Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that has unlimited tourist potential and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica's main sources of income is tourism. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country, and it has not had an army since the year 1949.Costa Rica is also an attractive country for investment and it offers great potential for the establishment of important multinational companies, thanks to the outstanding academic level of its population, as well as the high standard of modern services and social and political stability. Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, these are: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Limon. Each province is subdivided into regions and these are subdivided into districts. The country has as a marine territory known as Coco's Island. It is a world-renowned natural reserve, located 548 kilometers from Cabo Blanco in the Pacific Ocean comprised of 2,400 hectares of land and 73,100 hectares of sea. CALERO AND BRAVA ISLANDS- These islands are known as continental or fluvial islands, which, unlike other isolated marine territories; they are mainly surrounded by fresh water that is fed by the rivers that demarcates its flat and alluvial surface. Calero is the largest island of this type in Costa Rica and measures 97 sq. miles. Brava is the second largest that measures 27 sq. miles. Both are located next to each other in the far northern part of the Caribbean coast and both belong to the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. TORTUGERO CANALS - COLORADO- Due to its geological origin, the area where the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and the Tortugero National Park are located form an extensive plain filled with small rivers, canals, and beautiful lagoons that are all interlinked. The area is also one of the rainiest parts of the country (30 - 35 cubic inches), which explains its rich biodiversity. All these factors let visitors explore this extensive water system in boats, canoes, or in kayaks. This wonderful area with its peacefulness and lush nature makes it unique in the world. Humpback whale mothers give birth in the pockets of shallow temperate waters off the shores of Costa Rica while orcas and bottlenose dolphins troll for sushi. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into Costa Rica's ocean habitats - some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world. Explore pristine gorges and canyons embedded in the Costa Rican rainforest as you hike, down climb, swim, jump, rappel and zipline your way through an adventure of a lifetime. Waterfall rappelling is one of Costa Rica's ultimate adventure sports. Using a variety of techniques developed for a sport known as canyoneering, you'll hike into the rainforest where you'll have a safety talk and practice rappel before descending a series of breathtaking cascades. Assail Costa Rica's class II-V rapids in one of the most vibrant and vivacious corners of the planet. Explore the wilderness while rafting down spring-fed rivers rambling through primary and secondary rainforest among rolling hills, pastures and valleys tossing and bucking visitors who dare to test its raging waters. Costa Rica offers year round adventures on dozens of rivers fit for every skill level. Visit during the wet season (May-Nov.) when the seasonal rains raise the water levels and the challenge, or drop in during the dry season (Dec.-April) for sun-filled days and cool tropical nights. The rare, the mystical, the brilliant and the cuddly hide in the foliage of the Costa Rican rainforest. Many nature lovers come to Costa Rica looking for just one animal: a sloth chewing on a fistful of leaves, a capuchin monkey jumping between tree branches or a chance to see the resplendent quetzal's azure and ruby plumage. While searching, they'll encounter approximately five percent of the world's biodiversity inside in a country the size of West Virginia - .03 percent of the world's surface.
