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Why do tourists love Costa Rica?

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.



In 2026, Costa Rica remains a global favorite primarily for its "Pura Vida" lifestyle and unparalleled biodiversity, which contains nearly 6% of the world's species in a tiny geographic footprint. Tourists are drawn to the "easy adventure" model where one can surf on the Pacific coast in the morning and hike a cloud forest in the afternoon. The country's commitment to sustainability is a major draw; by 2026, reforestation efforts have made it a lush haven for sloths, macaws, and howler monkeys, often visible from hotel balconies. Additionally, the infrastructure is highly developed for families and solo travelers alike, offering world-class ziplining, volcanic hot springs, and eco-lodges that prioritize conservation. The warmth of the "Ticos" (locals) and the country's status as one of the safest destinations in Latin America solidify its reputation as a premier wellness and nature retreat that balances rugged exploration with high-end comfort.

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There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world and Arenal is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world's biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .

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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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Costa Rica is a very safe and stable country, and our favorite to visit for many reasons. We can safely say we've never felt in danger or uneasy here on any of our trips. The country is known for its friendly locals and has a relatively low crime rate compared to other countries Central American countries.

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If you're beach lovers and want to soak up some heat, Costa Rica is going to be a great choice for you. If you're lovers of adventure and the mountains, then Peru might take some beating!

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The Global Peace Index, released in May by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Costa Rica ranked as the second most peaceful country in Latin America after Uruguay and above Chile. In the overall index, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, second New Zealand and Japan third.

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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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Tap water in Costa Rica is generally clean and safe to drink. In some areas of the country, though, mainly on the Caribbean side and in non-touristy pockets around the country, it's best to stick to bottled water.

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“We have the highest salaries in Central America; they are sometimes on par with salaries paid in industrialized nations, but we also have certain obligations (such as to La Caja), and other rules that make Costa Rica expensive; for example, mandatory tipping that is factored into restaurant bills.

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