We've traveled all over this wonderful country. If you're interested in visiting other places in Costa Rica, before or after the workshop, we'll be happy to give you some suggestions

A Physical Description

Costa Rica is about 51,000 square Kilometers in size. It is bordered on the North by Nicaragua, the South by Panama, the West by the Pacific Ocean and on the East by the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided by mountain chains running generally from the Northwest to the South. These form part of the Continental Divide so that in part of the country, drainage is toward the Pacific Ocean and part toward the Caribbean Sea.

 

Costa Rica is in the isthmus of Central America on the southern most part of the North American Continent. There is a 3000 square kilometer central valley with fertile soils and a pleasant climate. This is home to the majority of the population and is the source of one of Costa Rica's most famous crops, coffee.

 

Many of the principal mountain chains are made up of volcanos. Near San Jose is Irazu Volcano, which erupted a considerable amount of ash in the early 60's, Poas Volcano, with one of the largest active craters in the world, and Barba Volcano, an extinct volcano with a beautiful forest in its crater. Arenal Volcano, a young volcano in the northern part of the country, has been in fairly constant eruption for years. Chirripo is the tallest mountain in the country (3,819 m.) but is not a volcano.

 

Coastal Areas

About 65% of Costa Rica's border is shoreline. Some of the most beautiful and idyllic beaches on the planet are found here. Many tourism projects are being developed there. Remember that no part of Costa Rica is more than 120 Km. from a coast so in certain ways, Costa Rica is like a big tropical island paradise!

 

North Pacific – Guanacaste And Nicoya

Sun, sea and savannah traditions.

Guanacaste is the region where Villa Paraiso, our workshop home, is situated. See the map .

 

The country's North Pacific, comprising the Province of Guanacaste and Peninsula of Nicoya, is a region of the country where tourism mingles with tradition. Characteristic of Guanacaste province is the "sabanero" with his skill in handling cattle. The region's "fiestas patronales" (county fair) corridas (rodeos) and bull mounts are a must. The fairs always include a great variety of typical cuisine.

 

The region has a strong influence in Costa Rican history, beginning in the colonial period. Santa Rosa National Park was the scene of three important battles one of which in 1856 meant for the victorious Costa Ricans, the triumph of national sovereignty over the attacks of foreign invaders.

 

Geologically, the region harbors some of the oldest formations in the country, such as the caverns of Barra Honda National Park with its many stalactites and stalagmites. The park also protects important extensions of dry tropical forest, most of which is in regeneration. Some typical flora of the region are Guanacaste, the national tree; the savanna oak and the naked Indian tree, commonIy named due to its intense reddish colored trunk.

 

Some of the region's protected areas are of worldwide importance for survival of wildlife species: the Baula Turtle, in Playa Grander, the avi-fauna in the lagoons of Palo Verde National Park; and the nesting of the Lora Turtle in the Nancite and Ostional beaches.

 

National parks such as Volcán Rincón de la Vieja also offer unique sites with their hot mud pools and fumaroles in constant activity.

 

With its many beaches, the North Pacific constitutes one of Costa Rica's most important tourism areas. Tourism infrastructure ranges from five star services with some of the best places to practice golf and sport fishing, to many small quaint properties in natural settings.

 

Marine currents that dredge nutrients from the ocean's depths, facilitate the existence of a rich marine biodiversity, favoring the abundance of species like the swordfish, the marlin and the dorado.

 

Guanacaste's beaches, full of sun and activity, offer all types of outdoor activities, including surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, snorkeling and horseback riding,. Some of these beaches are true tourist centers, such is the case of Tamarindo and El Coco, while others are more remote and quiet.

 

Climate

Costa Rica has four main climatic zones.

1. The Wet Lowlands: The entire Caribbean Lowlands and the Southern Pacific Lowlands are characterized by a weak or nonexistent dry season and fairly high temperatures. The rainfall is not as high in some beach areas and is greater as one goes inland and reaches slightly higher elevations.
2. Lowlands with a Definite Dry Season: Most of Guanacaste Province and some of Puntarenas fall in this zone. It has quite warm temperatures and a very pronounced and extended dry season.
3. Temperate Climate: Between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level and usually with a marked dry season, this is the most comfortable climatic zone. The Central Valley is within this zone.
4. Mountain Climate: Any area over 1,500 meters. Characterized by cooler temperatures, even below freezing over 3,000 meters, and usually fairly wet, with blowing mist and drizzle on occasion.

 

Form of Government

The Costa Rica of today exists under the constitution of November the 7th, 1949. Although this constitution made many advances over previous ones, perhaps its most outstanding provision, and one that is even beginning to affect other countries by emulation, is that which prohibits the existence of a standing army.

The Constitution provides for a President, exercising Executive Power. He is elected by popular vote to a period of four years. There are two Vice-Presidents and a board of Ministers, but no Prime Minister. The Congress is a single chambered legislature whose members are elected from candidates, chosen by the different political parties, by the general popular vote. There are 57 congressmen elected to four year terms.

 

Religion: Perhaps as much as 90% of the population professes to Catholicism, which is the official religion of the country. Other religious beliefs, as well as the lack of religious faith, not only exist freely in the country but are protected by the constitution.

 

Health Services

According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica is one of the countries that has made the most progress in its health services. It has a rapidly dropping infant mortality rate and a rapidly climbing life expectancy.

 

There are numerous hospitals in the country operated by the national social security system. This system was established to provide universal medical services and is getting very close to achieving this goal. It also provides disability, maternity, old-age pension and death benefits. Students come from many countries to study medicine in Costa Rica.

 

Many foreign visitors come to take advantage of inexpensive but very professional medical care in Costa Rica. Plastic surgery and dental procedures are in particularly high demand.

 

Education

Constant attention to education has made Costa Rica into the most literate country in Central America. In effect, its literacy rate rivals that of many much larger and much more wealthy industrialized nations. Since the 70s, the nation has consistently invested over 28% of the national budget in education. The lack of an expensive military establishment has been a great help in this. By law elementary schooling is free and obligatory. Some 70% of secondary education is provided by public high schools.

 

Although university level education dates back to the last century, in modern times it has mostly been imparted by the University of Costa Rica, a state university founded in 1940. Thirty years later a number of state universities came into existence, including one that teaches only via correspondence. In 1977 the first private university came into existence.

 

 

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