Barranca

Sandy Point - Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Costa Rica is a former fishing village on the Gulf of Nicoya that prospered along with the coffee barons. Early on the locals delivered the coffee beans from the mountains via ox carts.. In 1879, the railroad completion put the people delivering coffee by oxcarts out of business. September 15, 1821 is their Independence Day. (Independence from Spain) Costa Rica - Meaning “Rich Coast” but the gold was discovered in Columbia, there is very little in Costs Rica. Coffee production was the major export to England - but it was very expensive due to the transportation issues. The train changed the efficiency of production and transportation, which improved the economy . Northern railroad grew and they began to export bananas which had been planted next to the tracks to feed the railroad workers. Bananas from the United fruit company are sold under the name Chiquita bananas. Since 1949, Costa Rica has had no army, education is free and 96% of all Costa Ricans are literate. 95% of all Costa Rican people have electricity. Free Medical healthcare is provided and is paid for through taxes by businesses & workers, and also a 3% subsidy by the federal government. CR’s minimum wages are around $1,000.00 per month, with a zero inflation rate. In CR, you can live very well with a monthly income of $4,000.00. Housing next to Madonna on the Pacific coast will cost $1-2 million, but a house next to our tour guide will be in the $200,000 range - in the mountains. Corruption was high and in 2002 things started to change for the better. CR is one of the oldest democracies and their inward migration is very high due to the stable economy and wonderful lifestyle. The drug cartels activity is extremely high and they have become a priority to end their hold on the country. Overall CR is very safe. Tom Brady has a house on the beach with horses, and he is just a normal person here and can live a normal life, without drawing attention. Our tour was a drive to a small town of Esparza, founded in 1574 where we viewed local handicrafts and watched local school children in traditional costumes perform traditional dances. Today all the Costa Ricans are celebrating with a day off on the beach. Heather (one of our Aussie friends) stopped us, and said we have 4 sea days - start studying 😂. We won yesterday!Read more