Costa Rica Named Happiest Place on Earth

A recent study done by the British organization the New Economics Foundation named Costa Rica as the “Happiest Place on Earth,” citing its long life expectancy, life satisfaction of its people, its low environmental impact, strong networks of friends and family and a healthy balance between work and play.

Over the past year, Costa Rica, as a country, and its tourism sector alike, have received recognition for its achievements at the environmental and social level. Organizations like the World Economic Index Forum and the Environmental Performance Indicator developed by Yale University and Columbia University have ranked Costa Rica as the best place to do business and the cleanest destination in the Americas, respectively.

Additionally, for the first time ever, the Natural Resources Defense Council honored an entire country with its Natural Biogem Award for its commitment to protecting the more than the 500,000 species of flora and fauna that call Costa Rica home.

The CST program has not only been well received by the industry, with over 100 hotels and tour operators certified, but it has also been regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the model for sustainable tourism in Latin America.

Additionally, the CST program was recognized by the III Virtual Congress on Latin American Tourism Industry and Destination Competitiveness with the Tourism for All award in the category of Innovation in Tourism and Hotels.

Nature Air, Costa Rica’s premier airline, with the help of Costa Rica’s National Financial Fund for Reforestation (FONAFIFO) and its Certification for Environmental Service program, has become a leader in the effort to moving the country towards it carbon neutral goal.