Costa Rica History

Even before the arrival of the Europeans, Costa Rica has been populated for more than 10,000 years, latterly by the Chibcha-indian. Costa Rica was colonised in the 16th century by the Spaniards.
In 1821, it became a part of the independent Mexican union. Of which it separated 2 years later with other Central-American countries to form the United States of Central-America. However, in 1840, this federation fell apart. In 1899, the first democratic elections took place. The country since then has been confronted two times with political violence. From 1917 to 1919, the dictator governed Federico Tinoco Granados and in 1948, there was a civil war short after a controversial election result. That war was won by the left José Figueres Ferrer, which abolished the army after and established a new constitution. Costa Rica since then remained peaceful. It has become one of the most prosperous countries of Latin America and for this reason is called "Switzerland of South -America".

Costa Rica Today
After the Civil Wars of 1948, the 1950's and 1960's were characterised by a sound political strategy by the Costa Rican citizens. The voters alternated electing candidates of the PLN or of the Social Christian parties, which were the two main groups that had been borne from the Civil War. During these years, the welfare system and the public school institutions expanded greatly. By 1978, Costa Rica boasted impressive social data: life expectancy had reached 70 years, infant mortality was 20/1000, the literacy rate was 90%, the welfare system covered three quarters of salaried workers and unemployment was at a low 5%. This economic and social stability caused a demographic increase between 1953 and 1973.

Another factor that contributed to this economic growth, was the considerable profit made from the export of coffee. Coffee production had increased because of the use of pesticides and the price of the crop had risen tremendously in the international market. Between 1950 and 1970, the production of coffee tripled.
Other goods that favoured from an increase of production and of market prices were sugar, bananas and meat. The governmental and private infrastructure also grew due to the amount of personnel and infrastructure that could handle the international trade of these products. By 1970, 51,000 people worked in bureaucratic positions and they made up 10% of the total labor force of the country.

The period between 1950 and the late 1970's was a "golden era" characterized by impressive economic, social and demographic growth. This utopian period, however, couldn't last forever. In 1980, utopia gave way to crisis. The inflation, the "colon" (national currency) devaluation, the welfare system expenses and the decrease in prices of exports, destroyed the once grand economy of Costa Rica. The country found itself bound by a huge per-capita debt.
By the mid 1980's, the situation had improved somewhat. In 1986, President Oscar Arias Sanchez concentrated on resolving bellicose problems in the region. He formulated a peace plan that was signed by five Central American presidents in 1987, and which won him the Nobel Peace Prize. Another important happening during this decade, was the beginning of a serious tourist industry in the country. The 1990's have witnessed its growth and specialisation through improvements made in the national parks and in the hotel infrastructure. In the present time, the two large tendencies in tourism are the arrival of large international hotel chains and the concentration on ecotourism.

After President Arias, three other presidents have been elected. An interesting fact about the elections that followed that of Arias is that two of the candidates were sons of the main rivals during the Civil War of 1948. Calderon's son was president from 1990-1994, while Figueres' son ruled the country from 1994-1998. This illustrates the flexibility of the Costa Rican democracy, which allows the election of candidates that represent generations of rivalry, one after the other. The current president is Miguel Angel Rodriguez, who belongs to the Social Christian party, which has its origins with Calderon's followers, after the 1948 Civil War.
The decade of the 90's has witnessed a new tendency, which threatens to dismantle the moderate socialism that has characterized most governments since the 1948 war: neo-liberalism. This philosophy insists in the privatization of state-run institutions, such as the ICE (national electricity company), the INS (national insurance institute) and RECOPE (oil and gasoline institute).

These monstrous monopolies would definitely benefit from the efficiency and professionalism of private enterprises; however, the neo-liberal outlook sacrifices social welfare in favor of ideals such as efficiency and profit.

It is difficult to predict what all of the consequences of the neo-liberal approach will be, since it's just beginning to be felt in all aspects of Costa Rican life. However, it's obvious that the era of bureaucratic institutions and of social welfare programs, is reaching its end. As with any major change, a group of people will suffer, while another will benefit from it. Costa Rica's economic and political stability point to the fact that the majority and not the minority, will benefit from these changes.

Tourism
Except for the highlights that Costa Rica has to offer, there are still much more exiting, more beautiful and more interesting places to find. Because Costa Rica is not a country where you can easily find cultural assets like temples and old buildings, you have to search for its true culture within the inhabitants of this beautiful country and the daily life of the Tico´s. Most of the tourists who visit, visit our splendid highlights. When you want to complete your visit to Costa Rica, it is nice to visit the exceptional national parks, where you can get a chance to visit the local initiatives.
Such a local initiative is a nice experience, and gives you chance of making acquaintance with the local population. Certainly if you have a sincere interest in the population of the country, this will not disappoint you.

The Costa Rican
Pura vida, these words belong to Costa Rica, and means: Pure live.
When you ask someone how it goes the will answer Pura vida
Ask a Costa Rican, if he is enjoying his self he will answer, with Pura vida.

When you travel in the country of the Ticos (Costa Ricans) you will learn to embrace the words Pura vida. Traveling in Costa Rica is a very relaxed experience. Street hawkers will not bother you with the next “must have item”. Ticos, generally, respect you and will leave you in peace.

In the countryside you will find the people even friendlier than the city folk, people will greet you more. Even when a group of schoolchildren pass by, you will be waved to.  When you lose your way, there will usually be someone to help you. Ticos are pleasant and easy going; you will find your self welcome, and free to visit their country. The contact with the local population during your travel is unforgettable. English is spoken in the tourist areas, but not all Tico´s speak English very well. For this reason it will be useful to learn a couple of lines of Spanish, so you can ask for little things and learn about the culture. In Costa Rica, people find it very sympathetic and appreciate it if tourists behave themselves courteously. A simple greeting when entering, or thanking for the service will be appreciated enormously and can be the beginning of a conversation in spanglish or lead to an unexpected extra. It makes will make your holiday to a real Pura Vida experience!

You will get more chances to experience local culture and the way in which a community lives in harmony with its surroundings. By visiting rural projects, these projects are frequently hidden within the canopy, just from the beaten path. It will lead you to places where tourism is still in development. For example, it is possible to visit the Indian Territory, or other rural spots in the country. You will find that it is still possible to experience the untouched nature and enjoy the activities off the beaten track. Not always these projects offer the refined luxury, which you find elsewhere, however, you will find here the hospitality and the decency of ordinary people, a valid familiarization with the country, its population and its culture!

Costa Rica has a mixture of cultures, these you will not discover directly. The majority of the population descends from the Spanish.

The absence of minerals and indigenous workers meant that settlers worked their own land, and there was plenty of it to go around for centuries, to form a huge middle class of yeoman farmers. In contrast to other Central American countries, there are only still 2% of the population with original occupants left. All occupants who have come in the course of the centuries to Costa Rica have brought their cultures the country and enriched Costa Rica with it. For this reason, you can talk of multicultural society. The Spanish who colonized Costa Rica in the 16th century were the first group of immigrants. The Jamaican workers who entered in the 19th century for construction work at the railroad between San José and Puerto Limón. They continued working after the construction of the railroad on the banana plantations. Also at that period arrived Chinese and Italian emigrants who tried their luck in Costa Rica. Of course, also a large group is originating from nearer countries such as Nicaragua, El Salvador and Colombia. Countries, which are less politically stabile and generally less safe than Costa Rica is.

The millions of visitors who arrive annually in Costa Rica will confirm, Costa Rica has splendid nature! Where else you can visit rain forest, mangrove swamps, tropical forests, smoking volcanoes, bounty beaches, water falls and rough mountains in all varieties