… declared sovereignty in 1847. Since then, Costa Rica has remained among the most stable, prosperous, and progressive nations in Latin America. Following a brief but bloody civil war, it permanently abolished its army in 1949, becoming the first of only a few sovereign nations without a standing army. …

Costa Rica has consistently performed favorably in the Human Development Index (HDI), placing 62nd in the world as of 2012, among the highest of any Latin American nation …

Costa Rica is known for its progressive environmental policies …

Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 2.2 million foreign visitors in 2011, followed by Panama with almost 1.5 million visitors …

Tourists love Costa Rica.

I enjoyed my first visit as well. It reminds me more of Hawaii than anywhere else.

Hawaii is better. And cheaper, I reckon.

Prices are high in Costa Rica. Yet service and quality are much worse than Hawaii, by comparison.

The airport in San Jose is inefficient. Shops and food court very expensive. US$12 for a 2 piece KFC chicken combo, for example. Most expensive KFC in the world?

The people are great. My main motivation to return is to visit my new friends. 🙂