| The beautiful and exotic country of Costa Rica sits in | | | | squeezed into one small place. Home to over 10% of |
| between Panama and Nicaragua in the heart of | | | | the world's butterfly species, Costa Rica is also the |
| Central America. Just over 19,700 sq miles in area, this | | | | habitat of more than 850 species of birds, endemic |
| tiny nation has the distinction of being called 'one of the | | | | and migratory. The marine ecosystem here is unlike |
| most biodiverse places on earth' by the National | | | | any in the world, with an array of marine mammals |
| Geographic magazine. Encompassing just 0.1% of the | | | | from various kinds of whales to Olive Ridley sea |
| planet's surface, which is roughly smaller than the state | | | | turtles to the rare and endangered West Indian |
| of West Virginia, Costa Rica is home to over 5% of | | | | manatee found here. |
| the world's biodiversity. Another unknown fact about | | | | For those who are looking for some excitement and |
| this tiny country is that in terms of species per 10,000 | | | | adventure, head on to the surf points of Witches Rock |
| sq km, Costa Rica sits atop the list with 615 wildlife | | | | along the Guanacaste shoreline or the superb Salsa |
| species. | | | | Brava near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the |
| One of the most peaceful and politically stable | | | | Caribbean Coast. If you prefer staying on land, then a |
| countries in the Americas with no standing army, | | | | hike to the summit of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano |
| Costa Rica is a nature wonderland for those who are | | | | offers some fabulous views of the surrounding region. |
| looking for fun and excitement. The ideal place if one | | | | Traverse through the Parque Nacional Corcovado, one |
| just wants to relax on the beach and chill or explore | | | | of the most lush and secluded national parks in the |
| the crater of a dormant volcano; Costa Rica is the | | | | country or river raft down the famous Rio Savegre, |
| place to be! Now among the premier destinations in | | | | considered among the cleanest rivers in Central |
| the world for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts | | | | America. If you enjoy heights then a canopy tour |
| alike, there is never a dull moment here with so much | | | | offers a unique way to view the gorgeous rainforests |
| to do and even more to discover. | | | | below, while rappeling down waterfalls is the latest |
| Hike your way through some of the densest and | | | | adventure craze to hit Costa Rica. |
| remote rainforests known to man; get some up close | | | | Map out a luxury holiday or backpack exciting |
| views of an active volcano; surf some of the most | | | | adventure vacation here, but don't fool yourself into |
| amazing waves in the world; encounter the most | | | | thinking that you can explore this tiny Latin American |
| exotic flora and fauna; scuba dive with dolphins, turtles | | | | country within a week. The landscape here can often |
| and whales; zip high across jungles for fascinating | | | | be quite treacherous especially during the rainy season, |
| canopy tours; and trek across some of the most | | | | therefore a map is a great way to chart out your way |
| beautiful landscapes into a whole new world, amid the | | | | across the country, if you are not using a tour or travel |
| stunning cloud forests that sit high atop the mountains. | | | | guide. To have a great holiday, make sure your maps |
| With such amazing beauty it is no wonder then that | | | | are up to date and carefully plan your trip with the help |
| Costa Rica has a rich ecological diversity, because | | | | of a reputed guidebook or travel website. |
| nowhere else in the world has so many habitats been | | | | |