I figured I'd learn a little bit about the country I'm going to before actually leaving...so here are some of the things that I found!
- Costa Rica is a very peaceful country and does not have an army or military.
- It is the size of the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
- I will be there during the dry season, so there will be lots of sunshine and warm weather!
- Population: 4,576,562
- 70% Roman Catholic
- Largely of European rather than mestizo descent, like most of the surrounding countries.
- Colones are used for currency, and about 500 colones are equivalent to 1 U.S. dollar.
- The country is rich with renewable energy. It gets about 99% of all its electrical energy from clean sources, and it is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2021.
- There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active...isn't that comforting!
- Costa Rica typically has anywhere between 2 and 40 earthquakes in a month, but most are barely noticeable.
Every country (or state even) has slang that is used. When looking at some of the slang terms used in Costa Rica, I was surprised that I hadn't heard any of them before, so here are some words that I think will be beneficial to know while I'm there!
- Mae – dude
- Pura vida – “pure life”, a way of life where you simply go with the flow (This is supposedly the number one phrase to know!)
- Tico/a – Costa Rican
- La jama – food
- Macha – a blonde female, usually a foreigner
- Una Teja – 1 block (100 meters) or 100 of something
- Clavo – Problem
- ¿Comó amaneció? – How did you wake up?/How are you feeling this morning?
- Soda - a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans, and salad for $2-$3 a plate
- Pulperia - a neighborhood store that sells things like canned goods, eggs, milk, etc.
