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...
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...
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...
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...
Big Mountain is back with a powerful new single that reggae lovers won’t want to miss. “One Light, One Love”—now streaming on all major platforms—is a heartfelt collaboration between frontman Quino, E.N. Young, and Maxi Vargas. The track fuses warm island rhythms with...
It’s 6:45 a.m. in the Central Valley. A painter in Palmares unwraps a canvas as golden light cuts through the mist. The smell of freshly brewed coffee—organic, rich, and earthy—drifts through the hills. That aroma? It's likely from Torunes Farm, an artisanal coffee...
It’s 6:45am in the Central Valley. A painter unwraps a canvas under the early morning sun while the scent of locally roasted beans brews through the air like a quiet overture. Across town, a poet stirs her cafecito, notebook open, chasing metaphors like butterflies....
“What’s in a Name?” – The Origins of Costa Rica’s Funniest and Most Unusual Town Names If you’ve ever looked at a map of Costa Rica and done a double take at town names like Zapote, Palo Seco, or Veinticinco de Abril, you’re not alone. While many countries have their...
Essential local hacks for navigating everything from currency exchange to ordering a beer You’ve landed in Costa Rica, stepped off the plane with “pura vida” echoing in your head, only to realise you’ve no clue how to ask for the loo, your pockets are jingling with...
Lake Arenal and volcano Arenal
Where the Capital Comes Alive San José may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of nightlife in Costa Rica, but the capital has a thriving after-dark scene just waiting to be explored. Beyond the usual tourist spots, San José hides an eclectic mix...
Costa Rica’s indigenous communities hold some of the most remarkable artistic traditions in Central America, and among them, the Boruca people stand out with their intricate, hand-carved masks. These masks, bursting with vivid colors and striking animal designs, are...