Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to four and a half million people of Spanish, European, Asian, African and Central American descent. Costa Rica, or “The Rich Coast,” was so named by Christopher Columbus in hopes that he would find beaches strewn with gold. The name still applies in terms of the country’s rich heritage, diverse culture, and breathtaking scenery. While only the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity, and its jungles, beaches, and plateaus are home to countless birds and mammals. From botany to bird watching, Costa Rica is an ecologist’s dream, and with over 25% of the country designated as protected reserves, it will remain an ecological wonder for generations to come.
The inhabitants of Costa Rica (the two-legged kind) are some of the most peaceful and prosperous in Central America, and theirs was the first country in the world to ever formally disband its military. Costa Rica’s literacy rate is the highest in Central America, and the Costa Ricans as a people are committed to education. In the past, students from UCF have traveled to Costa Rica to embrace the Costa Ricans’ zeal for education, participating in service learning programs that focus on social and criminal justice.
Below you’ll find fun facts, useful phrases, and links to more information about Costa Rica.
Fun Facts
- The fast food establishments in Costa Rica (like McDonald’s and Burger King) will deliver to your home.
- It is not uncommon to give infants and small children coffee.
- Costa Rica is sometimes called “the Switzerland of the Americas,” due to its neutrality, mountain ranges, and similar size.
- There are more than 100 volcanoes in Costa Rica; only five, however, are currently active.
- The phrase “pura vida,” or “pure life,” is the unofficial motto of Costa Rica, and can be used as a greeting, a parting expression, or a statement about life in general.
Phrases
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. Here are some Spanish phrases that you might find useful.
- Hello Hola
- Goodbye Adiós
- Excuse me Con permiso
- Thank you Gracias
- Where is the bathroom? Dónde está el baño?