Costa Rica is the region's best country

With high scores on travel and doing business, Costa Rica is the best country in Central America, according US News Overall Best Countries index, made in partnership with Y&R consultants and The Wharton School.

Costa Rica, in 45th position worldwide, is followed by Panama (48th) and Guatemala (66th).

Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua were not included in the ranking.

Globally, Switzerland is number one, while Algeria is last among 80 countries evaluated.

Rankings are based on global perceptions of trade, ease of doing business, investments, travel, entrepreneurship, and quality of life, among other characteristics (numbers in brackets indicate the global position of each country).

1 Costa Rica (45)
2 Panama (48)
3 Guatemala (66)