Tuesday’s Blog Focus on the Jungle Princess took us to Costa Rica – and we’ve got a serious case of wanderlust. For this week’s Friday Feature, we’ll explore some gap year options for Costa Rica and hit the highlights…

Costa Rica… Known for its “pura vida” and post-card perfect jungles and beaches offers the travel-loving adventurer a lot of new experiences. If you journey to Costa Rica for a gap year, long-stay vacation, or even a stop on a round-the-world volunteering getaway, you’ll uncover tons of cool cultural elements and become a part of the culture in ways you didn’t expect. Before jetting off, here are some essential details you’ll need to have down:

• Quick facts: Costa Rica is a Central American country; it borders Nicaragua and Panama, and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Also, even if you’ve studied Spanish you may not have realized that “Costa Rica” literally means “rich coast” – and this place definitely lives up to its name. If you head to Costa Rica you can expect to see some tropical flora and fauna that puts the word “paradise” to shame. There’s an old Costa Rican folktale that says the Virgin Mary went down to Costa Rica from heaven and never went back up! Another interesting fact to know is that Costa Rica is a popular destination for eco-tourism, due to its biodiversity.

• Cuisine: Costa Rican food is best described as “simple” and “wholesome” – so sort of like your mom’s cooking, right? Well, sort of. Costa Rican food isn’t traditionally spicy, but since much of it is prepared all at once in a pot, the flavors blend together. Two popular dishes contain rice and beans. Gallo pinto is often served at breakfast and consists of rice, beans, and a little cilantro or onion thrown in. Casado (meaning “married”) is a very typical lunch dish containing rice and beans served which chicken or fish, salad, and a fried plantain. Also, if you’re into fresh fruit (who isnt?!) you’re in luck if you head to Costa Rica – it’s abundant and cheap.

• Currency: The local currency is Colón(es) named after Christopher Columbus (Colón) in Spanish. Currently, 1 USD is equal to about 518 colones. You shouldn’t have trouble converting money, but this is a worthwhile item to keep in mind.

• Cultural highlights: Costa Rican culture is based on the Catholic religion, and family is the most important thing in it. Also, one cool aspect about Costa Rica is it’s diversity – you’ll see individuals participate in customs from Spain, Italy, Jamaica, parts of Africa and Asia, as well as parts of the original heritage of the area. Spanish is the main language of Costa Rica, but one item to note: the “tu” form is hardly used, instead people opt for the more formal “usted” form.

• What to do, where to go, and what to see: While you’re in Costa Rica, you’re going to want to maximize your time. Make sure you check out the wildlife (you’ll be able to see animals like monkey, sloths, tapirs,  and wild cats, as well as a wide range of insects and other animals). You can also go bird watching at places like Monteverde Cloud Forest which has over 400 species of birds or La Amistad National Park with over 500! Depending on when you visit, you may be lucky to see an active volcano like those of Poas, Irazu, and Arenal which have erupted recently. You can also head to one of the numerous (and gorgeous) beaches, or go river rafting, surfing, fishing, biking or golfing. It’s sounding like after a year in Costa Rica, chances are you’ll be fluent in Spanish, tan, and in shape.

Still entertaining the idea of a gap year? Here are some possible ideas for one in Costa Rica:

• Community Service Programs: Head to Costa Rica with a group and work on a turtle reserve and immerse yourself in the Spanish Tican culture.
• Volunteer in Liberia (northwestern Costa Rica): Spend your gap year engaged in a project in the fields of teaching, sports coaching, or chilcare. Or, you could choose to spend your time focusing on journalism or learning Spanish!
• Obtain Social Hours through a Volunteer Internship: Gain experience in the fields of health care or comparative medicine, for example.

Costa Rica’s unique, and truly “rich” culture is something one must see to believe – so get on planning that gap year! Leave a comment below with must-sees for a trip there, and don’t forget to follow us on twitter (@iwishgapyear). Happy Friday!