica, and are thinking about moving, living, working or retiring here, then this video is for you! Costa Rica Resort Hotel & Casino in Manuel Antonio Visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, go fishing from Quepos, and get a spa treatment - all at the Byblos Resort Hotel. Anti-Aging Institute of Costa Rica - Diet, Exercise Consultations, HGH, Testosterone, Facial Fillers The Anti-Aging Institute of the Americas is an international medical clinic based in San Jose, Costa Rica, working closely with top hospitals and professionals. We take a complete approach to reversing the aging process for the international traveler. Costa Rica Medical Tourism - Knee Surgery, Hip Replacement Surgery, Hand and Shoulder Costa Rica Medical Tourism Services has the best team of orthopedists in Costa Rica. They work as a together and specialize in knee replacements, hip replacements, and hip resurfacing, hand and shoulder surgeries as well as sports injuries. In the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery we have two of the most respected surgeons in Costa Rica. Each has over 10 years experience and have studied abroad. International Resources Vacation Rentals, Homes & Condos in Acapulco, Mexico Villa Experience Mexico has everything for your villa and condo rental needs in Acapulco...also, private yachts. Enjoy a luxurious home or beach condos on or overlooking the beautiful, blue Pacific Ocean, on your next holiday. Arctic and Antarctic Cruises The ultimate eco-vacation awaits you to the polar regions of the north and south. |