Costa Rica, What A Country!

John Howells' retirement guide, Choosing Costa Rica, addresses the fact that Costa Rica (meaning "Rich Coast") is often compared to Switzerland! Well, okay. There is no snow skiing in Costa Rica beacause there is no snow. The only things that fall to the ground here are tepid rain, warm sunshine and some tropical fruits from the trees. Costa Rica does have it's mountainous region, where the ragged terrain is not too much unlike the Alps... except for the snow. The two countries are also similar in size.

Other similarities include a peaceful democracy, a large middle-class population and an economy and legal structure that is dedicated to prosperity, respect for the law and personal freedoms. Currently, a large percentage of the national budget is devoted to education and medical care, supporting four universities, three symphony orchestras and five state publishing houses. Close to ten percent of the GNP is allotted toward medical care, with an average of one physician for every 700 inhabitants.