This Central American nation barely embracing 51,000 square kilometers and with a population in the neighborhood of three-and-a-half million inhabitants, is caught between Nicaragua and Panama, in northern Central America. In recent years, the country has become the wishful-thinking development model for a fledgling, demanding and promising tourist options: ecological tourism. Costa Rica is the destination of choice for the ever-growing number of tourists who look for a reencounter with nature, in search of a haven to shelter themselves, at least for the time being, from daily-life anguishes. Costa Rica has to offer a tourist option that's now all the rage worldwide: ecological tourism. Among its many attractions, the Arenal Volcano, the country's most active fire mountain with flows of incandescent lava, is indeed a natural spectacle to remember. At the base of the volcano, you'll find the Arenal Lake and a small hamlet called Nuevo Arenal (New Arenal). If you're looking forward to meeting Caribbean destinations, then go on straight to Limón City (Lemon City). This small geographical and perfectly preserved spot shows off countless and enviable natural wealth. Among them: 13,000 plant species, over 12,000 daytime butterfly species and little over 4,000 nighttime butterfly species, 162 amphibious species, 220 reptile species and more than 1,600 fresh-water fish species, plus approximately 850 bird species. All of these species are comprised in a system of preservation areas embracing 17 national parks, 8 wildlife havens and a similar number of natural biological reserves of forest areas. Costa Rica features some of the world's most actives volcanoes like the Poás, usually boasting a tall white-smoke column. Besides, this country ranks as one of the world's only six locations where the "coming of the turtles" takes place, an interesting phenomenon linked to their spawning season. There are countless hotel resorts and restaurants, let alone numerous sightseeing places and locations. Visitors can call on museums, national parks and last but not least, beaches for taking a swim and basking in the sun. They can also hike, take horseback rides, practice mountain biking and even take a grand tour around the unexplored jungle; these are some of the luring offers Costa Rica has in store just for you. All you need to do to make your dreams come true is to get carried away by the magic of nature in a country ready to offer you whatever you're looking for.
