Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [2]
Carolina A Miranda, Lonely Planet Author, USA
CÉSAR G SORIANO
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THE SARAPIQUÍ VALLEY
This underrated, ecotourist-friendly area of northern Costa Rica is a mecca for white-water rafters and home to fantastic sustainable lodge resorts, rainforests and gardens (Click here).
César G Soriano, Lonely Planet Author, USA
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Contents
On the Road
Costa Rica Highlights
Destination Costa Rica
Getting Started
Itineraries
History
The Culture
Food & Drink
Environment
San José
Central Valley & Highlands
Northwestern Costa Rica
Costa Rica Wildlife Guide
Península de Nicoya
Central Pacific Coast
Southern Costa Rica
Península de Osa & Golfo Dulce
Costa Rica Outdoors
Caribbean Coast
Northern Lowlands
Directory
Transportation
Health
Language
Glossary
The Authors
Behind the Scenes
Map Legend
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Destination Costa Rica
Costa Rica is sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of Central America because of its comfortable lifestyle, peaceful democracy and overwhelming natural beauty. But is this merely the depiction on a postcard, or does it have relevance for today’s Tico (Costa Rican)?
Early in the 20th century, this view could rightly be called an optimistic caricature. At best, Costa Rica was an occasional democracy with widespread poverty and no discernible environmental protection policy. In the second half of the century, however, sustained economic growth created a viable middle class, a generous social welfare state and one of the world’s most progressive environmental movements.
To put things in perspective, consider the fact that prior to 1950, half of the country struggled with grinding poverty, and living beyond the age of 50 was an achievement in itself. Today, less than one in five Ticos lives below the poverty line, and life expectancy is on a par with the USA.
The ‘green revolution’ kicked off in the 1970s when world coffee prices dropped due to oversupply, and Costa Rica plunged into economic crisis. However, the unpredictable nature of the global commodity markets created a rather unusual alliance between economic developers and environmental conservationists. If wealth could not be sustained through exports, then what about imports – of tourists? By 1985, tourism was annually contributing US$100 million to the Costa Rican economy, and today almost one-third of the entire country is under some form of environmental protection.
FAST FACTS
Population: 4.25 million
Life expectancy at birth: 77.6
Adult literacy: 94.9%
Population living below the poverty line: 16%
Population using the internet: 34%
Annual carbon dioxide emissions per person: 1.85 tons
Annual coffee consumption per person: 3.8kg
Passenger cars per 1000 people: 103
Protected land: 27%
Number of species of birds: 850+
Costa Rica annually attracts more than one million tourists each year, and continues to serve as testament to the fact that conservation and development need not be competing interests. Need more proof? As recently as 1980, Ticos lived on family farms, listened to state radio and shopped at the neighborhood pulpería (corner grocery store). Today, shopping at supermarkets is a matter of course, satellite TV and wireless internet are the norm, and American-style malls are all the rage.
Furthermore, with economic empowerment has come tremendous social change. More women have entered the workforce though opportunities in the tourist and service sectors. The divorce rate has increased and family size has shrunk. More Ticos are entering higher education, and they are doing so in Costa Rica. Migrant laborers from Nicaragua and Colombia work the coffee plantations, while Tico tenants seek better jobs in the city.
Given the rise in quality of life throughout the country, Ticos are generally self-content and passive about politics. But underneath the easygoing veneer is discernible pride and support for their unarmed democracy.