Costa Rica is renowned for its tropical beauty, the warmth and charm of the Ticos its people s own name for themselves and its political stability. This Switzerland of the Americas is widely regarded as an oasis of democracy in turbulent Central America. Since the first edition of Culture Smart Costa Rica was published in 2005, however, there have been some important changes and, with rapid economic development, some growing pains. Over the past few years there has been a movement of population to the towns of the Central Valley. Higher education is now the norm for young Ticos, and...