COUNTRY OVERVIEW

Costa Rica is a small country situated in Central America surrounded by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Caribbean to the east, and the Pacific to the west.

Costa Rica is a beautiful and peaceful country that some have referred to as the "Switzerland of the Americas". This impression of Costa Rica has come about due to its reputation as one of the most stable countries in Latin America. Political turmoil is unheard of in this country. The last major political crisis Costa Rica experienced was during the civil war in the late 1940's. Following its conclusion, Costa Rica established a strong democratic system and did something unheard of in Latin America, they abolished its armed forces.

A major reason why Costa Rica is such a great place to learn Spanish relates to its people. "Ticos," as Costa Ricans are known, are generally very open and friendly towards visitors. These people love to "show off" their country to foreigners. Guide books are both helpful and recommended, but when you want the best information about something, ask a "tico". For those individuals studying Spanish, you will find that "ticos" are very patient and helpful.

The average Costa Rican is very well educated. In fact, Costa Rica lays claim to one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America. Also, unlike most other Latin American countries, there is not a wide divergence seen between rich and poor. Costa Ricans, like Americans, tend to have a middle class mentality. They believe that through hard work, one can succeed.

Costa Rica resides completely within the tropics yet boasts over 12 distinct climates. Generally speaking, there are two seasons: The rainy season (May - November) and the dry season (December - April). If you plan on attending a program during the rainy season bring an umbrella. Showers are frequent, and it only takes a minute or two before you are completely soaked! In the central valley, the average temperature is 72 F, while on the Caribbean side it is 82 F, and on the Pacific side 89 F. Of course different locations have their own micro climates, so plan accordingly when you travel in Costa Rica.

Unlike countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, or Peru, Costa Rica does not offer much in the way of indigenous cultures. There are no ruins to speak of, and the culture of Costa Rica does not exhibit the influence of local peoples like you would find in Guatemala for example. Whatever Costa Rica may lack in this aspect, is easily made up for in its abundance of natural resources. Costa Rica is the link between North and South America, and its wealth of plants and animals reflect this. There is an "estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 plant and animal species in Costa Rica. The country is home to over 850 bird species -- one tenth of all known bird species (The U.S. and Canada combined have less than half that number)." Source: Costa Rica Handbook by Christopher Baker.

Costa Rica has many different type of forests ranging from tropical dry forests to rain forests. Monteverde Reserve for example, offers Spanish students the opportunity to visit what is known as a cloud forest. Everywhere in Costa Rica there are various kinds of forests which in turn offer different types of habitats to an incredibly diverse array of plant and animal species.

Costa Rica is the perfect destination for those who wish to have the opportunity to experience nature at its finest!

This country is also know for its geologic attributes: volcanoes and earthquakes. Both are a result of the fact that Costa Rica lies at the convergence of two tectonic plates. Small quakes and tremors are frequent occurrences, though most are not perceptible. Currently the country has seven active volcanoes which are very popular tourist destinations. Arenal for example, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. At night, rivers of lava and eruptions are easily visible to anyone in the surrounding area. It is an awesome sight that should be high on your list of things to do in Costa Rica.

For those interested in water activities, Costa Rica has much to offer. There are over 200 rivers located in this small country, and many are considered to have some of the best white rafting in the world. Costa Rica also has an abundance of pristine beaches, located both on the Pacific and the Caribbean. If enjoying the sun on the beach is not for you, then consider the fact that the Pacific side offers world class deep sea fishing.

If you are looking for outdoor activities, Costa Rica has something for you!