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Costa Rica is a beautiful country. It is known for being refreshingly affordable as well as boasting an abundance of incredible wildlife and beautiful beaches.
So it should come as no surprise that Costa Rica is having a record-breaking year right now.
During the first half of 2023, Costa Rica welcomed 1.3 million tourists arriving by air. By the end of the year, the country is projected to have hosted somewhere between 2.3 and 2.5 million tourists
As a result officials in Costa Rica anticipate that the year-end total number of visitors will exceed 2019’s record by 5%.
Here’s why this popular Central American country is breaking all tourism records:
Popular With North American Visitors
Costa Rica is incredibly popular with visitors from North America.
In the first half of 2022 alone Costa Rica welcomed almost a million North American visitors. These figures mean that visitors from North America have grown by 21% compared to 2022.
Its close proximity to the U.S. in part explains the popularity of Costa Rica with American visitors. It is a three-hour flight from Miami, a six-hour flight from Los Angeles, and a five-hour flight from New York City.
It also makes it an easy and convenient choice for Americans who are looking to travel internationally for the first time.
Perhaps even more importantly, flights to Costa Rica are incredibly affordable for American travelers right now. The average cost of a round-trip flight from the U.S. to San Jose is just $452 at the minute.
Environmental And Conservation Policies
Costa Rica is considered to be the birthplace of ecotourism. And many travelers are increasingly eco-minded when choosing where to take their next vacation.
Costa Rica is home to 30 national parks and about five percent of the world’s biodiversity. Costa Rica both promotes and respects its amazing biodiversity.
Costa Rica’s unique topography means that you can be in the rainforest in the morning and on the beach in the afternoon.
The country boasts nearly 300 different beaches along its stunning Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. So if you’re idea of the perfect vacation involves relaxing on the beach then there’s nowhere better to be.
And having access to both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines means that visitors can explore two oceans in one trip.
Incredible Outdoor Adventures
Costa Rica is an amazing destination for adventure enthusiasts. Fly-and-flop holidays are losing their popularity, and more people than ever want to explore and be active when they’re on vacation.
The list of adventure activities you can enjoy in Costa Rica is nearly endless. You can try your hand at river rafting, fishing, ATV driving, scuba diving, tubing, horseback riding, and zip lining through the rainforest.
And if you’re looking for a less adrenaline-inducing activity then hiking, surfing, and swimming are also popular activities in the country.
A Safe Place To Visit
Costa Rica is considered to be one of the safest countries in Central America. Although it doesn’t receive as many American visitors as Mexico, Costa Rica is considered to be safer than Mexico. This is because it has lower crime rates and greater political stability
The U.S. State Department has rated Costa Rica a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory. The primary risk to tourists is petty crime, but this is something that travelers should be aware of whenever they are on vacation.
The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas that receive high numbers of tourist visitors.
What’s more, the Costa Rican people are generally warm and welcoming and Costa Rica is considered one of the happiest places in the world.
World Class Resorts
Finally, if you’re not looking for a budget break or an active adventure vacation then Costa Rica is home to some incredible world-class resorts.
You can visit Costa Rica for a relaxing spa getaway and the area around Arenal Volcano is famous for boasting a huge array of luxury spas and spa resorts that are surrounded by natural hot springs.
You’ll find award-winning resorts and world-renowned spas dotted across the tiny country. This means you can truly relax and unwind in this tropical paradise.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com