According to a new study by Columbia University and Yale University Costa Rica has ranked the 5th greenest country on the planet. The study revealed almost all countries on Earth and Costa Rica was the only country in the America’s to rank in the top 10. The other countries that made up the first 5 were Austria, France, Sweden, and Norway.
When you think of Costa Rica the first things that come to mind might be ziplines, beaches, and monkeys. If you decide to stay in San Jose for a night or two you might enjoy some of the ammenities of the city. This gives you a chance to explore the areas of downtown San Jose or visit the many activites in Escazu.
I was driving to Golfito yesterday from Pavones and as I bumped along the gravel road, hoping that the annual road grading would start soon I noticed someone who seemed to be lost. Now having lived here at 8 degrees North of the Equator for 12 years, I have come to notice that certain visitors seem to stick out like a sore thumb. As I slowed down to double check that my vision was not deceiving me, I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle as I realized it was an old friend from my childhood. You can imagine the surprise on my face as I was not expecting to see him way down here in the tropics. There he was in all of his glory, with a top hat, corn cob pipe, a carrot nose and a scarf around his neck. Yes indeed! It was Frosty the Snowman (in cardboard) tacked up on the weathered front door of an old farmer’s house, who I am sure had never seen a Snowman, much less snow, but who in the spirit of the season took the time to put Old Frosty up to delight the children and passersby. Somehow after that, I didn’t feel the bumps in the road for the rest of the trip to Golfito, as my mind drifted back to the times in my youth when we would make Frosty the Snowman come to life in our front yards during the winter months.
Costa Rica is a country that spends the end of the year in full celebration. There are many things that happen during the end of the year that make Costa Rican’s get excited about the Season. The first is that the month of December all employees are paid double for one month. The second is that the end of the rainy season comes and it is full sunshine from north to south. Along with some extra money and sunshine all Costa Rican’s will be eating Tamales.
The Howler monkeys must have digital alarm clocks because every morning at 5:30 a.m. on the dot, I awake to a chorus of male “Congos” as we call them. Their voices travel for miles through the rain forest and serve as a wake up call to the jungle. Shortly after they sound the alarm that a new day has dawned, the other species begin to stir. Green parrots take flight and announce that their squadron has taken to the air with ear piercing screeches that cannot be ignored. The soft cooing of a Dove in a nearby Coco Bola tree softens the blow of the raucous early risers. As the sun begins to rise above the jungle canopy that surrounds my house, soft rays of sunlight pierce through and illuminate the morning mist like beams from a light house. As I stand on the second level porch overlooking the garden, my favorite sentinel for the new day arrives with brilliant blue flashes and not a sound. The magnificent Blue Morpho butterflies take flight and enjoy the open spaces and sweet nectars of the garden. Reflecting on all of the natural beauty that surrounds me every morning, I am grateful and privileged to be awakened by the sounds of nature and knowing that I am alive to experience another Blue Morpho morning.
Before the year of 2006 your options for drinking wine in Costa Rica were slim to none. If you were not ready for the full cultural experience of Imperial or Guaro then your alcoholic beverage options might have been limited. Between the years of 2006 – 2008 the wine industry in Costa Rica grew by 30% and with most things in 2009 did not grow. In 2010 and 2011 there have been a 15% growth which means it is back on the rise. Wine is often a good indication of what the economy is like. If people are willing to spend on top bottles of wine from all over the world then there is a good chance they are living the good life.
The Country Day School in Escazu, Costa Rica is celebrating the United Nations week with multicultural activities representing more than 40 countries and all 7 continents!
Costa Rica is known as the green country. As the country that has the majority of it’s rainforest protected and some of the happiest people in the country. As all countries Costa Rica is not perfect and if they had one crutch in their system it would have to be the Central Valley sewage system. The good news is that they are now in the works to bring a state of the art sewage treatment plant into the country between 2010 – 2030.
Being on the list of Forbe Magazines most beautiful National Park’s in the world isn’t a bad way to start the week for Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. One of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks is without questions one of the most exciting to see. It is filled with miraculous beaches, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife.
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