With a visit to Costa Rica you will find one of the most unlikely sources of amazing artwork: an oxcart. Up until the end of the 19th century oxcarts were widely used throughout the country to transport coffee beans. While they are rarely seen in use today, they are now seen as a common item decorated with liquid glazes all throughout the country.

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.

Cost a Rica is a country in Central America which shares its borders with Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Ocean. Its population is just over four million over an area size of around 51 thousand square kilometers. Most Costa Ricans are white/mestizo. Costa Rica has become a very popular tourist destination, especially with people taking a vacation from their hectic lives in the big US cities. The average temperature is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can fluctuate greatly depending on the season and other factors. Some areas of Costa Rica are more tourist friendly than others; these are the places where you will find beautiful Costa Rica vacation home rentals and villa accommodations.

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.