Costa Rica has made a name for itself as a forward-thinking country with a reputation for social change. Here’s why…

Natural ingredients included: Costa Rica is a small country with strong commitment to sustainable development, which is to be expected from a country that has 5% of the world’s biodiversity. The country is so committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 that almost all of Costa Rica’s electric power is produced by renewable energy sources, and 25% of our country’s territory is protected as National Parks or Reserves.

Neutral/Peace/What army?: Costa Rica is a peaceful country that decided a long time ago to invest in education, health care, and social security instead of investing in weapons and warfare. In 1949, the army was officially abolished and the attitude then still hasn’t changed. Presidents, politicians, and the people agree that peace and conflict resolution is far better than violence. 

Human Rights advocate: Costa Rica ranks in the Top 10 on the global Human Development Index. Universal health care, a robust social security system, and the free public education system are based on the national principle of solidarity.  This, complemented by a long-standing democratic system and the country’s advocacy of human rights, have made Costa Rica an ideal place for several international organizations, including University for Peace and the Inter-American Court of Justice.

Pura Vida: It’s a vibe! Everyone lives it, but it can be hard to explain. It’s literal translation is ‘pure life’ or ‘simple life’ but Costa Ricans use it to say ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, ‘thank you’, ‘you’re welcome,’ ‘okay’ and so much more. It’s a mantra that echoes the ease and informality of locals as well as the calm and relaxation of the country’s beautiful landscapes. Costa Rica was ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world according to the Happy Planet Index, which is a reflection of the Pura Vida way of living!