Costa Rica is a small country, so maybe it's no surprise that it captures the imagination disproportionately. Everyone who goes seems to return with great things to say. People tend to think first of the rainforests and beaches and the animals; it is indeed a country with as much as 6% of the world's species, according to official literature; it also has protected a significant share of its territory, leaving the forests, coasts, and the wild animals intact. So that it is a very varied country. You can travel from cloud forest to volcano; from the Pacific surf town to the Caribbean beach calm; the scenery is a quick change and everything has the color. 

Monteverde is famous for its vegetation and misty forests and wildlife, while the coastal areas attract tourists for sun and fishing or leisure days in the water. And, in a land where the geography is so impressive that it has been used to forge a national identity linked to nature and outdoor recreation. 

But Costa Rica's story extends beyond nature and scenery. After a civil war in 1948, Josˇ Figueres Ferrer abolished the army, a decision that still marks the country and has been seen as part of its historical process. Although it is hardly a paradise, Costa Rica is one of the more stable countries in the region with a strong institutional structure. 

The country also has an excellent environmental reputation. Costa Rica was the first tropical country to turn the process of deforestation around (the World Bank) and now its forested area has recovered significantly since the late twentieth century. It has emerged as a model of conservation and economic integration, particularly through ecotourism. 

Costa Rica is admired because it is a place where life in nature seems more natural. You see a lot of that when the expression "pura vida" is used to say hello, goodbye, "that's good, that's everything," or "I am enjoying the moment." For that reason Costa Rica has managed to stand out for its beauty and its spirit.