Costa Rica
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica means “Rich Coast.”
It is just that. Here, there are an amazing variety
of geological phenomena and formations.
There are a total of 12 ecosystems in Costa Rica, each containing
its own flora and fauna depending on the altitude and moisture available.
There are tropical rainforests and jungles.
There are cloud forests and seven active volcanoes. There are rich
fertile valleys and miles of magnificent beaches that border two
great bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
There are rushing, clear rivers with spectacular waterfalls. The
mountains are green and lush and teeming with life.
This is a country that abounds with plenty. It
has protected its lands so that generations from now, people will
still be able to enjoy its natural beauty. 27% of the total land
of Costa Rica is now protected as national parks, forest preserves,
or indigenous reservations.
There are two main seasons in Costa Rica –
wet (May through December) and dry (December through April).
It is a tropical climate. There are two seasons
- rainy and dry. The dry season goes from December through April
and the rainy season goes from May through November. There is no
extreme heat or cold. During the rainy season, the mornings are
usually sunny and rain in the afternoon. During the dry season,
it is usually sunny the entire day.
If the flora and fauna
represent the multicolored aspects of the jewel that is Costa Rica,
then the people represent the many facets of this gem.
Costa Ricans (ticos) are a hospitable, friendly, and very social
people. They are into compromise, peace, and harmony. That is the
reason why they have such a long-lived and successful democratic
republic. They are the peacemakers of Central America.
They are 75% Catholic, 14% Protestant. They are 96%Spanish descent,
2% African, 1% indigenous, and 1% Chinese.
Costa Ricans are committed to education. They have a literacy rate
of over 95%. The main languages are Spanish and English.
The culture of Costa Rica is one of easy enjoyment of life. Futbol
(soccer) is the national passion. The diet here consists of fruits
and vegetables, rice and beans, and various meats, poultry and fish.
The coffee that is grown here is arguably the best in the world.
The national drink is “guaro”, which is a sugar cane
based alcohol.
Costa Rica is so beautiful and peaceful that is hard not to be content
and relaxed when visiting. The Costa Rican people are happy to have
you here. They love to share their magnificent country with visitors
and they go out of their way to make you feel welcome and safe.
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