Calgary to Costa Rica Flight Deals

Perhaps no one country has embraced the concept of eco-tourism more (and better) than Costa Rica. The tiny Central American nation that accounts for only .03% of the world's land mass contains as much as 5% of the entire planet's biodiversity and almost a third of the country is protected national parkland or conservation area. Hunting for sport is banned everywhere and the country hasn't had an army since the 1940's.

Geographically, Costa Rica has a bit of everything. Fronting both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, beaches are plentiful. Dense, rainforest jungles, mystical cloud forest canopies, pristine lakes and active volcanoes fill most tourist itineraries and are all heavily visited throughout the year.

'Pura Vida' is the collective credo amongst Costa Rican's and is lived and breathed to the fullest before proudly taught to visitors. It is a galvanizing theme for the country that has made it the nature-lover's powerhouse it has become and the sentiment is heard by every lucky guest.

Between zip-lining, white-water rafting, jungle treks and ample surf breaks (both expert and novice), there is no shortage of thrilling activities throughout the country. Sore muscles are nursed on raw, unspoiled beaches as the sounds of the surrounding forests dare you to step inside for a peek. It is best to explore with a guide as many of the intricacies of the ecosystems are easily overlooked and unexplained otherwise.

Toucans, sloths, macaws and capuchins rule the treetops while caimans, turtles, colourful frogs and lizards frolic below. The surrounding waters are just as rich with sea turtles, whales and dolphins, sharks and rays plentiful.

With so much to see and do, the busy capital of San Jose gets little exposure and rightfully so. It is Costa Rica's great outdoors that the masses come for and repeatedly get and thanks to its laws and conservation efforts, will continue to enjoy for the foreseeable future.