Laura Chinchilla was the first female president of Costa Rica, and one of the first in Latin America’s history. She served as Costa Rica’s president between 2010 and 2014 and was later among those voted Women of the Decade in Public Life & Leadership. Chinchilla tweeted, “We women are better off together. We are stronger together.”
Chinchilla has spoken of the “long-term solutions” that countries must adopt to fight challenges like climate change.
Costa Rica’s Natural Beauty
Costa Rica is one of the world’s prime locations for surfing, rafting, paddleboarding, and a range of watersports. Its famous waves in spots like Salsa Brava, Tamarindo Beach, and Playa Grande make it a popular destination for those seeking watersport vacations. Boat rentals in Costa Rica allow watersports enthusiasts to relax and enjoy the country’s crystal blue waters.
Wakeboarding is another popular watersport. A boarder attaches themselves to a board that looks similar to a snowboard, and bindings keep their feet attached to the board. The person then holds onto a handle at the end of a rope attached to a boat, which leads them through the waves.
Watersports are popular among fitness enthusiasts for their ability to improve core strength, as well as whole body strength (watersports demand work from all your major muscles). These sports are also opportunities to explore nature, enjoy Costa Rica’s stunning clear waters, and look out for the country’s wildlife and jungle animals. Sea turtles, whales, monkeys, sloths, and toucans are all seen in Costa Rica.
Renewable Energy
Latin America generates more of its electricity from renewable energy than other parts of the world. Chinchilla recently told the BBC:
…“Certainly, the region holds immense potential in various sectors. As you rightly pointed out, energy and minerals are among the key areas for our future”…
Additionally, she said:
…“We need to attract more investment in those sectors”…
Another former president of Costa Rica, Óscar Arias Sánchez, announced in 2007 a goal for the country to become the second carbon neutral country in the world (after Bhutan). Sánchez’s initiative was continued by Chinchilla, as well as Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, who served as president from 2014 to 2018.
The International Trade Administration states: “Renewable energy in Costa Rica supplied about 98.53% of the energy output for the entire nation in 2018.”
A Wave of Female Latin American Leaders
Chinchilla said, “Becoming the first female president of my country was the greatest honor of my life, but also a challenge due to prevailing sexist views.”
Chinchilla was one of “Latin America’s new generation of female presidents” examined in a book entitled Women Presidents of Latin America: Beyond Family Ties?, along with Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Cristina Fernández, and Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff.
Gideon Long of the BBC asked her about the significance of females making “top jobs in the region”. Chinchilla said that it felt significant when she was appointed and hoped for a female Mexican president. Mexico’s election took place the month after the interview was published, and Claudia Sheinbaum was voted president as Chinchilla had hoped.
