What is Costa Rica number 1 in?

Costa Rica has been dubbed one of the happiest countries in the world. As a matter of fact, according to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is the happiest in the world, in terms of well-being, life expectancy, and ecological footprint.



As of 2026, Costa Rica remains the number one country in the world for environmental performance and sustainability in many global indices, specifically for its "Green Energy" production. The country consistently generates over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, including hydro, wind, and geothermal power. Additionally, Costa Rica is frequently ranked number one in the Happy Planet Index, which measures sustainable well-being (how long and happy people live relative to their environmental footprint). The nation's "Pura Vida" lifestyle is backed by the fact that it was the first country in the Americas to officially abolish its military in 1948, allowing it to redirect funds toward education and universal healthcare. In the 2026 "Future of Relocation" rankings, Costa Rica also holds the top spot for Digital Nomad destinations in Latin America due to its specialized visa programs and legal certainty. Whether it’s biodiversity conservation—protecting over 5% of the world's species in just 0.03% of its landmass—or the pursuit of peace and happiness, Costa Rica continues to lead the globe as a model for a sustainable, demilitarized, and ecologically conscious society.

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Cost of housing in Costa Rica vs the United States For a 1-bedroom apartment near a metropolitan area in Costa Rica, it will cost the average tenant $541 a month. In the United States, the average 1-bedroom apartment will cost $1531 a month to live in a city.

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A nation proud to be without an army (Costa Ricans disbanded their armed forces in 1949). A nation with a long history of public services, including education and healthcare, available to all. A nation proud to share its cultural riches.

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Costa Rica and The United States have maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1851. The United States is Costa Rica's most important trading partner. The two countries share growing concerns for the environment and want to preserve Costa Rica's tropical resources and prevent environmental degradation.

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Costa Rica is famous for its incredible national parks, where travelers enjoy thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It's also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.

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As you interact with Costa Ricans your age, you may become aware that social rules and etiquette are stricter for women than for men. You may notice that Costa Rican women rarely drink very much, and they almost never go to clubs or bars alone. U.S. women are stereotyped in Costa Rica as being sexually available.

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The majority of the Costa Rican Population comes from Europe since it was a Spanish colony for a long time. 83.6% of the Ticos are white or mestizo, 6.7% mulattoes, 2.4% Native American and 1.1% black or Afro-Caribbean. This makes Costa Rica one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in Central America.

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Comparisons with the United States and Sweden show that the Costa Rican advantage comes mostly from reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases, coupled with a low prevalence of obesity, as the only available explanatory risk factor.

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