A country that is rich in its diversity of plants and animals is also rich in its diversity of insects. The hot, humid coastal regions of Costa Rica are hotbeds for various mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria. Currently, malaria is not a threat in Costa Rica, but that's not to say that it hasn't made its mark on the country's history.
In tropical regions, venemous snakes are a constant threat. As mentioned in a previous field note, most
people wear rubber boots when working in pastures or the rainforest as a precaution against snake bites.
If you ever visit, keep an eye out for bullet ants! Bullet ants are large, thumb-sized ants, well known for having the most painful bite of any insect on earth.
Many aspects of Costa Rican culture are directly influenced by the natural enviornment. For example, many fruits can be grown here due to the tropical climate and year-round growing season. A lot of locals attribute the relatively relaxed culture to the heat and humidity of the nation. It's hard to be angry with the stifling and subduing heat of the lowlands.
