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Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos and Ticas.
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It only takes up .03% of the planet’s surface but holds 5% of its biodiversity!
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There are over 130 species of fish, 220 of reptiles, 1,000 butterflies (10% of the world’s butterflies are in Costa Rica!), 9,000 plants, 20,000 species of spiders and 34,000 species of insects!
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Costa Rica has no standing army. It was constitutionally abolished in 1949.
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When a woman is pregnant they say she is “con luz,” or “with light.” ( How cute is this?)
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“Pura vida” is the national saying, which means “pure life,” a sunny, feel good expression used as a greeting, goodbye, or if someone asks how you are doing.
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Milk, eggs, and other perishable items are often sold unrefrigerated.
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They don’t really have summers and winters like the USA, but a dry season that runs December-April and a rainy season that runs May-November.
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They claim a 96% literacy rate. In very poor and rural areas, where children can’t get to schools, they teach classes over a national radio station.
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Locks (on houses, doors, and gates) almost always work backwards.
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Costa Rica is a Catholic country but ensures freedom of religion.
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Costa Rica is the longest-standing democracy in Central America.
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A Costa Rican female swimmer won a gold medal in the 1996 summer games in Atlanta. (Fun fact: my mom was in the military at that time and was one of the guards guarding one of the sport buildings during the ’96 games.)
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Over 25% of Costa Rica’s land is set aside for national parks and refuges.
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Costa Rica’s main exports include coffee, bananas, sugar, cattle and cocoa. Their main imports include mining goods, transportation equipment and fuel. (Mmmmm, coffee).
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Easter Week is known as Semana Santa in Costa Rica. During this week people visit the beach, relax with their family, attend church and have many religious celebrations.
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Christmas is celebrated with family in Costa Rica. On Christmas Eve it is traditional to stay up with your family until midnight and eat a large feast. Christmas is celebrated by exchanging gifts and going to church.
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Art is a thriving part of Costa Rica’s society. They have many museums that tourists frequent, and have many street sculptures that dot the streets of the prominent cities.
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Women do not take their husband’s last name when they get married. Instead, the woman uses her maiden name throughout her entire life. Children will take the last name of their fathers.
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Milk is sold in a plastic bag, not in a carton.
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Costa Rica has over 100 volcanic formations, and seven of those are active. Arenal Volcano is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
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Costa Rica has become known for its beautiful beaches. The country has over 800 miles of coastline along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
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Costa Rica is home to about 34,000 different species of insects. The country is also home to about 20,000 different types of spiders.
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Rice and beans are a big part of the diets of Costa Ricans. Both ingredients are used for a common breakfast food known as gallo pinto.
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Spanish colonists premanently settled in Costa Rica in 1561.
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The national anthem of Costa Rica is played daily on most radio stations at 7 AM.
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Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that has had a female president. Laura Chincilla served as president of Costa Rica from 2010 until 2014.
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Costa Rica is often referred to as a hummingbird capital. The country has about 52 native species of hummingbirds.
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Costa Rica banned recreational hunting in 2012. It was the first country in the world to ban this practice.
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Costa Rica is the 13th largest exporter of coffee in the world. Coffee is known as “grano de oro” — or “grain of gold” — in this country. (Sure is gold!!)
Hope you enjoyed the last blog on facts about the different countries I’ll be going too!! And this is my first blog post back in the States!!! Hello Georgia!!
