Costa Rica is known as a tropical nature paradise without equal. There is not other place on earth that has such a rich biodiversity or flora and fauna. The Costa Ricans recognize this richness and try to protect it for future generations. More than 27 percent of the country is nature reserve, where there are 800 species of birds, more than 200 species of mammals, about 400 species of reptiles, and over 9000 different flowers, among them 1200 orchids. There are 1400 varieties of trees.

Visitors to the country appreciate the friendliness of the Costa Ricans toward all people above all. Costa Ricans take their time to chat and to joke, and their openness and warmth easily rub off on newcomers. People of European, African, Asian, and Indian descent enrich the culture with their customs, languages and eating habits.