It was only two decades ago that the traveling public "discovered" Costa Rica. As nature-based tourism grew in popularity during the 1990’s, more and more travelers began to experience the pristine natural areas protected by Costa Rica’s renowned conservation efforts. They explored the rain forests, cloud forests, highland paramos and coastal mangroves. No one else was in sight when they swam in the warm, tropical waters of isolated beaches, where forests grew right down to the golden sand. A special sense of wonder filled each of these visitors as they watched giant sea turtles digging their nest in the sand under a dark tropical sky. Adventurers ran exciting white-water rivers, stared into the crater of an active volcano, descended into underground caverns, leisurely visited a coffee plantation, went ballooning over the forest and took scuba diving lessons. Everyone wished they’d taken a longer vacation, but they hadn’t expected so much to see and do in such a small country. After all, it only measures about 20,000 square miles (51,100 km2).

All of these people went home bursting with enthusiasm for the peaceful, democratic country without an army; where the local people (Ticos) are so incredibly friendly; where education and health come above all else; and where discussing things seems to be a way of life. (No wonder it’s one of the oldest democracies in the Americas.) Travelers described a country with all the modern goods and services that have managed to preserve its rural charm. Many of them started making plans to come back... some of them to stay.

This almost magnetic attraction makes Costa Rica an ideal choice for both markets for which destination appeal is a major factor.

Meeting in our country also makes economic sense.