Costa Rica - Part 1 - Learning About the Pura Vida

In this class we will learn basic infomation about Costa Rica: location, people, history and culture. Costa Rica is a small but vibrant country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Its capital city is San José, and the country has a population of about 5 million people. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is the Costa Rican colón. Known for its political stability, Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948 and is one of the few countries in the world without an army. It has a strong commitment to environmental conservation, with over 25% of its land protected through national parks and reserves. The country enjoys a tropical climate, and its diverse geography includes rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, and beaches—making it a top destination for eco-tourism and adventure travel.