COSTA RICA UNCOVERED

Costa Rica is a Central American country (about the size of West Virginia) nestled between Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica, literally means the “Rich Coast” and has been nicknamed the country of “Eternal Spring”.

Why? Not only because the country is two-thirds coastline, or because of it’s exuberant foliage, or the fact that year around the temperature ranges from high 70’s to low 90’s, but because Costa Rica is known to be one of the safest, politically stable, biologically diverse, economically successful and breathtakingly beautiful countries in Latin America.

National Post Office - San Jose, Costa Rica

The capital, San Jose, is located in the Central Valley, smack dab in the center of this mountainous valley, and home to approximately one-third of the countries inhabitants.

San Jose is the political, economic and cultural center of the country, the point where all things emanate, and hub to which all roads lead.

Furthermore, San Jose is an amazingly friendly city and it is safer than many other Latin American capitals. The country is divided into the seven provinces, San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Limon and Puntarenas

Take a deep breath and imagine this. You are relaxing on a white sand beach on the Pacific Ocean; enjoying the sunset over the Caribbean Sea; observing from afar the active volcano Arenal. Take a therapeutic immersion in the Tabacon thermal springs; try white water rafting down level-four rapids of the world renown Paquare River; flying through the tree tops of Monteverde Cloud Forest via cable and zip lines. You can experience all of these while visiting Costa Rica. Don't wait. The time is Now!

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A Brief History of Costa Rica

Vive Ticos!

In 1502, Christopher Columbus anchored off of what is now the Caribbean port city of Limon, heading to the New World on his final voyage. Spain colonized Costa Rica in 1506. Costa Rica gained their independence in 1821 and have not looked back since.

The cash crop of bananas, coffee, cacao and the arrival of non-Spanish Europeans opened up trade with the outside world. Coffee was introduced in the early 1800’s. Coffee was Costa Rica’s principle export and the growers were a powerful and wealthy group.

The first railroad from Limon to the Central Valley, financed by England loans, was completed in 1890. Banana cultivation then started, and the United Fruit Company became a multi-million dollar enterprise (presently Chiquita). During the agricultural boom of the 1920’s and the 30’s, the country pursued social goals like health and education.

The revolution of 1948 marked a turning point in Costa Rican history. War broke out when President Rafel Angel Calderon Guardia, considered father of the country’s health and education systems, refused to relinquish the presidency after losing the presidential election. Jose “don Pepe” Figueres led the 40-day rebellion. He exiled vanquished president Calderon, drafted a new constitution that abolished the army and reinstated democratic elections. He later fortified the social seeds palted by his predecessor. In 1948-9, the Costa Rican government decided to do away with their army and Figueres would go on to become Costa Rica’s most loved political figure. He died in 1992.

Costa Rica is now a model democracy for all of Latin America. The country was nominated twice for a Nobel Peace Prize, and in 1987 former and now current President Oscar Arias was awarded the prestigious Noble Peace Prize for his key role in regional peace.

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Costa Rica's Economy

Since 1993, tourism has been Costa Rica’s leading earner of foreign currency, followed closely by textiles, bananas, and coffee. However, the U.S. semiconductor company Intel built a plant in Costa Rica in 1996, which is now fully operational, and now microchips challenge tourism as the number-one earner.

Climate:

Want to go for a swim in the warm Pacific Ocean? I know I do!

Located about ten degrees north of the equator, the climate of Costa Rica is tropical. There are only two seasons. The days are warm and sunny, with clear nights during the dry season, “verano” (summer), which is from December through April.

The rainy season or “invierno” (winter), is from mid-May to November. An average day in the rainy season starts out with a warm, sunny morning, but by mid-afternoon clouds roll in and douse the Central Valley with torrential downpour that may last into the night.

Temperatures range from the high 70’s to the low 90’s, depending on the region. Major cities are located in the highlands such as San Jose, Cartago, Alajuela, and Heradia. Average temperatures here range are in the low 70s (22C) throughout the year.

The climate in much hotter on the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts as compared to the Central Valley. Puntarenas, located on the Pacific Coast, for example, has daytime year around temperatures in the 90s. The Caribbean Coast and Southern Zone receive more precipitation, with the Caribbean port city of Limon averaging 118-177 inches of rain per year.

Temperatures are usually as hot on the Pacific Coast, with a higher percentage of humidity in the Caribbean Cost. March and April are the warmest months in Costa Rica, and November through January are the coolest. The higher altitudes may get frost (above 2,150m or 7,000ft).

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Costa Ricans - "Los Ticos"

"The boulevard" - downtown San Jose.

About 95% of Costa Ricans are from varying mixtures of the “mestizo” blend of Spanish conquerors and colonists with local indigenous tribes and Jamaican immigrants. The national language is Spanish, although many Ticos speak English, particularly in the Atlantic port city of Limon.

Democracy is a cherished tradition, along with the sense of individual liberty and freedom. There are more schoolteachers than policemen and the army was abolished in 1948-9. Costa Ricans are proud of their peaceful tradition that has stood the test of time and regional turbulence.

A strong family structure exists here, and much of the leisure time is spent with relatives and friends. On sunny weekend afternoons, San Jose’s urban parks are bustling with people out for a stroll or just visiting one another. The majority of the population is Catholic, and the church bells are heard ringing throughout small villages and towns for morning mass. Divorce is legal, but frowned upon. Usually, the children live with their family until they are married.

There are multiple shopping centers in San Jose.

The government contributes money to the church, and religious education is part of the public school curriculum. Formal education is highly valued in this society, with a literacy rate of 93%.

Ticos are good dressers and take great pride in their appearance. They are generally, Pro-U.S., and enjoy U.S. fashion, music and food. Newcomers agree that Costa Ricans are fun-loving people who will go out of their way to help foreigners and make them feel comfortable in their new environment. While welcoming and friendly, Costa Rica is also home to certain cultural traits that many foreigners may find hard to accept.

Punctuality, for example, is relaxed. It is customary for Ticos to arrive late to social events or business appointments. Bureaucracy and bribery are routine and Costa Rican are famous for taking their sweet time. This is changing, however, as the country inserts itself into the global marketplace accustomed to on-time delivery and quality.

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Traditional Costa Rican Cuisine:

The country’s national dish is black beans and rice or “gallo pinto”. Genuine Costa Rican specialties are generally enjoyed at home, but can also be sampled in the traditional “sodas” or informal cafes found in abundance all over the country.

The plate of the day is called a “casado”, which included a choice of beef, fish, or chicken with rice, beans, and plantains. Breakfast and dinner are light, with lunch being the main meal.

The acclaimed sauce, Salsa Lizano, a sweet and spicy flavored sauce can be enjoyed over anything from eggs to pasta. I like it with my beans and rice.

Health and Quality of Life:

Health and longevity in Costa Rica have been improving over the years. For example, the average life expectancy in 1927 was approximately 40 years. The average life expectancy in 2000 for women was 77 and for men it was 72. This is attributed to an overall improvement in health conditions and modernization of their medical practices and system.

The Social Security system provides excellent medical care and hospitalization. Health care is available to all Costa Ricans citizens, legal residents and foreigners. While studying abroad and learning Spanish in Costa Rica, you can receive quality health care if you happened to need it.

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Common Costa Rican Spanish Words

Casado: Popular Costa Rican dish of black beans, rice, fried eggs, plantains and some form of meat.

Chepe: Slang word for the capital, San Jose

Chunche: American word for 'thingamajig'

Dios: Used as a greeting in casual passing

Gallo Pinto: Rice and black beans, Costa Rican’s national dish

Gaseosa: Carbonated beverage

Jale: Let’s go

Mae: "dude" or "man"

Maria: The meter that is found in all of the red taxi cabs

Mi amor: A common term of endearment

Pachuco: Street slang

Piropo: A cat-call from a man to a woman on the street

Pulperia: A corner store

Pura Vida: Literally means pure life - a classic Costa Rican word. This term is a Costa Rican way of life.

Soda: Small café/restaurant that is usually family owned

Un Tucan: 5,000 colones bill (appox=$9-10.00 US)

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Quintessential Costa Rica:

Pura Vida: You will hear these two words every day and often. "Pura Vida" means, literally, “Pure Life” and/or anything positive. You could use it to wish someone "good luck" or to say "have a great one". So, if anyone says “Pura vida” to you, say ‘Pura Vida” back and you would have completed the natural cycle of Pure Life.

Tico: This is the name Costa Ricans have given themselves, which comes from their way of forming the diminutive of nouns. Other Spanish speakers use the suffix-ito to denote something small (un momentito), but Costa Ricans say (un momentico).

Maje: Can be translated as “man". "Maje, stop playing video games and do something meaningful with your time".

Tuanis: Can be translated as “cool,” “neat” or “sweet”.

"The Golden Bean"

Coffee: The “Golden Bean”, which financed the construction of most of the nations landmarks. In the 19th century Costa Rica was the called the “Coffee Republic” and today it is know around the world for it’s rich tasting coffee.

However, coffee plants are not native to Costa Rica and arrived from the Caribbean, probably in the 1820’s.

Costa Ricans take their coffee drinking seriously. Around three if you call some local businesses, you will get the answering machine because the employees are taking a coffee breaks. Relax, you are in paradise.

Make sure you bring home some Costa Rican café. Try these Costa Rican quality brands: Café Rey’s, Café Britt, Americo, Volio and Montana.

Cloud Forest: A cooler type of rain forest, which occurs at elevations of around 6,500 to 11,500 feet. At this altitude, clouds accumulate around mountains and volcanos, providing precipitation and shade, which both decrease evaporation. The increased moisture makes for lush foliage and green plant life.

Playa Samara of the North Pacific. True paradise!

Beaches: Costa Rican has 767 miles (1,278km) of coastline. On the east of the country you have the Caribbean Sea and on the West you have the Pacific Ocean. Amazingly, all beaches in Costa Rican are public.

Here are a few of our favorite beaches:

Tortuguero and Chauita of the Caribbean Coast

Playa Flamingo of the North Pacific Dominical of the South Pacific:

Manuel Antonio of the Central Pacific. Manuel Antonio has a National Park with lush rainforests, rocky coves, hiking trails and an abundant marine and wild-life. You are guaranteed to see monkeys, maybe a sloth and/or different types of tropical birds.

Punta Uva of the Caribbean Coast

Jaco of the Central Pacific. Surfing and is about a 1 ½ hour bus ride from San Jose.

Samara of the North Pacific. Simply paradise!

Tamarindo of the North Pacific. My favorite.

Soccer: Or called futbol in Spanish. This is the national passion an past time in Costa Rica (fanatics devoutly supporting their local teams). Work stops every four years during the World Cup soccer matches. Costa Rica’s national team competed in the last World Cup and did qualify for the 2006 games in Germany.

Bananas: One of the major cash crops of this country that unfortunately takes a lot of the nutrient from the Earth when grown.

Volcano crater filled with phosphorous water. Is this volcano active on not?

Oxcarts: This folkloric symbol is a common subject of local artisan. There is a town called Sarchi, in the Central Valley, where you can buy quality Oxcarts as souvenirs.

Beer "cerveza". Imperial, the most popular Costa Rican beer, which is ubiquitous in this country and a bottle usually cost about fifty US cents. Not the finest beer, but it serves it purpose.

Volcanoes: Home to five active volcanoes - including Vocan Arenal and Poas. Arenal being the second largest active volcano in the world!

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Useful links for travelers in Costa Rica:

La Nacion - The most popular Costa Rican Newspaper.

References - used by permission

• Johnson, Robert. (2000). Living Overseas Books: Costa Rica. (7th Ed). Naples, Florida.

• Davis, Jeff., Gorry, Conner., Hellander, Paul., Miller, Carolyn., & Schechter. (2001). Central America on a Shoestring (4th Ed). London: Lonely Planet Publications

• Hernandez, Yolanda., MacKinnon, Dorothy., Rothke, Joy., Sarsfield, Ryan., Starcevic, Suzanne & Van Fleet, Jeffrey. (2006). Fodor's Costa Rica 2006. New York: Random House, INC

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