The inhabitants of what is now Costa Rica were in the intermediate area located between the Mesoamerican and South American cultural regions. Some historians have included the area now comprised in the south and the Atlantic under the South American influence due to the presence of groups that speak languages derivates of the Chibchas.
Usually human settlements in this territory were rare and did not have the magnificent buildings and infrastructure like the towns of Mexico and Peru, but to serve as a cultural bridge between the South and the North of the continent, the development of the goldsmith and polychrome clay craft had a great development and wonderful results. The indigenous population declined rapidly after the conquest, mainly by the killings of the Spanish and diseases brought from Europe.
The shortage of manpower, the limited mineral resources, the remoteness of the Captaincy General of Guatemala and the rugged terrain that makes up most of the Central Valley (the most fertile area of the country) came together for the Spanish colonization were very slow and face serious financial constraints in order to be conducted. Costa Rica was then the poor southern province of New Spain. The provincial capital was located in Carthage.
Many scholars, including Carlos Roberto Brenes and Gagini Mesén, argue that part of the national character was formed during the colonial era, where the material deprivation were common to all and in the absence of slave labor, from the provincial governor to the most humble farmers had to ensure everyone for their support and for their families, thus creating a more egalitarian society and less governed by caste. Costa Rica independence from the Spanish Empire was enacted in 1821 by the five Central American states. After a time of uncertainty over how to proceed, the conservatives leaders of Guatemala liked the idea of annexing the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide but the Central American liberals objected to this approach. An armada of Mexico under the command of General Vincent Filisola held in Guatemala City. This union was as brief as the Empire itself.
Having Costa Rica gained their independence together with its sister nations, and after the failed experiment of the Mexican Empire, Costa Rica becomes part of the Federal Republic of Central America (United Provinces of Central America) along with Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. This historical Federal union of countries was dissolved by the year 1842.
The greatest threat to political stability and cultural development of the country was experienced during the ascent to power in neighboring Nicaragua of the U.S. mercenary William Walker, who served in the military army of the Confederation in USA, acting as a mercenary. The General Walker was summoned along with 500 of his men by the government of Nicaragua, a country which was engaged in civil war for years, so the Conservative government “requested” the services of Walker and his men to tilt the military balance of power in favor of the government.
Having won the war in Nicaragua, Walker took control of the government in that country and after that put his eyes towards the neighboring nation of Costa Rica, in order to establish policies of slavery similar to those used in the southern United States of America. Two of his first steps were the introduction of slavery and English as official language of Nicaragua.
The threat was dissipated thanks to the leadership of President Juan Rafael Mora Porras, who delegated to General José María Cañas Escamilla forming a national army in Costa Rica. The country fought bravely against the troops of General Walker in Santa Rosa (Costa Rica) and Rivas in Nicaragua (among other battles), defeating the army of the general Walker on April 11, 1856, and restoring stability to the area.
On February 27, 1856 the congress empowers Mora to declare war. That same day brought the army to 9,000 men. The call to arms was completed on March 1 and 10 days later, Nicaragua declared war on Costa Rica. It is often said that the Costa Rican army was composed of poorly armed peasants barefoot and who almost did not know anything about war. However, numerous documents attest that with the arrival of Juan Rafael Mora to the presidency in 1849, began the professionalization of the armed forces of Costa Rica. In 1854 in England was purchased several guns and the first shipment of 500 rifles minnie considered the best of times arrive to the country. Besides that the Costa Rican militaries had Europeans instructors who had, during the 1850s, helped to improve the training and discipline of the national forces.
Here in Costa Rica and elsewhere in the world, enjoy a safer stay by following these simple tips:
Know your destination and have a pre-planned route for the tour. Always be alert and awake to what is happening around you. Carry your map and personal ID at all times.
If your car suffers a hit from behind, don’t just stop anywhere on the road. Try to go to the nearest lighted public area and call the police for assistance - dial 911 in Costa Rica- If you are told by someone on the road that something is wrong with your car, do not stop immediately. Drive to the nearest gas station or other public place that is good lighting and probably someone who knows about cars.
If you suspect someone is too close to you while your vehicle is stopped at a red light or a signal of Stop, touch the horn. Do not stop for any flashing lights except an emergency red cross vehicles or police cars which have red and/or blue flashing lights.
If you get lost, find a public area like a gas station, to read your map or ask directions. People along the road are very friendly and will gladly help you, just steer away from asking directions in a local bar or canteen.
The objects of value should be carried in the trunk or out of sight while driving or leaving the vehicle parked. It is most secure to park into a place that is well lit and leave nothing of value in the car.
Look inside your vehicle and the surrounding area before entering your vehicle. DO NOT pick up people along the way.
If you use an ATM, make sure the area is well lighted. Count your money inside your vehicle with the windows closed and locked. Some ATMs in Costa Rica only work from 5 am to 10 pm.
Do not leave keys in your car or the engine running while you are using an ATM or public phone. If you suspect that you are being followed or watch go to a nearby public place that is well lighting and call the police - dial 911 in Costa Rica for emergency and help.
If you must carry a purse or a shoulder bag, take it in front of you, close to your body. Make sure it is completely closed and when in the car put it on the ground or the trunk, do not carry it on any of the other seats for everyone to see it’s there.
If you are challenged by a hostile individual, driver try to ignore them. If you find yourself being robbed give the person what they are trying to steal; your belongings are not worth your life or serious injury.
In an emergency dial 911 from any phone in Costa Rica, private or public it’ll call for help
Pay your departure tax ONLY at one of two international airports in Costa Rica, some coldhearted people take advantage of tourists and run away with their money. These taxes are $ 26 per person.
Dec
13
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste in Costa Rica is Flamingo beach. While Tamarindo is one of the most developed tourist beaches on the coastline of Guanacaste, Flamingo Beach is still considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica although it has beautiful and luxurious hotels. Flamingo is located in the so-called Gold Coast of Costa Rica in Punta Salinas, northwest of Bay Brasilito and only 75 km southwest of Liberia, one of the main cities in Guanacaste. Flamingo can be located between the beaches Potrero and Brasilito and is part of the sea floor between Acapulco and Panama on the Pacific coast.
Flamingo Beach in Costa Rica is a beautiful white sand beach, virtually untouched with pristine clear blue water, making it the ideal spot for an unforgettable vacation. In addition to this, Flamingo offers to the tourists one of the best deep sea fishing in the world with the opportunity to find out from the coast and throughout the year needle fish, tuna, swordfish and others, all of which makes this a beach very popular tourist destination. Because of their fishing every year this place is a host of a fantastic international tournament of sailfish fishing sponsored by the Amateur Fishermen’s Club of Costa Rica.
Besides offering great fishing grounds Flamingo Beach in Costa Rica also offers the chance to practice other water sports, and also for its proximity to the amazing natural reserves of Santa Rosa and Palo Verde, the tourist can visit areas with high biological richness where you can see a great variety of species of flora and fauna. For golf enthusiasts, is also a golf course of 18 holes, designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr, one of the best in Costa Rica.
Among the water sports that are practiced at Flamingo throughout the year can be done scuba diving, providing tourists the excitement of swimming alongside sharks of different species as well as an impressive array of beautiful tropical fish and a large other types of marine life. It is also possible to find tours and expeditions to the nearby island of Plata for fishing and diving.
Flamingo Beach has the hotels, condos and private homes more expensive to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is also the ideal spot for a holiday if you want to take advantage of the best fishing in the world or if you simply prefer to make a cruise during the evening to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets. The best time to come to Flamingo is from December to April, when the beaches are bathed in sunshine and the average temperature is around the 27.7 degrees Centigrade.
The coastal waters of the Central Pacific coast in Costa Rica are among the most plentiful for sport fishing in the world. Literally thousands of Roosterfish populate the area and are found throughout the year. Usually there is so much action with this fish that often, clients prefer to target other species after hours of hard battle against these fish that is an incredible fighter. In this area there are registered records in the capture of the Snook and the Pacific Backfin, both from the waters of the Central Pacific.
Fishing in Costa Rica on semi-submerged rocks and reefs can produce several Jacks and up to five different types of Snapper including: Colorado, Mullet, Pacific Dog, Spotted Rose and Yellow. When the waters are a little warmer (December through May) and species like baitfish (Herring, Mullet, etc.) can be found in tight and big schools the action can be fast and furious because the species of predators are patrolling the perimeters. Usually, the baitfish reaches its mature size during the summer months from November to May and then only sporadically is been seen during the rest of the year. The inshore fishing of predator species includes the Barracuda (Pacific and Mexican), Pacific Bonito, Stripped Corvina, Jack Crevalle (Common and Pacific), Dolphinfish, Milkfish, Mackerel (Sierra and Chub), Needlefish, Black Skipjack, Trevally (Bigeye and Bluefin ), Trippletail, Tuna (Yellowfin, Bigeye and Skipjack) and Wahoo. There is a very wide variety of fish available to anglers in Costa Rica
The inshore fishing tours in Costa Rica are conducted in boats from 27 feet with a customized center console sport Fishers with T-tops. The small, lightweight and maneuverable “pangas” are necessary when the action is closer to the coast or at the mouths of rivers. The half-day trips cost $ 350 in panga while the full-day trips cost $ 500. For most professional fishing trips, the cost per half-day is $ 450 and the one-day trip is $ 600 or more depending on the size of the boat.
The Canopy tours usually last between two and a half hours and three hours. You can do canopy tours in almost all areas in Costa Rica. Some of the most popular canopy tours are in Monteverde, Poas, San Mateo, Pacuare, Puerto Viejo, Braulio Carrillo and Manuel Antonio.
Get ready for an exciting adventure in the treetops. During this trip, enjoy a walk on the mild nature trails, passing through the bridge and watching the beautiful tropical rivers and waterfalls. A number of platforms will be waiting for you and can be achieved in various ways, either by cable or slipping into a slide, rushing like Tarzan, walking along the bridges suspended or descending using the technique of rappelling. Experienced guides will accompany you and provide you with the equipment and instructions.
The Canopy tours offer a different option in the zone of Central Pacific, where customers can participate in the adventure of a canopy which is located in the heart of a primary forest (tropical rainforest). One of these tours is located in one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Playa Herradura, with a range of services offered in hotels and resorts located in the area.
Generally the tours left the hotels after breakfast, around 8:00 in the morning, after a journey of 30 minutes to an hour, passing through several small towns that give you the opportunity to combine adventure with the culture, then you arrive at the site where you will be initiate in this experience with special and appropriate equipment. Canopy tours located in this zone are designed to fulfill all security requirements established by the ICT, thereby ensuring that their customers will be the lowest risk possible, making it suitable for people of all ages. The total journey has eleven platforms and nine cables. The platforms are constructed of metal, each one of them with railings all around, the longest cable has a distance of two hundred and eighty meters and the platform of greater height is at thirty-two meters.
For example, in Manuel Antonio, a tour of the canopy can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You will travel on wires suspended from platform to platform to enjoy the rain forest that that is full of wildlife. The cables and tie-ups were designed by expert engineers. The steel cables are ½ inch thick, and the 14 platforms can withstand up to 2,000 pounds of weight for your safety. The 11 cables totaling about 1500 meters - about 1 miles. Travel the canopy of primary and secondary forest where you will see many different types of animals, birds and plants. This tour gives you the opportunity to explore the tropical canopy through a series of suspended platforms, which are located in the upper reaches of the forest. You will have the opportunity to view a variety of animals including the howler monkey and the monkey cariblanco, the sloths and toucans.
Nov
26
The beautiful Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica is located in Guanacaste, near the town of Hojancha and southeast of Playa Samara a very famous beach of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Like other beaches in the province of Guanacaste, Carrillo Beach has a great scenic beauty making it a suitable place for spend your holidays in a really nice place. Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica is geographically located on the Nicoya Peninsula, a special place for vacationers famous in the entire world. The site offers a spectacular view with a gray sand beach and a spectacular line formed by palm trees. From the hotels in Carrillo Beach the tourists have a grand view of the spectacular sunsets and the gentle waves that bathe the white sand beach. Carrillo Beach rests on a beautiful semicircular bay with a beautiful white beach that stretches for nearly two kilometers. The weather is very hot and dry during the months of December to April, and hot and humid during the rest of the year. The average annual temperature is almost unchanged from month to month and fluctuates between 26 ° C and 28 ° C.
Carrillo has beautiful mountains which serve as a platform to observe one of the most beautiful natural environments in the country. In Carrillo you can enjoy a variety of activities such as snorkeling and other water sports like kayaking in the beach, jet skiing and water skiing among others. Due to the efforts to preserve the natural conditions of the place Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica has received the Blue Flag award that means that Carrillo is one of the cleanest beaches.
Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica contains an abundance of flora and fauna and is ideal for swimmers and as well as to conduct other activities like exploration walks by their surroundings. These walks can be taken along the rocky platforms while the tide is low where some marine life can be seen, especially in small natural pools.
The beautiful waters that constantly bathe the coast at Carrillo Beach are crystal and very clear, ideal for scuba diving around the beautiful coral reefs in the area. But if you just want to relax, the waters are calm enough to allow swimming without any danger for tourists, even for the children.
If you want to get to Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica, you have to take the following route: Nicoya - Curime - Caimital - Belen - Terciopelo - Maquenco and Samara. From Samara finally to Carrillo Beach on a trip that takes only a few minutes by car.
Carrillo Beach has fine sandy beaches, which generally are not as crowded by tourists as another places in Guanacaste which makes it an ideal place to relax. In fact, the area is less developed than some of its neighboring beaches, so do not expect to find during your visit too many restaurants, hotels or resorts on the beach. Despite this, Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica has the necessary facilities and accommodation that will make your stay an experience you will never forget.