6-Costa-Rica

Monday, 12/16/2024

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With a population of 5.2 million people, Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and political stability, as well as abundant wildlife, beautiful beaches, and lush rainforests. It has a poverty rate of about 20%, though it seemed more concentrated around the primary Caribbean cruise port of Puerto Limón.

I had two excursions in Costa Rica. The morning tour was to a banana plantation, which also grows cacao and coffee, and photos are prefixed with (BP). The afternoon tour was to a Folkloric Dance and photos are prefixed with (FD).

Docked at Puerto Limón Costa Rica.

"esencial COSTA RICA" is the national branding of the Republic of Costa Rica.

Puerto Limón has a lot of poverty. It always saddens me to see poverty in the places I visit. These photos were taken from the moving bus.

Colonia China (Chinese Colony) is a large cemetery for thousands of Chinese railroad construction workers of the 1880's who died primarily of malaria and yellow fever.

(BP) A nice path through the banana trees.

(BP) Making our way on the banana tree path.

(BP) A cluster of baby green bananas and a large, purple banana flower.

(BP) Our guide showing us the inside of the banana flower. Once the female flowers are pollinated (typically by wind or insects), they develop into the banana fruit we know. Banana flowers are editable.

(BP) Banana bunches are hung on cables strung between poles for moving through the rows.

(BP) The banana bunches are covered with blue plastic bags that protect them from pests, diseases, and sun damage as well as help to control the temperature and moisture levels. They are moved from one end of the row to the to other in a sweep from one end by a pole. The kid in the green shirt is demonstrating this.

(BP) These are cacao pods. When they turn orange/yellow, pods are ready for picking to extract the beans inside for the fermentation process, which is crucial for developing the flavor of the cocoa.

(FD) One of the native folk dances performed.

(FD) We were invited up to join in a group dance.

(FD) Another dance performed for us.

(FD) Our group joining in the traditional maypole dance.

Local musicians greeting us as we walk the dock to/from to our ship. You can click on the video below to hear their music.

Saying good-bye to Costa Rica.