Fireflies, Fairytales, and the Nights That Glow

Fireflies, Fairytales, and the Nights That Glow

From May to September, when the air in Costa Rica feels as soft as silk and the earth exhales the scent of rain-soaked leaves, a quiet magic takes hold. At first, it’s subtle—a single flicker near the hedgerow, another glint by the riverbank. Then, as twilight...

Oktoberfest in Costa Rica: A Tropical Twist on a Bavarian Classic

Oktoberfest in Costa Rica: A Tropical Twist on a Bavarian Classic

When someone says “Oktoberfest”, your mind probably jumps to images of Munich’s sprawling beer tents, the sound of brass bands, and the unmistakable clink of giant steins in the crisp German autumn air. Now, transport that image several thousand kilometres south, swap...

Steins by the Sea: Costa Rica’s Tropical Oktoberfest

Steins by the Sea: Costa Rica’s Tropical Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest originated as a royal wedding celebration on October 12, 1810. It marked the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildburghausen. The festivities were held in an open field outside Munich, which was later named...

Trivia Questions About Costa Rica’s independence

Trivia Questions About Costa Rica’s independence

On what date did Costa Rica declare its independence from Spain? Which city hosted the Declaration of Independence in Costa Rica? Costa Rica shares its Independence Day with four other Central American countries. Name two of them. What was the political entity that...

Tico Karaoke: The National Sport You Didn’t Know Existed

Tico Karaoke: The National Sport You Didn’t Know Existed

Where emotions go full throttle, and off-key is part of the charm. When night falls in Costa Rica, and the last spoonful of gallo pinto has long been digested, something magical happens in corner bars, beach joints, and neon-lit cantinas. No, it’s not fútbol. It’s...

The Magic of Machetes: More Than a Tool, It’s a Way of Life

The Magic of Machetes: More Than a Tool, It’s a Way of Life

In Costa Rica, you’ll spot it strapped to a belt, slung over a shoulder, or leaned against a banana tree. The machete isn’t just a tool here—it’s practically family. Passed from grandpa to grandson, sharpened daily, and spoken of with the same reverence usually...

Voices of the Volcano: Spoken Word from the Slopes

Voices of the Volcano: Spoken Word from the Slopes

What is “Voices of the Volcano”? “Voices of the Volcano” is a raw, underground poetry movement erupting near Costa Rica’s mighty volcanoes, where poets trade stages for steam vents and microphones for mist. In these intimate gatherings around Arenal and Poás, locals...

July’s Festival of Maíz: Corn Gets Its Crown

July’s Festival of Maíz: Corn Gets Its Crown

What is the Festival of Maíz in Costa Rica? The Festival of Maíz is Costa Rica’s annual celebration of corn, the sacred grain that has fed generations and shaped culture across the country. Every July, rural towns come alive with the smells of masa, the rhythms of...

Monkey Myths and Jungle Legends from Costa Rica’s Wild Side

Monkey Myths and Jungle Legends from Costa Rica’s Wild Side

There’s something off-kilter about the Nicoya Peninsula. Not bad, just… different. The air feels thicker, like it’s carrying more than just heat and humidity. The trees lean in a little too close. The howler monkeys don’t just call—they sound like they’re screaming in...