Selling Fruit, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

I have to say that the favorite port during our cruise was that of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. First known as Villa Bruselas in colonial times, it was discovered by Hernan Ponce de Leon in 1519. The actual port of Puerto Caldera, was where we docked, and is located to the south of the capital, and was built in the late 1980's in order to accomodate larger vessels.

Costa Rica is just over 1/2 the size of Scotland with a population of 4.5 million people. It is an amazingly diverse ecological system, with mountains that tower 12,000 feet to beaches and river valleys. There are many volcanos, some of which are still active and has two oceans, the Caribbean and then the Pacific, two entirely different regions with very different climates. A quarter of the country is designated as national parks, wildlife refuges or biological reserves. It is a small country, but claims 5% of all plants and animals that have been classified...a paradise for animal and plant lovers!! More than 850 species of birds are found in Costa Rica, more than that of all of North America.

Costa Rica does not have an army, and instead has spent that money on education and health. Although to some it may seem like a poor country, the people are happy and friendly. I think my favorite part of the day was taking "driveby photos of the people" of Costa Rica, like this lovely lady who was selling fruit beside the road.

To see my other photos of the day, visit my FLICKR page. You will see Toucans, Aligators, Lizards, Birds, Butterflies, and lots of beautiful flowers.