My Top Five Favorite Dishes In Costa Rica

Costa Rican food is based on two main ingredients : black beans and rice. In most homes, especially in the country, these will crop up in every meal in every meal of the day masquerading under various names , and in some places rice and beans are even thrown on newlyweds like confetti.

Right now, I have listed my top five favorite dishes in Costa Rica. Experience a Costa Rican cuisine!

Picadillo. This is usually made from chayote, plantain, or potato, this is a kind of chopped vegetable stew, often with a little meat or egg, and flavored with spices.

Tamales. Steamed maize dough wrapped up in a corn or banana leaf with meat in the middle.

Gallos. A small serving of meat or chicken with tortillas.

Ceviche. This traditionally Peruvian dish is a firm favorite in Costa Rica. This is either white fish or seafood marinated in lime juice and spiced up with some onion, garlic, red peppers, and coriander.

And the last, but not the least is:

Empanadas. These can be savory ; made from deep with meat, cheese, potato or beans, or sweet; made from baked wheat flour and stuffed with fruit
preserves usually pineapple, guava or melon.


So next time you'll get there, try to taste these yummy and delicious dishes of the Ticos while enjoying your beautiful beach house in Costa Rica real estate.

Indigenous People In Modern Costa Rica

Today you won't see much evidence of native traditions in Costa Rica. Only about 1% of the country's population is of aboriginal extraction , and the dispersion of the various groups ensures that they frequently do not share the same concerns and agendas. Contact between them, apart from through bodies such as CONAI - the national indigenous affairs organization is minimal.

Although a system of indigenous reserves was set up by the Costa Rican administration in 1977, giving aboriginal people the right to remain in self-governing communities, titles to the reserve lands were withheld, so that while the communities may live on the land, they do not actually own it. This has led to government contracts being handed out to mining operations in the Talamanca area, leading to infringements on the communities themselves, which are further hampered by the presence of missionaries in settlements like Amubri and San Jose Cabecar. The twelve "Indian reserves" scattered around the country are viewed by their inhabitants with some ambivalence. As in North America, establishing a reservation system has led in many cases to a banishing of indigenous people to poor quality land where enclaves of poverty soon develop.

Although the persecution of native people in Costa Rica is nothing like as bad as in Guatemala, in recent years there have been a number of disturbing indigenous rights violations, many of them documented. At the same time there is growing recognition of the importance of preserving indigenous culture and of providing reserves with increased services and self-sufficiency. In addition, indigenous groups from around the country, realizing that they need a cohesive voice and common agenda, have banded together to rent a Costa Rica real estate housing or building San Jose to be used as the headquarters for a united movement.

Finding Your Way Around Costa Rican Towns

In Costa Rica there is only one vision of urban planning: the grid system. However, there are a number of peculiarities that are essential to come to grips with if you want to find your way around with the ease. Getting around in Costa Rica towns especially if you are planning to have a Costa Rica real estate is essential. The following rules apply to all cities except Limon.

Typically, you'll see addresses written as follows: Bar Esmeralda, AV 2, C 5/7. This means that Bar Esmeralda is on Avenida 2, between Calles 5 and 7. Bar Lotto, C 5, Av 2, on the other hand, is on the corner of calle 5 and Avenida 2. Apartado (Aptdo) means "postbox", and bis means, technically, "encore": If you see "AV 6 bis" in an address it refers to another Avenida 6, right next to the original one.

Many directions, in both written and verbal form, are given in terms of meters rather than blocks. In general, one block is equivalent to 100m. Thus, "de la Escuela Presidente Vargas, 125 metros al sur, cincuenta metros al oeste", translates as "from the Presidente Vargas School, 125 meters south and 50 west". More confusingly, verbal directions are commonly given in relation to landmarks which everyone - except the visitor - knows and recognizes. Frustratingly, too, some of these landmarks may not even exist any longer. This is something to get the hang of fast: taxi drivers will often look completely bewildered if given street directions, but as soon you come up with a landmark, the proverbial light bulb goes on.

Car Safety In Costa Rica

The road traffic accident rate in Costa Rica is phenomenal - and rising. Most tourists see at least one accident on the roads during their time in the country, and though Costa Ricans blame bad road conditions, the real cause is more often poor driving - you're advised to drive extremely defensively. Sections of washed out, unmarked or unlit road add to the hazards, as do mechanically unsound buses and big trans-isthmus trucks.

Another hazard of driving in Costa Rica involves car crime. A recent scam involves thieves entering car rental companies' parking lots and making slow punctures in the tires of hire cars. Unsuspecting
drivers then take these cars out onto the road until the puncture eventually forces them to pull over, at which point the thieves stop to offer help before robbing you on the roadway or hard shoulder. Drive to the nearest public area and call the police.

• Keep your doors locked and windows shut, especially in San Jose.
• If someone suspicious approaches your vehicle at a red light or stop sign, blow your horn.
• Do not pull over for flashing headlights. Note that an emergency or police vehicle has red or blue flashing headlights.
• If you become lost, find a public place, like a service station, to consult your map or ask for directions.
• If someone tells you something is wrong with your vehicle do not stop immediately. Drive to the nearest service station or other well-lit public area.
• Keep valuables in the trunk or out of sight, and your car locked at all times.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• Do not leave the keys in your vehicle or the motor running when you stop to fill up.
• If you suspect you are being followed, go to the nearest well-lit public area and call the police.
• In case of emergency call 911.

For extensive information about car rental in Costa Rica, visit Costa Rica real estate.

A Look At San Jose

Ringed by the jagged silhouettes of soaring mountains, San Jose landscape would surely leave tourists in beguile. The capital and largest city of Costa Rica, it holds the seat of the government and is the center of political and economic activity. A very cosmopolitan capital with many welcoming qualities and buildings boosting a unique Caribbean, Victorian architecture, San Jose has attracted number of tourists, expatriates and investors interested in San Jose real estate.

The home of the Teatro Nacional, a lot of tourists drop by San Jose just to see Central America's grandest theatre. The exemplary Museo de Oro Precolombino that has 2000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold and Museo de Jade, America's largest collection of the precious stone are all situated in the city of San Jose. A colorful arrangement of fruits and vegetables and an array of beef and chicharrones (deep fried pork skins) are just some of the things you�ll find when you come to San Jose's Mercado Central. If you're looking for drinking and nightlife, the trail of bars and clubs in San Jose is a good destination.

The eternal spring weather and climate in the Central Valley is another reason why San Jose is one of the most viable destinations for Costa Rica real estate investors. If retirement is on your mind, and you are thinking of buying a second or a retirement home you might consider Costa Rica's affordable offers. A land of natural wonders and countless splendors, Costa Rica is really a worth-seeing Caribbean haven.

...and thou shalt know all these things

1. Thou shall learn to love eating black beans and rice three times a day.
2. Thou shall expect to hear mi amor (my love), mi vida (my life), mi corazón (my heart), and te quiero or tea mo (I love you) a lot. Don’t get freaked out – people use these terms a lot more glibly than they might where you are from.
3. Thou shall do plenty of research before starting up any property or land investment in Costa Rica real estate.
4. Thou shall buy fruit and vegetables at the local weekend feria rather than in the supermarket – much more fun!
5. Thou shall shout “Upe” when arriving at someone’s house rather than knocking on the door.
6. Thou shall not overstay your visa. You could be deported, and the Tico immigration police don’t seem to share the famed friendliness of the general public.
7. Thou shall not be flashy and ostentatious – Ticos hate such behavior,and much prefer people who are humilde (humble).
8. Thou shall not give alcohol as a gift when visiting a Tico’s home. A family member may be a recovering alcoholic, or the family may be teetotal.
9. Thou shall not shout at people or employees, no matter how frustrated you are, and especially not in public. Ticos take offense easily, and this will cause you more trouble than what the momentary relief was worth.
10. Thou shall not expect to get straight down to business. Personal contact is very important in Costa Rica-expect a fair amount of good-natured banter and chit-chat before the serious business begins.

Dance Like Latinos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MmTNM5sbAs

Costa Ricans love to dance, and it's common to see children who have barely learned to stand up grooving and bopping, much encouraged by their parents. Consequently, there are many good discos, mainly in San Jose. And one of the best ways to meet people and to prepare yourself for San Jose nightlife is to take a few salsa lessons at one of the city's many academias de baile. You don't necessarily need a partner, and you can go with a friend or in a group. Your popularity at discos or house parties will have something to do with how well you can dance. If you are really keen you might want to take salsa and merengue lessons before you come. Fitting in at a disco is easier for women, who simply wait to be asked to dance. Men,however, are not only expected to go out and hunt down female dance partners, but also to lead, which means they actually have to know what they're doing.

The truth is, Costa Rica literally has something to offer everyone. It is a hot spot for foreign investors, retirees from the US and Europe who want a better lifestyle and own a beautiful house from Costa Rica real estate, adventure touring, hiking, surfing, rafting, fishing and much more. If you haven’t been here yet, you clearly should look into it, you won’t regret it!

Now, are you ready to dance?