Costa Rica Any Way You Want It. THINK of Costa Rica as a Rorschach test for travelers. Outlined on a map, it has no recognizable shape. But enclosed in tropical lines of latitude, with appropriate squiggles for mountains, coasts and interior borders, it's an inkblot for projecting travel fantasies. Beach lovers trace the craggy coasts and see hammocks swinging in the sunset breeze. The eyes of the nature-minded glaze when they note all the national parks. And adrenaline fanatics fixate on the mountains and rivers.

Costa Rica is a tropical country located in Central America. Its population is about four million and its land mass measures 19,714 sq miles (52,000 Sq Km). It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Its coasts are bathed by the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Costa Rica, along with the rest of Central American Isthmus Countries, constitutes an interesting geologic, biological and cultural bridge between the two great continental masses of North and South America.

Costa Rica is a peaceful democratic country that does not have an army, with more than 50 years of political stability. Instead of using tax money for the military, it is used for education and social welfare resulting in high social, economical and health figures and rates, placing the country as the most developed in Central America.

The climate is like and eternal spring. Lightweight clothing can be worn all year around. It is marked by two seasons: the dry season (December - April) and the rainy season (May - November). The average temperatures; in the central areas of the country; averages 75º Fahrenheit (23º Celsius) and 85º Fahrenheit (29º Celsius) in the coastal areas.

Costa Rica’s lowest elevation is sea level. Chirripó mountain range, of glacial and volcanic origin, is the highest point in the country, reaching 11,500 feet (3,506 meters) above sea level.

Spanish is the official language. Many Costa Ricans speak English, some speak French, German, Italian and others. The official currency is the Colón. Dollars, major credit cards and traveler’s checks are widely accepted. Some banks accept euros.

The country’s educational system has produced many outstanding professionals who have proven their worth globally. Among them are Franklin Chang, a NASA astronaut who has traveled several times into space and Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica and a Nobel Prize in 1986 for his efforts in bringing peace to Central America.

Major technology, consumer goods and pharmaceutical companies, such as Intel, Procter and Gamble, Conair, Abbot Laboratories, Baxter Healthcare and others, have settled in Costa Rica because of the technical infra-structure and the emerging, bilingual and well educated workforce.

This tiny country is blessed with incomparable natural wealth. The arrival of marine turtles at both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the active volcanoes, its long coastlines, where numerous virgin beaches alternate with rocky coasts arranged on peninsulas or bays of spectacular beauty, the fact that in only a few hours you can access to mountains, volcanoes, moorland and beaches,  natural thermal spring volcanic waters and in general, the natural appeal, makes Costa Rica a true paradise.

About environment and its conservation, Costa Rica constitutes 0.01% of the planet’s landmass, but hosts 6% of the planet’s biodiversity, including large amounts of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, trees and plant species. Thanks to the Costa Rican people’s interest and the aid of international governments and foundations, Costa Rica has enacted many environmental protection laws and has dedicated more than 25% of its territory for the establishment of reserves, national parks and refuges.

All of the above mentioned, added to the Costa Ricans kindness, the economical, political and social stability of the country, the government positive attitude on foreign investments and the fact that electricity, potable water, telephone lines and other type of communications, technology, health care and free public education are available to all its citizens, made Costa Rica become a country that has a lot to offer to its inhabitants and foreign visitors turning into an attractive spot for families and persons looking after life quality.