= Community = Location TABLE OF Service = Activity CONTENTS = Arrival/Departure

PRIMER DIA (FIRST DAY) ATENAS OVERVIEW………………………………………………………2-3 EMERGENCY NUMBERS…………………..…………………………….4 LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND CAFES…………………………………..4 BASIC DAILY SPANISH……………………………………………….…..5-9 COSTA RICA IN NUMBERS………………………………………………10 COSTA RICAN GOVERNMENT……………………………………….…11

SEGUNDO DIA (SECOND DAY) VISIT AND WORK WITH INA (NATIONAL LEARNING INSTITUTE…….………………………………..…………………………..12-13 PRESENTATION ON EDUCATION AND HEALTH…………………….14-17 VISIT PLAYA HERRADURA………………………………………………18

TERCER DIA (THIRD DAY) ABOUT EATING HABITS, DIABETES AND OBESITY IN CR………..19-22 COOKING CLASS…...…………………………………………………….23-24 ORGANIC COFFEE FARM……………………………………………….25

CUARTO DIA (FOURTH DAY) RED CORSS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE CEN CINAI………..…...28-32 CULTURAL VISIT SAN JOSE AND ZAPOTE…… ………....…………32-34

QUINTO DIA (FIFTH DAY) VISIT ARK BOTANICAL GARDENS AND MEADERY………………..35-36

SEXTO DIA (SIXTH DAY) SARAPIQUI REGION AND CHOCOLATE TOUR……………………..37-38 PINEAPPLE TOUR…………………………………………………..……39-43 WHITEWATER RAFTING IN SARAPIQUI RIVER..……………………44 VISIT THERMAL HOT SPRINGS………………………………………..45

SEPTIMO DIA (SEVENTH DAY) PENINSULA DE NICOYA BLUE ZONE……………………….……….46-47

OCTAVO DIA (EIGHT DAY) TRANSFORMATION OF COSTA RICA DUE TO TOURISM……..…48-51

NOVENO DIA (NINTH DAY) SUGAR CANE AND ITS SUSTAINABLE WAYS………….…………..52-54 FINAL CELEBRATION

DECIMO DIA (TENTH DAY) DEPARTURE……………...... ……..54

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LLEGADA – ARRIVAL DIA We’ll bring you to Immersion Abroad Costa Rica PRIMER . Cultural Center Viernes, 27 de Dic ATENAS Welcome lunch and program overview

BIENVENIDOS - WELCOME Welcome Queens University of Charlotte students and faculty! You all have arrived in Costa Rica ready to explore one of the most bio diverse and unique countries of Central America. For the next ten days you will be diving into the study of culture, agricultural practices, and health of this special Latin American country. This guide will broaden your appreciation and understanding of Costa Rica as you learn important cross-cultural information and language skills for interacting with your host family and new community. The guide also lists important facts and points specific to your daily excursions and discussions.

ATENAS & THE CENTRAL VALLEY

Statistics Located on the Central Valley’s western edge, the town of Atenas Altitude: 698 meters, is a slice of quintessential small town Costa Rican life. With just 2,290 fee 25,000 inhabitants, Atenas is famous for having one of the best Climate: subtropical climates in the world, according to National Geographic. The and humid with 5-6 words “El Mejor Clima del Mundo” are emblazoned on every dry months Atenas bus; a valid claim as daily temperatures hover around 80 degrees and dip into the 60s at night. Average temperature: 23.7 C, Green and fertile with rolling hills, Atenas is a flourishing 75 F agricultural region known for its animal husbandry, coffee, sugar production, and fruit orchards. A stroll through the palm-lined Annual central park or lunch at one of the many typical small “sodas” precipitation: 1517 - serving local food in town awaits visitors to Atenas. 2952 mm, 59-116 inches Atenas is located half-way between the capital, San Jose, and the Area: 127.01 km2. Pacific coast. This geographical location allows for easy access to anywhere in the country to visit rainforests, volcanoes, or beach. Atenas is part of the province of Alajuela, and is located 24 km, 14 miles from the Juan Santamaría Airport with around 25,000 inhabitants. Its location makes it easy to travel to many destinations, including Guanacaste, San Carlos, and the South Pacific coast. Atenas has a climate recognized for health, rest, and the growing of sugar cane, mangoes, and oranges. Its climate is sub-tropical.

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TRADITIONS

Costa Rica has been voted one of the happiest countries in the world, and the town of Atenas exhibits this with its strong community. It is a place that has opened its doors to travelers from the earliest days of the oxcarts to the modern times of high-speed technology and tourism. Modern luxuries are available within Atenas from internet cafes to health care to promotion of the arts.

Atenas is a family community full of rich traditions. Village streets have the surname of a local family because the grandfather divided his farm and distributed among his sons, which at once gave a piece of land to their children. Atenas families are very connected and invite many to celebrate birthdays or wedding invitations.

The Catholic Church is another instance where you can see this family unit. If you go to church, you can see long pew benches where the grandparents sit with their children and grandchildren. Following the church service, usually the family is together for small lunches, parties, meetings, games and more. You can also see this close-knit family concept in small family businesses where usually three or more members are working together. Respect for elders and adults is important as their knowledge is taken into account in the final decisions. Monument to the Costa Rican Boyero 1 Atenas has been part of the exportation of coffee and raw materials, which were imported for the construction of important buildings like the Costa Rican National Theater, the San Juan de Dios Hospital and those required to build the highway to Limon. There were commonly about 400 oxcarts per day passing through Atenas to rest or to spend the night and see the splendid sunrise. In homage to this tradition, Atenas possesses the National Monument to the Costa Rican Boyero.

Every year the Catholic Church celebrates the Festival of Atenas’s patron saint, Saint Rafael, on the 24th of October. A cattle auction to the patron saint is customary. November celebrates the International Festival of Cuentacuentos, where national and international artists participate and there is an agro-ecotourism fair. In the summer on the first Sunday of every month you can find local artists performing in the Sundays in the Park series. In April the Climate Expo Fair brings its traditional Sesteo, parade of the oxcarts and “topes” of horses, crafts, regional culinary delights and cultural and environmental spectacles to the central park.

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EMERGENCY-NUMBERS

Local Contacts (no area code needed) International Contacts (011 + area code) Student Center 2446 7568 US. Phone numbers for Student Center 8am - Odie Calvo 8810-9155, 2446-7568 5pm: Esteban Calderon 8320-2429 2446-7568 Eduardo Calderon 8308-8637 US No: 510-315-7065

Police and any Emergency 911 Student Center Address: Red Cross in Atenas 2446-5161 Health Care Clinic in Atenas 2446-5522 De la Corte Suprema de Justica 50 metros al US Embassy San Jose 2519-2000 Este. Red taxis: 2446-3030

LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

Furlongz Place – 50 mts East from the Court House

Natzuki Sushi – 150 mts East from the Central Park

Sodas at the Central Market – in central market, near local bus station

Tío Mano – near the furniture and appliance store Gollo

Chinese Food - in the center of Atenas next to Banco de Costa Rica

Pizza 2000 - in center of Atenas on the East side of the church

GreenMarket – from the NW park corner 50 mts north on the right side

La Trocha - in Los Angeles before Don Yayos restaurant

La Terraza Rest y Pizzeria – 1 block East from the Court House

Pops- Ice Cream place across the park on the East corner

Ticas Mi Café - 70 mts East from Court House

Al Gusto Restaurante – 100 mts North (on the left) from the NW corner of the park.

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BASIC DAILY SPANISH

Greetings Saludos Hi, Hello Hola (In Atenas and other parts of Costa Rica, you may hear “adiós” also used as a simple greeting) Good morning Buenos días How are you this morning? ¿Cómo amaneció? Good afternoon Buenas tardes Good evening Buenas noches How are you? ¿Cómo está? Very well, thank you. Muy bien, gracias Life is good Pura vida Very happy, Excellent - great Muy feliz More or less; Mal - bad Mas o menos And you? ¿Y usted? How is it going? ¿Cómo le va? Fine, thank you. Bien, gracias Farewells Despidas Bye Bye, Goodbye Adiós (in Atenas and in other parts of Costa Rica you may hear “adiós” used as a greeting too) See you later Hasta luego, Nos vemos luego Until tomorrow Hasta mañana Goodnight Buenas noches

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Personal Information Información Personal What is your name? ¿Cuál es su nombre? Cómo se llama usted? My name is Lisa Mi nombre es Lisa or Me llamo Lisa. My mother’s (father, brother, sister) name Mi madre (padre, hermano, hermana) se llama is Rosa. Rosa. Where are you from? I’m from the USA ¿De dónde es usted? How old are you? Yo soy de Estados Unidos I’m 20 years old. My brother is 15 years ¿Cuántos años tiene usted? old. Yo tengo 20 años. Mi hermano tiene 15 años. Questions Preguntas Did you sleep well? ¿Durmió bien? or ¿Cómo amenecio? Where is the bathroom? ¿Dónde está el baño? When did you arrive in Atenas? ¿Cuándo llegó a Atenas? Where is the post office (hospital, bank, ¿Dónde está el correo (el hospital, el banco, la red cross, pharmacy)? The post office is cruz roja, la farmacia)? El correo está al lado next to…. de… How do you say in Spanish “food”? (water, bed, happy, …). ¿Cómo se dice en español “food”? (agua, cama, What is your profession? feliz,…) What do you do? ¿Cuál es su profesión? May I help you? ¿Qué hace usted? May I use the bathroom (the telephone)? ¿Puedo ayudarle? What time is it? It is 1 o’clock or It is 2 ¿Puedo usar el baño? (el teléfono) o´clock or It is 2:30. ¿Qué hora es? Es la una o Son las 2 en punto o How much is the bag? The blouse, the son las 2 y media. papaya, the pineapple… ¿Cuánto cuesta el bolso? La blusa, la papaya, la When do we leave? piña… When...? Ahora. Ahorita. ¿Cuándo nos vamos? Where…? ¿Cuándo..? Now. In a little bit. What…? ¿Dónde…? How many…? ¿Qué…? How much…? Cuántos…? Cuánto cuesta…? Expressions Expresiones Good morning! Buenos días! Good afternoon! Buenas tardes! Good night! Buenas noches! This is a nice house. Esta casa es muy bonita. The food is very good. La comida está muy rica. I would like to have something to drink. Me gustaría tomar algo (agua, café, soda, jugo, (water, coffee, soda, juice, milk…) leche…)

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Costa Rica, Atenas… is very nice! Costa Rica, Atenas… es muy bonita! I would like to visit San José. Me gustaría visitar San José. I would like to eat pineapples. Me gustaría comer piña. Please, can I use your computer? ¿Por favor, puedo usar su computadora? Today is a beautiful day! Hoy es un día muy hermoso! Basic Adjectives Adjetivos Basicos Big-small Grande-pequeño Cold-warm-hot Frío-tibio-caliente Happy-sad Feliz-triste New-old Nuevo-viejo Pretty-ugly Bonito-feo Expensive-Inexpensive Caro-barato Bad-good Malo-bueno Easy-difficult Fácil-difícil

Host Family Questions Preguntas Para La Familia Why do you like hosting people in your home? Por qué le gusta hospedar personas en su casa? Did you grow up in Atenas? Creció en Atenas? Have you travelled outside of Costa Rica? Ha viajado fuera de Costa Rica? Do you have children? Tiene hijos? What are the names and ages of your children? Cuáles son los nombres y las edades de sus hijos? What are your hobbies/interests? Cuáles son sus pasatiempos e intereses? What are the interests of your family members? Cuáles son los intereses de los miembros de su familia? What is the best thing about your country? Qué es lo mejor de su país? Do you have a favorite food? Cuál es su comida favorita? What is your occupation? Cuál es su ocupación? Do you have any pets? Tiene mascotas? What is your religion? Cuál es su religion? What do you do for fun? Qué hace para divertirse? Do you speak English? Habla inglés? What is your view on the United States? Cuál es su opinión sobre los Estados Unidos?

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What sports do members of the family play? Qué deportes practican los miembros de su familia? How did you become a host family? Cómo se convirtió en una familia del programa de Spanish Inmersión? Do you have any relatives in the United States? Tiene parientes en Estados Unidos? Can I go running in the morning? Puedo salir a correr en las mañanas? What are the “do’s and don’ts” or rules in your Cuáles son las reglas de lo que puedo y no house? puedo hacer en su casa? What is a typical work day like for you? Cómo es un típico día de trabajo para usted? What do you do on the weekends? Qué le gusta hacer los fines de semana? What is an important family value for you? Cuál es un valor familiar importante para usted? Where does the work “tico” come from? De dónde viene la palabra tico? Do people emigrate from Costa Rica to other Hay personas que emigran de Costa Rica countries? para otros países? What is a typical day in your family? Cuál es un típico día para su familia? What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Qué es lo que más le gusta hacer como familia? What holidays is the family all together? Qué días feriados o fiestas celebra toda la familia junta? What do you wish visitors to your country could Qué le gustaría que vieran o hicieran las see or do? personas que visitan su país?

COSTA RICAN COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE

Below is a list of a few words and phrases unique to Costa Rica, and a few others used in Central America.

Pura vida- Literally “pure life”; used as an answer to “¿Cómo estás?” or to say “thank you” or “you’re welcome.” Also means “cheer” and “life is good.”

La hora Latina- Used to explain the non-linear concept of time and schedule in Spanish speaking countries.

Adiós- Also used as “hola”; familiar greeting to acknowledge someone with the understanding that they are not going to stop and engage in more lengthy conversation.

Maje - Used to mean “dude” between friends, or simply to refer more generally to a man or woman; similar to calling someone “guy.” Roughly translates as “dummy.”

Tico/ Tica- slang /casual term for any Costa Rican.

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Diay- No exact translation; thought of as an interjection at the beginning of a sentence, similar to “um” or “well…”

Apuntarse- To sign up for something, such as a tour.

Fíjate/fijese- No exact translation; thought of also as an interjection, something similar to “Would you believe it?”

La Choza- Home

Pulpería- Small corner store

Soda- a small, family-run, typical restaurant

Va jalando- Get out of here or go away

Tuanis- Spanish adaptation of too nice; means “cool.”

Salado- “Too bad for you!”

Si Dios quiere- Literally “God willing”; often used when making plans.

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COSTA RICA IN NUMBERS

AREA: 19, 730 sq. mi GDP per approximate capita size of West $16.900 USD Virginia (2017 Est)

TOTAL POPULATION 4,987,5142 (Est. Jul 2018)

INFLATION 1.6% (2017 Est)

POVERTY HEADCOUNT RATIO (at national poverty line) (Est 2016 - UNEMPLOY- 22.1%) MENT (% total of labor force) 8.1% (2017

LITERACY RATE LIFE 2016 – 97.8% EXPECTANCY 2016- Males: 76.2 Females: 81.7

Source: World Fact Book-CIA-2018

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THE COSTA RICAN GOVERNMENT

The government is based on the Constitution of November 9th, 1949. The president, who is both the head of government and head of state, wields executive power, assisted by two vice presidents and a cabinet of 12 ministers. (Previous governments had 18 ministers; in 1998, the president downsized the cabinet and added a team of eight advisors.)

The country is divided into seven provinces: San José capital, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. Each province has a governor who is appointed by the president. In total the provinces are divided into 81 cantones (counties) and subdivided into 429 districts. For about every 30,000 people in each province, a diputado/a, or congressman/woman is elected every four years to the Legislative Assembly, or Congress, which totals 57 diputados. PRESIDENTE: Carlos Alvarado (2018-2022)- Partido Accion Ciudadana

The Legislative Assembly appoints 22 Supreme Court magistrates for minimum terms of eight years, and these judges select judges for the lower courts. The idea behind these three power structures is to prevent any one person or group from having too much control, thus ensuring a real democracy. There is also an Electoral Tribunal that is responsible for supervising elections and ensuring that the electoral process is fair and democratic. Known as the 'fourth power', the Electoral Tribunal consists of three magistrates and six substitutes who are independent of the government. There is no army in Costa Rica. Instead there's a Fuerza Pública, a form of armed police force.

Although there are about 30 political parties, mainly two groups have been in power since 1949: the Partido Liberacion Nacional (PLN) and the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC). The vote is officially mandatory for all citizens over 18 years old. An up-to-date and validated electoral card must be carried by all Costa Ricans as identification and is needed for anything from opening a bank account to getting a job. Election day is very upbeat in Costa Rica - everyone treats it like a patriotic holiday, with flag waving, car horn honking, and general euphoria. According to the court of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in the presidential elections of 2014, the percentage of people who did not vote reached 31.73%. This percentage has declined in recent years but still remains high.

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-SHARE WITH THE NATIONAL SEGUNDO DIA. LEARNING INSTITUTE (INA) Sabado, 28 de Dic -PRESENTATION ON EDUCATION AND HEALTH -VISIT PLAYA HERRADURA – CENTRAL PACIFIC

PRE

Costa Rica’s national vocational educational programs are administered by the National Training Institute known as INA. INA provides vocational training for nationalized Costa Rican’s over the age of 15 in all sectors of the economy in order to create jobs, improve living conditions and stimulate economic and social development.

INA maintains its own library, which was built in 1972, to provide specialized vocational and training research materials to support the education of the INA students. In the library, the students have access to computers, technical catalogs, bibliographic databases and indexes.

Additionally, INA maintains its own Children’s Center, CIINA that was opened in December of 1981. CIINA services are offered to all employees and students of INA and include classes in dance, music, cooking, art and English. Additionally, CIINA provides physical education, recycling workshops, cultural activities, civic education, early learning and infant massage to children from age 3 months to 6 years. The Children’s Center allows INA employees and students to continue to advance their careers while having their children cared for in a safe and nurturing environment.

There are many INA educational programs and they are offered in the following areas of study:

Agricultural Training and Technological Services Sector – Agriculture & Horticulture Production, Livestock, Forestry and Environmental Management

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Commercial Trades and Services Sector – Educational training in the fields of Business Management, Accounting, Human Resources, Sustainable Development, Health, Cosmetology, Languages, Merchandising

Food Industry Sector – Food Safety, Water Culture Management, Seafood Resources Processing and Conservation, Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Preservation, Meat Processing and Preservation, Dairy Resources and Preservation, Bakery Products Production, Animal and Vegetable Oils and Fats Processing, Sugar Production and Processing, Manufacturing of Beverages, Confections, Coffee, Animal Food Processing and Flour Products Processing and Production.

Graphic Communications Sector – Graphic & Web Page Design, Multimedia Creation, Printing; prepress, offset, screen and flexographic production

Textile Industry Sector – Manufacturing of Apparel & Clothing, Tailoring, Dressmaking, Mechanics & Machinery, Production Software Management.

Vehicle Mechanics and Maintenance – Mechanics of Light Vehicles, Heavy Equipment, Agricultural Equipment, Fuel Processing and Conservation.

Metal Mechanics Sector – Structural Steelwork, Precision Engineering, Molding and Casting of Alloy Steel, Plastic Mold Manufacturing.

Marine and Fisheries Sector – Navigation, Marine Resources and Processing, Fishing, Naval Mechanics, Shipbuilding, Sport Fishing & Diving, Marine Resources Conservation.

Arts and Crafts Production Sector – Pottery, Dress Making, Embroidering, Leather Crafts, Tailoring, Shoemaking, Woodworking, Glass Crafts, Metal Crafts, Painting, Drawing

Electrical Sector – Electronics, Telematics, Telecommunications, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning

Materials Technology Sector – Civil Construction, Furniture Manufacturing, Environmental Management, Wood, Plastic and Polymer Materials Research and Testing

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EDUCATION IN COSTA RICA

According to various reports, Costa Rica is in fourth place among 94 countries with the most accessibility to study. These studies show that education in the country covers the whole, since the rate of people who can read and write is 93.27% and the illiteracy is 6.73%, which is equivalent to 334,000 people who can not read or write. Through constant attention to education, Costa Rica has reached the highest percentage of literacy in Central America, which competes with the largest and most industrialized nations in the world.

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

It is the governing body of the entire Educational System; which is responsible for promoting the development and consolidation of an educational system of excellence that allows the access of the entire population to a quality education, focused on the integral development of people and the promotion of a Costa Rican society integrated by opportunities and social equity. The institutional vision of this company is characterized by an efficient, timely and transparent administrative management, which promotes the integral development of the human being and the human capacities necessary to live and integrate in a global society, based on ingenuity, knowledge and abilities. A Ministry that contributes to discovering, understanding, expressing and rebuilding us as citizens of the world, capable of being guided in the permanent and critical search for what is just. Among some of the many features of the Costa Rican education system, is: • Public education will be organized as an integral process correlated in its various cycles, from pre-school to university. • Preschool and general basic education are obligatory and free. These and the diversified education in the public system are free and paid for by the Nation. • In state education, including higher education, public spending will not be less than six percent (6%) annual gross domestic product, according to the law. • The education of the country is divided into 4 Cycles: Preschool education, primary education, secondary education and University education.

PRESCHOOL EDUCATION It is the initial part of the formal formal system of education. It includes at least one year and the entry age is 5 years and 6 months completed at the end of February, with a lower margin of 5 years and 3 months completed on the same date. In general terms, Preschool Education has the purpose of providing the bases for the integral development of the child. Institutions that serve children who are not of preschool age:

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Foster home: The cradle homes are institutions that tend to strengthen the bonds of motherhood and to avoid the abandonment of children; Children and mothers are attended who do not have the resources to survive in the first years of the child's life. Usually the cases of widowed or single mothers are attended. Children care centers: They are institutions dedicated to the care of young children, from the first months of their birth until the beginning of Preschool Education in kindergartens. Its function is essentially social in the care of children while mothers work outside their home or are engaged in housework when the number of children does not allow them to provide due care.

EDUCATION AND NUTRITION CENTERS CEN CINAI: These institutions provide food, nutritional and educational services to children whose age ranges around four years. Children's Centers of Integral Attention. These institutions theoretically serve children from 0 to 6 years old, although in practice there are very few children of 2 years.

Kindergartens: They constitute the first step of formal formal education and include systematic actions between 3 and 6 years of age.

Community Homes: It is a comprehensive care program for children from 0 to 6 years old. They are based on community participation as a fundamental axis on which all the action revolves. The following institutions participate: Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and the Joint Social Assistance Institute (IMAS).

BASIC GENERAL EDUCATION Primary (6 to 12 years) This level ensures the correct literacy, teaching reading, writing, basic calculation and some of the cultural concepts considered essential. Its purpose is to provide all students with a common formation that make possible the development of individual motor skills, personal balance, relationship and social performance with the acquisition of the basic cultural elements.

Secondary Education (13 to 17 years old) This level aims to train the student to pursue higher education. At the end of secondary education it is intended that the student develops sufficient skills, values and attitudes to achieve a good development in society. These are the Diurnal and Nocturnal Academic High Schools (III Cycle and Diversified Education). To enter this Cycle, it is required to have approved the I and II Cycles. These centers meet the educational needs of students in those institutions called Liceos, or Colleges with the fundamental purpose of providing students with the basic knowledge necessary to interpret, understand and manage the socio-economic and cultural reality of the country.

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Education Schedules in Costa Rica In the day schools and colleges, the academic days cover the following periods 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. In schools and night schools, the days are set to 6:20 p.m. at 10:00 p.m. constituted in 3 blocks and separated by breaks of 5 minutes. Duration of the school year The institutions are subject to a nine-month course, which begin on the first Monday in March and ends on the last Saturday of November of each year. The three additional months are holidays for the students, a situation that is maintained for the institutions of I and II Cycle. The approval of the Basic General Education is an indispensable requirement to be able to access the Diversified Education.

DIVERSIFIED EDUCATION As indicated, compulsory education covers up to the Third Cycle of Basic General Education, in such a way that Diversified Education includes the IV Single Cycle of Diversified Education. Diversified Education, as the name suggests, seeks to offer students various options that tend to meet their needs and interests in education. Specifically, the Diversified Education is divided into three major branches, namely: Academic Education, Technical Education and Art Education, which in turn are subdivided into modalities and these into specialties. The Academic Branch concludes with the granting of the Bachelor's degree, as long as the student passes the final exams of the Baccalaureate in any of the three annual exams, a title that entitles them to enter higher education. The Academic Branch comprises only two years (tenth and eleventh). As for the curriculum of the Academic Diversified Education, it includes the subjects of Spanish, Social Studies, Civic Education, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Foreign Language (English or French) Plastic Arts, Physical Education, Religious Education, Psychology , Philosophy and Technology.

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION The objective is to train each person in the different branches in which they can work in the future. The idea is to create true professionals, people who adapt to the social needs of the country and with the knowledge learned to help in the growth, professional, intellectual and economic of the whole country.

In Costa Rica, higher/tertiary education is offered by both public and private higher education institutions-universities, institutes of higher education and colleges. The first university in Costa Rica was the University of Costa Rica, established in 1941. Higher education in Costa Rica is not free of charge, but it is affordable by all. TYPES OF HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education in Costa Rica is of two types:

• University higher education • Non-university higher education

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UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

• Public or state universities: In Costa Rica, there are five public universities offering studies at all degree levels-undergraduate and graduate. • Private universities: There are many private universities operating in Costa Rica. These universities offer a wide range of programs - technical, scientific, education, humanistic, etc.

NON-UNIVIERSITY HIGHER EDUCATION Non-university higher education in Costa Rica focuses on technical, business and industrial studies.

• Duration: 2 to 3 years • Credits: 60-90 • Credential: Higher level technician (Tecnico Superior)

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS T he following are the types of higher education institutions in Costa Rica State or public universities: In Costa Rica, there are 5 state universities - The University of Costa Rica (UCR), the National University (UNA), the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (ITCR), the UNED, and the Universidad Tecnica Nacional (UTN)

Private universities: There are about 50 private universities in Costa Rica.

Para-universities: These universities are both private and state/public universities. In Costa Rica, there are 7 public para-universities and 34 private para-universities.

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PLAYA HERRADURA-CENTRAL PACIFIC

Playa Herradura is a small beach located on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about 3.5 miles (6km) north of the town Jaco. It's Spanish name means "horseshoe", which refers to the shape of the bay of this particular beach. Playa Herradura has different types of hotels, cabins, camping sites and restaurants.

Initially Herradura was a rural beach and sleepy little village. Nowadays the area has seen a lot of changes due to the demand of tourism and North-American property development. The prestigious and large hotel Marriott Los Suenos, with marina and golf course, is situated at Playa Herradura and is one of the largest tourism developments in Costa Rica. If you are looking for activities like sport fishing and golf, then Playa Herradura is a great destination, and you will find many options to keep you busy. Its close proximity to the capital of San Jose makes Herradura a nice beach to escape to for those limited on time. The waters at Playa Herradura are a lot more tranquil than at surrounding beaches, making this a safe place for swimming.

The nearby located Carara National Park has a lot to offer to nature enthusiasts. Famous for its crocodiles in the Tarcoles River and mangroves where you could see birds such as toucans, macaws and herons, the trails in this park will allow you to see an abundance of wildlife and impressive flora.

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-NUTRITIONIST PRESENTATION DIA “EATING HABITS IN COSTA RICA ” AND TERCER . AGING -COOKING CLASS Domingo, 29 de Dic -ORGANIC COFFEE FARM “EL TOLEDO” -LATIN DANCE WORKSHOP

LATIN AMERICA (Discussion on impact of fast food)

In the entire world, there are only 5 cities considered “blue zones,” or areas where locals commonly live to 100 years of age. The only blue zone in Latin America is on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. This city is not an anomaly either, as Costa Rica experiences a life span of 78.5 years, significantly higher than its neighboring countries. For years, people have been studying the exceptionally high life expectancy of Costa Ricans and have found a large number of factors causing this phenomenon. While some factors may have to do with healthy genetics, the majority factors concern life habits and health-conscious decision-making. You don’t need to be born in Costa Rica to reap the health benefits either, as more and more studies are showing that people who move to Costa Rica later in life experience a huge boost in health status. Many new incomers to this small, tropical country report weight loss, an increase of energy, and a relief of symptoms from chronic illnesses without seeking professional health care. Studies are still being conducted on why Costa Ricans experience such an elevated health status, but the results that have come in are conclusive enough. Without having any genetic advantage, these 7 factors of Costa Rican culture almost immediately offer huge benefits to those enjoying life in this Central American country.

7 REASONS WHY COSTA RICA IS THE HEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN 1. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Regardless of whether you’re an athlete or not, you’re going to get considerably more physical activity if you live in Costa Rica. Here, the cities are designed for pedestrians, and most have active city centers with the businesses all in one easy-to-access zone. If you live in a booming city like San Jose, you may find running errands to be quicker on foot. These cities can experience very congested traffic, but with the well-maintained sidewalks and concentrated urban zones, you can check every item off your to-do list while walking. Costa Rica also has a

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well-developed bus system and very inexpensive taxis. Rather than bringing a car on daily errands, most people find it easier to walk to the urban center, purchase their items, and use public transport to return. This will simplify not only errands, but getting to work, visiting friends, and going out at night without needing to organize a designated driver. Apart from the day to day walking, Costa Rica is booming with organized outdoor activities. In a country containing 12 distinct microclimates, from sunny beaches to mountains, volcanic area, and rainforests, you will be itching to explore. Those athletically gifted will find themselves scaling volcanoes and ziplining through the forest, but there are activities for everyone.

2. LOCAL DIET In Costa Rica, the usual meal is plant based. Your plate may come with local, organic meat, but it will be surrounded by fiber-rich rice and beans, accompanied by fresh fruits and vegetables. The traditional meal will contain no additives or preservatives at all. Modern studies into United States diets tell us that the intake of refined sugar, red meat, dairy, and processed foods increase the risk of chronic illness and enhance mood swings and mental health problems. These ingredients are used sparingly or not at all in a traditional Costa Rican diet. Costa Ricans are also better at portion control than their neighboring American countries. They eat 3 square meals a day, all plant based, with lunch being the heaviest meal. Foods like rice and beans keep them fuller for longer, and control energy levels throughout the day. This healthy, non-processed, plant based diet will help you feel better and decrease cravings throughout the day. 3. ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD Not only have Costa Ricans developed healthier eating habits, they actually have access to better foods than does the rest of the world. Any city, beach town, or mountain village will have outdoor farmers markets, health food cafes, and healthier restaurant options year-round. You will have no problem finding organic products and essential oils, as many of these products are grown and produced in Central America. While the rest of the world pays for heavy markups and importation fees, if you live in Costa Rica, you’ll find the same products newly harvested, without preservatives, and for just pennies on the dollar of what the rest of the world is paying. Costa Rica is a famous producer of superfoods, or foods shown to offer an advanced health benefit. These foods include chia seed, flax seed, cacao, avocado, and countless tropical fruits. These fruits are not used in special health formulas either, they are favorite snacks among the Costa Rican locals and residents. Instead of picking up a bag of chips and a soda, those who live in Costa Rica satisfy their mid-day munchies with a bag of mangos, plantains,

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chopped coconut, or local peanuts bought for pennies on any street corner. The mid-day heat is controlled with a coconut water smoothie and a couple liters of water.

4. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Healthy foods and active lifestyles are huge contributors to health, but Costa Rica goes one step farther with what is considered one of the most well-run, low-cost medical systems in the entire world. The country has modern health facilities with well-trained doctors and staff where almost any modern treatment can be administered. For residents, Costa Rica offers universal health care. For those who still don’t have residency, the treatments can be paid in full for often just a fraction of what you may pay in the United States, even with insurance. This benefit extends even to cosmetic health care, as cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery is a common specialty among Costa Rican medical schools. Access to dependable, affordable health services may be the biggest draw for people foreseeing retirement, but should be considered a major asset to anyone considering a move. 5. ESTABLISHED ACTIVE COMMUNITIES The countryside is teeming with possibilities for an active adventure, and fortunately for the residents of this tropical country, very little work needs to be done to find an adventure companion. A stroll alone in the jungle or a horse ride through the mountains with your family may be a great weekend get-away, but for a formal exercise plan, you may want to find an established community. Hiking groups, yoga communities, and walking teams are in every city. These communities usually consist of a mix of Costa Rican locals and expat residents and have evolved from this diverse cultural dynamic. New exercises and fitness trends from outsiders combine with the Costa Rican value for physical health and outdoor activities, creating a dynamic and supportive atmosphere.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

In Costa Rica, perfectly comfortable weather can be found for anyone’s preferences, and the natural biodiversity in plant and animal life creates a heaven on earth. This tropical paradise has been taken care of by the local government and responsible business owners. Currently, 23% of national land is protected territory. In Costa Rica, you will see more nature, even from inside large cities, and the lower pollution levels will make a noticeable impact on your day to day life. The country is modernly developed but still less industrialized, preserving healthy air and safe, drinkable water. These practices are not only good for the environment, but good for its inhabitants as well. People experiencing symptoms from chronic conditions such as asthma

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and arthritis report a decrease of symptoms after moving to Costa Rica. The health impacts of nutritional diets and high activity levels are doubled by a safe, clean environment. 7. WAY OF LIFE

Health is not always a strict science measured by nutrients and calories, it has some important qualitative factors as well. In Costa Rica, the way of life is one of these factors. You will hear the phrase “pura vida” used in any situation, meaning “pure life.” This phrase is used as a greeting and an exclamation, and it perfectly describes the values of this health-conscious country. In Costa Rica, people spend more time outside, get more sunlight, and live a more relaxed, slow paced lifestyle. You will experience less stress and find coping with problems to be much easier the more time you spend here. People moving to Costa Rica and adopting this more natural, healthy lifestyle are finding themselves happier than ever and with up to 10 years of added life span.

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COSTA RICAN MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS FOOD (COOKING CLASS) https://www.drinkteatravel.com/7-must-try-costa-rican-food/

CHICHARRONES Chicharrónes are not just a popular Costa Rican food. They are popular across all of Latin America. Chicharrónes are a snack food and essentially deep-fried pork rinds, the skin part of the pork, served with lime juice, fried yucca, and/or cabbage salad. There is absolutely nothing healthy about them and they probably carry very little nutritional value, but these crispy, crackly, juicy pork bits are a wicked treat that’s impossible to resist. You can never have just one, so no wonder it ranks as one of the more popular foods in Costa Rica. Chicharrónes are typically sold at local fiestas, or outside of a Costa Rican Soda. You’ll sometimes find this item on a menu at western restaurants, but they are never as good there, so keep your eyes peeled for them on the streets of Costa Rica.

CHIFRIJO You’ll find delicious bowls of Chifrijos in cantinas (bars) across the country. With some locals claiming that visitors to Costa Rica have not truly experienced the country until they dine on this typical Costa Rican food. The bare bones of the dish is a combination of chicharron, beans, chile, and chimichurri. Then topped with a chef’s choice of pinto de gallo, avocado, cabbage, and tortilla chips. And of course, as one of our favorite Costa Rican dishes, Chifrijos must be accompanied by a refreshing beer. They are cantina staple after all!

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TAMALES

When it comes to traditional Costa Rican foods, Tamales tops the snack chart as the most traditional and delicious. Tamale is a dish made of masa (a starchy corn-based dough) mixed with vegetables, meats and/or cheese, which is steamed or boiled in a banana leaf as one of the most loved Costa Rican snacks.

When ready to be consumed, tamales are opened, seasoned with Lizano salsa and eaten with a fork or by hand. This typical Costa Rican food is particularly popular over the festive season, so look out for tamales when traveling to Costa Rica around Christmas time. There may be better times to visit Costa Rica but Tamales make the holiday-time worth it!

CARNE AZADA

Carne Asada is Spanish for meat (specifically beef) on a stick. Typically consumed as a late night snack, but also served as a dinner main, Carne Asada is another typical Costa Rican food. It is often eaten with tortillas along with other local favourites like black beans, onions, guacamole, etc.

TRES LECHES

Tres Leches cake literally translates into “Three Milks”, and is a popular traditional Costa Rican dessert. Tres Leches is a sponge cake/butter cake soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream for over three hours. The cake is then stored inthe fridge until it is ready to be consumed. Depending on the recipe Tres Leches cake might also come with an additional layer of whipped cream and a garnish on top. It’s spongy, it’s sweet, and it’s delicious!

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ORGANIC COFFEE FARM

El Toledo Coffee Farm has been in the Calderon family for decades. Located in a tiny neighborhood miles away from the small town of Atenas, Costa Rica, the farm was a source of both sustenance and great pride for Gerardo Calderon, his wife Sole, and their two boys. The summer of 1992 was particularly unkind to the industry in which the family toiled. Following the collapse of the International Coffee Agreement, the wholesale price for a pound of coffee beans plunged from a high of around $1.50 to just 49 cents. Many families were forced to desert their land and move into cities.

But Gerardo and Sole, who valued a tight-knit community, lived within a stone's throw of several family members. They found the option to move away unacceptable. By the start of the rainy season, another complication emerged. Gerardo was experiencing debilitating dizziness, headaches, and upset stomachs. The culprit: pesticides that he and all the other local farmers were using on their plants. Business couldn't continue as usual, and only two options presented themselves. Gerardo could hire someone else to apply the chemicals, and then continue with production; or he could do away with chemicals altogether, and try his hand at farming without them. Financially, hiring someone else made more sense, but in the end, Gerardo simply couldn't do it: "Hiring someone else would have been even worse -- then two people would have been getting sick from the chemicals.” So Gerardo chose to forgo pesticides, even though he knew production would fall by as much as 50%. So with tightened revenue exacerbated by the global coffee crisis, he was forced to find other work to provide for the family.

Early Signs of the Shift Toward Organic. For nearly five years, Gerardo’s family subsisted by selling the reduced crop that they produced, and supplementing that income with odd jobs. Then a new phrase entered their lexicon: organic farming. Gerardo's improved health was reason enough to validate his decision to eliminate pesticides. But now, he was hearing that the international community was actually encouraging farmers to stop using chemicals and start doing what he had already been doing for years. On top of that, with certification, he could get paid about 20% to 30% more for his coffee. Eager to take advantage of this shift, he quickly signed on and was certified organic before the turn of the century.

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LATIN DANCE WORKSHOP

Guanacaste Folklore

Merengue, salsa, cumbia and dub fill Costa Rica's discos. From San Jose's nightclubs to rural dancehalls, you'll find Costa Ricans swaying their hips to these tropical rhythms. From an early age Costa Ricans learn the basic steps to the country's most popular dances making them accomplished dancers, but don't be embarrassed, they'll be happy to show you their moves. For a taste of Costa Rica's more traditional dances, join one of Costa Rica's many holidays and celebrations that feature performances from bygone eras like the Punto Guanacasteco and La Cajeta, where dancers twirls about in vibrant, Costa Rican-themed costumes.

Merengue Merengue is one of the most popular Latin dances in Costa Rica – it can be heard in almost every home, discotheque and radio station in the country. It has a two-step beat that features fast footwork and swaying hips. The man leads and usually holds the woman by her waist and right hand. Merengue is a tight dance where couples move within a small circle; when steps are made in any direction, they only traverse the space of a few feet. It’s easy to find somewhere to dance merengue, but to give it a whirl at home look for music from Grupo Mania, La Makina or Los Hermanos Rosario.

Salsa Another popular local dance, salsa originated in Cuba and was influenced by mambo, Guaguanco and Afro-Caribbean beats. It blends quick steps with sensual movements in a three-step rhythm danced over a four-beat measure. As in most Latin dances, the man leads holding one or both of his partner’s hands. Experienced salsa dancers often employ complicated spins and intricate steps, which add panache to their dance. Like merengue, it is easy to find a club that plays salsa music; popular artists include Elvis Crespo, Celia Cruz and Salsa kid.

Cumbia Originating in Colombia, cumbia is one of Costa Rica’s favorite tropical rythyms. Drums and other percussion instruments create the pervasive cumbia beat, which plays out in a 4/4 rhythm structure of long-short-short-long. Cumbia is typically danced to the Colombian music of the same name; however, Costa Ricans make the cumbia all their own, dancing a cumbia beat to the steps of the "swing criollo." Swing criollo mixes elements of the Lindy hop and jive to create bouncing steps and small kicks that are danced in a circle of complex footwork and fancy spins. This dance style is very Costa Rican and a source of national pride. The Costa Rican song “Jugo de Pina” is one of the world’s most famous cumbia songs. Alberto Pacheco,

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Lucho Bermudez y Su Orquesta, Lisandro Meza and Edmundo Arias are all popular cumbia artists.

Folkloric Dancing Costa Rican folklore dancing is a joy to watch, as each dance tells a story in its own melodious and artistic way. The Punto Guanacasteco is the most easily recognized of traditional dances: as marimbas tap out the beat, women two-step toward partners who try to seduce them. A tamer dance is La Cajeta, which represents Costa Rican traditions of creating milk caramel candy. Since the process could take days, families celebrated the culmination of candy making with a house party. This was the ideal time for young people to meet, and so La Cajeta – named after the caramel candy – represents the circumstances of this first meeting and the sweetness of young love. Costa Rica’s indigenous cultures are also rich with folkloric dances such as the Borucan Diablitos dance. Every January, the Boruca celebrate the native's flight from – and in this version, triumph over – the Spanish conquistadors, who are represented by a bull that loses to the formidable little demons. It is possible to view folklore dancing year-round, but the best times are around the Annexation of Guanacaste (July 25), during oxcart parades, or at other traditional festivals.

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-VISIT HEALTH AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN ATENAS: EBAIS-RED CUARTO DIADic. CROSS Lunes, 30 de -COMMUNITY SERVICE AT CEN-CINAI -CULTURAL VISIT TO SAN JOSE AND ZAPOTE

ABOUT RED CROSS IN COSTA RICA BY Meagan Robertson Tico Times

While many countries throughout the world rely on their armed forces to help during peacetime emergencies, Costa Rica, without an army, is dependent on a completely different type of organization during such times: the Red Cross.

“It’s kind of as though the army’s responsibilities were divided between several organizations,” said Jim Batres, who has worked at the Costa Rican Red Cross as a security guard for 23 years. “But a number of them have definitely fallen on our shoulders.”

“It’s in times like these that the Costa Rican Red Cross is at the service of its country and its people, and we will do anything and everything to ensure their safety,” said Red Cross President Miguel Jiménez during a press conference dealing with the recent influenza (A)H1N1 outbreak.

Responsibilities Although a private and independent organization, the Costa Rican Red Cross has assumed primary responsibility for a variety of emergency response duties, including rescues, collapsed buildings, vehicle crashes and stranded or lost persons. They also have assumed responsibility for evacuating people affected by flooding, volcanoes or earthquakes. In coordination with the National Emergency Commission (CNE), the governmental entity that works with the Red Cross in cases of natural disasters, Red Cross volunteers rescued many people from collapsed homes and landslides after the 6.2-magnitude earthquake on January 9 that killed 23 people and left hundreds more homeless. The volunteers, who heroically searched for survivors and bodies, were praised by news outlets, government officials and citizens. CNE officials thanked the Red Cross for their “quick reaction and unfaltering work” throughout the ordeal.

Getting Involved Despite their importance to stability and rescue efforts in Costa Rica, the Red Cross is composed mainly of volunteers. The Costa Rican Red Cross is a completely independent organization with 900 paid employees and approximately 5,000 volunteers working in almost every city and town throughout the country.

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Some people have volunteered for one year and others for more than 25 years, and most started their volunteer work with the Red Cross Youth Program, designed to get young people involved. Juan Zúñiga, 27, became involved in high school and never questioned continuing afterwards. “It seemed like the logical step,” said Zúñiga, who has been a Red Cross volunteer for 12 years. “I enjoyed learning and giving back to the community then, and I still do.”

The credentials for joining the Red Cross are simple. A volunteer must be over 18 years of age and have a high school education.

Once part of the Red Cross, volunteers are offered courses on different types of rescues, such as learning how to extract a person from a crushed car or pull a person to safety using a rope. Every volunteer must agree to work at least 40 hours per month and, according to those interviewed, there is rarely a shortage of volunteers.

“What we do have is volunteers; what we don’t have is financial aid,” said Alexander Sojo, a volunteer who has changed positions a few times in his 24 years working with the Red Cross. “There’s a long list of equipment we always need; like medical supplies, uniforms, more stretchers…”

In the nation’s planning, different types of emergencies are assigned to different organizations, but the Red Cross is the only one that isn’t funded by the government.

“Structure fires are the firefighters’ responsibility, the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry deals with forest fires and we work with the firefighters if a building collapses,” said Batres. “But we also deal with car crashes, domestic disputes, floods and natural disasters.”

Finding Needed Funds When asked how often the Red Cross finds itself short of funding, the general consensus among those interviewed was “every day.”

General ambulance service is the main source of income for the Costa Rican Red Cross. It generally receives 50 colones per kilometer from the user’s insurance – usually the Social Security System (Caja). The organization also is sometimes given a yearly grant from the International Red Cross Federation or financially supported in specific instances by other organizations.

For example, after the January earthquake, the CNE paid the Red Cross for its help. The CNE and the Red Cross usually only work together after natural disasters, though the Red Cross generally deals with floods on its own.

During the (A)H1N1 flu scare, the Red Cross had a special ambulance designated for anyone demonstrating symptoms of the illness.

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The ambulance was completely covered in plastic, and the volunteer riding with the suspected flu victim had to wear protective gear.

“The equipment needed to deal with any contagious outbreak is expensive,” said Jimenez. For the flu equipment, the Health Ministry provided the necessary funds.

Volunteer Pride Volunteers usually work one 12-hour shift per week and have to be ready to deal with any type of emergency.

“It’s not an easy job,” said Sojo. “Sometimes you arrive at the scene of a car crash to help and you find out the children are already dead and there’s nothing you can do…you feel so helpless.” He said that the sadness is balanced by those times when a person is saved because the Red Cross showed up in time.

“Normally there are three feelings: adrenaline when you’re headed to the scene, or in action, and then either an immense sadness or an immense satisfaction at being able to help someone,” said Sojo.

“The most satisfying feeling in the world is the moment when you deliver a wounded person to the hospital and you know that you’ve helped give that person a chance to survive,” he said.

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WHAT IS CEN-CINAI?

The National Center for Education and Child Nutrition and comprehensive care centers is a direct part of the Ministry of Health responsible for contributing to improve the nutritional status of mothers and children and proper development of children, providing the child and girl in poverty and / or social opportunity to stay in day care services quality risk.

Its basic functions are 3: 1. Provide service protection and promotion of child growth and development-Preventive Nutrition.

2. Accompany the family group in the task of nurturing and socialization

3. Promote social participation Preventive Nutrition services include nutritional education (educational sessions, home visits, and individual attention), promotion of healthy lifestyles and complementary feeding (proper eating habits, physical activity, life values for food security and nutrition) (targeting children, pregnant and lactating) including:

Meals Served: food prepared and delivered daily on the premises, breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack is offered. Distribution of milk: once a month is distributed 1.6 kg of whole milk powder to each child, for consumption at home. Distribution of food parcels to families: once a month to each family of the child is distributed whose nutritional status qualifies as malnourished / a, thin / herself with stunting. Child Care and Protection: easy for parents and responsible incorporation in education and in the labor market. It involves:

• Initial preschool education • Educational support to school • Promoting values and culture of peace • Interdisciplinary attention to priority cases. • Responsible educational sessions to parents and • Promoting growth and development: Includes the evaluation, registration and systematization of nutritional status and psychomotor development of children and girls.

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The indicators analyzed are, among others: • Nutritional status (weight for age, weight for height, height for age, body mass index) • Level of child development • Level of visual acuity and hearing • Language

Target population The institution benefits children from conception to age 13, in his extramural modes (in the centers) and intramural (in communities where there are no centers). Also it serves pregnant women and breast-feeding, giving priority to teenage mothers and women who work outside the home. In addition, beneficiaries are the families of the children, who benefit from the support measures in the upbringing and socialization of their children and communities that are empowered by education and social action. Coverage Currently, the department has 617 centers, serving a total of 171 890 clients and beneficiaries, such as among infants, preschool, children, pregnant and lactating mothers. The fighting, which began against child malnutrition, has evolved to provide comprehensive services in nutrition and child development, especially for low-income families.

Source: Minister of Health Costa Rica

CULTURAL VISIT TO SAN JOSE

ARTISAN MARKET Costa Rica's artisans are skilled at manipulating almost any material, be it seeds from the rainforest floor or precious hardwoods. While many souvenir markets and street stands offer goods available throughout Central America, there are several artisan crafts unique to Costa Rica and its skilled artists. Perhaps the most iconic Costa Rican craft are the colorful oxcarts that serve both practical and decorative purposes. In Sarchi, a small town about an hour north of San Jose, oxcart factories are open to the public. Learn about the oxcart's history in Costa Rica, visit the world's largest oxcart, and purchase one of your own – they're available in miniatures to half-sized creations ($200+) that serve as large planters or outdoor decoration. Costa Rica has a well-established woodworking tradition, as evidenced in many of the country's craft markets. From perfectly smooth bowls and mosaic cutting boards to elaborate drums, the nation's artisans produce incredible carved

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goods. Rosewood, ron-ron, and dyer's mulberry are some of the most popular woods for local crafts. Smaller trinkets, like cup holders and checkerboard mugs, sell for $10-$15, while larger items, including serving dishes crafted from uniquely beautiful wood grain, can sell for $50 or more. Guaitil, a Chorotega indigenous village 30 minutes inland from Tamarindo, is famous for its pottery. Here, approximately 100 local families work as a pottery cooperative, using the traditional techniques perfected by the Chorotega since pre-Columbian times. Open-air shops are attached to each workshop, and offer everything from small bells ($2) and wind chimes ($25) to decorative plates ($30) and large vases ($50). In the south Pacific town of Boruca, the Brunka indigenous craft the country's most famous masks. Carved from the lightweight balsa or cedar woods, these masks are an integral part of the tribe's Fiesta de los Diablitos, or Dance of the Spirits. The masks measure 8-18 inches in length, and are typically brightly painted with ornate animal designs. The Boruca economy relies mostly on the sales of their artisan masks, so expect to pay $25-$150 for a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece of art. Costa Ricans, especially in the province of Guanacaste, are excellent cattle farmers. Leather products offer the opportunity to purchase a practical, usable souvenir – the soft, buttery leather makes beautiful wallets ($15), gloves ($20), and purses ($40+), as well as leather rocking chairs ($100-$125) and other upscale accessories. For an inexpensive souvenir or gift, consider handmade jewelry, which is available in just about every city and town. Industrious artisans collect shells, seeds, nuts, petrified wood and other natural debris to craft beautiful jewelry with a natural touch.

FIESTAS NAVIDENAS DE ZAPOTE

The Festival of Zapote is a very cultural holiday event that marks the end of the year in true Costa Rican fashion. Scarcity of pine trees does not stop its locals from decorating their city. The Festival of Lights leaves behind all the Cyprus trees with attractive décor, flashy luminosities and Christmas portals. These portals display the birth of Jesus Christ and they are artfully dangling from the trees or garnishing the homes of the natives.

The festival opens on the 25th around 3pm in the afternoon, and soon enough over a million people swarm into the city. True to its expectation, Zapote transforms itself into a magnificent fiesta within minutes. It makes way for the horse parades where the largest of the herds march down the streets of the city. This exhibition of Topes is a tradition ongoing since the colonial times and still is regarded as

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an awe-inspiring performance. However, the major attraction that makes this carnival one of its kinds is its bull fights. Unlike the ones in Spain, in these bullfights the bulls are not harmed and they actually stand a chance. It’s an amusing show of people mostly gutsy men, and a few women who get into the circle and annoy the bull, a pull of tail here and a spank on the body there just to get the bull’s attention and then a run to avoid his furious retort.

The fairground covers a large expanse and is scattered with joyous rides and a variety of snack stalls for the folks. The rides are fit for the fittest and they include pirate ship, bumper cars, roller coasters and a terrifying spinning ride called the Tagada. When it comes to food, the pupusas and churros are clear favorites. Pupusas are delicious corn pouches of meat with coleslaw and cheese melted on top, trying them is sure to become one of your memorable moments of the holiday. When craving for sweet, make sure to get your hands on churros, the deep fried pastry rolled in sugar and cream. And finally, the bars and the turned up sound of groovy Latino music will create the perfect ambiance for the festival.

Other fascinating attractions include the snake shows where snakes like corals, pythons, anacondas and vipers are put for a show. Also, the endless party rockers can go clubbing and dancing into the night.

Apart from all the festivity, the festival is monitored under an excellent security operation. Officers of public force are stationed at entrances and exits, inspecting visitors in order to prevent any accidents. Medical aid is available during the bullfight and it specializes in bandaging nasty cuts or broken bones that may happen during them

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-VISIT ARK BOTANICAL GARDENS AND MEADERY QUINTO DIA . , 31 de Dic -DRIVE TO LA FORTUNA Martes

RESERVE -VISIT AND ENJOY AN OR The Botanical Garden of Costa Rica

In this botanical garden, Tommy Thomas has amassed one of the largest collections of herbs, plants, and flowers in Central America for over 25 years. It is a focal point for doctors, herbalists, botanists, tourists and all the plant lovers in Costa Rica. One has the choice of an educational tour with a botanist guide filled with anecdotes and stories. A tour of the botanical garden takes approximately 2.5 hours. Or if you prefer, spend a few hours strolling around the farm. You’ll enjoy the view, smells, and beauty of nature in the Ark Herb Farm’s gardens. Plants are marked with symbols signifying their uses, such as medicinal, colorants, food, poisonous, culinary, crafts, ornamental, wood, or oil extraction. A walk through the botanical garden is educational as well as a delight for the senses. The Ark Herb Farm also offers an extensive nursery with medicinal, culinary and ornamental plants. Their botanists can provide valuable information about the medicinal plants available for sale. Individual consultation is available if you need extensive information.

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The garden’s mead production comes from their own hives located in the Central Valley and from other beekeepers with whom they have partnered. In the cellar, honey is mixed with water until it is in the correct concentration for fermentation. Next, they also add the fruits, herbs, spices or grains that are going to be fermented along with the honey. While their honey is mixed with water, the yeast is rehydrated with yeast nutrients to ensure that the yeast is healthy, and has enough nutrients to start the fermentation.

During the fermentation stage, they mix the yeast again in suspension and take measurements. After the fermentation is completed, the mead stabilizes and refines. It is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for aging. During the aging process, they took samples to determine how it is progressing. The fermentation process and aging usually takes about 6 months, except for some of their special releases that can be aged for a year or more.

Once the aging is completed, the mead is filtered and bottled or stored in a barrel. Their carbonated meads are either bottle-conditioned or force carbonated with C02.

Mead Maker

Alejandra is an accomplished and award-winning manufacturer of mead. She regularly attends professional conferences, short courses and tastings to keep abreast of new developments and techniques in the industry. She has won numerous awards for her meades in international competitions, winning medals in Mazer Cup and American Beer Cup.

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-VISIT NATIONAL RESERVE TIRIMBINA FOR A CHOCOLATE TOUR-Sarapiqui SEXTO DIA , 1 de Enero -ORGANIC PINEAPPLE FARM Miercoles - WATER RAFTING -VISIT THERMAL HOTSPRINGS.

GANISARAPIQUI REGION

The canton of Sarapiqui forms a major portion of Heredia province. Covering 85% of Heredia’s total land area, Sarapiqui is known throughout Costa Rica for its amazing and rich biodiversity as well as for being an adventure seeker’s dream destination. Lying in the north east of the country and bordered by Nicaragua in the north, Sarapiqui is now a very popular getaway for families and scientist researchers.

One of the few remaining areas in Costa Rica that is the dwelling of the endangered Green Macaw, Sarapiqui is also home to a number of parks including the famous Braulio Carrillo. A lush and green region, Sarapiqui is also famous for its ‘turnos’ or outdoor festivals, which include fairs, bull riding and livestock and cattle shows. A mainly agricultural sector of the country, Sarapiqui is a major banana producing region in Costa Rica. However, pineapple, coffee, cardamom, cacao, corn and other fruits are also grown here. The land in Sarapiqui is very fertile mainly because the Rio Sarapiqui flows through this region irrigating the entire area, plus the climate here is mild and moderate throughout the year.

With a rich history, this county was first inhabited by Votos Indians. Off limits to the public during Costa Rica’s border conflict with neighboring Nicaragua, Sarapiqui has now transformed itself into a major ecotourism area. If you do visit this region a stopover at the international La Selva Biological Research Station is a must. This area is one of the most diverse in Costa Rica and is home to a plethora of indigenous flora and fauna.

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RAIN FOREST-TIRIMBINA NATIONAL RESERVE-CHOCOLATE TOUR https://www.tirimbina.org/contact-us/

This visit will open the secrets and wonders of one of mankind’s favorite foods: chocolate.

Originally from Central America, this plant has an extraordinary history; it was one of the most important products for the Mayan and Aztec cultures, as well as other Central American cultures. The discovery of America led to the introduction of chocolate in Europe, transforming it into the product we all know today.

The cacao plot, which is not in commercial use, was formerly cultivated in the ancient way – mixed with other forest trees. It was used for research purposes several decades ago and is currently used for environmental education, showing the traditional processes. The tour will be led by a trained guide across the suspension bridge and a sector of the Tirimbina forest to a former cacao-growing plot. During the hike, the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree will be explained.

The artisanal process by which cacao fruit is transformed into chocolate will be demonstrated (harvest, fermentation, drying, etc.), while the story of pre- and post-colonial chocolate is told. At the site, one may taste different kinds of chocolate, which are prepared on the spot in the traditional way. By showing this processing of cacao to chocolate, the tour aids in the conservation of one of our native plants, the cultivation of which is one of the friendliest to the environment.

Furthermore, in its desire to improve the life of the community, Tirimbina is connected to the Amasia del Caribe Women’s Association, composed of rural women from Pueblo Nuevo, in Limon Province, which has dedicated itself to the production of hand-made organic chocolates. These may be found in our souvenir shop, and through their purchase you can assist in the well-being of the community

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FACTS ABOUT PINEAPPLE - THE FRUIT OF COSTA RICA Source: Dole Corporation - http://www.doleplantation.com

Pineapple is a member of the tropical bromeliad family and the only one with any economic value. The pineapple is believed to have originated in the verdant lowlands of Paraguay. Carried aboard 15th and 16th century trade ships, the fruit was soon found growing as far away as Mexico, Australia, China and India. Christopher Columbus brought pineapples home from his travels in the "New World" and they soon became a gourmet delight savored across Europe. Even George Washington grew them in his Mount Vernon hothouse. No one is certain of when pineapples were first grown in Hawaii, but historians believe that a Spanish shipwreck in 1527 on the South Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii brought tools, stores, garments and plants, including pineapples, from Mexico to Hawaii. In later years, more Spanish explorers arrived in Hawaii, planting pineapples among other fruits. Francisco de Paula Marin, a Spanish adventurer who arrived in Hawaii in 1794 and became a trusted friend and advisor to King Kamehameha the Great, experimented with raising pineapples in the early 1800's. The "Wild Kailua" pineapple was found growing in the Kona area as early as 1816. Captain John Kidwell is credited with founding Hawaii’s pineapple industry. In the 1880’s he imported and tested a number of varieties and selected Smooth Cayenne for its cylindrical form and uniform texture. It was Jim Dole, for whom Dole Plantation is named, who pioneered the industry and became popularly known as the "Pineapple King". FARMS FOR SALE TO BE PLANTED WITH PINEAPPLE Costa Rica Pineapple Farms and Plantations for sale

Propert Price per Description y Location Total price hectare number

2000 hectare property for sale in Costa Rica which is perfect for Pineapple Plantations. This property is nice and flat, has good drainage San $4,500,000.00 ULY001 $2,250.00 and is located not far from San Carlos

Carlos, Costa Rica. This property is not currently producing pineapple but has good potential.

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475 Hectare Pineapple Plantation for sale in Costa Rica. This beautiful farm is currently using just 130 hectares for pineapple while the rest $12,350,000.0 is being prepared as time allows. $26,000.0 ULY006 Limon 0 Once complete, it will have a total of 0 400 hectares in full production. Sale is turn key and includes processing plant, storage facilities, offices and related machinery and tractors.

780 hectare pineapple plantation for sale in Costa Rica. This Pineapple plantation has 500 hectares in full $25,000,000.0 $32,052.0 production, 80 hectares ready to ULY002 Limon 0 0 plant and the remaining 200 hectares

set aside for protection. Includes a relatively new processing plant.

.

Costa Rica's Pineapple Express to Ruin? Costa Rica, among the happiest and most eco-friendly countries in the world, could be considered an oasis of peace in Central America. It is also known as the largest producer and exporter of pineapples in the world. Finding markets in developed countries, such as in the US and EU, has allowed the industry to grow from near nonexistence in the 1970s to surpass bananas to become the largest export crop in Costa Rica—bringing in approximately $800 million in foreign currency. Sweet Costa Rican pineapples, however, have left behind a sour aftertaste. Increases in global demand pressure farmers to increase productivity. To maintain high yields and quality, the pineapple industry has depended on agrochemicals. Yields have soared, but demand continues to outpace supply. Rising producer prices have incentivized farmers, mostly on plantations, to plant even more pineapples. The pineapple industry has left much to be desired in its quest for better yields and low labor costs. Excessive use of agrochemicals— some very toxic to humans—over large areas has devastated communities. Water pollution has led affected areas to rely on trucked-in water since 2007. Low wages, unsafe working conditions, and a disregard for workers’ rights have created a disgruntled workforce.

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Adding to Costa Rica’s woes, consumers are increasingly aware of how and where their food is produced. With communities contending with excessive pollution and workers’ rights violations, the once-promising industry could be on a road to ruin. Pollution and deforestation from pineapple farming Rising demand has made pineapple production progressively more lucrative in Costa Rica. Farmers ripped out a diverse ecosystem to plant more pineapples for investors. Without the vigorous application of chemical pesticides and herbicides, the industry may never have flourished.

More concerning is the type of pesticides used by the pineapple industry, including Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). The compound paraquat, used in pineapple farming, is banned in the EU because of high toxicity and has been recently linked to increased rates of Parkinson’s disease. In Costa Rica’s pineapple plantations, paraquat is used to dry-rot pineapple cones allowing the biomass to be recycled. Although some of the largest players in the pineapple industry implemented a phase-out program for paraquat, that does not reduce the cumulative harm already caused by HHPs.

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with high rainfall. Pineapple plantations are located in the areas that receive the most rain. Pesticides and other agrochemicals dissolve in rainwater, and runoff ends up in aquifers, rendering the water undrinkable. Since 2007, the communities of El Cairo and Milano, near Siquirres in Limón Province, have had to rely on water deliveries. The residue level of the herbicide bromacil found in underground water reservoirs was about 20 times that permitted by the EU.

Labor relations in pineapple farming

Pineapple plantations require a large manual workforce. In addition to farmers, more workers are needed for preparation and packaging of pineapples for the fresh market on-site. With retailers sometimes engaging in price wars, plantations have found ways to reduce costs while improving productivity at the expense of workers. Low wages and rights violations have kept costs low while forcing workers to work longer hours. A great deal for the plantations comes at a high cost for countless workers, some of whom are immigrants without work authorization and under constant threat of deportation.

Low unionization levels further limit the abilities of workers to improve safety or wages. Before the mid- 1980s, pineapple plantations were still in their infancy and banana plantations had unionization levels over 80 percent. Trade unions representing workers of banana plantations defended their members against increases in work hours and unfair remuneration. Trade unions called a strike in 1980 to defend members’ rights. Banana companies alleged trade unions were making unrealistic demands. Unions refused to budge. The standstill lasted until 1984 when confrontations became violent. The strike ended in a deadlock, and could be seen as the start of the fall of unionization within plantations and the rise of the Solidarismo Association.

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Reduced productivity from exhausted Pacific Coast land forced the industry to move to the Atlantic Coast. Owners used the opportunity presented by relocation to force negative changes in their relations with their labor. The solidarismo movement emerged, which is akin to union busting in Costa Rica.

Through the new solidarismo movement, workers elect representatives who negotiate on their behalf. Workers also get to contribute 3-to-5 percent of their incomes—matched by their employers—to a common fund. Workers, in theory, have access to these funds in the form of loans. The arrangement requires workers to sign direct agreements with employers, which renders workers powerless in negotiating for better pay or improved working conditions. Plantations use the threat of massive layoffs to further limit the power of workers.

Owners won’t rehire workers after telling them they will be retained, for example. Layoffs can be used to get rid of sick, aged, or unionized workers so owners can hire new workers for lower wages. Workers are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals for long periods of time while performing backbreaking work—bending over to tend to low pineapple plants—without a system to file complaints. Workers often have to eat their lunch meals within the plantation over concerns they won’t be rehired.

Unsatisfied workers may actually be costing the industry in the form of lost pineapples. Among the top producers, Costa Rica loses the second-largest amount of pineapples annually, behind only Brazil. In 2013, 18 percent of pineapples produced in Costa Rica were lost. During the same period, Brazil lost 19.8 percent, Thailand lost 5.3 percent, and the Philippines lost 5 percent. Brazil, like Costa Rica, has workers who earn poverty wages while working in harsh conditions. In fact, immigrant workers in Brazil are paid below minimum wage. These practices by the pineapple industry may be reducing the appetite for the fruit within the country. While GDP per capita in Costa Rica grew by 303 percent between 1992 and 2013, consumption per capita of pineapples in Costa Rica fell by 17 percent.

Luck of pineapple processing

Instead of squeezing the workforce even more, the industry could try to capture more of the entire value chain. Most of the pineapple produced in Costa Rica is either consumed locally or exported without further processing. An improved processing infrastructure could add value locally to the country’s exports. Other top producers export more processed pineapples, which makes the fruit even more valuable. Compared to Thailand, Costa Rica earns just 62 percent more money, while exporting 247 percent more in terms of weight. The Philippines and Thailand lead in terms of exports of canned pineapples. By trading exclusively in fresh pineapples, Costa Rica is missing out on more profit from highly-priced processed pineapples while simultaneously exposing itself to the physical loss of pineapples across the value chain.

Conclusion

When price wars happen, Costa Rica pays dearly for it through the environmental and social costs of pineapple for small-local farming. Without a proper way to distinguish, or price-differentiate, sustainably grown pineapples, farmers have insufficient incentive to change their practices. For example, farmers

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can choose to wait for pineapples to rot naturally before replanting or they could use paraquat to boost the rate of decay, productivity, and profit. Nevertheless, the large pineapple corporations like Dole, Florida Bebidas, among others have much more control on these aspects-practices and are the ones who are taking the real deal on Costa Rican’s soil and weather benefits.

Pineapple is a very important crop to Costa Rica in terms of foreign currency and employment opportunities. Environmentally unfriendly production practices, disgruntled communities, and unsatisfied workers partially offset the benefits of pineapple cultivation. A new wave of activism has been directed against pineapple plantations and other unsustainable crops. If deteriorating labor relations and rampant environmental pollution are not addressed, the industry will suffer further. https://gro-intelligence.com/insights/articles/costa-rica-pineapple-industry

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SARAPIQUI RIVER RAFTING

Sarapiquí River is one of Costa Rica’s loveliest and most exciting destinations for rafting. This tour takes you down some of the swiftest parts of the river, including some Class III and Class IV rapids. These rapids are technically changing, and you’ll be swept along on rapids that include some rushing waves. Your expert guides will give you expert instruction for navigating these rivers.

This tour begins with an overview of the equipment and important safety information. Then you’ll push off into the rapids, and paddle your way past some of Costa Rica’s extraordinary jungle scenery. Halfway through the tour you’ll stop on a riverbank for some refreshment and tropical fruit.

Once you get back from the starting point you’ll get a cold drink and a towel before you continue to a nearby restaurant for a typical Costa Rican lunch. There is a place for you to change into dry clothes before you eat.

Please be advised that this tour is not possible for pregnant women, people who have had recent surgeries, people who have suffered recent injuries, and people with heart problems.

Source: https://sarapiqui.com/en/about-us/

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HOT MINERALS SPRING WATERS-VOLCANO LODGE

The Hot Mineral Water is captured from natural springs near the river and is pumped up 420 feet (130 meters) to our pools. Each night the pools are cleaned and refilled starting at 6:00 AM. During the hours of operation new hot water continually flows into the system. The water is also circulated through the filtration system in these pools to eliminate some of the precipitated minerals and foreign contaminants.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF OUR HOT SPRINGS AND THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ITS MINERALS AND TEMPERATURE

The therapeutic effects of various minerals have been extensively studied by European balneologists. To be classified as a mineral spring the water needs to contain greater than 1,000 mg / l (PPM) of naturally dissolved solids. Here at the VOLCANO LODGE Springs Resort and Spa our water contains over 1,500 mg / l (PPM) of dissolved solids and has a PH averaging 6.4 so its mineral / chemical composition lends it a slightly acidic nature common to many of the world's best hot springs. Below is a summary of the effects of each of the minerals found in our hot springs and a comparison with other local hot springs. Benefits of Bicarbonates (HCO3) - To qualify as a bicarbonate spring the water must contain at least 250 mg / l of bicarbonate gasses. Ours contains the highest level in the Arenal area (751 mg / l), which is nearly three times the threshold required. Balneologists generally agree that a high bicarbonate level is the most important component of medically therapeutic hot springs. Bicarbonates assist in the blood vessel and improving circulation, which aids against cardiovascular disease including hypertension and mild atherosclerosis.

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-VISIT LA PENINSULA DE NICOYA TO SEPTIMO DIA LEARN ABOUT ONE OF THE BLUE ZONES Jueves, 2 de Enero OF THE WORLD. -DRIVE TO TAMARINDO BEACH-NORTH PACIFIC.

- NICOYA - BLUE ZONE, COSTAFINAL RICA CELEBRATION A Latin American Blue Zone. Source: BlueZones2019.com

In 2005, Dan Buettner, a journalist working for National Geographic wrote a piece entitled “The secrets of a long life.” In the article Buettner identified 5 geographic locations where people live statistically longest: Okinawa (Japan); Sardinia (Italy); Icaria (Greece); the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California, and finally, right here in Guanacaste, more specifically the Nicoya peninsula. Buettner’s studies concluded the Nicoya Peninsula boasts the world’s lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second highest convergence of male centenarians. So what’s the secret to this longevity? More importantly, what lifestyle can residents of Nicoya apply to their own lives in order to bring about the physical and emotional conditions necessary to achieve this?

The components that Buettner and his team of researchers found were similar among both the Nicoya centenarians, and equally common in the other locations identified as Blue Zones. The following information come from Buettner’s first hand observations of lifestyle characteristics common to Blue Zones.

One is the “plan de vida,” or reason to live, which propels a outlook among elders and helps keep them active. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. Nicoyan centenarians frequently visit with neighbors, and they tend to live with families and children or grandchildren who provide support, as well as a sense of purpose.

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We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life.

Have a plan de vida: Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good.

Drink hard water: Nicoyan water has the country’s highest calcium content, perhaps explaining the lower rates of heart disease, as well as stronger bones and fewer hip fractures.

Keep a focus on family: Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging.

Eat a light dinner: Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. For most of their lives, Nicoyan centenarians ate a traditional Mesoamerican diet highlighted with the “three sisters” of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans.

Maintain social networks: Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have.

Keep hard at work: Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. They find joy in everyday physical chores.

Get some sensible sun: Nicoya’s regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, but regular, “smart” sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement your diet and make sure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient.

Embrace a common history: Modern Nicoyan’s roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known.

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-SHARING ABOUT “TRASFORMATION OF COSTA RICA DUE TO TOURISM” OCTAVO DIA -ENJOY SUNSENT ON BOARD OF Viernes, 3 de Enero CATAMARAN DEL REY

TRANSFORMATION OF COSTA RICA DUE TO THE TOURISM ACTIVITY -PROS AND CONS-

Tourism can be defined as the business of providing services such as transport, places to stay, or entertainment for people who are on holiday.

Nowadays tourism is a lot more. It is an umbrella name that designates many different variations: cultural tourism, medical, adventure, entertainment, relaxation. No matter why we do it: leisure, business, work, social, family and even health reasons, tourism is now a force of nature.

The activity has become one of the most important pillars of the global economy.

• It generates many side benefits, such as jobs and infrastructure. • Its influence goes from boosting both large hotel chains to family concerns. • It drives tour operators, airlines and all sorts of specialized companies to improve the quality of their services and, in addition to a comfortable stay, to offer tourists a wide range of innovative alternatives.

Since September 27, 1980, many countries have celebrate World Tourism Day. The main purpose of this date is to promote the importance of tourism, highlighting its social, cultural, political and economic values. This year’s theme is the impact that digital technologies have had on the industry. Here are some examples: • The Internet allows travelers to have access to many differentiated products. • According to Skift, in 2013 “travelers made 38 visits to travel sites before purchasing a vacation package.”

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• They can tailor and plan every aspect of their trip beforehand, according to the experience

With an amazing array of landscapes, a legacy of historical and cultural wealth and teeming with biodiversity, Costa Rica has seen a steady growth of tourism for the last 40 years. This is the result of dedicated governmental policies, a countrywide service culture and a commitment to protect the environment. The Costa Rican tourism industry, with lots of small and medium infrastructure, owned by national entrepreneurs but mostly international companies, employs mainly Costa Rican handiwork at all levels. It also exhibits a good deal of development in rural areas. Nevertheless, the country retains a small part of the economic value generated by the activity, since the large stakes stay out of borders. Nowadays, Costa Rica is well-positioned as a world tourist destination and tourists represent one of the main sources of foreign exchange for its economy. A report by Vector ITC indicates that:

• In 2017, Costa Rica made the top 10 in several tourism-related internet searches. The country is one of the most googled up in Central America and the Caribbean, Canada, the United States, and Europe. • It is one of the destinations that receive more tourists in Central America and the Caribbean.

Tourism Investment Data from the Instituto de Turismo de Costa Rica (ITC) indicates the total arrival of international visitors in August of 2019 was 2.220.638 visitors. Of course, not everything about tourism is picture perfect.

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Overcrowding vs Sustainability-Sustainable tourism

Despite all the benefits generated by the activity, conventional tourism can have diverse negative effects: erosion, overcrowding, overexploitation of resources, pollution, damage to the local flora and fauna, traffic jams, vandalism to name just a few. Thus, the concept of sustainable tourism has become increasingly important. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Sustainable Tourism is: “Tourism that fully takes into account the current and future economic, social and environmental impacts to meet the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and of the host communities.” Basically, it has to do with the awareness of the negative impact that conventional tourism can have on the environment, as well as on the social and economic structure in which takes place, and the will to reduce these effects.

ICT-Instituto Costarricense de Turismo

Twenty years ago the Costa Rican Tourism Institute together with the International Organization for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the University for Peace, INBio, the Ministry of Environment and other entities, created the Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística (Tourism Sustainability Certification) as a tool to measure efforts in sustainability. This program aims to categorize and certify tourism operators using parameters like the interaction between a company and the environment, its internal systems and processes for waste management and the use of technologies for saving light and water or the way a company designs a tourist product, according to the country’s market trends, the country’s own conditions and how it will be carried out. Similar initiatives have been adopted in countries like Colombia, Bolivia, Spain, and Brazil and have contributed to diminishing the undesirable effects of tourism.

Into the Future-Ecotourism

Costa Rica aims to attract a million more tourists by 2021. The goal is going to require more of everything tourism: lodgings, transportation, infrastructure, and amenities. Above all, in order to continue being successful, Costa Rica’s tourist industry must adapt and innovate to safeguard the country’s brand name, creating tourism ventures that adhere to the low- impact approach and foster sustainable human development. Sustainable tourism does not only apply to hotels, tour operators or even the host country. It also involves the tourists themselves.

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How to Be a Good Tourist - Arenal Volcano

There are many ways a visitor can exert a positive influence on the places he visits and at the same time maximize his enjoyment.

– Be respectful, informed, curious, and grateful. – Adapt your consumption, behavior, and the way you relate to people in the new surroundings. – Chooses sustainable means of transport with collective, efficient and clean vehicles. – Be aware of the negative effects the tourism companies you are using may have on the environment. – Help maintain essential ecological processes in order to preserve the biological diversity.

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-HEAD BACK TO ATENAS NOVENO DIA -LEARN ABOUT SUGAR CANE AND ITS Sabado, 4 de Enero SUSTAINABLE WAYS -FINAL CELEBRATION

VISIT AND A PRESENTATION AT “EL VIEJO” SUGAR CAN INDUSTRY AND ITS DINAMIC TO HELP ENVIRONMENT

El Viejo Sugar Cane Industry In numbers 24% of all national sugar production 7% of the profits invested in social and environmental programs. 68% of the cane is harvested in green, without burning it. 99,9% of our waste is valued. 100% compliance with the agrochemical assessment program.

Azucarera El Viejo is a Costa Rican agribusiness company that produces more than 2,000,000 packages of 50 kg sugar per year, which corresponds to 24% of national production. We are in an area of great cultural and natural wealth, in La Guinea, canton of Carrillo in the Province of Guanacaste.

The company allocates 8,200 hectares for planting sugarcane. 33% of the raw material we use for sugar production comes from the cultivation of 577 independent producers located in Cañas, Liberia, Bagaces, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. We generate 412 fixed direct jobs and 424 temporary direct jobs. Part of its value chain is made up of 1,666 national suppliers and more than 3,000 people are benefited from indirect employment from sugar production.

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 28 June, 2019-Azucarera El Viejo

Source: azucareraelviejo.com

Water Resource Use For Azucarera El Viejo, the protection of water resources is of great importance, especially at times like the current one, where climate change can cause droughts that cause river flows to decrease considerably. The company, as an Environmental Development Promoter, implements several actions to reduce water consumption both industrially and agriculturally.

Water conduction project: in 2015 an important investment is made to bring water in concession

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from Lake Arenal to our industrial plant. This allows reducing dependence on the Tempisque River. Ash cleaning system: the amount of water that was extracted from the Tempisque River for ash washing was reduced considerably, from 1,200 gallons per minute (gal / min) to only 120 gal / min through water recirculation. Elimination of cane washing: for the 2011-2012 harvest the cane washing was eliminated, which meant a saving of approximately 3,000 gal / min. Some complementary actions:

Installation of water meters for office and house consumption. Reforestation in the margins of water bodies. In a period of 10 years, 6,500 trees were planted and maintained. Wastewater treatment: the wastewater from the mill, once treated, is reused in the irrigation of the cane to minimize their discharge into the Tempisque River and the extraction of more water. Awareness campaigns on the environmental issue in collaborators and surrounding communities. Our commitment as Promoters of Environmental Development is that the new and future generations have enough water resources to be able to continue with the development of the productive activities that the country requires.

FINAL CELEBRATION: Sharing experiences, certificates, music and dinner.

DEPART TO AIRPORT: Flight AA-1706, We will pick you up at 1PM at the hotel DECIMO DIA Domingo, 5 de Enero RETURN TO USA

NOS VEMOS, PURA VIDA!!!!

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