Costa Rica Culture
But perhaps, what makes Costa Rica deserving of the title of 'Jewel of Central America' even more than its stable political scene and economy is the Costa Rica culture. The people of Costa Rica are self-assured and hospitable. Costa Rica culture has taken strong roots in democratic tradition and a long history of dispute resolution.
Out of all Central American counties, Costa Rica has the only voting system that ensures honest, secure elections. Costa Rica culture may also be the key to the country's impressive 95 percent literacy rate. The value that Costa Ricans put on education as the answer to national progress has led to the development of a national education system.
Owing to their Spanish roots, much of Costa Rica culture is anchored on religion. Costa Ricans are a deeply religious people, majority of whom are Roman Catholics with a significant minority belonging to various other evangelical groups.
Easter is the premier holiday, according to Costa Rica culture and tradition, and Semana Santa or Holy Week is a time when everyone expresses his faith. In fact, the whole nation comes to a standstill for an entire week to celebrate the solemnity of this religious event.
For Christmas celebration and the days prior to New Year's, Costa Rica culture comes alive again with the national 'fiesas patronales.' During this event, families gather to display nativity scenes at their homes while children would dress up as shepherds and go from house to house singing Christmas carols, re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph, in a celebration called the 'posadas.'
To conclude the Christmas celebration, Costa Rica culture calls for families to pray the Rosario del Niņo, after which musicians will then perform traditional carols while the party-goers feast on traditional meals, such as dulce de chiverre (sweet preserves), arroz con leche (sweet rice), tamal mudo, eggnog, quesadillas, rosquillas, and polvorones.
When it comes to non-religious activities in Costa Rica culture, the most significant would be Independence Day. Every town usually has its own celebration. Parades of young children, music bands, and majorettes are the usual sights during such events.
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