Exotic and economical
Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and
an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal
impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built
for laziness.
Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to
playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a
mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Meanwhile, endangered sea
turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats.
