Duran Sanitorium​

Have you ever heard those urban legends about spooky places in your country? Have you ever felt curious about what all the fuss around these eerie locations? Well, if you like scary stories and mysterious places Duran Sanatorium in Cartago, Costa Rica, is the place for you. Located about one hour away from the country’s capital, you will find this old (beat down) hospital, which was the only hospital in Costa Rica that would treat patients suffering from tuberculosis when the epidemic began. This place opened its doors to tuberculosis patients in 1917 and operated until around 1950, when the patient numbers decreased. They were holding up to 300 patients at a time. The “nurses” in this hospital were nuns from Santa Ana. (They play a role in the spooky urban legends.) It was then turned into a juvenile detention center until 1973. read more..........​

Monteverde

Monteverde, to me, is one of the most adventurous places to visit in Costa Rica. Although it has slightly chilly weather ( the average temperature is 74 degrees), and is rather damp, it is a place full of activities and fun adventure. When going to Monteverde, there are some places you should really consider visiting or trying. Bungee jumping, canopying (zip lining), and going to a snake or frog farm are just some of the many activities you can do. The highest bungee jump in Costa Rica and Central America is at “Monteverde Extreme Bungee,” and has a price of $60 per person. It is truly an adrenaline rush and an experience like no other read more..........​

Corcovado

The biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica rivals that of the Galapagos Islands and Australia. Zebra-patterned grasshoppers, tapirs, and squirrel monkeys are only a few of the fantastic creatures that inhabit Corcovado National Park located on the Osa Peninsula, the southern part of Costa Rica. The drive to get to the Osa Peninsula itself is an estimated six hours, and getting to Corcovado is about one additional hour. To get into La Sirena, the best place to stay in Corcovado, one can either take the long and strenuous hike in, or a beautiful boat ride where dolphin sightings are common. read more..........​

Costa Rican Superstitions

What is a superstition? Some believe that a superstition is anything that people believe that is based on myth, magic, or irrational thoughts. They are beliefs that are steeped in lore or tradition, and it is usually difficult to pinpoint the exact origin. The main theme in Costa Rican superstitions is punishment for one’s actions or sins that one has committed. Drinking enormous amounts of alcohol was, and still is, common in public, and it was truly frowned upon during the colonial times in the 16th century. read more..........​

Typical Dance 

Costa Ricans have a deep passion and spiritual connection to dance and music. Costa Rica’s most well known traditional dance is “El Punto Guanacasteco.” It originates from the province of Guanacaste and is usually danced only during celebrations, like Costa Rica’s Independence Day, also known as Quince de Septiembre. The dance is performed in couples of a woman and a man. Women wear white peasant blouses decorated with embroidery and colorful ankle length skirts, and they usually braid their hair. Men wear white peasant shirts, long white pants, a straw hat, and a colorful handkerchief around their necks. Both the men and the women wear sandals. The tradition music is played on a wooden xylophone, or marimba. read more..........​

Traditional Foods 

Have you ever felt so hot that you thought, “I just want to eat some ice”? Well… eating ice can help you cool down but eating a granizado will not only help you feel cooler, you will also taste a wonderful explosion of flavors. But what is a granizado? In Costa Rica, granizados are also called Churchills. A granizado is something like a snow cone, it is crushed or shaved ice, flavored syrup (it can be strawberry, lime, blueberry, etc.) and condensed milk and powdered milk. read more..........​

Music of San Jose

Costa Rican music has come a long ways since the music scene hit its growth spurt in the 1980’s. Before this the music was greatly based on traditional Central American music. With the arrival of MTV, Costa Rican musicians finally caught up with the music of Europe and United States and so a new genre of alternative rock was born. Out of this first wave of bands came El Parque, Suite Doble, and Indigo. After this wave the rock elements intensified more, giving birth to bands like Gandhi who probably became the first big rock band of Costa Rica and Central America. Following the steps of Gandhi came bands like Evolución and Kadeho. read more..........​