\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOther food staples include; corn tortillas; white cheese; picadillos<\/b> (a meat and vegetable combination, garnished with spices); tamales<\/b> (corn-based dough); chorreadas<\/b> (corn pancake); pozole<\/b> (corn soup); andempanadas<\/b> (corn-based turnover stuffed with beans, cheese, or meat). Common vegetables used in picadillos are potatoes, green beans, squash, ayote, chayote and zucchini. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe local coffee, banana and plantain<\/b> staples are also the three main agricultural exports of the country. Costa Rican coffee enjoys worldwide popularity, with seven varieties grown within the country. Refrescos<\/b> are beverages made from fresh fruit (cas, guanabana, watermelon, blackberry, strawberry and passion fruit), sugar and either water or milk. Agua Dulce<\/b> (sweet water) and is made from tapa de dulce (boiled down sugar cane juice to a solid form) which is dissolved into boiling water or milk. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tFermented sugar cane is used to produce the national alcoholic drink called Guaro<\/b>. It is similar to vodka, and is usually drunk with water and lemon. Pilsen and Imperial<\/b> are the most popular beers in the country.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tCulture<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe locals refer to themselves as tico or tica<\/b> (female). This comes from the locally popular usage of "tico" diminutive suffixes, added to many words to sound more polite and courteous. Costa Ricans are known as very friendly, helpful, laid back, unhurried, educated and environmental people. Spending quality time with family and friends is paramount. Visitors are normally referred to as Gringos, but without the derogatory meaning of other Latin American countries. The common expression Pura Vida<\/b> (pure life) truly embodies the lifestyle, and is used widely in conversation, meaning This is living! or Cool! <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFolkloric Costa Rican music includes rhythms known as tambito and punto<\/b>. The Punto Guanacasteco<\/b> is a folkloric dance performed by couples. The African musical heritage is also present, with the sounds of rumba, calypso and reggae<\/b>. Rock music is very popular and a newer local rock style emerged some 20 years ago, led bands such as Gandhi, Evolucion, and Kadeho<\/b>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGeography<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe landmass of Costa Rica is primarily of volcanic origins, making up the mountain system that spreads centrally across the country: the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca. A few of these volcanoes remains active (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and make for interesting visits. The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripo, at 3,810m. The nation's long coastal plains long both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Politically, Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces: San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limon, Puntarenas and Guanacaste. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe country plays a big part in the neotropic ecozone, the land that form a natural bridge between North and South America, which facilitates the coming together and displacement of innumerable animal and plants species.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tHistory<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristopher Columbus was the first to land on Costa Rica's shores in 1502. Spanish colonizers began to establish themselves in 1522, after several failed attempts due to disease, heat, native resistance, and pirate raids. Costa Rica remained a Spanish colony for nearly three centuries, until 1821, when the country joined other Central American provinces in a joint declaration of independence from Spain. With the termination of the United Provinces of Central America in 1838, Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeveral unique factors contributed to the development of an autonomous and individualistic agrarian and egalitarian society. Costa Rica has mostly always been peaceful and democratic. Only two violent incidents occurred (in 1917-19 Federico Tinoco ruled as a dictator; and an armed uprising in 1948 led by Jose Figueres).The army was abolished in 1948.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tNature<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe list of nature parks is long and one can not possibly see all of them in a single trip. A few stand out in popularity for travelers: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve<\/b>, the Tortuguero National Park<\/b>, the Manuel Antonio National Park<\/b>, and theCorcovado National Park<\/b>. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlways attracting visitors, all of the Costa Rican volcanoes are designated national parks. The Irazu Volcano<\/b> remains astounding with its green-water crater. A walking path has been established around the Turrialba Volcano<\/b>. The active Arenal Volcano<\/b> erupt about 40 times a day, the best time to visit is at night where you can see lava flows.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSports<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf there is one sport Costa Rica can claim to be excellent for, it would be surfing<\/b> hands down. The real attraction for surfers is the variety of surf categories, and year round waves. The Pacific coast<\/b> particularly has some of the best surfing in Central America. Tamarindo is a perfect beach to learn to surf, while Playa del Coco is ideal for advanced surfers. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHere is a brief list of other activities to choose from:<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiking
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBird Watching
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFishing
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGolf
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking and trekking
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHorseback Riding
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRock Climbing
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSnorkeling & Scuba Diving
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHang Gliding, Paragliding, and Ballooning
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCanopy Tours
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWindsurfing
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRiver Rafting, Kayaking, and Canoeing<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n | | | | | |
![\"View](\"\/\/grandescapades.com\/images\/destinations\/costarica.jpg\" "\\"View")
<\/p>\n