Since Friday, 14 November, there has been a small oasis in the middle of the Main-Taunus-Zentrum in Sulzbach, bringing the Costa Rican way of life to the Rhine-Main region on 35 square metres. Under the title "Pura Vida Frankfurt: Costa Rica Oasis in the MTZ", the installation invites visitors to take a break from their everyday shopping routine and slow down for a moment until 22 November.
The design follows the concept of deceleration, information and sensory impressions. At its centre are comfortable seats, surrounded by rainforest sounds and a lighting concept reminiscent of the jungle. Those who settle down hear the rustling of leaves and animal voices, their gaze shifting away from shop windows and shopping bags. The installation is intended as a counterpoint to the hectic pre-Christmas period in the Frankfurt metropolitan area.
This taste of tropical tranquillity is combined with a playful approach to the country and its people. At interactive stations such as a wheel of fortune or a memory game, visitors learn about scenes from Costa Rica: landscapes, animals, regional products, everyday motifs. Terms such as "Ticos", the common self-designation of the population, are introduced along the way. Children and adults alike will enjoy the experience. Another focus is on the topic of enjoyment. Coffee from Costa Rica is served on site. Those who try it receive information about cultivation, altitudes and varieties. This is complemented by listening stations where visitors can identify animal and nature sounds. The result is a mixture of tasting, quiz and short lecture that reminds visitors of the role of agriculture and biodiversity in the Central American country. The presentation is organised by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, which works together with partners from the travel industry. In cooperation with Explorer Fernreisen, a holiday for two will be raffled off among all participants. According to the organisers, the trip will take participants to volcanoes, rainforests and beaches, and will also include visits to coffee plantations and excursions to protected areas where, with a little patience, sloths can be observed. The prize can be won on site at the centre or online.
The event is aimed at a broad audience from Frankfurt and the surrounding area: families, groups of friends, curious people of all ages, those with wanderlust, as well as those who are just looking for a quiet corner in the shopping centre. For those planning a trip, the installation offers an opportunity to gather first impressions away from catalogues and ask specific questions.
The Costa Rica oasis is open during regular centre hours. The area in the Main-Taunus-Zentrum 65843 Sulzbach (Taunus) is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
After visiting the site, you can continue your experience online. The Costa Rica tourism website provides further information and images on social media. If you want to find out more about what Costa Rica has to offer beyond the temporary exhibition at the Main-Taunus-Zentrum, you will find travel itineraries, information on national parks and background information on the idea of "Pura Vida", which is the focus of the campaign.
