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10 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DID NOT KNOW ABOUT COSTA RICA

By Anna Fishman

Costa Rica is a country that can be undeniably hold the title of natural beauty. The country attracted over two million tourists in 2016. This beautiful destination has some interesting peculiarities that you might not have known about and also we will look at ten of the most remarkable facts about this country.

Costa Rica Has Four UNESCO National Heritage Sites

With such an emphasis on conservation, it is not surprising that Costa Rica is home to four UNESCO National Heritage sites, which is the top designation given to sites with global, natural and also cultural value. Markedly sites include Cocos Island National Park, The Pre-Columbian Chiefdom Settlement, La Amistad National Park and also The Area de Conservacion Guanacaste. Also do not be surprised by more designations in the near future!

Guanacaste Conservation

Guanacaste Conservation

More Than 26% Of The Country Is Devoted To Conservation

Costa Rica is serious about sustainable development and also protecting the environment. Overall 26% of the land is safe and there is a total of 20 national parks and 8 natural reserves in the small country!

Guanacaste Conservation

Tiny Costa Rica Contains Over 5% Percent Of The World’s Biodiversity

What is amazing about this fact is that despite the country having only .03% of the world’s land! The country surprisingly has the highest biodiversity density in the world and over 500,000 species.

top 10 facts about costa rica - Regular sight in Costa Rica, Tucan

Tucan

Costa Rica Has Over Fifty Species Of Hummingbirds

Is home to about 50 of the 338-known species of hummingbirds in the world, which is approximately 15% of the global total. You will probably see a few hummingbirds when you visit the country!

top 10 facts about costa rica - Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Costa Rica Is Ranked Number 1 By The World Happiness Index

Also the natives are very content and choose to live their life in the moment. Overall this has resulted in the country to ranked the happiest country in the world! The criteria used to measure the happiness index is – well-being, ecological footprint, and also life expectancy. So, you might want to take a trip to Costa Rica to learn a thing or two about happiness!

top 10 facts about costa rica - Costa Rica Rates #1 by The World Happiness Index

Costa Rica Is Smaller Than Lake Michigan

Can you believe it? Costa Rica with a total area of 19,730 square miles is smaller than Lake Michigan that has an area of 22,394 square miles. Simply amazing!

top 10 facts about costa rica - Tiny Costa Rica Flag

Costa Rica Has One Of The Highest Life Expectancies In The World

The life expectancy according to the World Bank is 80 years. This is one of the highest in the world, even higher than the United States that has a life expectancy of 79 years. Interestingly, the Nicoya region of Costa Rica is designate a Blue Zone – an area populated by the longest living people in the world. It is one of only five Blue Zones in the entire world!

top 10 facts about costa rica - High life expectancy

Costa Rica Does Not Have A National Army

Another interesting fact about Costa Rica is that it is one of only twenty-three countries in the world that does not have a National Army. With such happy people, an army might not be necessary, anyway!

top 10 facts about costa rica - Only 23 countries in the world have no army. Costa Rica is one of them!

Costa Rica Has 96% Literacy Rate

This is the highest literacy rate in Central America and speaks to the emphasis that is in place on education in the country. For example, in rural areas in Costa Rica, where children have limited access to schools, they are taught via a public radio station on air!

top 10 facts about costa rica - Costa Rica- a reading nation

Costa Rica Did Not Use Street Signs Until 2012

If you ask a native for directions, you would realize that they tend to give you the names of landmarks instead of street names because the country did not officially start using street signs until 2012! So please be understanding if you are given landmarks, the Costa Ricans are still getting used to life with street signs!

Finally these are some of the interesting facts about Costa Rica that makes it one of the most extraordinary countries in the world. You should definitely put it on your bucket list of countries to visit!

Check out a sample itinerary HERE

top 10 facts about costa rica - Patience needed!

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Want to arrange for a special anniversary dinner, catamaran day trip, or a private, pre-opening museum tour for your family? You got it.
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A digital itinerary on an app that’s available even when your phone is offline. The app includes all activities, vouchers, and confirmations. You never have to worry about losing your printed travel documents again.

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Family at the beach

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