Any suggestions for gifts to bring to Costa Rica from Iowa ? Recipients are families and individual adults.

Most costaricans we love hats with some kind of IWOA staff!! Just an idea!!

Rocio

We brought a variety of things for our host family. We brought local maple syrup. Our hostess enjoyed the description of tree tapping, and was concerned, she asked doesn't that hurt the tree? I also gave her an english/ spanish dictionary at the end of our stay.

We knew there was a young boy so we brought a 100 piece glow in the dark puzzle. (It was an underwater scene) That was loved. After he put it together several times his mother glued it to make a poster for his room.

We also brought school supplies, notebooks, markers, pens, pencils, colored pencils and crayons. The 16 year old boy really liked these.

Finally we brought soccer jerseys (used) from our youth league. These were also enjoyed.

I would also suggest a simple nonverbal game to break the ice. (We brought uno which was fun)

Colleen

I favor anything that highlights your area as well as pictures or a calendar. From northern Oregon that's cherry products, myrtlewood pieces, U of O t-shirts or hats, refrigerator magnets with Mt. Hood on them (popular in CA because of the snow). Silicone spoons and cookware have been a hit, too.

This comes up a lot - try putting "host gift" in the search window for lots of good advice. Happy trails!

Great ideas. Thanks so much.

I have close friends in Costa Rica. They appreciate gifts that are representative of where I live.

I live in Northern California and last time I brought my friends wine from Napa Valley and a clock made from Humboldt County redwood.