Costa Rica is popular because it packs a lot into a relatively small country: rainforest, volcanoes, beaches on two coasts, wildlife, adventure sports, and a strong eco-tourism culture.

Here are some of the biggest reasons people visit:

• Nature and biodiversity
  Costa Rica has an enormous variety of wildlife for its size — sloths, toucans, monkeys, sea turtles, frogs, and more. Places like Corcovado National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve are famous for this.
• Beaches on both oceans
  You can surf the Pacific coast or relax on Caribbean beaches. Popular spots include Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
• Adventure activities
  Zip-lining, whitewater rafting, surfing, scuba diving, waterfall hikes, ATV tours, and volcano trekking are major attractions. Arenal Volcano is one of the top adventure destinations.
• Eco-tourism and sustainability
  Costa Rica is known globally for conservation and renewable energy efforts. A large percentage of the country is protected land, making it appealing to travelers who want nature-focused tourism.
• “Pura Vida” culture
  The phrase “pura vida” reflects a relaxed, friendly lifestyle that many visitors enjoy. People often describe the atmosphere as welcoming and laid back.
• Good tourism infrastructure
  Compared with many tropical destinations, Costa Rica is relatively easy to travel around, with lots of tours, hotels, shuttle services, and English spoken in tourist areas.
• Year-round warm climate
  Tropical weather makes it attractive in every season, though the dry season (roughly December–April) is the busiest for tourism.