Music

Costa Ricans enjoy Latin, American and have a special affinity for tunes from the 70's and 80's. However, when it comes to dancing, most prefer the traditional Latin rhythms of salsa, merengue, cumbia, lambada and soca. On the weekends, discos and dance halls are packed, as the typically conservative locals let loose and flirt wildly while dancing the night away.

Food

To generalize a Costa Rican meal, one would certainly have to talk about black beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine.


Costa Rican food is generally quite healthy when coupled with an active lifestyle. Cheese and other dairy products are rarely utilized. Often served with a good portion of fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally high in fiber.

Common Dishes

Tortilla - name for either a small, thin corn tortilla, or an omellete
Tortilla de queso - a thick tortilla with cheese in the dough
Arreglados - greasy puff pastries made with meat
Tortas - sandwiches on buns
Arroz con polo - rice with chicken and vegetables
Gallos - meat, beans, or cheese between two tortillas
Masamorra - corn pudding
Natilla - sour cream of a relatively thin consistency
Palomitas de maíz - popcorn
Picadillo - sautéed vegetables sometimes with meat, served as a side dish
Tacos - meat and cabbage salad tucked into a tortilla
Tamal de elote - sweet corn tamales wrapped in corn husks
Tamales - cornmeal, often stuffed with pork or chicken, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled

Wild Life

The frogs of Costa Rica are considered national symbols. They are a very important part of Costa Rican culture, with their presence being more popular than that of the monkey.

Costa Rica is a dream location for people who love nature. Bird watchers have the chance to see over 800 species of birds including two species of macaws, over fifty species of hummingbirds, and a number of species of toucans.

Culture

The culture of Costa Rica, Located in the center of American continent, is strongly influenced by European country. Immigrants from other areas, especially Spain, Italy, Germany, and Lebanon, arrived during the early 20th century, causing a significant impact, mainly on the country's political and economic elite. All of these influences have developed the extremely varied ethnicity of the country.

Tradition

Traditions revolve around the family from the moment of birth to that of death. Some immensely important family traditions are: baptisms, first communions, engagement parties, weddings and funerals. These events are attended by the extended family as well as by a large quantity of friends and their family members. Also, most Costa Ricans still live at home until they are married, and leaving the household to go to college or to gain independence is still very rare. Costa Ricans have long called themselves ticos