Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The Caribbean Sea lies to the east, and the Pacific Ocean lies to the west.
Costa Rica is rich in geographic and cultural diversity. Despite its relatively compact size—slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia—Costa Rica presents a remarkable array of natural landscapes within its borders.
Beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and rich biodiversity are hallmarks of Costa Rica. The country is home to many kinds of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, and sea turtles.
Costa Rica is also famous for ecotourism, coffee production, and a strong commitment to both human rights and environmental conservation, with nearly a quarter of its land protected as national parks and reserves.
Costa Rica has a population of approximately 5.2 million people (2026 est.). Its capital city is San José, which is an important center for the country’s government, commerce, and culture.
Famous for its peaceful history as one of the few nations in the world without a standing army, high literacy rates, and top quality of life, Costa Rica’s welcoming lifestyle is best captured by the popular national phrase “Pura Vida” (pure life) – also used as a greeting, that reflects the goodwill and community-centered spirit of the Costa Rican people.
Visitors to Costa Rica can enjoy a wide array of activities, from relaxing on pristine beaches and surfing ocean waves to hiking, zip-lining, and exploring national parks.
COSTA RICA IN PHOTOS
Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica
We appreciate you joining us on this exciting photo journey of Costa Rica! And hope you feel inspired to discover more about this wonderful country. Pura Vida!
