1. 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 .

2. Location
Costa Rica is located in Central America, between Nicaragua to the North and Panamá to the South.

3. 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.

4. Currency 5 colones bill

5. Currency colones

6. Currency Mil colones bill & coins

7. 5000 colones

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Basilica de Los Angeles

12. Iglesia de Sarchí

13. La Virgen de los Angeles National Patron

14. Holy Week
Processions

15. Navidad ( Christmas) “El Portal”, The Nativity scene is a Christmas tradition

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. HISTORY
As a result, Costa Rica became mainly a land of farmers which created a large middle class.

20. 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.

21. Juan Santamaría’s monument.

22. 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.

23. DON PEPE President of Costa Rica during 3 different periods. 1948-49
Creator of the National Liberation Party. PLN

24. Not having an army is the key to a real democracy
The government invests more in education, health and ecological conservation.

25. Don Oscar Arias
Costa Rica’s second Hero is “Don Oscar” Creator of the “Esquipulas Peace plan for Central America.
President from & current president since 2005.
1987 Nobel Peace Laureate

26. Government Costa Rica like the US has a bipartisan system
Two major parties dominate the political scenario.
Liberación Nacional ( Rightist)
Unidad Social Cristiana ( Leftist)

27. Liberación Nacional

28. Unidad Social Cristiana’s Flag

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Coffee
Costa Rica’s coffee is known today as Arabica and it originated from Ethiopia.

32. 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.

33. Banana Plant

34. Bananas
Michael Keith’s company would become later the United Fruit Company that started the “Chiquita Banana” brand.

35. Bananas

36. Tourism
Within the last twenty years tourism has become the main industry in the country counting for ¾’s of Costa Rica’s revenue.

37. 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 degrees year round.

38. 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.

39. Tourism Dry regions in the pacific.
Rain forest in the pacific northwest.
Cloud forest in the central Valley
Multiple Volcanoes

40. Biodiversity
Since the 1970’s Costa Rica has enforced very effective measures to promote eco-tourism and to protect its natural wonders.
Approximately 27% of the country’s territory is either national parks, wildlife refuges or natural reserves.

41. 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.

42. Local Artists: Carmen Lyra: A writer of children’s
stories and a wonderful
poet

43. 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 :

44. Hotel Costa Rica y Plaza de la Cultura
Located in the heart of San José.

45. Universidad de Costa Rica

46. San José

47. San José

48. La Feria Every Saturday local farmers sell their products at the outdoors market called “LA FERIA”

49. La Feria

50. La Feria

51. Tropical fruit: Papaya, mamón chino, y magos.

52. Tropical Fruit Jocotes, mangos

53. 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.

54. Homes

55. HOMES

56. HOMES

57. View from a Central Valley Home

58. Homes

59. Homes

60. More Homes

61. The Pacific Coast

62. The Pacific Coast

63. The Pacific Coast

64. Iguana

65. White Faced Monkey

66. Sloth ( Perezoso)

67. Toucans & Parrots

68. Monteverde ( Rain Forest)
Heaven on earth

69. Butterflies

70. Red Eyed Frog

71. Hummingbirds

72. The Sky Trek & Canopy tours
The closest you can ever feel to heaven still being on earth.

73. Sky Walk

74. Exotic Flowers & Orquids

75. Arenal Volcano

76. Arenal Volcano

77. The crater

78. Tabacon Hot Springs

79. La Paz Waterfall

80. Tortuguero

81. Activities you can enjoy in Costa Rica
Bird Watching
Surfing
Scuba diving
Fishing
Windsurfing
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Horse back riding
Whitewater Rafting
Tropical Bungee

82. Scuba Diving
Wonderful both in the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts.

83. Surfing
Witches Rock is the most famous spot

84. Horse Back Riding

85. Whitewater Rafting

86. 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.

87. 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

88. Education & Children
Is the government’s greatest priority.

89. Oscar Arias & Children

90. TICOS

91. Costa Ricans love salsa, merengue and folkloric music

92. Costa Rican Typical Food
The staple of the Costa Rican diet consist of rice and beans.
Food is very natural & savory although not spicy.

93. Fruit is included in almost every meal.

94. Tropical Fruit
Coconut
Guanábana
Papaya

95. Pejibaye
It is boiled first and then eaten with mayonnaise and lemon.

96. 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.

97. 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.

98. 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.

99. 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.

100. Empanadas
Empanadas are made of a fine pastry filled with beef, chicken, potatoes, or fruit. They could be salty or sweet.

101. Lengua en Salsa Believe it or not
“Cow tongue” is a delicatessen in Costa Rica. It is made for special holidays or celebrations.

102. 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.

103. 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

104. 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

105. 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.

106. 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.

107. National brands

108. National brands

109. Coffee Britt

110. Salsa Lizano
There is no gallo pinto without Salsa lizano.

111. National Emblems
La guaria Morada.
The national Flower

112. El Yugüirro
The National Bird

113. El árbol de Guanacaste
The national Tree

114. La carreta
The oxcart used to transport coffee in the 19th century. Now it is a popular souvenir and decoration.

115. 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

116. 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

117. Peace & Democracy “ Costa Ricans way of living & most precious treasure”

118. A Costa Rican Sunset