Costa Rica is sometimes referred to as Central America's jewel. A small, mountainous country, It is bordered by Nicaragua on the north, the Caribbean Sea and Panama on the east, and the Pacific Ocean on the south and west.

A chain of rugged mountains stretches across central Costa Rica from northwest to southeast. A few of the highest peaks in this chain are active volcanoes and there are widespread tropical forests on the country's coastal lowlands.

Costa Rica has a reputation for being an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours, but this is just one of the features that make the country so appealing. The nation has many natural attractions and a reputation for enlightened conservation which draws tourists from all over the world. Successive governments have made a real effort to preserve the country's image as an ecotourism heaven, making Costa Rica one of the best places to experience the tropics naturally and with minimal impact.

Rain forest is not the only natural attraction. Unsurprisingly for a country which is mostly coastline, Costa Rica has some of the region's best beaches and a year round tropical climate.

Costa Rica is a Central American success story where the rule of law and democracy have become the status quo over the 19 th century. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread and tourism (especially ecotourism) is a rapidly expanding industry.