Costa Rica

Costa Rica (literally 'rich coast'), officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, IPA: [re'puβlika ðe 'kosta 'rika]), is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.

Costa Rica is located on the Central American isthmus, 10° North of the equator and 84° West of the Prime Meridian. It borders both the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometres (802 mi) of coastline (212 km / 132 mi on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km / 631 mi on the Pacific). It is about the size of West Virginia.

Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the NORTH (309 km / 192 mi of border) and Panama to the south-southeast (639 km / 397 mi of border). In total, Costa Rica comprises 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 sq. mi) plus 589.000 square kilometers of territorial waters.

The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, with 3,810 metres (12,500 ft), and is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano (3,431 m or 11,257 ft). The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.

Costa Rica also comprises several islands. Cocos Island stands out because of its distance from continental landmass (24 km² or 9.25 sq mi, 500 km or 300 mi from Puntarenas coast), but Calero Island is the biggest island of the country (151.6 km² or 58.5 sq mi).

Costa Rica protects over 25% of its national territory within national parks. It also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.

Ski resorts

Beach resorts

Flamingo Beach Resort, Tango Mar Beach Resort, Bahia Ballena, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Ocotal, Papagayo, Playa Carrillo, Playa Conchal , Playa del Coco, Playa Grande, Playa Hermosa, Playa Junquillal, Playa panama, Punta Islita, Rincon de la Vieja, Samara, Sugar Beach, Tamarindo, Playa Tambor, Dominical, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Puerto Quepos, Cabo Matapalo, Drake Bay, Golfito, Playa Zancudo, Puerto Jimenes, Cahuita, Puerto Limon, Puerto Viejo

Spa resorts

Pura Vida, Surf Spa Costa Rica, Tabacon Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Arenal Volcano Inn, Cuna del Angel Hotel, Hotel Punta Islita, The Sanctuary Resort & Spa, Amon Plaza hotel, Baldi Termae, Barcelo San Jose Palacio Spa & Casino, Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa, El Nakuti Resort, El Rodeo Country Inn & Steak House, Essence Day Spa, Hotel Aeropuerto, Hotel Arboleda, Hotel Borinquen Mountain Resort, Hotel D'Galah & Spa, Hotel Los Lagos, Hotel Montana Monteverde, Hotel Occidental El Tucano, Lavas Tacotal Lodge, Montana de Fuego Resort and Spa, Ojo del Mar Eco Lodge, Paradisus Playa Conchal, Raindrop Spa, Sea Glass Spa, Tabacon Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Tacocal Hotel, Travelers Inn, Voec Retreats, Xandari Resort Hotel & Spa

Golf regions

Cariari, Garra de Leon, Los Suenos, Pinilla, Valle del Sol, Paradisus Playa Conchal, Rancho Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, Costa Rica Country Club, Cariari Country Club, Los Reyes Country Club, Parque Valle del Sol, Meliá Cariari, Valle del Sol, Los Sueños, Hacienda Pinilla , Conchal Melia, Pinilla, Cariari, Tango Mar Hotel Beach & Golf Resort