Every year travel magazines and survey authorities across the world hurl accolades at Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches and seemingly happy people. This year was no different, but the predicted wave of praise was also accompanied with an unforeseen amount of criticism.
Costa Rica had a pretty “pura vida” year in 2014 when it came to crime. Compared to unidentified helicopters, $6 billion money laundering schemes and the break up of an organ trafficking ring in 2013, 2014 was a more pedestrian year. But there were still a handful of standout crime stories this year.
Costa Rica released its 2015 ad campaign for U.S. and Canadian visitors this month, but the country’s history as a destination for the rich and famous is endorsement enough. Here’s a run down of the biggest celebs who stamped their passports “pura vida" in 2014.
The year 2014 was a big one for Costa Rica: The country got a new president, shocked soccer fans in the World Cup and celebrated and protested in the streets. The Tico Times photography staff was there to capture it all. Here is our year in photos
