The New 7 Wonders of Nature finalists were announced on July 21st and sadly Costa Rica’s Cocos Island didn’t make it to the 28 finalists. The finalists for the island category are now the Galapagos and Jeju Island in South Korea.

The contest to choose the New 7 Wonders of Nature started off with a total of 450 submissions that had to be officially backed by the proper authorities in order to be considered as a participant. The event has been organized by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation and is now in its final stage to vote for the 7 new wonders of nature.

Costa Rica proposed the Cocos Island located 340 miles off the Central Pacific Coast. The Cocos Island was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 and has been visited by numerous scientists, researchers and professional divers. The late famous oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, even called Costa Rica’s Cocos Island “the most beautiful island in the world”.

The MarViva Foundation was behind the voting campaign in Costa Rica which encouraged the public to cast their votes in order to place the Cocos Island in the final list.

The regional director for the MarViva Foundation, Jorge Jimenez, mentioned that although the Cocos Island did not make it to the final 28, the campaign was a success. Not only did Costa Rica’s Cocos Island advance from the first 450 to the final 77, it also allowed for the island to receive international attention.