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Location - Officially the Republic of Costa Rica, this Central American country has a population of approximately 4.8 million. This country has been been ranked the happiest in the world by Happy Planet Index.

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'Pura Vida' - The most common way to greet or say goodbye to someone in Costa Rica is by using the expression 'Pura Vida', which is like a philosophy of life in the country.

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Oceans - Two oceans wash the country's shores: The Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, resulting in beautiful beaches among its other natural beauties.

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History - But before going into the country's natural wonders, how about learning a little about its history? Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica during his fourth voyage to the Americas in 1502.

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No army - Costa Rica hasn't had an army since 1948 and it's also one of the oldest democracies in Latin America.

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Federal Republic of Central America - The territory that is now Costa Rica was part of the Federal Republic of Central America for 17 years. The then-sovereign state also included present-day Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. 

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Local population - Costa Ricans are called ticos (men) and ticas (women).

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Nature - About 50% of Costa Rica's territory consists of native vegetation and 25% of this green area is protected by law.

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Climate - Temperature in Costa Rica remains around 25ºC year round. The winter season is generally rainy. 

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Volcanoes - Costa Rica has more than 110 volcanoes, some of which are active. 

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Volcanoes - The local volcanoes attract swarms of tourists. The Poas is located near the capital and is surrounded by walls formed by petrified lava. Arenal is situated in La Fortuna and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and vegetation.

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Ecotourism - Ecotourism is important in the region. Trails provide a great opportunity to enjoy the local nature as they take you to all kinds of places: beaches, mountains, and volcanoes.

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Tortuguero - Another worthwhile trip for ecotourists is the village of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. Go aboard a boat for an incredible journey through the jungle canals, where you can spot birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. Also, go on a night stroll along the beach to see giant sea turtles.

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Manuel Antonio National Park - One of the most important tourist attractions in Costa Rica is the Manuel Antonio Park, which houses several bays. It's well worth a stroll through its beaches, ponds, and forest.

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Barra Honda National Park - The park was created in 1974 to protect its famous cave systems. The Terciopelo cave is the only one that can be accessed by the public.

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Coffee - Don't miss out on the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation and, of course, to taste the coffee. Costa Rican coffee is famous and consumed around the world.

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San José - The country's capital and largest city has charming historic neighborhoods, the beautiful National Theater, squares, and Victorian and Art Déco architecture in Barrio Amón.

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Sarchí Village - One of Costa Rica's main symbols, the carts, are from San José, which were used transport coffee. In this village, you can find great shops to buy local handicrafts.

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Biodiversity - Be sure to visit the area between Santa Elena and Monteverde for incredible biodiversity as well as great resorts.

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Butterflies - Costa Rica has more than 1,250 species of butterflies. Among the main places to see them are La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and Butterfly Farm.

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Cuisine - Bananas (plantains) are also widely used in local cuisine. Green plantain is usually used in salty dishes and ripe ones in sweet dishes.

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Food - One of Costa Rica's main dishes is gallo pinto, whose base consists of black beans and rice. This traditional dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Diving - For an incredible diving experience, head to the Gulf of Papagayo, whose clear waters offer high visibility great for admiring the marine fauna and flora. You can see stingrays, sharks, turtles, whales, and fish, among other species.

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Rivers - Costa Rica is home to several rivers, which makes it a great opportunity for rafting. Head to the Turrialba area for the perfect combination of turbulent and limpid waters.

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Playa Negra - If surfing is your thing, Costa Rica is the perfect place for you. Playa Negra (Spanish for "black beach") is a surfer's paradise. Located in Los Pargos, the gray-sanded beach is popular for its world-class waves, according to Costa Rica Surfing.

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Playa Negra - Playa Negra gained popularity after being featured in the 1994 film 'The Endless Summer II,' according to Costa Rica Surfing.

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Pavones - This beach is one of the most remote surfing destinations in the country. Srfer.com defines Pavones as the beach with the longest 'left' in the world.

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Playa Hermosa - This beach is a surfer's paradise due to its well-defined and consistent waves year round, according to Costa Rica Surfing.

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Tamarindo - This beach's popularity is in great part responsible for the region's development. Today, the town counts with a great variety of hotels, restaurants, and infrastructure to receive tourists. Here, you can find smaller waves during most of the year, being one of the best places to learn to surf.

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Santa Teresa - Santa Teresa beaches offer ideal conditions for surfing year round, with consistent waves, according to MalpaisBeach.

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