Costa Rica is a popular, easy-to-reach and inexpensive Central American nation (low-cost airfares there from U.S. gateways) for vacationers wanting nature unspoiled by high rises and such--of which there are none in the touristic areas. Its wildlife, flowers, volcanos, rain forests, beaches and general ecology are fiercely protected by a sensitive and democratic government--and the result is sheer pleasure. Author of our Easy Guide to Costa Rica 2015 , Eliot Greenspan, has lived in Costa Rica since 1992, where he both writes, acts as a travel consultant, and operates a tour company to--guess where?--Costa Rica. Eliot Greenspan is a poet, journalist, musician, and travel writer who took his backpack the length of Mesoamerica before settling in Costa Rica in 1992. Since then, he has worked steadily as a travel writer, food critic, freelance journalist, translator, and personal travel consultant, while continuing his travels in the region. He has authored Frommer's Cuba, Frommer's Ecuador, Frommer's Guatemala, Costa Rica for Dummies and Costa Rica Day by Day . He resides in Costa Rica.