Projects Abroad, Newsletters from Costa Rica

Alajuela is one of the most extensive provinces of Costa Rica, known as "The Land of Mangoes". Its territory spreads to the north, reaching the boundary with Nicaragua. Alajuela was founded in 1782 and gave birth to such famous historical characters like Juan Santa Maria, the national hero that burned down the "Mesón de Rivas" in 1856.

Traveling south, at an hour’s distance, we find Cahuita, a typical Caribbean town. This town has become "a must" for tourists, for it represents the essence of a culture, and the beauty of Cahuita National Park, which protects an important expanse of coral reefs.

Independence Day in Costa Rica. Celebrations start the day before in the evening with a parade of homemade lanterns representing the day the news arrive at night in Costa Rica. Big patriotic parades celebrate Costa Rica´s independence from Spain in 1821.

The Canopy: 11 platforms and 10 cables, gliding through the top of the trees of the semi- humid tropical forest enjoying the adrenaline to the maximum. While the visitor is travelling on the top of the trees it can enjoy a diversity of flora and fauna like birds, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and, white faced capuchin monkeys.

On July 25 every year locals from the Guanacaste region celebrate with verve Costa Rica's annexation of the area in 1824. Folk dancing, fiestas, horse parades, cattle shows, bullfights and concerts create a frenzy of territorial pride in the north-west of the country.
Celebration includes food, exhibits, cultural events, popular concerts, sports activities, horse parades, cattle exhibits, bullfights, through Sunday.
You will have a lot of fun!!

Costa Rica has six active volcanoes. One of these, found in the North-western corner of the country, is the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, which is located within Rincon de la Vieja National Park. One of the protected parks within the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological parks. Known for its stunning diversity of flora and fauna, this national park is home to two volcanoes, the Rincon de la Vieja and the Santa Maria, as well as six different volcanic peaks, and thirty two rivers and streams.

By late May rainy season weather patterns are once again prevailing, but there is still plenty of beach weather. The rains begin earlier on the Caribbean side of the central mountains and it's generally wetter, but rather than the continuous days of rain possible with the temporales del Atlantico in November through January afternoon and overnight showers are more common in May.

Our time in Liberia was amazing. We especially loved our placement at the Cin Cenai Day Care. The children there were so excited to meet us and play with us. We had prepared art projects to do with the children as well as basic English lessons. We landed up learning a fortune of Spanish from our new little friends and we felt very loved and appreciated at the school.

We have given the opportunity to visit Arenal for the weekend, organized by Projects Abroad. It was the first time the Conservation Volunteers and the Liberia Volunteers would meet, and spend the weekend together. We met on Friday night for dinner at "La Toscana", which proved to be a memorable night out for all.

Flamingo, named after the pink flamingos that once inhabited the coast, is a renowned area for its structured growth and has been ranked as one of the best destinations among the entire Gold Coast of Costa Rica. Flamingo is a modern community with an ever increasing number of activities, services, and accommodations.

Dilek, Tim, Catherine, a friend and the “happy face”, together with other Volunteers went to visit the beautiful beach and amazing area of Montezuma. As you see, they had lot´s of fun and took good pictures…

Besides the tree, another important decoration is the Portal. The Portal is the representation of the birth of Jesus, with the figures of Mary, Joseph, Melchior , Gaspar and Balthazar (the three wise men), the ox and the mule. The most important figure is the Baby Jesus; this is set on the manger the 25th. The day that the Christmas presents are opened. In Costa Rica Santa Claus doesn't bring the Christmas gifts to the kids, those are brought by Baby Jesus the night before Christmas called la "Noche Buena" while they were sleeping. At the same as the Baby Jesus appears at the portal the gift appears under the tree the 25th in the morning.

Despite all this, Ticos, rich and poor, actively support their democracy. On election day they honk horns, wave party flags, dress up in party colours, and proudly display their index fingers dipped in purple indelible ink to show they have voted. Even with the enthusiasm that turns their election day into a national fiesta, Costa Ricans are sceptical about politics and politicians, their roots are still in the soil and in the unity of their families. Babies are the acknowledged rulers of the household.

At the point called Borbollones, two different rivers join and turn the water of a new and larger river light blue. This is due of a high concentration of certain substances like sulfur etc. in these volcanic waters. You should not swim there. When you get to the very hot thermal waters you´ll have to be careful too not to burn yourself. At the waterfall you may finally jump into the water and take a strong shower.

Costa Rica boasts about having more teachers than policemen, and this affirmation is a source of great pride, since Ticos feel that their high education level sets them apart from many less fortunate countries in the world. Many of Costa Rica’s leaders have been educators as well, and have placed great importance in the expansion of primary and secondary education, even in the most remote areas of the country.

Because of Costa Rica's perfect surfing conditions, it has turned out to be one of the hottest places to visit and it is ideal for both the beginner and professional surfer. The warm water, beautiful beaches, sunny skies, spectacular nature, easy going locals, friendly sharks!...but especially the great variety of waves makes Costa Rica just perfect. Costa Rica also has an unusual strategic position that within just a few hours you can surf at sunrise at the Caribbean coast, and later in the day, watch the sunset over on the pacific side, catching a different set of waves!

I was going to start this article with a beautiful photo of the lava flowing down the side of Arenal Volcano (like the one next), I was going to say how the weather was perfect for viewing this spectacular natural phenomenon, except the `green` season has started (rainy season to everyone who isn't a tourist!) and we didn't actually see it, it was too, err, green. We did, however, have a lovely time, Arenal, La Fortuna, and the lake are beautiful.

Costa Rican Bananas Go The Extra Mile to Keep Runners Going. Whether training, competing, or recovering from one of Europe's gruelling marathons, bananas from Costa Rica are the super food for any serious runner - professional or amateur. Bananas provide more carbohydrates than any other fruit and give an instant energy boost as well as slowly releasing the energy that enables athletes to go the extra mile.

We had a great time out at Playa Soleil over the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week). We went as guests of the Valdelomar family. They visit the beach every year and really do camp in style. They build a toilet and shower, take a fridge, rig up a lighting system. I didn´t believe it till I was sitting under a light, drinking a cold beer from the fridge. They even took a proper bed for the great grandad (who is over 100!). There was fishing, sunbathing, cooking as well as tents, sand and sunsets.

Alba Ocampo Alvarado School (best known as Aplicación School) is located in the heart of Liberia, on 6th and 8th street and between 3rd and 5th avenue, right across the street from the post office. This school celebrated last year its 40th anniversary (1966-2006).

Ascensión Esquivel School is located in the heart of Liberia, on the corner of July 25th Avenue Central Street It is one of the oldest schools in Guanacaste. In 2004, this school celebrated its 100th anniversary.