Quick Facts about Costa RicaCosta Rica: "Rich Coast"
Costa Rica abolished their army in 1949 making of few other countries that don't have a military force. About 83% of people are White (predominantly European heritage) or Mestizo (European & Indigenous) , 7% are Mulato (Black & white), 2% are Black, 2% are Indigenous & under 2% is Chinese. Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Central America, 96.3%, because after abolishing the army they redirected funds to education. The indigenous groups in Costa Rica are very small & not as commonly known as the Maya. The indigenous groups are; Boruca, Bribri, Cabécar, Guaymí, Quitirrisi, Maleku, Matambú, Térraba. Sadly, there are not many left within each group & their culture/language is dying quickly. The currency here is very colorful (& fun!) but hard to use because they use large numbers for the prices of things. (1US$ = 532.5CRC)
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Where is Costa Rica?Costa Rica is located next to Nicaragua & Panama. It's yellow on the map above.
Costa Ricans are also called "Ticos" & use the phrase "Pura Vida" (pure life) often as a greeting or as a response meaning "great, excellent, etc." or whenever they feel like expressing it! |
Where am I staying?
My main host family was within the community of San Pedro, about 15 min. from the capital center of San Jose. I also spent a weekend with two other host families, one in Longo Mai & another in La Carpio.
-San Jose-
San Jose is the capital & largest city in Costa Rica. It's name was chosen in honor of Saint Joseph, the Joseph of Nazareth. San Jose has many small neighborhoods around the city's center. I am staying with a host family, not to far from the center of the city, for most of my time in Costa Rica. Many complain about (& I have noticed) how terrible the traffic is. The city has laws stating what day your car can drive depending on your license plate. |
Travels in/near San Jose
Volcan Irazu
About an hour from downtown San Jose- a popular site for tourists!
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Another popular site for tourists! About two hours from downtown San Jose & a little expensive to enter but totally worth the beautiful waterfalls & tropical animals!
Longo Mai
-Longo Mai-
For two days we are staying with the small community of Longo Mai. Longo Mai originates from Austria, Germany, France & Switzerland. In Provençal it means "may it last long." This community was a place for both Nicaraguan & Salvadoran refugees while their countries were having conflicts. The focus of the community has shifted from a focus/place of refugees to a more ecological & environmental focus. They are located in the middle of a Del Monte pineapple plantations (which has social & ecological issues) while Longo Mai uses a more sustainable living approach. They grow many different types of food for their own use but sell their extra production of sugar cane & coffee. To read about my experience read my blog here. |
Manuel Antonio
After our two days in Longo Mai, we spent two days at the Pacific Beach in Manuel Antonio.
La Carpio
La Carpio was given its name because of a man named Carpio who would be frequently asked to help provide a house for people who needed it.
La Carpio is located about 30-60min from the main center of San Jose. The only way to enter the community is to drive past the newly built sewage plant. At the other end of the town is the local garbage dump where many, many of the local community's garbage comes.
Many of the families that live within La Carpio are of the lower end socio-economic spectrum & have to travel outside of the community to work. Their jobs include blue collar work; housework, landscape, construction, etc.
To read more about my experience read the blog here.
La Carpio is located about 30-60min from the main center of San Jose. The only way to enter the community is to drive past the newly built sewage plant. At the other end of the town is the local garbage dump where many, many of the local community's garbage comes.
Many of the families that live within La Carpio are of the lower end socio-economic spectrum & have to travel outside of the community to work. Their jobs include blue collar work; housework, landscape, construction, etc.
To read more about my experience read the blog here.