Though gaining in popularity, Costa Rica remains one of the "best kept secrets" of vacation destinations. Though it's only as big as West Virginia, there are few places in the world that compare for the sheer magnitude of its bio-diversity. Twelve major life zones provide refuge for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 mammal species! Active volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the dramatic Pacific coastline, and tranquil Caribbean beaches ramble across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, which harbor more than five percent of the world's plant and animal species.

Equally fantastic are the activities - rafting, scuba diving, jungle hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more. As the perfect complement to this vacation Eden, Costa Ricans (Ticos, as they call themselves) are friendly, peaceful people who welcome you to their country like a long-lost relative. Simultaneously, Costa Rica is known for the multi-ethnic pleasures of its capital, San José, and as a producer of some of the world's best coffee. Most Costa Rican vacations begin and end in the exciting capital, but it's what lies beyond that takes your breath away!