A Lot Like Them.

In Costa Rica, and a lot of surrounding countries, Pura Vida is a common phrase. It literally translates to "Good Life." Of course, because of this translation, the Costa Rican people use it as loosely as we would say "Right on," or "Cool beans." Or maybe a bit more considering it is the 90's no longer...

Some Costa Rican facts are sure to be in order. Note: I am just going to cut and paste them from our Abroad Facebook page because I think that will be considerably easier.


Did you know that Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 76 years. The literacy rate is almost 97% making CR one of the highest in Latin America if not the highest. The length of the Pacific coastline is about 650 miles and the length of the Atlantic (Caribbean) coastline is about 135 miles. Costa Rica is among the countries with the highest amount of protected land in the world; 25% of the national territory is dedicated to the national park system or biological, marine and land reserves, as well as other natural wildlife areas. Pura Vida!


Did you know that Costa Rica doesn't have a military and is the only country in Latin America that does not. Now that's pretty cool. They do have a national police force that acts as a para military force but very, very small and with no visible presence. Costa Rica uses money and resources, that it would otherwise use for a strong military force, to support lots of social programs like medicine, education, the environment and other infrastructures. Imagine how we could help, strengthen and support other agencies here in the US if we could use our military budget to do so!!


Did you know that Oscar Arias, who was President of Costa Rica two times, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to bring harmony and stability to all the Central American countries. His award and medal are on display in the National Museum in San Jose. He is recognized as one of Costa Rica's most important and influencial men in Latin America. We will visit the National Museum on one of our excursions.


Did you know that Costa Rican coffee has been recognized as among the world's finest for over 150 years. It is not, however, native to Costa Rica. It was introduced to the country when arabica seeds were brought over by the Spanish from Africa and the Middle East in 1808. The temperate climate and fruitful volcanic soil of the Central Valley proved to be the perfect environment for coffee's infant stages in Costa Rica, and it swiftly became the country's main export. As we now know, coffee is no longer CR's main export but figures in the top 5. You coffee drinkers are going to just love being in CR for a month! Pura Vida.


Did you know that the Patron Saint of Costa Rica is a Black Madonna known as "La Negrita", a sacred black stone of the Virgin Mary. And, every August 2, in a land of 4,000,000 people, hundreds of thousands (some estimates reach 2,000,000) pilgrimage---many on foot---from across the country to a Catholic church in Cartago, Costa Rica containing this ancient relic.

Every second day of August, in a country of a little over four million, hundreds of thousands of the faithful make a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles, considered by the Vatican so holy that a visit would expiate all sins. Follow the following link to learn more about "La Negrita". http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.costarica-discover-it.com%2Flanegrita.html&h=3a424

Did you know that on many a street corner in Costa Rica "pipas" are sold. They are from the coconut family but aren't the coconuts that we eat in the USA. You buy a "pipa" to drink its nutritional "agua" which is great to quench your thirst and great for its overall health benefits. When you buy a "pipa" the vendor will cut off the top of it and then give it to you with a straw to drink. Great stuff. I hope you will try some while you are in Costa Rica. Here's a link to learn more about the "pipa".

Did you know that your family will probably serve you a plate of fresh fruit every morning for breakfast. Some of the fresh fruit will be pineapple, mango, bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon, star fruit, papaya and other tropical fruit that's in season. You will also see lots of different fruits being sold on the street stands that you have never eaten before. I recommend that you try the "mamón chino" which is a pinkish-reddish fruit that is round like a jawbreaker and has small tentacles growing on the outside of it. It looks creepy-crawly! Yummy.

Did you know that one of the most popular and nutritional dishes in Costa Rica, and one that you will probably eat a lot of and really enjoy, is called the "casado". Casado means marriage or married and it gets its name for the perfect marriage/combination of all of the ingredients. It consists of rice and beans, meat or fish, fried plantains, and a carrot, tomato, and cabbage salad served with a fresh fruit drink. This basic and well-rounded meal strikes a perfect nutritional balance. ¡Qué delicioso y sabroso! The cafeteria at our language school will prepare this dish every day for those who want it.

Did you know that Costa Rica has 112 volcanoes and 10 are still active. Wow! We will see one of the most active volcanoes called Arenal. Hopefully we will be able to feel it burp or erupt a little. We will be soaking in the thermal hot springs that originate from this active volcano. Pura Vida!

Did you know that Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period and not by the four seasons here in the USA. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents (ticos) as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter. The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November, which almost coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, and during this time it rains constantly in some regions. We will be there during the winter or rainy season!! Plan on buying a good umbrella in CR.

Did you know that Costa Rica is divided into seven (7) provinces for social and political purposes. They are: San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limon, Punta Arenas and Guanacaste. Government officials are elected every four years during the month of February and Costa Ricans have to be 19 years old or older to vote. Costa Ricans celebrate their national independence from Spain on the 15 of September of each year.

Did you know that the name of the current President of Costa Rica is Laura Chinchilla and she was elected on May 8, 2010 (first woman President of CR). The population of CR is 4.5 million and the majority of these inhabitants live in San Jose. Costa Rica is bordered on the north by Nicaragua and on the south by Panama. The major roadway that traverses CR from border to border is the Pan- American Highway (actually, the highway starts in Alaska and end in the southern part of Chile!). Review these facts so that you can talk about them with your families.

Did you know that the national flower of Costa Rica is the Guaria Morada, a beautiful purple orchid. The national bird of CR is the Yiguirro, a clay colored robin whose melodious calls signal the beginning of the rainy season. The national tree is the Guanacaste tree which means "tree of the ears" because its fruit looks like human ears. Costa Rica lies between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans so it's no wonder that CR is known for its beaufitul, prestine beaches. Knowing these facts about Costa Rica will endear you to your families with whom you will be staying. Pura Vida! (which, by the way, is the national motto of CR).

Did you know that you just completed all the facts in this post? Thanks for bearing with me. You're a trooper. Anyway, as they say, Pure life!