Costa Rica USA Foundation

Figueres talks Costa Rica, climate change and aiming high.

What time of the year is it? It’s coffee picking season. Coffee all over Costa Rica is in full swing. In my beautiful high-altitude mountainous community along the Panamanian border, that means hundreds of indigenous Panamanians cross the border to pick coffee from September to February.

The U.S.-Costa Rican philanthropist chatted with us before being honored as a CRUSAder of the Year.

Limón is the most culturally diverse of Costa Rica's provinces marked by an Afro-Caribbean heritage that has made a significant impact on local culture. It has influenced dress, music, food, and languages spoken throughout the region. PCV Jose recounts his experience celebrating the region's Afro-Caribbean roots with fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and staff members during festivities for Dia del Negro y Afrodescendientes.

After four years with Peace Corps Costa Rica, I am reflective about living and working in indigenous communities throughout Limón Province.

Due to a contract snafu with the Municipality of Osa, public funding for lifeguard salaries were suspended last April.

In July 2017, Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) Brian was introduced to Nancy Fitzimons Alvarado, a 1989 Peace Corps Volunteer and the co-founder of the non-profit organization, Bricks to Bread.

This past week a youth group from PCV Zane's site participated in the closing ceremony of the Junior Achievement Costa Rica la Compañía business plan competition. At the ceremony Zane's group proudly received several accolades.

Many Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) here in Costa Rica spend a large chunk of their time in schools. PCVs lead all kinds of activities depending on the sector the they work in: youth development, community economic development, or English.

Once Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) receive their site assignments, they head off to their assigned community, alone, not only to work on projects but also to integrate into the community and learn about the culture.