La Gamba facts for kids

La Gamba is a small village in Costa Rica, a country in Central America. It's located in the Puntarenas Province, close to the border with Panama. People in La Gamba mostly work in farming or in nearby towns like Golfito and Rio Claro.

This village has grown over the years with different projects. For example, the United Fruit Company was here in the 1950s. Later, the Austrian Esquinas Rainforest Lodge was built. Many projects have also happened with help from local groups, the Costa Rican government, and people from Austria.

Where is La Gamba?

La Gamba is in the Puntarenas Province on the southwest side of Costa Rica. It's just a few kilometers from Panama. You can reach it by the Pan-American Highway. From a spot called Villa Briceño (at kilometer 37), it's only 3 kilometers to the village center.

The closest towns are Rio Claro and Golfito. These towns have important services like banks, supermarkets, and drugstores. The Piedras Blancas National Park is also nearby. This park is mainly used for studying nature.

What's the Weather Like?

The weather in La Gamba is tropical. Temperatures usually range between 21 °C and 39 °C. The area gets about 6000 mm of rain each year.

There are two main seasons. The dry season, called summer, is from January to April. The rainy season, called winter, is from May to December. Winter is longer and greener. It often has strong thunderstorms and sometimes floods.

Who Lives in La Gamba?

About 700 people live in La Gamba, making up around 150 families. Half of these families live right in the center of the village. The other half live along the roads leading to the center. Some live in areas like Rio Bonito and La Bolsa, which are about a 30-minute walk away.

There's a special organization in the village that helps people. It offers small loans, called microcredit. This support helps groups of women who make natural shampoos by hand. It also helps local artists and craftspeople.

Farming in La Gamba

Since the 1970s, the wood and banana industries in this area have slowed down. Because of this, many workers in La Gamba became farmers. The climate here is great for growing crops like rice, corn, and cacao. Farmers also raise animals such as cows, pigs, horses, or chickens.

In recent years, a type of palm tree from Africa has been grown much more. This has become an important way for some families to earn money. It also provides jobs for others in the village.

Jobs in La Gamba

Today, many people in La Gamba work at the biological station. They also work at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge. Other jobs include building small bridges along the village's main road. Some people find work in nearby towns like Rio Claro. There's also a place called the “deposito libre” which provides many jobs.

Fun Things to Do in La Gamba

In the center of La Gamba, you can find a "soda," which is a small restaurant. There's also a convenience store. The only public phone in the village is here too. This spot is a main meeting place for people to hang out.

Young people often meet at a small park built by a group from Canada in 2006. The convenience store also has arcade games. A bit further from the center, towards the Pan-American Highway, there's a bar. There's also a community center at kilometer 37. This center hosts karaoke nights, dances, and has arcade games and a bar. Many people also enjoy evangelical events as part of the village's nightlife.

Sports in La Gamba

The most popular and traditional sport in Costa Rica is football, also known as soccer. In La Gamba, there's a sports committee. This group organizes games and takes care of the sports equipment.

Near the village center and the community center, young people play on a large football field. People of all ages use this field. During the dry season (summer), kids are very active on the field, and the team practices often.

Some people also like to play volleyball in Rio Claro. However, football is still the main sport in La Gamba. Another traditional sport is "carrera de cintura." In this sport, people ride horses at full speed. Prizes are given to the bravest and best riders. There are also "fiestas taurinas," which involve men riding bulls, watching bullfights, and a fair.

Places to Visit in La Gamba

• El Río Bonito: This is a small, calm river located along the road between La Gamba and Rio Bonito. It's a great place for locals to cool off. The water comes from the mountains and is the main source of drinking water for the village. The river's water level changes with the weather. In the dry season, the water can be very low. If you're a visitor, it's best to swim with locals. They know the river well and understand how the water level can change quickly in different spots. Also, be aware that caimans (a type of alligator) are known to be in the river.
• The Catarata « El Chorro »: This waterfall is amazing! You can reach its entrance from the main road towards kilometer 37. It's a perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature. The fresh water comes from the mountains. Visitors pay 1000 colones (about $2 US) to enter, and it's definitely worth it.
• Piedras Blancas National Park: This park is home to some of the richest plant and animal life in Costa Rica. Not many people visit it, but it's a great place to see real, untouched nature. The park is famous for its huge trees called "Ceiba" and its many different kinds of plants and animals. You can take a three-hour tour or explore it on your own.
• Austrian field station: This station started in 1993. It's a partnership between an Austrian group called "Rainforest of the Austrians" and the University of Vienna. Their goal is to study and protect the amazing plants and animals of the Esquinas forest.
• El Mirador (viewpoint): Getting to this viewpoint can be tricky because the road goes through private land. But if you know the right people in the village and plan ahead, you can climb up. You'll be amazed by a beautiful view of the Golfito region.
• Horse riding: A family in the village owns horses and offers tours. Horses are a common sight in the village, and it's a fun way to explore the area.

ASOPROBI: Helping the Village Grow

The Asociación Pro-Bienestar (ASOPROBI) is an organization that helps La Gamba. It was created in July 1996. ASOPROBI works to find new ways for the village to develop. They focus on working with nature, which is very important to the village.

The main goal of ASOPROBI is to create jobs in the village. They also want to promote tourism that helps the local community and environment. La Gamba has a lot to offer, and ASOPROBI wants to share it with others. All the people who work for ASOPROBI are volunteers. They change every few years, except for Jose Angel Montiel Franco. He works full-time organizing activities and managing the money. The leaders of ASOPROBI include a president, vice-president, secretary, and a financial manager.

Between 2004 and 2009, ASOPROBI worked with a Canadian group called Plan Nagua. They sent groups of students to La Gamba. These students helped the community with different projects.

Nearby Towns: Golfito and Rio Claro

Rio Claro is about a 20-minute bus ride from kilometer 37. People from La Gamba often go there at least once a week. They buy things the village doesn't have. Rio Claro has two banks, internet cafes, supermarkets, a clinic, and drugstores.

If you need more services, Golfito is about 45 minutes away from kilometer 37. The closest hospital is also in Golfito. There's a ferry in Golfito that crosses to Puerto Jimenez several times a day.

See also

In Spanish: La Gamba para niños