There are no limits separating Costa Rica from the sea. In this small area of firm land, there are 762 miles of coastlines, distributed on the Pacific and the Caribbean. Costa Rican beaches allow you to sun-tan while having the additional bonus of being part of a complex pro-nature system known as the Ecological Blue Flag, award given to 56 of Costa Rica's beaches, distributed throughout the territory. This program is implemented thanks to Costa Rica's commitment with sustainability and environmental protection. This guarantees tourists that beaches they visit have enough safety and cleanliness to spend well their vacations. Costa Rica's beaches are surrounded by forests, and have great natural diversity. In many of them there are beautiful coral reefs, where you may dive and explore. In addition, depending on the place visited, you have a series of complementary activities, such as: hikes to mangroves, diving, surfing, sport fishing, hiking on trails or horseback rides. Thanks to the easy access to many beaches, you can make the most out of both coasts. Most of them have warm water throughout the year, so you may come and enjoy the country any season you prefer. If it's diversity you're interested in, each coast offers different shades and textures of sand, white, yellow, gray and black, product of the constant crashing of seashells on coral reefs.

The country's natural attractions, wildlife and reputation for enlightened conservation draw tourists from all over the world, and the ticos know it. 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. 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that captivate ecotourism lovers can be found throughout the country. The variety of activities includes horseback riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, and guided bird-watching tours.

Costa Rica's forests can be lumped into three general groups: rain, cloud and dry forests. Rain forests, with their massive trees, very high canopies and little growing on the dimly lit forest floor, can be found in the Atlantic lowlands and southwest. The northwest contains some of the last remnants of the tropical dry forest, a less exuberant life zone that shares much of the diversity of the rain forests. Cloud forests, which cover the upper slopes of most mountains and volcanoes, are the most luxuriant of the tropical forests, with mosses and other small plants covering the trunks and branches of trees. They are all beautiful, and in many ways similar, but each one has plants and animals that won't be found in the rest of them.

Tortuguero National Park is especially famous for sea turtle nesting that takes place every year, and the natural canals that abound with protected species such as crocodiles, manatees, and otters. Other well known National Parks with diverse flora and fauna are: Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, Barra Honda, Chirripo and the Corcovado National Park.

One of Costa Rica's main attractions is the Arenal Volcano. This active volcano will delight lucky visitors with a fire show, with rock and lava eruption. At the volcano's foot, visitors can find one of Costa Rica's best windsurf spots, because winds on the lake can reach 45 miles per hour.

Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official language -- Spanish -- to the architecture of the country's churches and other historic buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible, but can be found in everything from the tortillas that make part of a typical Costa Rican meal, to the handmade ceramics sold at roadside stands. Various events and festivals throughout the year will bring the interested visitor closer to Costa Rica's people and cultures. Worth visiting are for example the San Jose Carnaval in December, the Barva Feria Nacional de la Mascarada in March or the Día de Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Los Ángeles in August , but there is much more.