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The prestigious Travel+Leisure Magazine named Costa Rica 2024 Destination of the Year, citing its stunning natural beauty, unparalleled biodiversity, outstanding tourism infrastructure, and 5 million other reasons — namely, the happiest people in the world.
“Costa Rica’s unwavering dedication to sustainable tourism and its breathtaking natural beauty make it a standout destination for travelers seeking unique and eco-conscious experiences in the year ahead,” said Jacqui Gifford, editor-in-chief of Travel+Leisure.
Costa Rica is the ninth winner of T+L’s Destination of the Year, joining past winners Italy, Australia, and Japan. The magazine’s December-January issue features Costa Rica as its cover story, with a trove of close to 35 articles about its nature, culture, adventure, food, and resorts.
“There is no single recipe for enjoying Costa Rica,” writes Ronny Rojas in an introductory essay. “Any road you take will likely bring the same result: a sense of wonder and a desire to return.”
Articles in the magazine, on newsstands as of Nov. 17, include “How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Costa Rica,” “12 Reasons Why Costa Rica Is One of the Best Vacation Destinations in the World,” and “The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Good Weather, Wildlife, and Affordable Prices.”
Costa Rica is no stranger to lists of best countries to visit, but we’ve never seen a larger collection of well-written, accurate articles about Puravidaville. For anyone interested in this country, it’s really worth browsing through the many topics covered here:
- Tips for flying to Costa Rica
- The Nicoya Blue Zone, famous for its longevity
- 9 best beaches for surfing, snorkeling and wildlife
- The best of Costa Rica’s rainforests
- All about La Fortuna, San José, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and Peninsula Papagayo
- Chartering a superyacht
- 7 experiences and places locals love
- Best hot springs
- 5 places to see sloths
- 20 best things to do in Costa Rica
- Top resorts in Costa Rica
- The indigenous population working to save the planet
- Costa Rican coffee culture
- Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean cuisine
- The 174-mile Camino de Costa Rica trek
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In “The Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home in Costa Rica, According to Experts,” four of the five destinations featured are in Guanacaste — Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Reserva Conchal, and Las Catalinas. All these are the stomping grounds of Special Places of Costa Rica, the region’s leading vacation rental company. Flamingo is also mentioned, and some of our local real estate experts are quoted.
Among the resorts featured is the Four Seasons of Papagayo, which the magazine includes on its list of the 500 best hotels in the world. The nearby Andaz resort also appears, along with Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas, the W at Reserva Conchal, and the JW Marriott at Hacienda Pinilla.
The magazine’s reporting is actually notable for its focus on Guanacaste. Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and the southern Nicoya are also featured, though not as prominently as the great northwest known as the “Gold Coast.” (But we smiled a bit to see Tamarindo listed as “One of Costa Rica’s Best-Kept Secrets,” because “secret” is the one thing Tamarindo is not.)
“It’s nice to see Costa Rica rated the No. 1 destination in the world, and that’s really no exaggeration,” said Kenny Segers, founder of Special Places. “On top of the beauty, the nature, the beaches, the adventure, and the climate, Costa Rica has some of the nicest people in the world, and they really love to roll out the red carpet.”
Ready to experience the beauty, adventure, and warmth of Costa Rica? Book your vacation today with Special Places of Costa Rica and dive into a world of unparalleled biodiversity, stunning natural landscapes, and the happiest people on earth. From modest budget condos to spectacular beachfront mansions, we have something for every traveler. Start planning your dream vacation now!
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