A truly amazing country that is well known for its breathtaking beauty and fantastic culture with friendly natives, Costa Rica offers visitors a plethora of things to do and sights to see. While there are many things to choose from to see and do, one can always simply escape to that secluded beach and just bask in the sun, swinging back and forth in a hammock with a frosty ice-cold beverage of choice.

Costa Rica rainforests should definitely be high on any visitor's list of things to see. Over 25% of Costa Rica is covered solely by rainforest habitat. Protecting some of the most exotic plants and animals in the entire world, the rainforests are amongst the most unique and productive ecosystems on earth. Costa Rica is currently actively involved in the rainforests' conservation and protection and the rainforests are highly regarded as the country's greatest national treasure.

Costa Rica currently has five active volcanoes within its borders. The most amazing volcano that visitors won't want to miss is called the Volcan Arenal. It erupts every day, shooting molten lava to light up the sky like fireworks. For the most daring and adventurous folks, there is a volcano that can be climbed called the Volcan Irazu. It has a breathtaking green lake in its crater.

Costa Rica has more than 60 national parks, refuges, reserves and biological zones that were created to provide protection for the numerous animals and plants that live in this modern day Garden of Eden. Parks not to be missed include the popular Parque Nacional Manuel, Corcovado National Park and The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

The climate throughout Costa Rica is about as diverse as the landscapes there. Some have arid climates and the Parque Nacional Tapanti is one of the wettest areas in the country. San Jose and the Central Valley typically thoroughly enjoy the best weather with an average of a perfect 72F. The weather is at its best between December and April for visiting this lovely country; however if you don't mind some wet weather you may avoid crowds, save money and still have plenty of sun if you choose off-peak dates.

While Costa Rica may be small in size, it makes up for this in its dramatic beauty, with plenty to see and even more to do. Nature hikes, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, sport fishing, white water rafting, and mountain biking are just some of the many adventures one can indulge in while exploring this still vastly undiscovered and intensely lush region.

Switching to a more serious tone, some may wonder how the healthcare system is in a land like Costa Rica. Aside from services offered to tourists, Costa Rica is also credited for providing both high quality public and private healthcare services with prestigious hospitals and other health facilities. The World Health Organization rated Costa Rica's health system among the three top Latin America countries, ranked even higher than the USA's. It's no wonder that medical and dental tourism is also a growing industry, with many travelers opting to take advantage of the excellent care at affordable prices, while also enjoying a vacation at the same time. There are even hotels and inns that cater to the medical tourist.

In closing, beaches, national parks, rainforests, volcanoes and so much more, this small yet amazing country is filled with natural beauty unlike any other place in the world. Once you visit Costa Rica, you may never want to leave!