Located between Panama (to the south) and Nicaragua (to the north), and nestled between the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), Costa Rica is a short 2.5 hours flight from Miami, Florida and is a convenient location for eco and medical tourism. It is slightly smaller than West Virginia, so exploring the country is not a terribly daunting task. It boasts a long history of peaceful democratic rule, as well as a high standard of living compared to its Central American neighbors. With 802 miles (1,290 km) of coastline, Costa Rica offers a range of maritime leisure activities, including sunbathing, boating, surfing, scuba diving, and parasailing.