Costa Rica

Costa Rica, a tiny Central American republic that has recently emerged as one of the top tourist destinations for tourists from around the world, is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Naturally, Costa Rica's 1,300 km of coastline plays a role, but it's not the only one. Since the 1990s, the country's government has chosen to invest in its greatest resource: a remarkable natural heritage made up of tropical forests, heavenly beaches, mountain ranges and volcanoes, as well as astonishing flora and fauna. . Indeed, 6 % of the world's biodiversity resides in this little tropical Eden.

A pioneer in ecotourism, this peaceful and developed country, of which nearly 25 % of the territory is made up of natural parks, serves as an inspiration to many others who have since made the decision to protect their natural resources in order to ensure better quality of life for their citizens and to set an example for other nations, far from the excesses of mass tourism. According to the British group New Economics Foundation, which publishes its “Happy Planet Index” every two years, “Ticos” (citizens of Costa Rica) reside in the “happiest country in the world”.

To eat in Costa Rica, opt for sodas (which have nothing to do with soft drinks), which are essentially better canteens with minimal or no decoration and a classic, condensed menu. The daily specials are often plentiful and inexpensive.