Life As Nomad

2017-12 Costa Rica

A 6-hour bus ride took me from the coast city San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua to the capital city San Jose in Costa Rica. Pretty good timing, as the annual year-end celebrations in San Jose began right when I arrived: The San Jose Carnival, the “Tope” Horse Parade, and the “Zapote” Festival.

Poas Volcano was closed due to recent eruption. I just came from a beach area in San Juan del Sur and didn’t feel like going to another beach or rain forest, so I decided to stay around the capital for a week to explore the cultural side of San Jose more thoroughly.

#CostaRica

San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
San Jose Carnival with costumes, dance, and open-air concert. The main stage of the carnival was literally right outside my hostel.
@SanJose
Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.
@Cartago
Orosi, a tranquil and somewhat undiscovered city 35km away from San Jose.
@Orosi
Every year on December 26, some 5000+ horses and cowboys/cowgirls take over the main streets in San Jose in the annual “Tope” Horse Parade.
@SanJose
Every year on December 26, some 5000+ horses and cowboys/cowgirls take over the main streets in San Jose in the annual “Tope” Horse Parade.
@SanJose
Every year on December 26, some 5000+ horses and cowboys/cowgirls take over the main streets in San Jose in the annual “Tope” Horse Parade.
@SanJose
I usually try to visit the national museum every time I go to a new country, this way I can learn a little about the history besides just sightseeing. However I wasn’t able to get much out of the national museums in Guatemala and Nicaragua because their exhibits were in Spanish only.

I love the national museum here in Costa Rica because there is English translation on everything and the exhibits are amazing. I came here twice and spent probably a good 7-8 hours here.
@SanJose
Stone spheres were made by indigenous groups during pre-Columbian times, and were declared the national symbol of Costa Rica.
@SanJose
Butterfly Garden in the National Museum of Costa Rica, representing the diversity of Costa Rican Central Valley’s ecosystems.
@SanJose
Butterfly Garden in the National Museum of Costa Rica, representing the diversity of Costa Rican Central Valley’s ecosystems.
@SanJose
Butterfly Garden in the National Museum of Costa Rica, representing the diversity of Costa Rican Central Valley’s ecosystems.
@SanJose
Butterfly Garden in the National Museum of Costa Rica, representing the diversity of Costa Rican Central Valley’s ecosystems.
@SanJose
(Photo of Cocos Island in the National Museum of Costa Rica.)

Where is the fictional island “Isla Nublar” in the Jurrassic Park franchise based off of? Cocos Island. Cocos Island is located 500km southwest of Costa Rica (go southwest for another 600km are the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador). The island was originally a very active volcano some 3 million years ago, and was later formed by the accumulation of various types of volcanic materials. White-tip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, great white sharks, stingrays, and dolphins are the most emblematic species in Cocos Island waters. The abundancy of the species makes Cocos Island a paradise for divers – The island is rainy all year, but rain is less intense from January to March (ideal for diving).

Having dived with white-tip reef sharks at Sipadan Island in Malaysia earlier this year, I was intrigued by the opportunity to dive at Cocos Island. But after further research I learned that there is neither flight nor accommodation on Cocos Island. The only way to dive at Cocos Island is to join a liveaboard diving cruise. The cruise departs off the coast from San Jose and takes 36 hours one-way to get to Cocos Island. The dive journey typically lasts 7-10 days, with a total of 19-24 dives including night dives. While this diving opportunity seems very tempting, it requires advanced open-water certification with experience of 50+ dives – And the cruise costs an arm an a leg! Not for now but diving at Cocos Island is definitely on my bucket list.

OR, technically there is another way to visit Cocos Island without taking the diving cruise: The island is located on Cocos Plate, which moves toward mainland Costa Rica at a rate of 8cm a year. So in about 6 million years, Cocos Island will reach the coast of present day Costa Rica! I can go visit Cocos Island, or I can let Cocos Island come to me – Not holding my breath for this one.
@SanJose
(Photos of Cocos Island in the National Museum of Costa Rica.)

Where is the fictional island “Isla Nublar” in the Jurrassic Park franchise based off of? Cocos Island. Cocos Island is located 500km southwest of Costa Rica (go southwest for another 600km are the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador). The island was originally a very active volcano some 3 million years ago, and was later formed by the accumulation of various types of volcanic materials. White-tip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, great white sharks, stingrays, and dolphins are the most emblematic species in Cocos Island waters. The abundancy of the species makes Cocos Island a paradise for divers – The island is rainy all year, but rain is less intense from January to March (ideal for diving).

Having dived with white-tip reef sharks at Sipadan Island in Malaysia earlier this year, I was intrigued by the opportunity to dive at Cocos Island. But after further research I learned that there is neither flight nor accommodation on Cocos Island. The only way to dive at Cocos Island is to join a liveaboard diving cruise. The cruise departs off the coast from San Jose and takes 36 hours one-way to get to Cocos Island. The dive journey typically lasts 7-10 days, with a total of 19-24 dives including night dives. While this diving opportunity seems very tempting, it requires advanced open-water certification with experience of 50+ dives – And the cruise costs an arm an a leg! Not for now but diving at Cocos Island is definitely on my bucket list.

OR, technically there is another way to visit Cocos Island without taking the diving cruise: The island is located on Cocos Plate, which moves toward mainland Costa Rica at a rate of 8cm a year. So in about 6 million years, Cocos Island will reach the coast of present day Costa Rica! I can go visit Cocos Island, or I can let Cocos Island come to me – Not holding my breath for this one.
@SanJose
Costa Rica (Spanish for “rich coast”) was originally inhabited by indigenous groups for some 10,000 years until it was later conquered by the Spanish.
Being one of the most prosperous nations in Latin America, Costa Rica is a popular destination for migrants from the nearby Nicaragua, as well as for retirees from the US due to its relatively low cost of living.
@SanJose
Costa Rica abolished its army after the end of the civil war in 1948, and has since reallocated army funds to be spent on education and health care. With a literacy rate of 98% and universal health care for its nationals (and famous destination for medical tourism), Costa Rica is rated the world’s happiest country in 2016.

Without a standing army, Costa Rica relies on the US for protection in the event of war. Costa Rica also has good diplomatic relations with China (on infrastructure) and Germany (on environment); quoting my Costa Rican guide from the walking tour: “Costa Rica has been having conflicts over border dispute with Nicaragua (who has Russia as its alliance) for over 100 years. If there is ever a war between the US and Russia, it will likely begin in Costa Rica.
@SanJose
Costa Rica abolished its army after the end of the civil war in 1948, and has since reallocated army funds to be spent on education and health care. With a literacy rate of 98% and universal health care for its nationals (and famous destination for medical tourism), Costa Rica is rated the world’s happiest country in 2016.

Without a standing army, Costa Rica relies on the US for protection in the event of war. Costa Rica also has good diplomatic relations with China (on infrastructure) and Germany (on environment); quoting my Costa Rican guide from the walking tour: “Costa Rica has been having conflicts over border dispute with Nicaragua (who has Russia as its alliance) for over 100 years. If there is ever a war between the US and Russia, it will likely begin in Costa Rica.
@SanJose
Jose Figueres Ferrer, president of Costa Rica on 3 occasions. He abolished the country’s army in 1948 after the civil war. A former president, along with dictators from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, attempted to overthrow him in 1955. He was able to repel the invasion with the assistance of the US.
@SanJose
The mask for the Diablo (Devil).

The “Dance of the Little Devils” is an indigenous tradition depicting the conflict between the Spanish and the natives. The main characters of the dance are the Bull representing the Spanish and the Devils (Diablos), the natives.
@SanJose
Pre-Columbian art in the National Museum of Costa Rica. 
@SanJose
(Painting of keel-billed toucan in the National Museum of Costa Rica.)

Costa Rican jungles are full of keel-billed toucans. The jungles are also full of ants that bite. While none of these bites will kill you, some may make you wish you were dead: I got bitten on my first day in Costa Rica. I wasn’t even in a jungle – I was on a Tica Bus! While trying to grab my packpack, I found a black fire ant about 5mm long on the side of my left middle finger. I got bitten before I was able to fling it away – My finger tingled for the rest of the evening.

The fire ants bite is enough to bring on some tears, but the real threat is the famous bullet ant. Common in Costa Rica and most of Central and South America, bullet ants are widely recognized as having one of the most painful stings of any insect on the planet. Bullet ant victims have described the 24-hour-long burning pain as worse than being shot, giving the ant its common name.
@SanJose
A $5 Colon bill from 1971 – The same year when former US president Richard Nixon took the US Dollar off the gold standard. Since then the Dollar is no longer backed by gold or any tangible asset, inflation skyrockets, and government can print money out of thin air.

The current conversion rate is $1 US Dollar = $570 Costa Rican Colon. $5 Colon is now a coin that worths practically nothing. Even $500 Colon is a coin nowadays, with the smallest bill being $1,000 Colon.
@SanJose
A check of $61.36 signed by Minor Keith, founder of United Fruit Company, in 1900. Keith is an American businessman who has successful businesses in railroad construction, banana plantation, and gold mining in Costa Rica. Keith was married to daughter of a former president of Costa Rica.
@SanJose
City walking tour with travelers from Mexico and the US. Met a girl from Indiana who is working on a project called “The Happiness Pursuits”, in which she has been spending the past couple of years interviewing people from around the world the meaning of happiness. The goal is to interview 500 people (100+ interviewed so far) and publish a documentary at the end of the project.
@SanJose
Coffee production was Costa Rica’s principal source of wealth before the country diversified itself into other industries like technology and tourism. This local coffee shop, Cafeoteca, serves 23 varieties from 8 different coffee regions in Costa Rica and has 10 different preparation techniques.
@SanJose
Ceviche, a seafood dish popular in coastal regions of Latin America, originated in Peru. Ceviche is basically uncooked fish marinated in citris juice (different but sometimes compared to Japanese sashimi).

Ordering food is also an opportunity to practice Spanish: “Hola. Puedo tener un ceviche y un botella de agua?” (Hello. Can I have a ceviche and a bottle of water?) Despite my accent they usually understand what I say. But oftentimes they would come back and throw me off with questions that I don’t understand. (What size? For here or to go? etc.)
@SanJose
More ceviche + Costa Rican Imperial beer.
@Orosi
One of the traditional meals in Costa Rica is “gallo pinto” (rice and beans). Many Costa Ricans cannot miss it in their breakfast – Even McDonald’s serve it.
@SanJose
The National Monument of Costa Rica, depicting 5 battle-ready women (one shown in the picture) subduing 2 men. The 5 women represent the then 5 countries in Central America and the 2 men represent the “Filibusters” (led by William Walker who was trying to take over Central America) from the US. 
@SanJose
National Park. 
@SanJose

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