BackpackerMom

1. Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos
   

2. Costa Rica was voted as the third best country to live on earth.
   

3. In Costa Rica there are two seasons: The wet season and the not-so wet season
   

4. You can make a collect call (110) from any phone and it’s practically free and almost everyone accepts it.
   
5. You can drink the water here!
   

6. Cash is king, so always, ALWAYS ask for a cash discount!
   

7. One out of every four women is pregnant, yet the population growth is less than 1%.
    8. Costa Rica is the number one country in all of Latin America who imports the most amounts of pesticides for their produce.
   

9. Costa Rica is not at all cheap.
   

10. The saying for the roads goes like this:  There is a few pieces of road on the holes–meaning, get a 4 by 4 if you want to drive on the holes (Costa Rica calls its highways).

11. You do need some spanish to get around Costa Rica.
   

12. If you make an appointment–ALWAYS–be prepared to wait anywhere between 30 minutes to a few days.  They are always late!
   

13. The weather here is truly ideal.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
    1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

What do you do on a lonely evening in Costa Rica? Go to the fair!!! But with lots and lots of caution.

Chances are there will be a local fair in some little town along the way to your destination. Unless, of course, you are traveling during holiday season or on some obscure catholic saint day, you will find one in every town. And even though you might think there’s tons of stuff to do while traveling, don’t overlook this little treasure trove of local blending.
But like I said, be very wary of the rides and the food.

This is the typical ride, it will have at least one major component missing. Since I have a toddler, it’s difficult to avoid a ride, so getting him on a baby ride isn’t as dangerous as an adult ride.

The average rollercoaster, freefalling amusement ride is well over 15 years donated to these countries from the US fairgrounds of lost and forgotten rides. The owners, being businessmen, reap in big tax benefits by their generosity failing to mention the real state of the ride.

However, the excitement in the air, extra loud music, and bright lights will keep any aged kid stimulated!

Note: I wouldn’t recommend the food for kids. Normally the people serving it serve the food with the same hands they take the money, clean their noses, wipe their sweaty brows and clean the counters.