How much do you know about Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a population of five million people. Its citizens affectionately refer to themselves as “Ticos” (male) and “Ticas” (female). The immediate friendliness and warmth of Costa Ricans allow visitors to easily get back to nature and experience the Costa Rican concept of “pura vida,” or pure life, that is the unofficial national motto and a phrase you’ll hear daily while in the country.
Economy:
Costa Rica has been a leader in Eco-friendly Tourism , which exploded in the 1990’s to become one of the country’s leading industries.
Ecotourism:
“The government established its first national park in 1971. Today the park system covers 70 preserves protecting over 3.2 million acres as tourism mushroomed as an economic driver in the country.” Costa Rica has also been embraced by travelers concerned about their carbon footprint. According to the tourism board, Costa Rica produces more than 90 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and 26 percent of its territory is protected natural land.
Geography:
Founded by Spanish settlers in 1737 in Costa Rica’s central valley, high in the mountains, San José became the capital in 1823, just in time for the burgeoning coffee industry to bring it prosperity.
In the last few years, the urban core of San José has undergone a revival. For decades, the city center has felt a bit abandoned and sometimes seedy as well-heeled locals gravitated toward modern suburbs like Escazu and Santa Ana, home to American-style malls and restaurant chains.
History:
Following a Civil War in 1948, Costa Rica became one of roughly twenty nations worldwide that does not have a standing military.
The country is synonymous with sustainable tourism and Eco-tourism, having abolished its standing military following the Costa Rican Civil War in 1948 and funneled some of that money into developing social and environmental conservation program.
Topography:
Costa Rica has a lush ecosystem and currently holds about six percent of the world’s biodiversity and a varied landscapes. Among its notable features is Talamanca Mountain range, and active volcanoes. Also you can find a distinguished defined Coasts Atlantic and Pacific.
Costa Rica’s Caribbean is well known for it rich cultural afro heritage – best places are Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.
Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast host an International Airport the Daniel Oduber and great hotels such as the Four Season in Papagayo and world class Marinas. Guanacaste and Puntarenas are the great beach areas to visit, also Mountain retreats are well-known for the green scenario they represent and thermal waters.
With all this your second home in Costa Rica is awaiting for you.
