Costa Rica, where democracy is tradition

Proudly proclaiming one of the oldest democracies in the Americas, the inhabitants of this small, free and independent republic, walk to the beat of a different drummer.

After the 1948 revolution, the constitution abolished the Costa Rican army. Since then, the Civil Guard has been sufficient protection for its citizens.

The results of these democratic traditions also are reflected in the availability of education and medical attention. Ninety-three percent of the population is literate, one of the highest rates in the Western Hemisphere

Medical care reaches not only those in urban areas but those living in rural parts of the country. Infant mortality is low and life expectancy exceeds 70 years of age.

More than 10% of Costa Rica territory is preserved in national parks, boasting an abundance of wildlife and brilliant tropical flora. Temperatures average 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, slightly higher on the Pacific Coast. In addition you can find endless miles of sunny beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. These beaches have lured thousands of international tourists and retirees to Costa Rica for decades.

Over 1,500,000 tourists make the trek to Costa Rica each year and over 30,000 United States’ citizens have moved to Costa Rica and declared it home, drawn by the quality of life and affordable cost of living.

The country is also known as an ecotourism destination and has a landmass about the size of West Virginia. It claims to contain 6% of the world’s biodiversity. Within an hour travel time from San José, one can see dense rainforest, jungle, deciduous forest, steep mountains, volcanoes, dry savannah desert, lagoons, lush and fertile plantations, sugar cane fields, soft sand ocean beaches, and cattle ranches. Five percent of all known species on earth exist there with twice the number of bird species of the United States and more butterflies than all of Africa.

Costa Rica truly embraces its well deserved motto…..
Pura Vida, pure life!