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Blog Learn SpanishAugust 12, 2016 By ipacheco

Learn Spanish while visiting Costa Rica

At Elemento Natural we want you to learn spanish while taking a trip around Costa Rica. We offer a 2-week program were you we will give you the basics. Enough for you to have a meaningful conversation with any Costa Rican.

You will enjoy small intensive lessons while visiting the main spots of Costa Rica. We offer the full cultural experience: language, travel and gastronomy!

Our excursions enable students of any age to fully absorb the Costa Rican culture while taking in all that this country has to offer.

On your first lessons, we will take a city tour after your classes. You will visit San José downtown and its main attractions, including the beautiful National Theatre, the Cathedral, the Gold Museum, and the Central Market, among others.

Early morning we will also visit the Poás Volcano and its huge active crater. You will be blessed with the cloud forest of the national park and the small hikes to the craters. After the visit, you’ll have more fun at your Spanish classes.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Costa Rica.

What a better way to teach our students than giving them the opportunity to communicate with locals! This is done in the field trips. During this learning experience you will visit one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks: . You will have the chance to talk with locals, admire the rainforest wildlife and take a stroll at the beautiful white sand beach.

On the cultural side, we also offer a tour to the oxcart monument in Escazú. Here you will realize the importance of the traditional oxcarts. We will also take you to an old sugar cane mill were you will see how sugar cane is processed and the products that are made from it. You will also find out about wood crafts made in a responsible way and have chance to buy some artesanías (souvenirs).

How about a taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine? What better way to understand about the local foods and gastronomy than by making it yourself! One of our classes includes a cooking experience of customary Costa Rican cuisine.

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos.

To roundup this experience, our course includes a weekend getaway at La Fortuna, home of the Arenal Volcano. There you can hike on the Arenal Old Lava Flows or swim and kayak on lake Arenal. You will also have some free time to explore the town of La Fortuna. You might choose to try other activities like the canopy tour or to experience the world famous Hot Springs.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to travel and learn Spanish in Costa Rica! Book your tour here:

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BlogAugust 12, 2016 By ipacheco

Your Trip to Caribbean Paradise starts with Tortuguero!

Costa Rican Caribbean is a treat to all your senses. The different shades of green mixed with the sounds of calypso and reggae are intertwined with the smells of coconut and spices.

At Elemento Natural we offer you a unique trip in October. Come join us in Costa Rica`s Caribbean experience!

About twenty minutes after leaving San José, we will drive into Braulio Carrillo National Park. Ranging from high-altitude cloud forests to lowlands tropical rainforest, this park has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in Costa Rica. We will continue to Guápiles, and from there to Tortuguero National Park, the gateway to Costa Rica´s Caribbean.

Tortuguero National Park is located on the Caribbean coast of Limón province, about 80 km northeast of the city of the same name. The Costa Rican legislature declared Tortuguero as a National Park in November 1975 to protect the nesting of the sea turtles, the beach and the adjacent terrestrial habitats. It has an area of 26.256 hectares in the land part and 50.160 in the marine zone.

There are no roads to Tortuguero. Access is by boat from Moín near Puerto Limón or from La Pavona Port or Caño Blanco. It can also be reached by a small plane from San José. In order to visit Tortuguero National Park we will embark you on a river boat that will take you along Costa Rica’s north Caribbean coast through an extensive system of canals. Tortuguero, also called “the Amazonian Costa Rica” is one of the most fascinating and popular destinations in our tour.

Tortuguero literally means “land of turtles”. It is no wonder that they are the main attraction of this National Park. Green (Chelonia mydas mydas ), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles nest on these beaches. Green sea turtles neared extinction due to hunting of the adults for meat (they are easy prey when they nest) for turtle soup, and poaching of eggs. The nesting season for leatherback and green turtles goes from July to October. If lucky enough, you might just get to watch turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and racing into the ocean.

Dr. Archie Carr of the University of Florida formed the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (now called The Sea Turtle Conservancy) in 1959 to study and protect sea turtles, and the turtle-tagging program he began at Tortuguero in 1955 continues until today.

The park has an important biological diversity due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including: rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. The park was recognized under Ramsar Convention on 1991 for its rich biological diversity and ecosystems (especially wetlands) that support threatened flora and fauna species. The wildlife in this area is very diverse, there are usually large populations of monkeys, amphibians, birds and fish. The resident wildlife includes tapirs, jaguars, sloths, frogs, macaws, toucans and bats.

This is one of the rainiest areas of Costa Rica, and even in the dry season afternoon showers are common. Rain is between 5,000 and 6,000 mm per year. We can distinguish two types of rain: that of short duration which is the most common, and the tropical downpour rain characteristic of the Caribbean that may last up to 15 days. The latter is usually caused by winds from the north and northwest, related to existent low pressure systems.

You will also have some time to stroll through the little town of Tortuguero and the museum of the green turtle, during the afternoon. The park has worked closely with the neighboring village to help its inhabitants understand that preserving their natural resources is key to encourage eco-tourism and sustainable development.

Join us on our trip to Tortuguero, the gateway to Caribbean paradise!

Sylvia León Koberg for Elemento Natural.

Sources:

http://acot.co.cr/portal/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=99:observaci%C3%B3n-de-tortugas-en-costa-rica&Itemid=488

http://www.cccturtle.org/costarica.php?page=research

http://www.conozcacostarica.com/parques/tortuguero.htm

http://www.tortugueroinfo.com/spa/info_tortuguero.htm

http://www.sinac.go.cr/AC/ACTo/PNTortuguero/Paginas/default.aspx

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Blog Learn SpanishAugust 6, 2016 By ipacheco

9 Words to speak like a local in Costa Rica #TheTicosSay

In Elemento Natural we know how important it is to plan ahead. In order to get your way around the country, start by learning what “#TheTicosSay”. If you speak these words to any “tico” they will totally understand and empathize with you. These nine words are an essential part of Costa Rican culture and key to understanding local people and their sayings.

Let’s begin:

Chepe: Costa Rica’s capital, San José, is referred to colloquially as “Chepe”. The word is also used as nickname for people named José.

Examples of use: Today I have to go to Chepe. My friend here is Chepe (José).

Chiva: It is used as a local expression to communicate that something is nice or “really cool”.

Examples of use: That’s really “chiva”! We went on a trip to the mountain it was chivísima (superlative of the word chiva).

Chunche: This word is used to refer to anything, any physical object or thing can be referred to as “chunche”. This expression is often used when forgetting the name of an object. Carlos Gallini, author of the book “Diccionario de Costarriqueñismos” states that the word “chunche” is a derivation of the Quechua word ‘chunchulli’.

Examples of use: Give me that chunche that’s above the table. I have bought many chunches.

Diay: This is a typical tag word (or pet phrase) used by Costa Ricans in conversations. It can be used as a greeting or as a complaint and replacing the word “because”.
Examples of use: -Diay, How are you? – Diay, I’m doing fine. – Diay, I was travelling, that’s why I am happy.

Mae: One of the most popular slangs. It is used as a noun concerning a person, for example: “that mae” means that boy or girl. It is similar to the word “dude” in English. However, it is also a catch phrase used in any sentence.

Examples of use: Mae , how interesting! It’s raining, mae.

Tuanis: It is, as defined by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE www.rae.es), a thing of excellent quality. It is also used to express that a thing or situation is “just fine”. Some people believe that the word ‘tuanis’ comes from a derivation of the expression in English “too nice” (or very good), but it actually comes from Malespín, a code of war from the XIX century by the Salvadoran General Francisco Malespín, which changed the letters of the word “Bueno” (good in Spanish).

Examples of use: This is tuanis! Everything is tuanis? (fine)

Upe! This word is used when knocking on someone’s door or entering a house. According to historian Costantino Lacariz, in his book “El Costarricense” the announcement comes from the Spanish Colonial period and has a religious background. This greeting, announced at the doorstep of houses, was typical in Nicoya, who annexed it to the celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, their Patron Saint. Devotees would knock and ask for charity. ¡Upe! is the shortest version of the long expression: ¡Una ayudita para nuestra Patrona la Señorita de Guadaluuuuupeeeee!

Examples of use: Upe! Hello.

Yodo: Meaning a cup of brewed coffee.

Examples of use: Brew up some yodo this morning. Want some yodo?

These words, called “Costarriqueñismos” are a group of slang phrases that have been adapted or invented by our ancestors and that our generations have inherited. Many of them remain in our colloquial language and are generally accepted and understood by all “ticos” alike. When someone hears them they know they are talking to a “tico”. We invite you to use them. They are history, part of our living language.

Sylvia León Koberg for Elemento Natural.

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Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/costarriquenhismos/?pnref=story 11 de Julio

http://el-callejon-m.blogspot.com/2007/03/diccionario-de-costarriqueismos-largo.html

https://www.facebook.com/notes/costa-rica-y-su-historia/el-origen-de-algunos-de-nuestros-t%C3%A9rminos-m%C3%A1s-populares/452420708139774/

http://www.nacion.com/archivo/Dichos-pura-vida-origen-tuanis_0_1231876914.html

http://www.nacion.com/archivo/par-lectores-preguntan_0_1164683557.html

http://www.crhoy.com/mae-yodo-y-macha-algunas-de-las-palabras-que-aprenden-los-extranjeros-con-el-tico-talk/

BlogJune 8, 2016 By ipacheco

Why you should visit the Costarican Caribbean in October?

Costa Rica is a tropical country, and the weather varies with the area and the time of the year.

There are two seasons in the year, rainy and dry; while certain regions of the country are receiving the heaviest rains, in some other places we have sunshine, like in the Caribbean, perfect to enjoy your vacations! October is the driest month in the Caribbean so all of its coastline and all the areas that are influenced by it, become perfect destinations for a fun getaway.

Talamanca´s coastal área has plenty to offer. Come discover the exhuberant tropical jungle, enjoy the delicious gastronomy and unique culture of Puerto Viejo, and experience the fun and adventure that our Costarican Caribbean has for you.

visit-costarican-caribbean — Caribbean Costa Rica.

Chiquita Beach, Punta Uva, Cocles and Manzanillo, are some of the best known and most beautiful beaches in the south Caribbean; many tourists locals and foreign, travel a long way to visit this natural paradise.

Just an hour away from Puerto Viejo, you will find Sixaola, the border between Costa Rica and Panamá, and the gateway to discover the many wonders of our southern neighbor, like Bocas del Toro, San San Pond Sak Canals or the cloud forest of Boquete.

You can also explore the famous Cahuita National Park, a must visit when you are in the neighborhood. It’s tropical forest, the calm and turquoise ocean lugar and the gold sand beach is a perfect spot for you.

Tortuguero and Turrialba are two excellent additions to your Caribbean trip.

Turrialba, in fact, belongs to Cartago province, however it was used as the Gateway to the Caribbean, so all the exports going out through Limón Port had to travel through the valley. Even today, it’s an alternate route if weather is impacting Road32. Turrrialba is today an important location for tourism and agriculture, you will find beautiful landscape and many adventure activities, like rafting. You will also get the chance to see from up-close the volcano, one of the main attractions of this destination, especially today that it has become the most active volcano and it’s constantly erupting ashes.

On the north side of the Caribbean, you will find Tortuguero with its exuberant nature, its vegetation and wildlife in its breathtaking canals. Tortuguero, the Costarican Amazonia, as many call it, is an outstanding destination for its biodiversity and for the turtle nesting (as the name suggests). This is a place to relax!

In all, the Caribbean is a unique destination in Costa Rica; its small-scale touristic development, the african culture and even pre-hispanic culture through groups like the ‘bribris’, make of this a must visit! Enjoy the reggae music or the Costarican Calipso of our Caribbean, the local food like a delicious rice and beans, paty or rondon, you will find them right there! We definitely recommend them!

Start planning your vacations to the Costarican Caribbean, visit this gem of Costa Rica!

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BlogMay 18, 2016 By ipacheco

11 foods you must try when you visit Costa Rica

Costarican cuisine is delicious and varied; visitors and tourists will love it. In Costa Rica you will find from appetizing traditional dishes to the famous “bocas” (small dish to pair with your drink), but also delicious tropical fruits that you will love!

Precisely the fruits are the tourist´s favorites since many of them like: mountain-apple (manzana de agua), lychee (mamón chino), costarican guava (cas), tamarind, etc.; they don´t exist in other part of the world, so the many travelers in our country don´t waste the opportunity to try them.

If you ask, any “tico” will tell you there is a huge number of foods that are a costarican trademark, so in Elemento Natural we are recommending eleven of them that you must try during your trip to Costa Rica:

1. Fruits: start your day with a flavorful plate of costarican fruits! As we were saying, Costa Rica is known for its tropical and nutritious fruits that both locals and tourists love to try and taste. You can enjoy them in plate, in a drink or a smoothie or even as a dessert after lunch.

2. Gallo Pinto: having “gallo pinto” for breakfast is the tradition in any costarican home or restaurant. It´s a simple but tasty dish, simply made of rice and beans, seasoned with onion, peppers and cilantro. You can pair Gallo Pinto with a number of foods according to your taste, but it usually goes with eggs, white fresh cheese, sour cream and some slices of fresh bread or homemade tortillas. The true costarican twist is adding a few dashes of Salsa Inglesa!

3. “Casado”: What is it? Translated literally, casado means “married.” The “casado” is the typical costarican lunch and you can have it anywhere in the country. It usually has: white rice, beans, some type of salad and vegetables, plantains and meat of your choice (beef, pork, chicken of fish).

4. “Olla de carne” soup: “olla de carne” is pretty famous in “Tiquicia”. There are still many costaricans that cook on wood ovens. This is a soup with many fresh vegetables like: potatoes, green plantains, corn, squash, chayote, yucca, tiquizque (starchy corm), sweet potatoes, among others and of course tasteful meat chunks, accompanied with rice. You will be drawn by the delicious smell!

5. Picadillos: costarican cuisine offers a wide variety of picadillos. This is a savory meal that you can pair with corn tortillas or you can find it in the typical “casado”. Some of the options are potato, green plantain, chayote, arracache (starchy root) and even papaya.

6. Pejibaye: pejibaye is a fruit coming from the peach palm, good source of vitamins A and C, and carbohydrates. Ticos often eat them cut in half, with mayonnaise or as soups or creams.

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7. Tamales: in Costa Rica you can find tamales any day of the year and at any time, but traditionally all families prepare tamales in December for Christmas and New Year´s eve. The most common one is pork-tamale, but you can also find bean-tamale, chicken or even sweet ones.

8. Chifrijo: this is one of the most famous “bocas” in Costa Rica. It was created at a small bar owned by the Cordero family in San José; but today you can find it virtually in any bar or restaurant in the country. It is a combination of fried pork chops, beans, rice and pico de gallo, avocado and chips. It´s an excellent choice that you can´t miss in Costa Rica.

9. Vigorón: this is another “boca” that many costaricans like, even though it is originally from Nicaragua. It has a special meaning for the people of Puntarenas´ province. It consists of fried pork chops and pork rinds (the crunchy meatless type), boiled cassava and green cabbage salad with chopped tomatoes in lemon.

10. Rice & Beans: it´s definitely the most emblematic dish from our Caribbean coast. As the name suggests it is a combination of rice and beans but it is cooked specially with coconut milk that gives it a particular flavor. It is usually paired with Caribbean chicken, salad and ripe plantains.

11. Churchill: as dessert you can´t miss the famous “churchill”, shaved ice with syrup, very emblematic from the Puntarenas “Puerto”. Be sure you try it with sweetened condensed milk or even with powdered milk, wafers or ice cream.

When you travel to Costa Rica you will have the chance to try the tasty foods of our country, so you can make a very unique trip. Come and be a “tico”! We invite you to buy local and enjoy the typical costarican cuisine.

Photo Credits: Jose Tenorio Photography

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Learn Spanish while visiting Costa Rica

Your Trip to Caribbean Paradise starts with Tortuguero!

9 Words to speak like a local in Costa Rica #TheTicosSay

Why you should visit the Costarican Caribbean in October?

11 foods you must try when you visit Costa Rica

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