Final Thoughts

Visiting Costa Rica was truly an amazing learning experience. I took this opportunity to compare my visits to El Salvador and Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica, I was able to take public transportation at ease. I was not concerned that someone might have walked in on the bus to steal from me, and I was able to walk freely in Heredia. This is very different for me, since in El Salvador that is not the case. Gangs constantly raid public transportation for extorsion, often having everyone currently on the bus pay the extorsion fee. Also, I was not able to walk freely in El Salvador as I did in Costa Rica. Neighborhoods and markets are separated by gangs "marking" their territories. If I decide to visit a friend who is in a different neighborhood controlled by a different gang, my life would be at risk.

Although police are heavily seen in both Costa Rica and El Salvador, there are major differences. Salvadorian police are often armed with an assault rifle and face mask to protect themselves from being recognize (this happened after gangs started to retaliate against the police.) In Costa Rica, how ever, they are not heavily armed nor have face masks. Also, the Salvadorian police would usually travel in groups of three up to five, while Costa Rican police traveled by two. What also saddens me is that not only there are armed police patrolling in schools, but also soldiers standing guard while students leave their school. This shows how extreme the violence have become in El Salvador, and the risk people from all ages take. In Costa Rica, on the other hand, students were able to leave school without worrying if they will be in harms way. I also saw young students walking home in groups and sometimes even alone, which took me by surprise.

Salvadorian police at a crime scene

Costa Rican police at a sporting event.

People in Costa Rica are generally happy. After all, Costa Rica has been named happiest country on earth on several occasions. While traveling in San Jose (nations capital,) I did not run to anyone rude or someone who was in a bad mood. When ever I asked strangers for directions, they happily gave me directions and even recommended me spots to visit. Also, the term "Pura Vida" (Pure Life) is heard all around. It is said as greetings, saying good bye, or simply when you see a friend at the park. You can sense the peacefulness and overall happiness in the nation, something I pray for Central America to finally achieve after the plague of violence it has experience. Costa Rica is a perfect model for any country to follow, especially the US. I'm not saying the US should abolish the military like Costa Rica did, but to simply cut down the military spending and invest in other crucial areas of our budget. We can see a similar change if not maybe a better model than Costa Rica.