Viva Costa Rica

Costa Rica

            The Culture I chose to do my blog on is the Costa Rican culture. I chose this culture mainly, because I plan to study there next summer on my study abroad internship. I hope to learn about their customs, beliefs and traditions by the end of this activity. I am most interested in learning about their cuisine, music, and forms of entertainment.

1.  What is culture?  Why is it important to a society?

Culture is the customs, beliefs, and traditions of a society. Culture is important because it’s what differentiates us from one another and make us unique.

2. Look up a definition of culture.  Does your definition correspond with a dictionary’s definition? (please remember to cite your source)

The quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

Culture. (2005). Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/culture

3. What is your personal culture?  What has happened in your life to shape your personal culture?

My personal culture consist of staying healthy and fit, going to school, working to pay bills and having fun on the weekends. My parents and the people around me have shaped my lifestyle through trail and error, life lessons and maturity.

4. Are you aware of any aspects of culture of the country you have chosen?  If yes, please describe.  If no, please discuss common Hispanic/Latino cultural aspects in general.

I am unaware of any specific aspects of the Costa Rican culture, other than their use of some Spanish words differently. I am quite sure that family, tradition, and religion play a big role in this culture just as it does in most Latino cultures.

“Costa Rican Music”

Costa Rican music is a big part of the culture as a whole. The birth of Costa Rican music date back to colonial times. The Spanish overtime, introduced European rhythms in their music. Spanish beats are harmonized with indigenous tempos to create folkloric music that make the Costa Rican music scene unique. Folkloric dancing and classical music are two of the main aspects of Costa Rican music culture. In 1970 Costa Rica became recognized for its classical music with the formation in the National Symphony Orchestra. Costa Ricans hosts an International Festival of Music during the last two weeks of August in which they display the roots of Costa Rican music. Through the years Costa Rican have nationalized their taste in music with the additions of American and British contemporary rock. Though they have nationalized their music outlook in some aspects they still stay traditional in their music as it pertains to dance.

Traditional Costa Rican music performance (link)

1.      How does this artifact relate to the Spanish culture?

The artifact relates to the Spanish culture because, it shows the origins of specific type of Spanish music. It also shows how festive and lively the Spanish culture is.

2.       How does this artifact have meaning for the Spanish culture?  And how does it have meaning for you (why did you choose it)?

They still compose music in the ways of the old with added elements making it a unique aspect of this culture. I chose this artifact, because music plays a major role in my personal culture. I haven’t gone a day without listening to music. Music is food for the soul in my opinion and it expresses the emotions and thoughts of the composer.

3.      Discuss its importance to the Spanish culture.

Costa Rican music is important to the Spanish culture because it plays a role in the dancing element of the culture (salsa, meringue, cumbia, and bolero). Music plays a key role in expressing the traditions of the culture.

Costa Rican Music. (2012). Retrieved from http://costarica.com/culture/costa-rican-music/

“Costa Rican cuisine”

                In the Costa Rican culture they serve their food in modest portions opposed to American’s “eat until your stuffed” method. Black bean and Rice is the standard dish of Costa Rica. This dish is also used in most Latin cultures. San Jose is the Capital and center of fine dining in Costa Rica.

1.      How  does this artifact relate to the Spanish culture?

      Latino cuisine usually involves family and tradition in every dish made, showing its importance. Many Latino foods are used just the same as they were many decades ago by their ancestors.

2.       How does this artifact have meaning for the Spanish culture?  And how does it have meaning for you (why did you choose it)?

      Cuisine plays a major aspect in every culture, because the type of food and how it’s prepared is unique to every culture. The cuisine in Costa Rica is generally healthy aside of the oils and saturated fat, when paired with an active lifestyle. Cuisine is important to me because I love to eat and I enjoy cooking in my spare time. I've recently began trying to cook Latino foods aswell. 

3.       Discuss its importance to the Spanish culture.

      The cuisine of a culture brings together family, friends and traditions in my opinion which is why it’s an important component of any and every culture.

Food & Drink. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-information/costa-rica-food.html

“Costa Rican Attire”

Attire is an ever changing aspect of many cultures through history. In the Costa Rican culture like many other cultures the style and manner in which they dress has been modernized and centralized. They still hold true to tradition and in some cases and when they do its colorful and elegant sight. Traditional Clothing for men in Costa Rica is simple but elaborate. The men would wear straw cowboy hats, scarfs, shirts and pants that are typically red and/or white. Women on the other hand traditionally wear dresses that are very decorative with bright colors and flamboyant ruffles throughout the dress.


1. How does this artifact relate to the Spanish culture? 

This artifact is closely related to the roots of Spanish culture because the colorful/elaborate styles of the dresses and sombreros are custom to most if not all Spanish cultures.


2. How does this artifact have meaning for the Spanish culture? And how does it have meaning for you (why did you choose it)? 

This artifact plays a role in festivities, celebrations, and creativity in the Spanish culture. I personally chose this artifact because I take a lot of pride in the way I dress and I like to try new styles that are out of the ordinary at times.


3. Discuss its importance to the Spanish culture. 

This artifact plays an important role in not only showing creativity among Spanish cultures but also distinguishing between them by generation and customs.










Country Facts. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/costarica/Costa-

Rica-Traditional-Clothing/758

“Costa Rican Healthcare”



            Healthcare is a necessity for living a long healthy life within every culture and community. Costa Rica stands out amongst other Spanish countries because they take pride in their ability to provide Costa Ricans with safe healthy water and above par healthcare. The Costa Rican government provides low-cost and high-quality medical care through the Caja Costarricense de Sergo Social or CCSSS. Medical treatments for natives are free and foreigners receive the same benefits for around $40-$50 dollars a month.






1. How does this artifact relate to the Spanish culture?

Many Spanish countries have low-quality health care system, without the assistance of neighboring countries.

2. How does this artifact have meaning for the Spanish culture? And how does it have meaning for you (why did you choose it)?

This artifact has meaning for the livelihood and well being of this and every culture. This artifact has significant importance to me because I’m into staying fit and healthy. I also plan on going into a medical profession of some sort after completing my current degree.

3. Discuss its importance to the Spanish culture.

Good medical care is very important to the Spanish culture, because like the African culture there are many ailments that are more prone in this culture. Some examples of such would be high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers.














Viva Costa Rica. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-

retirement/costa-rica-health-care.html

“Costa Rican Religion”



The majority of the populations in Costa Rica are Catholic, but in regards to religious freedom they are very open to those who follow a different religion. This is due in part to the constitution’s “religious freedom” and the tolerant nature of Costa Ricans. Costa Rica as a whole has always been more worldly than religious, because the connection between state and church as always been very weak. Every village and city in Costa Rica has a church, regardless of the size. While the official state religion is catholic the only religious ceremony recognized by the state are marriages. Religion is Costa Rica differs a bit from the catholic religions of central America because of disputes with the Costa Rican government and the protestant missionaries who have had no affect on their religious culture what so ever.



1. How does this artifact relate to Spanish culture?

This artifact is similar in almost every Spanish culture. The catholic religion has always had a heavy influence on Latino culture.



2. How does this artifact have meaning for the Spanish culture? And how does it have meaning for you (why did you choose it)?

The artifact is of great importance to the Spanish culture because through time and even today religion plays a role in comfort, acceptance and faith. The reason that I chose this artifact is because I personally want to make a change and become more involved in my faith (Christian) and I also come from a family background that is deeply religious.



3. Discuss its importance to the Spanish culture.

Religion is important to the Spanish culture not only as a form of faith but also as a major form of ceremony. What I mean by this is that the Latino culture has many ceremonies through religion like baptisms, marriages and holidays such as holy week (the week before Easter). The Spanish culture sticks to their religious beliefs more so than any other culture in America in my opinion.

Religion in Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infocostarica.com/culture/religion.html