How awesome is Costa Rica? As someone who’s traveled to 49 countries and 40 U.S. states, it’s number one in my book for best overall places to visit. First, it’s a photographer’s paradise. So many types of plant and wildlife species. If you can’t find a great photo to take, then you must be visually impaired.

The slideshows will play automatically or you can manually click on photos at the top of the page.

The people are friendly and like Americans. Skip Europe for now; it’s too expensive. Instead, head south.

My tours were arranged by the awesome Fernando and Yvette, who own Arctours travel company. Be aware that because tourism has become so popular in Costa Rica, many foreigners have moved there and opened tourist companies -- and they know less about the country than a $10 guide book. So stick with those who have been in business a long time and know the areas well -- like Arctours.

Some info about Costa Rica.

The country covers less than 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, yet it contains nearly 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species. It has at least 9,000 plant species, including more than 1,200 types of orchids, some 2,000 kinds of butterflies.

Geographically speaking, Costa Rica is relatively new. Dinosaurs died 62 million years before Central America was formed. It was under water 3 million years ago when the movement of tectonic plates created the land bridge that is now CR and Panama. It is biologically diverse because of the topography: beaches on two oceans, mountains, valleys, lowlands.