Costa Rica Travel, Mickie Swisher's Perspective

Costa Rica Travel by Dr. Mickie (Marilyn) Swisher  mesw@ufl.edu Tel: (352) 273-3538

She has lived off and on in Costa Rica for 35 years.  I went with her and Dr. Taylor Stein on several visits as part of a UF Spring Break Student Study Tour for Class Credit.

Maybe we will have a different perspective as new travelers.

1. Costa Rica is not a developing nation.  Top 25% of all nations based on all development indicators.
1. Not stepping out to poverty driven area
2. Understand that we live in one of the most enormously wealthy nations on the planet so adjust our perspective, that others are not underdeveloped because they are not as wealthy as we are.
3. There are many very poor in USA and in Costa Rica.
2. Costa Rica is a very cosmopolitan country. Very diverse culture, religion, ethnicity, German, Africa, Asian, Caribbean, etc.   It is a global tourism destination, and they are tolerant and it will be similar to going to other place in Europe. They are used to dealing with mixed languages.
3. Look at similarities in Florida regarding overwhelming change from agrarian culture to more urban of recent times. Small farmers used to have individual homesteads but now, may live in one place and work ag in other parts of country.  Ag is important, but Costa Rica is also a major tourism destination.  Tourism and Ag importance varies by year with weather.  They must look at how to preserve environment to keep ag productivity and keep tourism flow.  Balance management of dual economy.  Large scale production of bananas may utilize migrant workers, similar to Florida. They have immigration policies to protect workers and industry.   Look at Florida and Costa Rica, compare and contrast. Economic, social and environmental issues that surround keeping our economy are similar.   Also a retirement destination so issues related to development pressure.   Tourism, Ag, Development in completion with Ag, price of land and preserving environmental quality, especially near coast.
4. A great place for Florida Extension to visit to learn lessons because of similarities. 
5. National Parks and protected areas were set up for protection. The idea that folks would pay to visit was unexpected.  A grad student under Mickie impacted how locals run and benefit from tourism compared to others.  2000-2008 was a larger influence from international corporate investments with funds going offshore.  Locals may be moving to some of these types of businesses.