What Do You Know About Costa Rica?
You wondered it, I answered it. Get inspired by these fun facts.
Unless you have traveled to Costa Rica, there are a few things that you may or may not know.
Costa Rica’s biggest exports are bananas, pineapples, coffee and medical equipment.
The capital is San Jose and was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century.
10% of the world’s butterflies take up residence here, including the electric blue Morpho.
The surfing movie Endless Summer was the one to get Tamarindo on the surfing map. Since then it’s been a surfer’s paradise drawing people from all over the world to surf many beaches on the Pacific side of the country. Thank you Robert August!
The average life expectancy in Costa Rica is 79.6, Japan comes in at #1. According to WHO (World Life Expectancy).
Native Costa Rican’s call themselves Ticos and Ticas.
Manana doesn’t mean tomorrow just not today.
Eggs are not washed here, no need for refrigeration. They do need a quick rinse before using.
There are 2 seasons, hot and humid and hot and dry.
Costa Rica is one of the highest perpetrators for the use of pesticides. EVERY fruit and vegetable need to be soaked in a tbsp of baking soda for 10-15 minutes before consuming. Not sure everyone does this though.
Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is only 1,016 km (631 miles) long. But in that stretch of coastline, boasts some of the best beaches in Central America. The mix of black, white and golden sand beaches are amazing, but the sand gets incredibly hot so you either need to high tail it to the ocean or wear your flip flops. Aside from the weekends, the beaches are almost void of people.
Vaca! The CR cow. Otherwise known as Brahman cows. They look emaciated but they are a sight to behold. They have brown, black or white fur. They are free range, for the most part, and have been known to stop traffic for simply standing in the middle of the road.
Costa Rica is one most eco-friendly destinations in the world as such, eco-resorts are found all over the country. Renewable or clean energy is in full swing with carbon neutrality a close second.
Street addresses are not necessary. Everyone uses landmarks. Waze does a great job but if you don’t have cellular service or Wi-Fi available, you’re out of luck.
Chorreador aka a Costa Rican coffee machine. It uses no electricity. This crazy contraption has been used here forever. It has a metal or wooden tall stand with a “sock” or “bolsita” that is suspended over your coffee cup. Ground coffee fills the bolsita and then near boiling water is poured over it. Why? Simply, it tastes better.
Everyone says “hola.” It’s a fact. When you pass people on the street, in a store, on the beach, etc. all Costa Ricans say hello. A refreshing change from the US.
This country has no standing army. They have not endured a war since 1948. Instead the money was redirected to healthcare, education and environmental protection.