Tourism
Costa Rica is one of most highly valued tourist destinations in this planet. This small piece of land includes all of the necessary components to satisfy the taste of thousands of travelers visiting each year. Costa Rica is characterized by an impressive scenic beauty, a consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels, and efficient infrastructure and services.
Costa Rica is a wonderland of natural attractions, with volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests, and unique wildlife. This is a country that appeals as much to birdwatchers and luxury focused travelers as it does to surfers and backpackers. The busy city of San Jose is home to the country’s best museums and lovely squares, but the real treasures lie beyond the capital, in the forests and small coastal villages. Endless stretches of beach line the Pacific Coast, with small towns that cater to surfers and sun seekers. Inland, the forest-covered mountains offer their own adventures, from volcanoes and waterfalls to ziplining and extraordinary wildlife viewing. Costa Rica also has shoreline on the Caribbean. While this is a lesser visited area of the country, it offers something a little different in terms of culture and attractions, and is known in particular as a breeding ground for green sea turtles.
Costa Rica is one of those rare countries where the wildlife alone can be worth the trip. It more than makes up for with unique and prevalent wildlife experiences. Visitors rarely need to search out animals, with monkeys making regular appearances around the towns, scarlet macaws and toucans nesting just beyond poolside, and some animals that visitors may not even recognize roaming the parks. Opportunities to see wildlife are not limited to any one area, but visiting the parks or taking organized tours with knowledgeable guides will improve the chances of seeing some of the more elusive species.
For further information, please visit the website for the Costa Rican Tourism Board.
If you are planning a trip to Coco’s Island, please contact the Area de Conservación Marina Isla del Coco (Ph/Fax: (506) 2258-7350).
Medical Tourism
According to the Costa Rica Tourist Board, about 200 medical procedures are performed every month in the nation’s hospitals for medical tourists. Among the procedures done are cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, hip replacement operations, cataract removal and other treatments for eye and dental care. Medical care in Costa Rica is attractive for international patients because of low prices, high standards of care and access to tourist attractions. Some important centers are the Clinica Biblica, Hospital CIMA and Clínica Católica.