Punta sa Puntarenas

Puntarenas discovered by Hernan Ponce de Leon in 1519 is also known as as La Perla del Pacífico. Its name originated from the Spanish word "Punta Arenas" or sand point. The place was known as Villa Bruselas in colonial times when oxcarts were widely used as means of transportation. In 1840, when coffee production in the highlands reached exportable volumes, the port of Puntarenas was developed. 

Puntarenas is found in pacific coast of Costa Rica. The country was under Spanish rule for almost 300 years or until 1821. When Spanish occupation ceased in the Americas, independence was granted to Costa Rica. After a brief civil war, the country declared itself a state in the Federal Republic of Central America. The most influential period in the development of Costa Rica's democracy was facilitated about by Juan Mora Fernandez, the 1st head of state (1824).  However, the coffee industry proved to be most important in unifying the nation. 

Costa Rica is a peaceful nation, one that has essentially avoided the conflict and disorder that besets most Central American countries. In the Western Hemisphere, Costa Rica is the only country without an army or military of any kind since 1948.  The people are not letting conflict get the better of them and thus has resorted to use of humor, charisma, and even a disappearing act, anything to avoid it.

Costa Rican food is generally quite healthy.

Costa Rican staple foods are black beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine. 

Often served with a good portion of fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally high in fiber. 

A typical meal is the casado, the name referring to the eternal "marriage" of its components. Consisting of rice and beans, meat or fish, fried plantains, and a carrot, tomato, and cabbage salad, this basic and well-rounded meal strikes a good nutritional balance. 

Costa Ricans or Ticos do not eat in excess. Their modest proportions are 

smaller than that of the U.S, 

much like the Europeans. Lunch their main meal of the day. In fact, many employers will give an additional hour off for a post-lunch casado. 

In Costa Rica, a dollar is equivalent to 503.02 Costa Rican Colones (CRC). A private taxi tour for 3 people costs 35USD per head. Lynn, Cris and I availed of it and were quite satisfied with our tour. Tour guide Jesus brought us as far as Orotina, National Parque de Carara, Crocodile watching, Hotel Villa Lapas and San Mateo. We all agreed that we got our money's worth. All the sites that we went to were really far from Puntarenas. We even have to pay toll fees that is how far those places were. 

My 1st visit was just a walking tour in Puntarenas. It was a sunday; hence,

the 1st agenda was to attend a sunday mass at Parroquia de Puntarenas. The mass was in spanish but, I don't care, i haven't heard a mass for quite a very long time. After the mass, I was joined by the Jen and Erika for a  city walk. A gastronomic feast at Gagas Seafood Resto followed the 4-hour city tour. The day in Costa Rica ended with some flea market shopping. 

Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I'm thankful i was given the oppurtunity to explore it twice.