Destinations like Costa Rica are natural, peaceful, offering overwhelming natural beauty. Located in Central America, Costa Rica is the most peaceful and democratic country in the region. Because it offers these characteristics plus some of the more comfortable lifestyle amenities, Costa Rica has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

Costa Rica destination facts are as follows:

• Population: 4 million
• Life expectancy: 78 years
• Adult literacy: 96%
• Population living below poverty: 18%
• Size: 51,100 sq. km. (19,730 sq. mi) and third largest country in Central America.
• Where: situated between Panama and Nicaragua.
• Highest mountain: Mt. Chirripo at 3,820m (12,000 ft)
• Protected land: 27%
• Length of coastline: 1,300 km (815 mi) (
• Number of species of birds: 850+
• Population living in San Jose: 10%
• Number of foreigners residing: 250,000
• Patriotism: at 7 a.m. every morning, Costa Rican radios play the national anthem.
• Lifestyle: named the happiest country in 2009
• Economy: tourism, agriculture and electronics exports.
• Annual coffee consumption per person: 3.9kg (8.9 lbs)

Costa Rica offers a diverse variety of Costa Rica travel destination options and many things to do. The diverse variety makes it difficult to make a choice. There are activities such as fishing, surfing, golfing, white water rafting, bird watching, hiking and touring. The vacation options include package holidays or independently planned beachfront holidays.

If the above activities aren't your thing, visitors can rent a car and take a drive through one of the scenic routes in Costa Rica. The other options is to take a boat ride through a waterway or mangrove.

Conservation & ecotourism is an important industry in Costa Rica and there are some equally important considerations when traveling.

Conservation and ecotourism are important to the survival of Costa Rica as a travel destination. It's important for visitors to be respectful of the ecology and wildlife. As ecotourism becomes more popular, the pressure of this industry on its frail resources non-sustainable impact. In order for the industry to remain sustainable, it's important to be sensitive to the issues surrounding habitat and animal conservation.

Do's & dont's of wildlife viewing

Below is a guide to wildlife viewing etiquette:

• Keep a safe distance from animals. For smaller animals, stay at least 30m (100 ft) away and for larger, stay 100m (325 ft) away.
• Don't feed the wildlife. It's dangerous and illegal to feed animals. If visitors feed them or leave garbage behind, which inadvertently feeds them, animals become food junkies.
• Avoid nest and den sites.
• Don't entice or startle animals. Don't call out, howl or whistle at animals.
• Avoid eye contact, as this can be perceived as aggression by the animal.
• Leave young animals alone. The mother is dangerous.
• Stay on the trail. Avoid trampling vegetation. The vegetation is frail and takes years to re-grow.
• Don't pose people with animals for photos.
• Keep a close eye on children. Don't let them wander off alone or approach wildlife.