Happy birthday, Talamanca

Today is the 51st birthday of the cantón of Talamanca, one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Costa Rica.

It’s home to diversity that truly sets it apart, thanks to its indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and international communities. It’s also home to quiet beaches, the best food in the country, and, as if that weren’t enough, Walter Ferguson. 

Talamanca also has the highest percentage of protected lands of any place in the country: a whopping 88. That means that, as in the Osa Peninsula, the suspension of tourism is particularly drastic for this region, since there are no other ways for tourism-dependent families to generate income. The organization I turn to to find out the latest is the Talamanca Ecotourism and Conservation Association, ATEC (follow them here if you love Talamanca and want to stay in the loop).

What are your favorite memories of Talamanca?

I’m a writer in San José, Costa Rica, on a year-long quest to share daily posts on inspiring people, places and ideas from my adopted home as a kind of tonic during a rough time in the world. Sign up (top right of this page) to receive a little dose of inspiration every weekday in your mailbox; tell a friend; check out past posts; and please connect with me on Instagram or Facebook! If you want to learn more about how to support Costa Rica during the crisis, visit my COVID-19 section, updated regularly – or for ways to enjoy Costa Rica from afar, visit Virtual Costa Rica.