About Costa Rica

 Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica’s main sources of income is tourism. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country and it has not had an army since the year 1948.

Although the country is small and it covers only 0.03 percent of the surface of the globe, it proudly shelters 5 percent of the existing biodiversity in the entire world. Twenty six percent of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory. This natural treasure is protected by the National System of Conservation Areas, preserving a total of 26 percent of the national territory. Visitors can enjoy the country's majestic volcanoes, Pacific and Caribbean beaches, tropical dry, wet, and rain forests, as well as exhilarating jungle landscapes.

With a goal to be the first carbon neutral country in the world by 2021, sustainable practices are observed in every region of the country, across all industries, adopted by all citizens and embraced by visitors. From local Costa Rican cuisine to artisan crafts to traditional customs and celebrations, sustainability is embedded deeply in the culture and traditions of Costa Rica.

Costa Ricans are proud to live among and protect their country’s rich environment. Costa Rica produces nearly 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources. A pioneer in the area of sustainability, Costa Rica is a model for sustainable practices for many industries within the region and around the world.

Costa Rica is located in the Tropics, in the region between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn which gives its ecological surroundings – its forests, waters, soils and climate – certain tropical characteristics. Its flora and fauna are adapted to these conditions, meaning that they are tropical as well. This tropical climate is modified by various factors, including relief (mountains, plains and plateaus), its position on the Central American isthmus, the influence of the oceans (winds and sea breezes and the temperature of ocean currents) and the general atmospheric circulation. The interaction of all of these local geographic, atmospheric and oceanic factors are the main causes of the country’s regional climate. The northwest-southeast orientation of the mountain range divides Costa Rica into two sides: the Pacific and the Caribbean. Each one of these has its own precipitation and temperature regimen with particular spatial and temporal distribution.