Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, The Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
Costa Rica is one of the 20 countries with the most biodiversity in the world and it hosts close to 5% of all species of the world. The system of National Parks and Reserves covers an area of 1342 hectares (25% of its territory). These areas include islands and beaches, rain and tropical dry forest, active volcanos, mangrove swamps, hot springs, caves, river canyons, and waterfalls.
Costa Rica government is responsible for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the country. The public and private initiatives are helping the country to increase the percentage of protected territory. These areas are used for eco-tourism and research.
Sustainable Ecotourism
Costa Rica has proved that conservation and growth can go together.
Costa Rica’s tourism industry has developed as environmentally sound and lucrative, protecting the vast natural treasures of the country, bringing economic opportunities for the rural areas. The far-reaching environmental and economic benefits of ecotourism cannot be denied. Costa Rica has been able to attain sustainable development and protect the unspoiled landscapes from any potential harm.
Climate
Tropical all year round and you can find many microclimates depending on rainfall, elevation and the topography of each region. This country does not have a real summer or winter due to its proximity to Ecuador. The temperature averages are 70 to 81 F (21 to 27 C). The rainiest months (green season) go from May until early December and the dry season from December through April. The Caribbean coast is unique and has its own microclimate, the weather is hot and humid most of the year; it rains very often all the year around.
Costa Rica General Facts
Republic of Costa Rica
Land area: 19,560 sq mi (50,660 sq km); total area: 19,730 sq mi (51,100 sq km)
Population (2018 est.): 5 million.
Capital and largest city (2011 est.): San José.
Monetary unit: Colón ( Aprox. exch. rate: â‚¡600 x US$1)
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Ethnicity/race: white or mestizo 83.6%, mulato 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)