Some History On Costa Rica
Christopher Columbus was the first European explorer to discover the country of Costa Rica. When Columbus was in his fourth and final voyage during the 18th of September in 1502, a group of Carib Indians paddling in their canoes greeted Columbus’ crew as they were setting off the anchor. However, even before Columbus arrived in the area, early civilization had already existed there as evidenced by the artifacts found by Archeologists dating ten thousand years ago.
Countless of archeological diggings and explorations in the area helped archeologists to prove that a civilization had existed in the area even before Columbians set foot on it. A number of cultural mysteries that were thought to be owned by the early inhabitants of Costa Rica were discovered near the coast. Spherical granite bolas, with sizes ranging from as small as a baseball ball up to as a big as a Volkswagen, bus were uncovered. City ruins were found just recently at the east of San Jose. The large, ancient ruins that were discovered came complete with well-built aqueducts. Marvelous jade and gold works were also been exposed. Archeological sites in the Nicoya Peninsula and Central Highlands revealed various evidences showing influences from Nahuati and Mexican Olmec civilizations.
Four indigenous tribes already inhabited Costa Rica by the time Columbus came to the country. The Diquis, Chibchas and Borucas were residing in the Southwest coast while East Coast was the territory of the Caribs. The colonial period in the area officially started when Columbus discovered it in 1502. After that various Spanish expeditions followed suit. The tribes living in the area did not last long when the Spaniards came. Many perished from the small pox brought by Spanish settlers while others fled the area. In 1524, the very first Spanish settlement was established in Costa Rica, which was headed by Villa Bruselas.
Since indigenous labor force had been annihilated, Spanish settlers had to trade laborers from its neighboring countries, Guatemala and Panama. They followed the policy and traded African slaves to work in Costa Rica.
Among the Spanish colonies, Costa Rica was the poorest and most miserable. In fact, the country enjoyed the least Spanish influence. Since the country had very little resources to exploit, it was not a popular place to settle. Spanish settlers who came to the country were more interested in tightening their hold to Peru and Mexico where huge amount of silver and gold were being mined at the time. Juan Vasquez, who founded the colonial city of Cartago in 1562, was the first settler to successfully establish a colonial in the area.
In 1821, Mexico rebelled against the Spanish Settlers, and the rest of Central America including Costa Rica joined them. After two years, a civil war sparked among the four neighboring countries where a faction in Costa Rica chose to join the Mexicans. Sovereignty was later established when Alajuela and San Jose defeated Cartago and Heredia.
In 1824, Juan Mora Fernandez became the first elected head of state. Fernandez was famous for his land reform projects. Under the leadership of Mora, Costa Ricans repulsed the disgruntled Southern conqueror, William Walker. Walker thought he could annex Central America and transform it into a slave state.
Although military rulings had reared its head to Costa Rica a couple of times, there were no violent extremism occurred in the area unlike in other parts of Central America. General Thomas Guardia grabbed control over Costa Rica by 1870. Guardia was known for creating the most progressive reforms in the country, focusing on taxation, education and military policy.
In 1948 when Rafael Calderon denied relinquishing his power after losing the presidential election, a civil war erupted. Don Pepe Figueres Ferrer became one of the country’s most influential leaders when he defeated Calderon. Ferrer was the head of the Founding Junta of Costa Rica’s Second Republic. Ferrer made reforms on civil rights and policy, thus boosting his popularity. He created a political legacy in Costa Rica that cemented the country’s liberal and democratic values.
Read MoreMajor Tourist Destinations In & Around Costa Rica
A trip to Costa Rica is definitely a vacation that anyone should look forward to. Although Costa Rica may seem like a speck on the map, this tiny Central American country features five percent of biodiversity in the planet. In addition to that, Costa Rica boasts of natural wonders that are beyond compare. Tourist attractions in and around Costa Rica alone draw millions of local and international visitors to the country every year. Because of this, Costa Rica is known as one of the premiere tourist destinations in Central America. Enveloped by parks, reserves, rainforests, mountains, and volcanoes, it is obvious that Nature is the main attraction in the country.
Some of the major tourist destinations in and around Costa Rica that you must not miss include the following:
Nosara
The serene and peaceful beach community of Nosara can be found in Costa Rica’s unspoilt corner, where monkeys meet the turtles. It is the ideal location for nature lovers as well as surfers. Nosara boasts of well-protected national parks. Local residents, meanwhile, take part in the preservation of the community’s pristine and beautiful beaches as well as the protected forests.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Recognized as one of the world’s diverse wildlife refuges, the stunning and mesmerizing Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is always flocked by a great number of tourists. Being shrouded with clouds, the forest reserve exudes a sense of mystery to it, which greatly boosts its charm. There are a wide range of mammals, bird species and insects that are home to this distinct mountain rainforest. The area also feature a variety of exciting activities, with eco-tourism as the highlight, such as canopy touring, zip lining, hiking and horseback riding.
Tortuguero National Park
Remains to be one of Costa Rica’s most visited parks, Tortuguero National Park can only be reached by plane or boat. Visitors who want to come and see the national park need to first head to Tortuguero Village, which serves as its starting point. People coming to this park are caught in awe by its wonderful lagoons and meandering rivers. The park is also known as the breeding ground of the key turtles. Tortuguero National Park serves as the nesting ground of leatherback, Green Sea turtles, and Hawksbill, which lay their eggs on the beach within the park. To witness this one-of-a-kind and memorable phenomenon, visitors can arrange a night tour in the park since egg-laying in the area usually occurs at night time. The park closes at 6pm so you have to make arrangement with your planned night visit to the park where a tour guide will accompany you. Be sure to grab the opportunity to see these creatures lay their eggs (in front of your eyes) since it is certainly an experience that should never be missed.
Poas Volcano National Park
Despite the fact that Poas Volcano may not be as active as Arenal Volcano, it is certainly far from being considered as dormant. The park attracts a great number of domestic and foreign visitors particularly during the weekends. Trails overlooking the volcano are available for the visitors’ disposal. The volcano overlook trail begins at the visitor center offering a 15-minute walk in all directions. If you want to do some exotic bird-watching, then you should walk along the Escalonia cloud forest trail which will take you to the area in the park where exotic birds congregate. There are other trails that you can explore in this scenic park so do not hesitate to make inquiries at the visitor center or find a map that will help you ease your way around the park.
Read MoreExclusive Hotels In Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be a small country but it is way ahead from its neighboring countries when it comes to exclusive hotels and luxurious eco-resorts. As a matter of fact, tourism in the country is a thriving industry since the government did an excellent job in marketing the country among tourists from around the world over the past decades. Visitors in Costa Rica are not limited to those coming from US and Canada. Today, a growing number of international visitors from Europe and Asia have also been taking vacations in this beautiful Latin country. The burgeoning tourism in the country has attracted a number of foreign investments in the area, thus, dotting the country with an array of exclusive and upscale hotels offering the best and most luxurious accommodations.
If you are one of those people who are willing to splurge top dollar to get the best and most exclusive hotel accommodations in Costa Rica, then here are some of the excellent hotel options that you should consider.
Four Seasons Resort
Enveloped by gold-sand beaches, Four Seasons Resorts is considered as the finest luxury resort in Costa Rica. It features three swimming pools, a serene spa, and 156 generously-sized guestrooms and well-appointed suites. All rooms in the resorts are crafted and designed with stone finishes and indigenous woods. Each rooms offer utmost indoor comfort and provide mesmerizing balcony views. A nice reprieve from your phlebotomy training classes don’t you think. Rooms offered in the resort feature décor and furnishings that draw inspiration from the beauty of Costa Rica’s natural surroundings – the ocean, forest and beach.
The Gaia Hotel and Reserve
This five-star luxury boutique beach hotel provides guests with sublime elegance set in a splendidly exotic locale. The Gaia Hotel showcases an excellent blend of convenient modern amenities and picturesque natural scenery. Found in the scenic Costa Rican coastal forests, the hotel offers guests with terraced suites and well-furnished villas showing off the unspoilt and pristine beauty of the wild surroundings of Costa Rica. Gaia Hotel offers all the conveniences that the guests need which include a pool, on-site restaurant, spa, 24/7 room service, gym and a range of personal services that can be availed on demand.
Marriott Los Suenos Resort
Recognized as the ‘World’s Best’ by the Travel & Leisure Magazine, this luxury Costa Rican resort hotel is located between 1,100 acres of tropical rainforest and the warm but calming Pacific waters. Rooms and suites offered by the resort hotel features equally stunning and wonderful garden, ocean and mountain views. Each room is furnished with elegant bedding, fluffy pillows, designer duvets, and soft comforters to ascertain that guests will be offered with the ultimate and most relaxing stay in the country.
Read MoreEmployment Opportunities In Costa Rica
Costa Rica may not be the richest and most economically stable country in the world but it offers good job opportunities for retirees and younger individuals seeking for better income. If you are seriously considering working in Costa Rica, it is important that you learn how to be able to find legal work in the country. You should know that working in Costa Rica, especially if you are a foreigner, is not that easy. You need to obtain appropriate visa and permits to be able to work legally in the country. Know that, you won’t be able to work in the country unless you have become a citizen or have obtained a permanent residency status.
Like in the US and other countries, the Costa Rican government is just looking out for the welfare of their residents. That is why laws when it comes to allowing foreigners to work in the country are strictly implemented to ascertain that foreigners won’t take away the job positions that would otherwise be given to the people of Costa Rica. Though the country has strict labor laws, finding a job in Costa Rica as long as you are highly skilled in the area or position that cannot be filled in by a native Costa Rican should not be a problem. So what are the job opportunities available for foreigners who have successfully acquire a permanent resident status or citizenship in Costa Rica?
Remember that before you can work legally in the country, it is vital that you seek the appropriate permit needed for the job you are applying for. It is possible that the company or the employer can apply a one-year work permit for you if they can prove that the position being offered cannot be filled by Costa Ricans.
Some job opportunities available for people who wish to live and work in Costa Rica include:
Real Estate Broker
If you have excellent social skills, then you should consider pursuing a career as a Real Estate Broker in Costa Rica. To become one, there is no need for you to seek a real estate license unlike in other countries, such as the US. All you need is get some property listings, hire the service of a property lawyer and have your own car.
English Teacher
Before you will be able to work as an English teacher in one of the language institutions in Costa Rica, you need to first obtain a TOEFL certification. Pay for English teachers in the country vary greatly but can range from $5 to $25 an hour depending on experience and skills. Some choose to offer English tutorial services online which is also a good option if you do not want to hassle yourself from commuting to and from the institution where you will be teaching every day.
Customer and Sales Representative
This is a popular job position in Costa Rica that is often up for grabs. With a good number of sports and gambling companies operating in the country, there will always be open positions for customer and sales representative agents.
Always take time to check local newspapers and even online classifieds to become updated about the job positions that need to be filled in Costa Rica these days.
Read MorePlanning An Adventure In Costa Rica
Different kinds of enthralling, exciting and adrenalin-pumping adventures await tourists visiting Costa Rica. If you are a true adventurist, then Costa Rica is definitely the ideal spot to schedule your next trip. Adventure is an activity that inherently lurks around every corner of the country. Costa Rica’s geography paired with its unspoilt natural beauty offer visitors the perfect playground to satisfy the adrenalin rush they have been craving for. With all the titillating and stimulating activities offered in the country, there is no question why it has now become the premier and top vacation destination among active and high-spirited travelers.
Like when visiting any other country or popular vacation destination, it is important that you appropriately schedule your adventure travel to Costa Rica to ensure that you will be able to maximize your stay in the country. Researching about the adventures that you can participate in while in the country will help you plan your travel itinerary accordingly. This will also aid you divide your time wisely so you can try out different activities during your stay.
Depending on your interest and preference, there are a number of great adventures that you can look forward to in Costa Rica. If you love hiking, then you can go up one of the country’s one-hundred sixteen volcanoes. Some of these volcanoes are active but some have been dormant a long time ago. If you are not that confident hiking up a volcano, then you can just trek through grassy hills, rainforests and dry plains. Costa Rica’s geography provides hikers with hiking paths of various difficulty, so whether you are an amateur or professional hiker, you will find a hiking trail or path that would suit you best. Some of the perfect and ideal places to hike in Costa Rica include Manuel Antonio National Park, Osa Peninsula and Monteverde Cloud Forest.
If you are one of those adventurous souls looking for a unique and titillating adventure in Costa Rica, then volcano exploration is certainly the perfect activity for you. The country is included in what is called as the ‘Ring of Fire’. It is home to a number of dormant and active volcanoes that are sure to provide a one-of-a-kind experience to those who dare to explore them.
Surfers from around the world come to Costa Rica to catch the big swells at one of its world-class surfing destinations. If you like sport adventures such as this, then the country will never disappoint. In fact, Costa Rica is known to be Central America’s surfing Mecca. It does not matter whether you are a novice or professional surfer; the country is home to a good number of surfing hotspots from Roca Bruja’s world-class waves, to Salsa Brava’s challenging swells, up to Tamarindo’s friendly beach breaks.
There are indeed a range of adventures that one can engage in and around Costa Rica. It would be a good idea to conduct your research before your actual travel to the country so you can plan your trip properly. For a no-hitch travel to Costa Rica, it is a good idea to book adventure travel vacations from reputable and reliable tour operators.
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