<Li> The bureaucracy is "often slow and cumbersome". </Li> <P> Costa Rica is the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 2.9 million foreign visitors in 2016, up 10% from 2015 . In 2015, the tourism sector was responsible for 5.8% of the country's GDP, or $3.4 billion . In 2016, the highest number of tourists came from the United States, with 1,000,000 visitors, followed by Europe with 434,884 arrivals . According to Costa Rica Vacations, once tourists arrive in the country, 22% go to Tamarindo, 18% go to Arenal, 17% pass through Liberia (where the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is located), 16% go to San José, the country's capital (passing through Juan Santamaría International Airport), while 18% choose Manuel Antonio and 7% Monteverde . </P> <P> By 2004, tourism was generating more revenue and foreign exchange than bananas and coffee combined . In 2016, the World Travel & Tourism Council's estimates indicated a direct contribution to the GDP of 5.1% and 110,000 direct jobs in Costa Rica; the total number of jobs indirectly supported by tourism was 271,000 . </P> <P> A pioneer of ecotourism, Costa Rica draws many tourists to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas . In the 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica ranked 44th in the world and second among Latin American countries after Mexico in 2011 . By the time of the 2017 report, the country had reached 38th place, slightly behind Panama . The Ethical Traveler group's ten countries on their 2017 list of The World's Ten Best Ethical Destinations includes Costa Rica . The country scored highest in environmental protection among the winners . </P>

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