For more than a decade, tropical Costa Rica has been a favorite vacation destination for Americans, Canadians and, increasingly, Europeans. Merely about the size of West Virginia, its many attractions are world-famous: more than 1600 kilometers of uncrowded coastlines on two oceans; parks and reserves covering 25 percent of its land area; and an incredible diversity of fauna and flora.

Every year, more than 25,000 people, overwhelmingly Americans, hop a jet or ocean cruise ship and head south for medical care in Costa Rica. And, increasingly, travelers take vacations to this little Latin American country that include medical tourism. Why? Because they are finding that medical care in Costa Rica is now equal to that of the best hospitals in the U.S. but at a fraction of the cost.

Most of the world seems to be in a funk these days. Autumn leaves have fallen, the days are getting shorter. The Boys of Summer are freezing their bats off and nearly ready to put them away until Spring. A Costa Rica vacation may be the only thing between you and winter. Here are some great reasons to take that Costa Rica vacation now.