La Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles is easily the most recognizable building in Cartago, Costa Rica. Just do an internet search on Cartago, Costa Rica, and images of the Basilica are the first to appear. The Basilica draws hundreds of tourists every year, each impressed with the magnitude and architecture at this stunning … Read more
I’m a true believer that almost anything tastes better when you fry it. Notice I didn’t say it’s better for you. It’s just better. In Costa Rica, these fried goodies taste a hundred times better than at home. The fish, the French fries, battered chicken, empanadas–you get the idea. And the smell is unbelievable. I’m … Read more
Here in upstate New York, winter is tough. Our snow-weary hearts are hungry for warm weather, summertime cooking, gardening, fruits & vegetables. People are cabin crazy and you can only eat so many potatoes, winter vegetables and tough tomatoes! After a quick jaunt to Manhattan, I can say with a smile that the shopping has … Read more
Culture shock—that harsh slap in the face where you realize that you’re no longer in Kansas, my friend, and you’re going to accept some new stuff whether you like it or not. Because for right now, you don’t have a choice. You’re in it knee-deep, my friend. I have to admit it tickles my fancy … Read more
Situated in the center of Cartago’s bustling downtown, are the Cartago Ruins, or Las Ruinas de la Parroquia de Cartago (the Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins). Better known simply as “The Ruins”. People pass them every day during their commute without a second thought. But if you stop and look, you’ll see they’re quite beautiful. How … Read more
What? Me using slang? Who would’ve thought! I’ve been using Costa Rica slang and dichos since I was an exchange student in 1984 giggling with the rest of my schoolmates (who used to set me up to say bad words I didn’t understand). Here’s a LONG list of my favorites.
My first trip to Costa Rica was as an exchange student with AFS in 1984. We were a group of about 30 students, 15 from the United States and another 15 from Europe. We had a short orientation in Miami, Florida before heading to Club Campestre La Gloria outside of Alajuela. There were kids from … Read more
My friend Emily and I traveled to Manuel Antonio in March of 2021. Read on to find out how the park was operating during the pandemic, where we stayed, which beaches are the best and if we got to see a sloth!
I am truly ashamed to say that in my 35-plus years of traveling to Costa Rica (and specifically Cartago), I had never visited Lankester Botanical Garden. Not only was Lankester located almost literally in the backyard of my Cartago host family’s home, but the first director of Lankester was Dora Emilia Mora Monge (de Retana) … Read more
What’s happening in Costa Rica with the COVID pandemic? Here’s a round-up of the latest developments. This thread has been updated periodically since the onset of the pandemic.