We were very excited to be visiting Costa Rica. Puntarenas is the port town.
We docked at 6am along a very long and narrow wharf, about 300 metres to ‘solid ground’.

Tour coaches were lined up, along this narrow wharf. They all needed to reverse the length so they could ‘drive’ out. The wharf was too narrow to allow turning. Passengers needed to be mindful of the vehicles as they walked to their coaches.
Ours was a three-half hour excursion. The weather was hot, not as hot as Mexico, nor as humid, thank goodness.
Our driver was Byron, and our tour leader, Porfi, a Costa Rican, welcomed us. He was a very funny man, very knowledgeable and it was evident he was very proud of his country.

Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain in 15 September 1821, however in the regions no-one knew until ‘word’ of mouth reached them in November 1821 so for many they think of independence in November. Official celebrations are held in September.

It was 1948 when Government of Costa Rica disbanded the army so now Costa Rica has no armed forces. They did a very sensible thing by channeling the 15% of country’s income from ‘armed force’ into education. Costa Rica has a wonderful education system, every person has access to free education beyond year 12. Our guide studied mechanical engineering, has studied tourism and currently under going further degree.

Education is so important and this is why the country has progressed. The only parts of army discipline retained is compulsory wearing of uniforms for all school students and school subject “Responsible Behaviour “. This means that demerits for unacceptable behaviour, such as, non-wearing uniform, not having hair tied back and tidy, dirty shoes, earn you demerits. Consideration of others is held very highly and taught/encouraged from an early age.

Our tour took us up in the mountains to a village, where local school children performed for us in the town centre park. About eight primary aged children, dressed in traditional dress. Very colourful and wonderful local music and singing. We were there for 45 mins, very pleasant. They had a trading table of locally made merchandise for sale after the performance.

Back on the coach, we descended down the mountain with view of ocean, stopping at a souvenir/restaurant for 40 mins. A wonderful facility, all merchandise was made in CR. Complimentary plates of prepared fresh fruit, mango (five varieties locally grown), watermelon, paw paw and small cup of local coffee. Coffee plantations situated in the mountains outside the port area, our guide actually lives 2 hours drive up in the mountains.

The one number income is now tourism, followed by IT (many smart young people have brought this country’s income to number 2, ahead of coffee production/export, which is now number 3).

Along the waterfront were local cafes, selling seafood, local cold drink called Churchill, crushed ice topped with carnation milk scoop of ice cream and flavouring (ie Cola), named after the person who invented it, not English prime minister! We actually didn’t try one so can’t tell you how it was, locals love it apparently.

We had a wonderful half day, arriving back at our ship 12.30pm. A little “tourist” train transported passengers along the wharf back to the ship. Our coach reversed back along the wharf so we would only have a short walk.
The temperature was 31°, humidity about 80% but this was a very pleasant tolerable day. We loved Costa Rica and we learnt so much about this peaceful, progressive country.

Why don’t their neighbours ‘invade’ this no-army country? Well, Nicaragua has tried twice, only to be threatened by US and so they retreated. They feel safe being a member of the UN and seem to have a wonderful lifestyle.

They enjoy free health care and taxes of 25% are imposed only on products/produce that is considered “not essential”. If it is a ‘need’ it attracts no tax, if it is considered “want”, then you pay 25% tax. Seems a reason system and our guide considered it fair.
Examples, all medical procedures, free, cosmetic surgery attracts tax, cars are considered ‘want’ so attract tax (farmers needing vehicles would not attract tax), cigarettes (tax), shoes, the local CR sandals/rubber boots, no tax, Gucci or designer label shoes,, taxed.

Rubber boots are essential to protect you from snakes. School children wear leather shoes to school (and church), change the uniform as soon as they come home,
Mum decides if it can be wore again next day or needs wash, shoes are removed and cleaned (so to avoid de-merits the next day) and boots put on before children go out to play. Our guide says this daily routine is adhered to by all families. Our guide says 86% of CR’s are Catholic, the other 14% (nuns and priests)!!

Three sea days ahead, second sea-day we will transit the Panama Canal, very exciting.