CARIBBEAN CULTURE
The Province of Limon and its adjacent Caribbean coastline are unique in their cultural diversity. While the majority of Costa Rica's population is relatively homogeneous, this province contains an ethnic mix of Afro-Caribbean and indigenous people of the Talamancan Bribri and Cabecar tribes, as well as the Spanish and Chinese residents who started coming to the area in the 19 th and early 20th centuries. A variety of dialects are spoken here, such as the elegant Jamaican English, “Mecatelio”, a mix of English and Spanish, as well as traditional Talamancan languages. As in many places around the world, some of these languages and dialects are on the verge of disappearing, as young people blend more and more with the majority population of Costa Rica.
There's definitely a different spice to life on the Caribbean coast. The unique blend of cultures has created a richly flavored cuisine that will leave even the most discerning palate satisfied. Breadfruit and ackee are some “exotic” commonly used ingredients in this cuisine, as well as the yucca and palmito found elsewhere in Costa Rica. Costa Rican “gallo pinto” and tangy salsa Lizano gives way to coconut scented “rice and beans” and peppery “salsa caribena”. Women in villages such as Puerto Viejo still make baked goods from plantain, coconut, guava and other local ingredients in their home, it only takes a little friendly detective work to find them!
And of course, there's the music! One can't do much better than listen to reggae at sunset under a coconut palm, lazily planning the next day's explorations—will it be Cahuita or Puerto Viejo? Punta Uva or Manzanillo? -- but then again, it's definitely a temptation on a Caribbean beach to just enjoy the moment as it is, and let tomorrow's activities come tomorrow!
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