Costa Rican Music
In Latin American cultures, music plays a very important part. Music is also integral in the culture of Costa Rica where American, Latin and British music are enjoyed. Contemporary rock music is the favorite of the Costa Rican crowd and they exhibit a special affinity for music of the 70s and the 80s.
Costa Rican discos and dance halls are fully packed during weekends. It is surprising to see the typically conservative citizens letting themselves loose in time with the costa rican music and flirting is done wildly in the dance halls. Couples dance the night away but the traditional Latin rhythms are preferred by dancers than the more contemporary rock music. Favorite dances are the lambada, salsa, soca, cumbia and meringue.
In your Costa Rica vacation you will find that the country has a wealth of music scenes. Music figures very much in Costa Rican everyday life, it is found everywhere from the Classical to Calypso music. There is music in homes, bars, restaurants, discos, theatres and in the streets.
The Costa Rican Condo in San Jose is a foremost Vacation Luxury Condo. It has very nice facilities that are much better than a hotel room. You can experience Del Ray’s most sizzling night life if you are staying in Hotel Costa Rica. The casino is open all day long at Hotel Del Ray. You can also go to Key Largo, which doubles as a dance club and restaurant. Local bands play Latin music each night at Key Largo which opens from 8am till very late. Dinner and a great time dancing or playing billiards is what a Costa Rica vacation is all about.
Considered one of Latin America’s major orchestra is the Orquestra Sinfonica Nacional. This orchestra is conducted by Chosei Komatsu and has received international acclaim. Another venue for classical music is the Teatro Mozart in San Jose. The North American Cultural Center as well as the Costa Rican Cultural Center hosts concerts featuring classical music.
For people who prefer folk music, they will be enchanted by the African-inspired marimba which is one of the most popular Costa Rican musical instruments. The best known folk music group is the Cantares. They use interesting nicknames, stories, anecdotes, tongue twisters, recipes and old customs and sayings and transform them into interesting materials for their folk music.
Jazz enthusiasts will not be disappointed with the jazz cafes in the Ezcazu area. These cafes and restaurant abounds in San Jose and are excellent places to go and watch jazz musicians play their music. People can also find African rhythms produced with steel drums and distinctive reggae beats. Calypso music originated from Trinidad brought by slaves who played the music as a means of communication and story telling. A famous Costa Rican calypso musician is Walter Ferguson of Cahuita with its excellent rendition of songs distinctive of Afro-Caribbean culture.
For those seeking contemporary rock and jazz in Costa Rica, there is the Malpais band. They blend the traditional folk music with modern rock and jazz, and the sound produced is uniquely popular with all age groups. Their kind of music is reminiscent of Costa Rican rural life and makes one long about the past.
