Getting ready for Costa Rica


Thanks for joining me on my journey of exploration to the "pura vida" country of Costa Rica! I fly from Tampa to Miami, then to San Jose, CR, on Saturday, July 4. On Sunday I fly in a very small plane to the Nicoya Peninsula, across the bay from Puntarenas, where I will spend three weeks studying Spanish intensively, teaching English and music, and enjoying the freedom of experiencing this vibrant culture firsthand.

Costa Rica is known as "the Switzerland of Central America" because they abolished their military some 20 years ago and have maintained neutrality in a region that has long been rife with juntas and other hostile takeovers. Costa Rica began to cultivate North American tourism not long after that; "green" tourism is Costa Rica's largest industry, with most tourists coming from the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, and speaking English as their first language. Therefore, the Costa Rican who speaks English well will always have a job waiting in the tourism industry. The country also encouraged immigration from the US in the form of retirement benefits (no or lower taxes, residential building incentives, etc.) for American citizens, and has maintained cordial relations with the US as a result.

Keep checking and I'll keep you abreast of everything going in the little beach town of Montezuma.

Comments

  1. Kimmetha H.July 2, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    Sherri, what a great opportunity. I look forward to keeping up with the you and this journey. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 2, 2009 at 1:18 PM

    Happy trails Sherri -- sounds like a great experience.

    Will you be able to post pictures along with your comments?

    Dan Craig

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJuly 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    Sherri: Hope you are visiting a sugar cane plantation down there since you know how to "fling that sugar cane"! LOL
    I've heard Costa Rica is beautiful. Enjoy your trip!
    Jeanne McDade

    ReplyDelete

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