A sense of family and religion are very important morals in the Costa Rican culture. Costa Ricans are known for their tight-knit families, and their deep devotions to their desired religion. The morals that are given in the Bible often dictate how a family operates inCosta Rica. Churches, commonly referred to as iglessias, are always packed every Sunday as mass is in session. Families convene into churches to worship, and carry on the morals of the culture that was passed down to them from previous generations. The Costa Rica culture is multi-faceted, but overall, there is a main thread of loving one another that is evident in the communities. Learning how one culture can learn from another is what Costa Rica offers. For those that are visiting, there are a lot of different backgrounds that can be appreciated in Costa Rica.

These wooden oxcarts are internationally recognized symbol of Costa Rica. Back in the day when the oxcarts were at their peak usage, over 10,000 of them could be seen traversing the countryside. Before the Atlantic Railroad was completed, the carts were hauled on long journeys that could take up to 15 days. The oxcart had evolved over time to help adapt to changing weather conditions throughout the year. During the rainy season the Costa Ricans had to develop a better wheel that could manage the muddy terrain without becoming stuck.

The wheels of these oxcarts measure four or five feet in diameter and seemed to be a canvas in dire need of some ceramic paint. When a cart maker’s wife decided to brighten up her husband’s cart wheels with a starburst design painted with bright colors, the idea soon caught on. Before long oxcarts were being painted with flowers, pointed stars, faces, landscapes and any other sort of geometric pattern the artists could manage on this unique piece of art. These oxcarts have such a traditional appearance in Costa Rica that annual contests are held to reward the most creative artists. Even though farmers no longer use their oxcarts for actual work around their farms, they are still considered to be their pride and joy. With tractors and trucks making light of the work that oxcarts used to handle, the beautiful oxcarts are now only seen as decorative.

If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica and are interested in learning more about this beautiful art, you can visit the Ox-cart Museum. Located in southern San Jose, the Museum boasts a collection of hand-painted oxcarts in an adobe house. When you are out and about in Costa Rica you will most likely see many of these oxcarts on display as you walk around the cities. These oxcarts might be an unlikely source of beautiful art, but the Costa Ricans are quite proud of their hardworking background.

The capital and largest city of Costa Rica is San Jose. It is very popular with people looking to take a relaxing quiet city break. The El Pueblo district is very popular as it comprises of over 50 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops, perfect for soaking in the local culture. There is also a large and vibrant theme park in the city called Pueblo Antiguo. Popular accommodations include San Jose bed and breakfast accommodations and San Jose apartment rentals.

If you are looking for something more to do with the sea air, the coastal city of Jaco could be your calling, it is famous for its beaches packed with water sports activities, surfing in particular is a very popular attraction in Jaco, why not pick among available Costa Rica vacation rentals a Jaco beach villa property for a week and enjoy Jaco’s beaches and lively nightlife. If you want to take a break from the beach for a day, there is a near by 18 hole golf course of championship quality. Another suggestion for water sports and surfing whilst having a sensational beach to relax upon is the town of Playa Grande, it is also a popular destination with leatherback turtles. Costa Rica is in an enviable position of offering its visitors a slice of their culture, architecture, history and sports whilst having magnificent beaches and Costa Rica vacation home rentals available to all. It can be the vacation of your dreams.

Not only the elders feel relaxed and lively, but even the kids enjoy their vacations in Costa Rica. Once any tourist sees this gorgeous state, gives a second thought of residing here. Whether you accommodate a hotel or rent a house, your stay is ought to be pleasant and fun-filled. Rental possessions in Costa Rica is commonly preferred by most of the tourists as it is affordable and you can enjoy all the richness and comforts without spending greatly. Due to the rise in the real estate sector, most of the giant investors are looking out for profitable investment opportunities in this bio-diverse tropical country.

Check the property that you will be accommodating on rental basis. You can do this by studying the most-modern pictures of the property. See the interior and the exterior images of the property carefully. These will present you a rough suggestion concerning the property that you will be hiring to reside peacefully in this lovely state of Latin America. Make a list of things you need in your rented apartment, like number of bedrooms, washrooms, home furnishings, spacious kitchen, lawns, patio furniture etc. This manner you will know if you and your family can derive pleasure from their living in this awesome state.

The other major factor to be considered while renting a residential property in Costa Rica is to check if there is easy and quick accessibility to market. The chartered possession should be near the market so as to fulfill your day to day necessities, hotels and restaurants should be close-by to your chartered residence; laundry services, maids, transport facilities etc. should be easily obtainable from the place where you stay. You should ask the neighboring people about the locality where you will be spending your vacation. The area in which you will be living for your vacations in Costa Rica must be protected and secured. The neighborhood people will inform you about the safety in nearby area of your rental apartment.

There are only two ways to go about buying beach front property in Costa Rica. Make sure the area your looking at is a place you would like to vacation at. If you plan on making a large purchase then spend a few days in the area to see if it is the right place for you. You will get a more in depth idea if you spend more time there. You don’t want to in your “tropical dream paradise” regretting that you’ve done it.

Find a competent lawyer to represent your investment. Do not use the lawyer who is associated with the buyer. Always find your own lawyer to manage your purchase. It’s important to find one that has considerable knowledge of maritime zone law. Costa Rican maritime law is different in every Central American country and you need to know all of the details before purchasing beach front property in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, the maritime zone is 200 meters from the average median high-low tide all year long. The first 50m is public property and the 150 meters from that line is restricted. The 150 meters stretch can not have an “original title”, but can be leased by a concession by the local municipality.

Once your sure of purchasing your property act quickly. Since property in Costa Rica is in high demand a good deal won’t last long. Land prices are on the rise, and not showing signs of slowing down any time soon. Once your sure, act. The current owner may have second thoughts and want to renegotiate or may not want to sell. Negotiate directly with the owner. There are many middle men that light be charging you too much. If an agent says you can’t speak with the owner then do not waste your time or money.

The city has a relatively warm climate with temperatures that usually stay from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, at certain times of the year, some tourists appreciate the respite it offers from the cold climate of the temperate countries. The southern parts of San Jose extend into rural areas and rain forests that Costa Rica is well-known for. These are the Talamanca Mountain Ranges. You can find the airport, embassies of other countries, museums, hotels, restaurants, big and small business establishments and the Universidad de Costa Rica in the City of San Jose.

San Jose has some of the more scenic and magnificent sties and attractions around. For one, the very interesting Museo Oro Precolombino (Gold Museum) holds more than 1,600 parts of gold artifacts that date back from around 500 AD to 1500 AD. The Poas Volcano and the Botos Lagoon, part of the National Park, is very near San Jose. It is an active volcano with dense forests around the crater, making the area one of the most visited places in the country. The Insect Museum inside the Universidad de Costa Rica contains an extensive collection of exotic bugs and insects. The guided tour here will prove to be a short but fruitful learning trip.

Theater lovers would find the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theater of Costa Rica), the Cathedral and the Melico Salazar Theatre very interesting. These are the regular venues of cultural presentations, depicting both the old and modern cultures of Costa Rica. Various presentations such as concerts, operas, cultural presentations and the like are being held here all year round.

Nature lovers can look forward to going to Lankester Botanical Gardens which can be found at the outskirts of San Jose. Bring your family to Pueblo Antigo, the famous theme park in town. There are also other museums modeled after 19th century San Jose and the ones located inside a massive complex called Parque de Diversiones de Costa Rica. Likewise, in the north of the city is a community called Barrio Amon which is the location of old and historic buildings having architectural importance to the country.

Tourists who love the night life will also enjoy the numerous bars, clubs and restaurants that line El Pueblo’s picturesque cobblestone streets. These are also within walking distances from hotels and resorts. Nightlife can last from 9 o’clock in the evening until the wee hours of dawn. Foreigners should never miss the local coffee which is served in a typical Costa Rican way. This can be bought in some coffee shops along the downtown area.

If you decide to rent a car, you do have to be aware that even though the speed limit says 60 mph you won’t be able to travel at this speed because of the poor road conditions. The roads are also very narrow and many of them wind their way up steep mountain slopes. You may get stuck behind a truck that is moving very slowly and you have no room to pull out and pass. If you are on your own, the cost of renting a car is quite expensive, but if you have two or more people with you who can share the cost, it is a cheap way of traveling in this country.

Theft is rampant in Costa Rica so you do have to be careful where you park your car, even during the daytime. You should really arrange for someone to stay with the car at all times or hire someone to watch it for you. You should never decide to leave the car in a parking lot overnight. You also need to know that there is a different code when it comes to driving in Costa Rica. A stop sign actually means to slow down and very few drivers do come to a complete stop when they encounter such a sign on the city streets.

You can use bus service that originates from either San Jose or Alajuela airports. The buses do not have route numbers and are named according to the origin of the route. You will have to actually visit the station in order to obtain bus tickets, as they do not accept credit cards or take online reservations. This means that you will need to have cash on you to obtain the tickets you want. You may also have to pay an additional fee if you have oversize or excess luggage, so it is best to arrive at the station early to give yourself enough time. The buses are also crowded.

Taxis offer another option for getting around the city or the countryside. They are reasonably priced, but you should ask for the cost of the fare before you get in the taxi. If not, you could be facing a hefty fare when you arrive at your destination. Be careful to only used licensed taxis because there are many unlicensed taxis, called piratas or pirate cabs, who are know to really gouge tourists and charge exorbitant fares. Outside the cities, you can also avail of taxis to take you around the countryside. The taxis used in these locations are four-wheel drive vehicles that can manage the rough roads. The drivers know all the locations and can act as guides for you as well.

Lets take for example the highlight of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, the Manuel Antonio Park. The park is a small but popular place because of its white sandy beaches and dense rain forest. Sunbathers flock to the beaches throughout the week. This stretch of coastline between the Nicoya and Osa peninsulas has several other low-key beach towns, including Playa del Jaco. Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. In regard to this, more than a quarter of Costa Rica is under protection that includes some conservation areas and forest reserves. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, on the other hand, requires an arduous uphill drive on unpaved roads. Upon reaching it, the trek is worth the hike through the cloud forest. There are a lot of flora and fauna that thrive in the environment.

The quetzal, an iridescent green bird with an extravagant long tail, is the most popular spot in the Forest. Many one of a kind species can be seen. It includes the rain frog and other colourful amphibians. You can also lure the dangerous tarantulas out of their lairs should you choose to. In San Jose and the Central Valley, there are a lot of activities that it sure to keep every tourist on the go. One of its many interesting attractions is the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which exhibits gold dating back to 500 A.D. The Museo del Jade, with its impressive, ornate jade collection. The distant surrounding has many rainforest between villages. People can explore the rain forest by boat through a system of canals that bring each one close to spider monkeys and three-toed sloths.

Lake Arenal is one of the country’s largest bodies of water, it is a relatively undiscovered region. People can easily find last minute accommodation to rent, even during high seasons. The activities can range from horseback riding to windsurfing. The most popular attraction is the Volcan Arenal. Many tourists spend the night here just to catch a glimpse of the country’s most active volcano. They watch the lava flow down the volcano’s western side. This experience is truly awesome and completely unforgettable.

Costa Rica has a strong and efficient national education system, with its citizens maintaining a 95% literacy rate. Combine that with the strongest and most stable, democratic tradition in all of Central America and it molds the human character that has made the Costa Ricans a self-assured and hospitable bunch. That again is the outcome of the education system that makes it obligatory up to the sixth grade; for pursuing higher education, the National University and the University of Costa Rica has been made available to the public.

Among the premier holidays, Easter and Semana Santa are the most prominent. It is the time when the Costa Ricans express their faith through street processions held every day for one week before Easter commences. Christmas celebration and New Year’s Eve also manifest a similar phenomenon. Among the most significant non-religious holidays, the Independence Day of Costa Rica rules supreme. The magic of the ceremony lies in the diverse formal official celebrations that vary greatly from town to town.

Musically speaking, the land of Costa Rica represents mostly the folklores that had originated at the northern part of the country and bears heavy Mayan influence in the form of tambito (a rhythm) while the genre of the music is known as Punto. Further classification reveals the Punto Guanacasteco (from Guanacaste Province) and the Punto Sancarleno (from San Carlos in Alajuela Province) as the sub-genres. The modern era has witnessed rock music taking center stage.

The cuisine of Costa Rica borrows flavors from different parts of the world, although some would say it lacks in terms of anything distinct or original. Costa Rican cuisine stands as a grand assortment of Spanish, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Southern American recipes like other Central American countries. However, it still retains the age-old flavors. Gallo Pinto (a combination of black beans and white rice) is considered the national dish, though Arroz con pollo or rice with chicken always gives it a run in terms of popularity.

Nicaragua is trying to follow the Costa Rican model for real estate development. The political stability achieved in the past two decades along with the government support will make this a lucrative place for foreign investments. Many foreign investors turn towards Nicaragua as real estate prices are much cheaper there than in Costa Rica. For some, it is prudent to invest in Nicaragua now as cheap lands at prime locations are still available in this county at reasonably low prices. The Costa Rican phenomenon, where real estate investment growth by over fifteen times in a period of five years is expected to be repeated in Nicaragua, if the political climate remains as it is now.

The real estate prices in Panama are comparable to Costa Rica . Panama has good infrastructural facilities. American presence in the country for a long time has created infrastructure which is much closer to American style of living, thus making foreigners feel at home in this country. All the three countries, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama offer beautiful bio-friendly environments at affordable prices as compared to their home lands for the foreign nationals.
Those who look for settlement in a foreign land close to their home land and those who want to invest in real estate for financial gains should give serious considerations to all the three countries. Individual properties available in all these three countries are to be evaluated on a case by case basis. This will help the investor select the property best suited for the intended purpose.

However, because of the consistent economic climate, a stable government and incredibly reliable real estate value increases, Costa Rica is your best bet for investment considerations – especially when it comes to doing development, buying pre-construction properties and purchasing or reselling lots. Costa Rica also has the most straight-forward policies in terms of land or title ownership, beachfront title ownership , property taxes and the legal process of acquiring property. Best of all – if you’re looking to purchase and then resell property at a profit, you’ll love the fact that Costa Rica has no capital gains tax whatsoever. Combine this powerful advantage with the fact that some investors are making as much as 150% to even 300% or more on resales – that’s a pretty sweet deal to say the least!