Expotur 2010

	Costa Rica is without a doubt a unique destination. A small country in the middle of two oceans; with a territory of 51,100 km2 (some 20.000 square miles). It is a land or contrasts; an abundant land of natural resources that reunites one of largest diversities of flora and fauna.
	One of the tourist destinations with greater recognition and maturity at a world-wide level. It is strategically located in the middle of the American continent; with the greater aerial connectivity of Central America and one of most efficient of Latin America. A pioneering destination with good environmental practices and with more than a quarter of its national territory protected under the National Parks system.
With less than 5 million inhabitants, Costa Rica is one of the most consolidated democratic systems of the continent, socio-economic stability conditions and permanent peace since it abolished its army in 1949. Tourist facilities of first order,lodging facilities of the best level, technology and telecommunications and a high educative level for its population. These conditions, together with the warmth of its people and the magic of its land, will make of your participation in EXPOTUR an unforgettable experience. Come, experience and discover, first hand, why Costa Rica is known as a “pura vida” (pure life) country.

		Population:	4.500.000 inhabitants
		Territory:	51.100 km2
		Language:	Spanish (English widely spoken)
		Currency:	Colon (US$1 = ¢560 colones (approx.)
		Army abolition:	1949
		Capital city:	San José
		President:	Dr. Oscar Arias (Nobel Peace Prize, 1987)

TIPS ON COSTA RICA

Among the things that, as a visitor, you may know about Costa Rica is the fact that its wealth is based on nature, framed mainly in its National Parks.
Also, it is possible that you know about its biodiversity and how 30% of its territory is dedicated to reserves and protected areas. However, did you know that:

• The democratic system that characterizes Costa Rica, is one of the oldest and more consolidated in Latin America
• We occupy a 0.03% of the terrestrial surface and a 4% of the total fauna and flora species of the world;
• Its territory is approximately as large as West Virginia in the United States or Switzerland or the Netherlands in Europe;
• We have the greatest biological diversity by square kilometer in the world;
• In Costa Rica the army was abolished in 1948 and since then its budget is destined to education and health;
• San Jose was the second city in the world where the public electrical light was installed, after New York;
• The telephone and electrical systems cover 100% of urban and rural areas;
• Since 1949 women were given the right to vote;
• Out of 122 countries, Costa Rica enjoys position 53 in technological competitiveness according to the Global Report on Technologies of Information.
• Costa Rica obtained position 41 in tourist competitiveness - second best position in Latin America and the Caribbean - according to the report of World Economic Forum that considered 124 countries;
• Costa Rica has 97% literacy rate;
• Costa Rica enjoys a great variety of micro climates and ecosystems that lodge 12 life zones;
• National Parks include rain, dry, cloud forests, archaeological and historical sites, volcanoes, islands, beaches, coral reefs, among others;
• Marine biodiversity includes 6.777 species in Costa Rica
• NatGeo names Coco´s Island one of the purest places in the world – 2009
• Within Costa Rica lies the exact center of the American Continent with the same distance between Ochomogo and Alaska and Ochomogo and Cape Horm in Argentina.
• The current President is a Novel Peace Prize winner (1986)

Also, we want to share with you, some additional data on prizes and distinctions given to Costa Rica in the last five years:

2003	Best destination in Adventure and Sports Tourism	El Mundoviajes.com
2003	Best destination in Central and the South America	Travel Weekly
2003	Best Honeymoon destination	Modern Bride Magazine
2003	First destination for Adventure in the world for high expenditure visitors	Pacific Business News
2003	Number 1 Destination in Adventure/Ecotourism	Recommend Magazine
2003	Number 1 Destination in Latin America	Recommend Magazine
2004	Best destination with organized tours	Dream World Destinatios Award
2004	Best tour guides destination	Dream World Destinatios Award
2004	Best destination for tourism from the USA	Travel Weekly
2004	Best destination in Latin America	Travel Weekly
2004	Trendiest Honeymoon destination	Modern Bride Magazine
2004	Best destination for Culture	Modern Bride Magazine
2004	Best selling destination in Latin America	Recommend Magazine, 8th. Annual Reader’s Choice Award
2004	Best Adventure Ecotourism destination	Recommend Magazine, 8th. Annual Reader’s Choice Award
2006	Tenth accessible and promising destination	Modern Bride Magazine

2006	Second best destination for honeymooners	Elle Magazine
2006	Third best honeymoon destination	The Wedding Channel
2006	Best destination in Latin America	Recommend Magazine, 10th. Annual 2006 Reader’s Choice Award
2006	Sexiest romance/honeymoon destination in Latin America	Recommend Magazine, 10th. Annual 2006 Reader’s Choice Award
2006	Among the 10 nations with greater probability and opportunity of growth in next the 5 years	Future Brand
2006	2nd best place in the world as exotic destination and unusual tours	Future Brand
2006	Among the 10 first authentic countries and with unique culture	Future Brand
2007	Prize to the best tourist destination in Latin America	FITUR - Spain
2007	Prize as the best destination experience for cruises with organized tours and destination with the best tour guides	Int´l Seatrade Fair USA/Dream World Cruise Destinations
2007	Best tourist destination in Latin America	Travel Weekly
2009	It is the safest nation in Latin America for businesses and multinational companies	according to the latest Latin Security Index
2009	It is the 5th cleanest country in the world	according to Forbes Magazine
2009	It was named World´s BioGem by the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) for its efforts in protecting flora and fauna –
2009	Leader in tourism competitiveness	by the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index –
2009	Chosen as “Ecotouristic Destination” by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) for the month of February 2009.