Costa Rica
Land of natural wonders,
Land of peace
Costa Rica does not have an army. For over a century it has
been a peaceful country.
Costa Rica has contributed greatly to bring peace to
Central America .
Location

Costa Rica
is located in
Central
America,
between
Nicaragua
to the North
and
Panamá to
the South.
FACTS

It is a very small country compared to
the size of West Virginia.

The official language is Spanish.

The official currency is EL COLON.
Currency
5 colones bill
Currency
2.000 colones
Currency
Mil colones bill & coins
5000 colones
Facts



Costa Rica’s population is close to
4 million.
The capital is San José, located right
in the heart of the country.
There is a 94% literacy rate, one of
the highest in the world.
More Facts



The official religion is Roman Catholic and
each “barrio” (neighborhood) has a church.
Approximately 93% of Costa Rican are
Catholics.
Most of the architecture is in colonial style.
Costa Rican calendar evolves around the
church calendar.
More Facts



Religious festivities are the base of
Costa Rican culture.
Holy Week is highly respected and
celebrated with processions on the
streets.
Christmas is also celebrated with great
joy.
Basilica de Los Angeles
Iglesia de Sarchí
La Virgen de los Angeles
National Patron
Holy Week

Processions
Navidad ( Christmas)
“El Portal”, The Nativity scene is a
Christmas tradition
HISTORY

Costa Rica gained its independence
from Spain in 1821.

It is said that it was called “ Costa Rica”
( Rich Coast ) by Christopher Columbus
when he landed in the Atlantic Coast
and was impressed by its beauty.
History

However, the Spanish considered it a
poor colony. There was not much gold
or other minerals and its indigenous
population was very small.

Therefore, there was not much to
conquer.
HISTORY

The lack of wealth became in the long
run Costa Rica’s blessing.

Because of the lack of slavery and
human exploitation, Costa Ricans
develop a sense of high appreciation for
peace and tolerance.
HISTORY

As a result, Costa Rica became mainly a
land of farmers which created a large
middle class.
HISTORY


In 1856, William Walker an
American filibuster tried to
take over Costa Rica. Soon
enough the farmers got
together and using their
tools planned to get rid of
him.
Juan Santamaría became
the national hero. He gave
his life when he burned the
headquarters where Walker
and allies were hiding and
planning the invasion.
Juan Santamaría’s monument.
History
In 1948 “ Don Pepe” José Figueres
abolished the Army & created the new
Country’s constitution which continued
the tradition of democracy.


Since then, Costa Rica has been known
as the “Switzerland” of Latin America.
DON PEPE

President of Costa Rica
during 3 different
periods.

1948-49
1953-59
1970-74



Creator of the National
Liberation Party. PLN
Not having an army is the
key to a real democracy

The government invests more in education,
health and ecological conservation.
Don Oscar Arias

Costa Rica’s second
Hero is “Don Oscar”
Creator of the
“Esquipulas Peace plan
for Central America.

President from 19861990 & current
president since 2005.

1987 Nobel Peace
Laureate
Government




Costa Rica like the US has a bipartisan
system
Two major parties dominate the
political scenario.
Liberación Nacional ( Rightist)
Unidad Social Cristiana ( Leftist)
Liberación Nacional
Unidad Social Cristiana’s Flag
Economy

Costa Rica was
introduced to
Coffee in the 16th
century, since then
coffee has played a
major role in the
economy of the
country.
Coffee



The rich volcanic soils
are wonderful to grow
coffee.
It was the nation’s
major export for years.
It helped to create and
maintain the aristocratic
class.
Coffee

Costa Rica’s coffee
is known today as
Arabica and it
originated from
Ethiopia.
Bananas


Have also play a very important role in the
economy of the country.
The industry was introduced by the
American Michael Keith in the late 1800’s
when he build the first rail road that
connected the Central Valley with the
Atlantic Coast.
Banana Plant
Bananas

Michael Keith’s
company would
become later the
United Fruit Company
that started the
“Chiquita Banana”
brand.
Bananas
Tourism

Within the last twenty years tourism has
become the main industry in the country
counting for ¾’s of Costa Rica’s revenue.
Tourism



Costa Rica’ s natural beauty and diversity
attracts thousands of tourists every year.
The political stability of the country is a great
incentive for people to travel.
The country has a wonderful tropical climate
with 2 distinctive seasons (dry and wet) and
stays at around 60-80 degrees year round.
Tourism



The country has seven different provinces &
great bio diversity.
All provinces are very different from each
other.
Bordered by both the Atlantic and the Pacific
ocean, the country has the diversity and
richness of both costs.
Tourism

Dry regions in the pacific.

Rain forest in the pacific northwest.

Cloud forest in the central Valley

Multiple Volcanoes
Biodiversity


Since the 1970’s Costa Rica has enforced
very effective measures to promote ecotourism and to protect its natural wonders.
Approximately 27% of the country’s territory
is either national parks, wildlife refuges or
natural reserves.
The central Valley



Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago y San José.
These are the main cities located in the
Central Valley, no matter where you are you
can see the mountains.
Very refreshing, spring like weather.
Local Artists:

Carmen Lyra:
A writer of children’s
stories and a wonderful
poet
Local artits



A combination of Jazz and
Latin traditional music,
Editus is a delightful &
unique band.
They have won 4
Grammies.
Listen to samples of their
music at
:http://www.edituscr.com/
Hotel Costa Rica y Plaza de la Cultura
Located in the heart of San José.
Universidad de Costa Rica
San José
San José
La Feria
Every Saturday local farmers sell their products at the outdoors market called “LA
FERIA”
La Feria
La Feria
Tropical fruit:
Papaya, mamón chino, y magos.
Tropical Fruit
Jocotes, mangos
Local Homes


Costa Rica’s homes
usually have very
strong foundations
because of the
many and common
tremors and
earthquakes.
Most homes are
made of brick.
Homes
HOMES
HOMES
View from a
Central Valley Home
Homes
Homes
More Homes
The Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast
Iguana
White Faced Monkey
Sloth ( Perezoso)
Toucans & Parrots
Monteverde ( Rain Forest)

Heaven on earth
Butterflies
Red Eyed Frog
Hummingbirds
The Sky Trek & Canopy tours

The closest you can
ever feel to heaven
still being on earth.
Sky Walk
Exotic Flowers & Orquids
Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano
The crater
Tabacon Hot Springs
La Paz Waterfall
Tortuguero
Activities you can enjoy in
Costa Rica

Bird Watching

Snorkeling

Surfing

Kayaking

Scuba diving

Horse back riding

Fishing

Whitewater Rafting

Windsurfing

Tropical Bungee
Scuba Diving

Wonderful both
in the Pacific and
Atlantic Coasts.
Surfing

Witches Rock is the
most famous spot
Horse Back Riding
Whitewater Rafting
Costa Rican People
commonly called “TICOS”


“Tico” comes from the
diminutives suffixed by
Costa Ricans to almost
every word which helps to
soften the speech &
appears more
approachable when
interacting with others.
Ticos are known for being
very warm & caring.
TICOS
PURA VIDA
The phrase that embodies the
Tico lifestyle is Pura Vida, literally
translated as Pure Life, meaning
roughly "This is living!" or "Cool!"
Friends often greet or salute each
other with Pura vida
Education & Children

Is the government’s greatest priority.
Oscar Arias & Children
TICOS
Costa Ricans love salsa, merengue and
folkloric music
Costa Rican Typical Food


The staple of the Costa Rican diet
consist of rice and beans.
Food is very natural & savory although
not spicy.
Fruit is included in almost every meal.
Tropical Fruit
Coconut
Guanábana
Papaya
Pejibaye
It is boiled first and then
eaten with mayonnaise
and lemon.
Gallo Pinto


Black Rice & Beans
mixed together. It is a
typical breakfast dish.
Very tasty & colorful
calls for onion, garlic,
cilantro and red bell
pepper & Salsa Lizano,
a spicy salsa made in
Costa Rica.
Plantains
Although they look like bananas,
they are not bananas. They belong
to the same family but are different.
They maybe boiled, fried or baked.
They are very sweet and yummy.
Arroz con pollo
It is the weekend dish
and the most commonly
served at family
gatherings and partys.
The chicken is mixed in
the rice.
Casado
A casado consists of black
beans, rice, potato hash,
salad, plantain and any
type meat.
It could be served with
chicken, steak, fish, etc.
Empanadas
Empanadas are made of a fine
pastry filled with beef, chicken,
potatoes, or fruit. They could be
salty or sweet.
Lengua en Salsa
Believe it or not
“Cow tongue” is a delicatessen in
Costa Rica. It is made for special
holidays or celebrations.
Tamales

It is one of Costa Rica’s
most traditional dishes.
They may look like a simple
dish but they take an entire
day to make. They are
made out of corn and
wrapped in a banana leaf.
Tamales are filled with pork,
rice and vegetables.
They are traditionally eaten
during the holidays.
Carne rellena
A traditional holiday dish. It is very
similar to a Costa Rican style tamal
but made with ground beef.
Sr. Gerardo Jara
Heredia, Costa Rica
Tres Leches
A traditional Latin American
dessert.
Every country has its own variety
but they all call for “3 milks” ,
evaporated, condensed & whipping
cream. It is very refreshing
Pan ( Bread)
Costa Ricans eat bread 3 times a day.
At breakfast, as a snack and at coffee
break in the afternoons around 4:00
pm. In the cities, there is a bakery
shop almost on every corner. When
riding the bus, the smell of fresh
bread is everywhere.
Coffee
The smell of fresh brewed coffee is
everywhere.
Coffee is not only one of Costa Rica’s main
income sources but an excuse to chat and
relax.
Costa Ricans drink coffee anytime as an
excuse to take a break and socialize.
National brands
National brands
Coffee Britt
Salsa Lizano

There is no gallo
pinto without
Salsa lizano.
National Emblems
La guaria
Morada.
The national
Flower
El Yugüirro
The National Bird
El árbol de Guanacaste
The national Tree
La carreta
The oxcart used to transport
coffee in the 19th century.
Now it is a popular souvenir
and decoration.
El escudo
The National Emblem.
Represents the seven
provinces, the two oceans
& a new nation with great
hope for a wonderful
future for its children and
future generations
La Bandera
The national flag.
Blue represent the sky
which we all share.
Red represents the blood
sacrificed for the
country’s freedom.
White represents the peace
that Costa Ricans enjoy
and treasure so much
Peace & Democracy
“ Costa Ricans way of living &
most precious treasure”
A Costa Rican Sunset