Costa Rica -- a small country with big ideas

Photo: Tamarindo zip line canopy tours

Costa Rica is the only nation in the Western hemisphere with no standing army. Wildlife hunting is prohibited, and the nation boasts more preserved forest per capita than any other country.

Monkey bridges have been created to protect endangered howler monkeys who risk electrocution when they cross power lines.

Recycling and beach restoration initiatives for coastal ecosystems have been in place since 2008. 

Higher literacy rates than the US. More microchips exported than coffee and bananas.

Costa Rica has loads of experience for tourists to enjoy -- from crocodile watching to swimming in a collapsed volcano to surfing. Not to mention the spectacular tropical gardens, the cloud forest with its rare species and the chance for zipline tours through the forest canopies.

Not to mention the chances for fishing -- fresh water or marlin -- or attending a local rodeo. Horseback riding, the butterfly tour. The list goes on.

After a day of exploring, you can relax and sample ceviche, delicious passion fruit, or a microbrewery beer with a wealth of local cheeses. No wonder more people from el norte arrive in Costa Rica than the number of Costa Ricans going north.