Life in Costa Rica...

Tree-lined tropical beaches whose warmth is exceeded only by the friendly people who live here. Spectacular birds and flowers whose intense colors rival those of an erupting volcano. Activities ranging from whitewater rafting and surfing to sport fishing and golf. With so much variety, there's guaranteed to be something to suit everyone's taste! One could cross from ocean to ocean in only a few hours. But why hurry? There's just too much to see and do in between. The climate is idyllic with temperatures ranging between the eighty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit.

Located in the tropical latitudes, between the giant biological influences of North and South America and bordered by two oceans, mountainous Costa Rica enjoys an immense diversity of climates and environmental regions. While Costa Rica covers a mere 0.03% of the planet's surface, the nation is endowed with over 5% of all life forms on earth. Costa Rica has preserved this invaluable biodiversity in protected areas covering fully one-quarter of the land. No other country in the world has much actively protected area per capita. Costa Rica is a model for conservation in harmony with community development and economic growth. An impressive 22,647 miles of roads give easy access to every habitat.

"Switzerland" of the Americas

Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. In 1949, the modern constitution abolished the army and directed the country's resources to education, social programs and economic development. This political stability has attracted many international organizations to Costa Rica, such as the Inter American court of human rights, the international development bank and the earth council.

Costa Rica has one of the strongest U.S. dollar reserves in Central America (nearly 1 billion), a democratic government, a high level of education, a strong labor force and one of the best infrastructures in Central America.

Health care

Free universal health care covers everything from dentistry, to maternity care, to open heart surgery. As a result, Costa Rica's population is very healthy and enjoys a life expectancy comparable to that of North Americans. Quality of health care in Costa Rica is comparable to North America, but at rates of 50%-70% less, making medical tourism an important business in Costa Rica.

Education

Costa Rica has the highest literacy in the America's of over 90%. Free and compulsory education for all until the 3rd year of high school, and with some of the best universities in all Latin America, Costa Rica boasts a highly educated work force. Costa Rica's intelligent work force is the main factor behind Costa Rica's emergence as the world's new "Silicon Valley" South.

"Silicon Valley" South

With its highly educated work force, Costa Rica is becoming the America's "Silicon Valley" South. Intel has recently built the world's largest micro chip processing plant in Costa Rica with other companies following suit such as IBM, Microsoft, Motorola, Acer Corp., to name just a few. The government's pro-business attitude coupled with the country's highly educated work force is quickly making Costa Rica the place to do business.

Tourism

Ranking number one as far as investments are concerned, tourism remains in a dynamic role as Costa Rica's number one industry. A major improvement in tourism has been noted in the past five years. Nearly a 58% increase. IN 1999, more than one million tourists visited the country, and Costa Rica is preparing for  further increases each year, which will place tourism into the number one source of income. Visitors to Costa Rica consist mainly of North American's and European's.

Gold Coast

Costa Rica’s sunniest region, Guanacaste contains a mind-boggling selection of beaches, offering access to world-class sportfishing, skin diving and championship golfing.  But there's more to the North Pacific than sun, sand and surf – it's attractions Iinclude vast expanses of endangered wilderness, forest cloaked volcanoes, historic towns and ranches.

The Gold Coast features some of Costa Rica's most important National Parks, as well as the private preserve of Monteverde, which offers access to the luxuriant world of the cloud forest.  Parks such as Santa Rosa an Palo Verde protect some of the last remnants of tropical dry forest .  Tropical dry forests tend to drop most of their foliage during the December to May dry season, which makes the province resemble a desert come April.  But once the seasonal rains begin in late May, the area quickly regains its verdure.  In addition to such tropical animals such as capuchin monkeys and parrots, the region's tropical dry forests are home for such Northern species as the Virgina oppossums and the white tailed deer.

The Gold Coast features world class sportfishing which is why Playas del Coco Beach has long hosted an annual international fishing tournament.  The abundant billfish may have made the North Pacific famous among anglers, with marlin and sailfish being caught in phenomenal numbers, but fisherman also hook into plenty of tough fighting wahoo, mahi mahi, roosterfish, amberjack and yellowfin tuna.  

The Gold Coast is Costa Rica's most popular diving area, thanks to the diversity of dive spots abundance of big fish.  Culebra Bay has the greatest coral diversity in the region, but perhaps more popular is the ocean around the Islas Murcielagos, or Bat Islands, where divers often spot sharks and manta rays.  Isla Santa Catalina, further to the south is another good spot for encounters with big marine wildlife.  Snorkelers often spot stingrays, and schools of yellow jacks and sardines.  The visibility in the North Pacific tends to be best from June to September.

Gulf of Papagayo

The small bay of Bahia Culebra is located just North of the small town of El Coco.  The Bay's waters hold an abundance of fish and corals.  There are a number of stunning beaches, some of which are quite popular, while others await discovery.  A series of small coves line the bay's shore.  Papagayo Beach is home to Costa Rica's newly developing Tourism Center .  With beaches only 20 minutes to the international airport. The government's proposed development of this peninsula as an International destination Couldn't be more fitting.  Dotted with new 18-hole championship golf courses, resort hotels and residential developments, Papagayo Bay is the vacationer's dream.