Michael Shane Stephens

Costa Rica is very special. It’s extremely accessible and incredibly diverse with 2 coasts of beautiful beaches and 2 vastly different beach experiences from one side of the country to the next. You have the beach and relaxation in Costa Rica, which are 2 of the main experiences my clients ask for. Watersports with diving, surfing and so many other activities are abundant in Costa Rica, and you can pair these activities with fun inland excursions through the jungle. There are the mountains and the Arenal Volcano. You can go zip-lining and waterfall jumping, white water rafting and Amazonian-type safari adventuring to see many different species of animals.

The country has 30,000 micro climates, so you can imagine that every area has its own weather and a feel that is truly its own. There is so much culture, history and cuisine to explore in Costa Rica. You can do chocolate and coffee tasting tours, which is always thrilling for families.

Costa Rica is one of the leading countries in the world in advancing LGBTQ rights. It has become a safe haven to its LGBT people who have been persecuted in the immediately surrounding countries. Costa Rica will take these people in and invest in education for them as well as financial support to get them back on their feet. I personally know of many of these individual and inspiring stories.

The country of Costa Rica goes as far as educating children in kindergarten and first grade on diversity, and on what it means to be part of the LGBT community. It teaches kids about being lesbian, gay, bi and transgender. The community of Costa Rica shows children that human equality and LGBT equality across the board is important and essential. It’s a really beautiful country to experience and travel to because it supports through education. Costa Rica is becoming the preeminent nation in the world in support of LGBT rights and I am always excited to send families there.