Fun Facts!

• Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world; it contains about 5% of the world’s biodiversity. The lush wild natural environment can be experienced all throughout the country.

• Costa Rica is a safe paradise. Unlike other countries, Costa Rica enjoys a very stable political climate and economic development, providing visitors with a tranquil setting for their stay. 

• The Costa Rican army was abolished in 1949 after a bloody 44-day civil war. The military budget was used to create an “army of teachers” — Costa Rica has universal public education and today it has a 97% literacy rate

• The sun rises and sets at the same time 365 days a year. Due to Costa Rica’s close proximity to the equator, the sunrise and sunset are to be expected at the same time every day. 

• Pura Vida is the national slogan. Pura Vida means pure life if you translate it literally, but it’s more than that, it’s a lifestyle. Pura Vida is the national slogan, and experts think that this mentality is one of the reasons that Costa Ricans often are considered one of the happiest people in the world.

• Costa Rica is smaller than Lake Michigan in the USA

• The nickname for a Costa Rican is “Tico” and “Tica”
  It’s said that the nickname came from the fact that Costa Ricans tends to use “ito” or “ita” (meaning small), at the end of adjectives. For example, perrito (little dog), cosita (cute pet name), poquitito (teeny tiny bit), gordito (little fatty). So locals call themselves Ticos (male) and Ticas (females).