A Summer in Costa Rica

by Tiffany Eberhard, UGA '15

     Hello Environmental Lovers! I hope everyone is having a great eco-conscious summer! I have been Costa Rica for the past four weeks and wow what a wonderful experience! I first vacationed with my mom and sister for a week. We saw Squirrel monkeys, white faced capuchins, howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and hundreds of different plant species in Arenal Volcano National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park. Then I met up with the Environmental Anthropology study abroad group (after being lost trying to find them in the San Jose area for an hour). Such a cool group of people!

I am taking two anthropology classes for three weeks. The first is Community, Conservation, and Development on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. We have been traveling up the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and staying in coastal towns. My next class might sounds like a joke but it is not. Ready for it… It is the Anthropology of Surfing. We learned how to surf and talked to many local and tourist surfers about their lifestyle and the effects of surfing on the Costa Rican economy. These two courses go hand in hand because surf tourism is bringing more development to Costa Rica. We looked at the positive and negative sides of tourism and how the locals feel of this change in their country both socially and economically. The style of research we participated in is called ethnography. We interact directly with the people we are learning about by spending time with them. I have found out the best way to do this is hanging out and talking over a few beers.

We examined the effects of tourism on the environment as well. Costa Rica is known as one of the leaders in conservation and we were able to feel the beauty of this country up close and person on a four day camping trip in Santa Rosa National Park. We also we able to surf at the world-renowned surfing spot called Witch’s Rock. I could go on and on about how amazing the country of Costa Rica is. I heard many people, local and foreigners, describe the country as tranquil and I completely agree. The people are extremely friendly, the country is welcoming, the landscape changes from beautiful to more beautiful. No wonder there are almost more foreign settlers here than local Costa Ricans. But at the same time, one has to keep in mind that buying up this land and changing the landscape into foreign paradise can inflate land prices, or alter the culture. The lasting conservation work and the efforts of many people to preserve and protect the environment and culture allows travelers and locals alike to enjoy Costa Rica. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience this magical place. Respect the wonderful country of Costa Rica that so many people call home now. Pura Vida!

Have an interesting environment-related summer story to share? Email ugasea@gmail.com


Our first meeting is Wednesday, August 22nd at 5:30 pm in MLC 268. SEA you there!