ISLA DE CHIRA, COSTA RICA

Located in the Gulf of Nicoya off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Isla de Chira is the largest island of Central America.

According to legend, the island was originally given as a wedding gift to Princess Chira by her love stricken suitor, Nakaome, after he stole her from her Chorotegan tribe. Centuries later, around 3000 inhabitants, the majority of whom are fisher people, live on Chira, based around five small settlements on the island.

The Women's Association of Chira Island was established in 2000 with the aim of conserving the island's natural resources and generating an alterative source of income through ecotourism. These women hand-built La Amistad Lodge and fishing boats which are now used to accommodate tourists to the island. A percentage of the lodge's profits are allocated to protecting the island's mangroves.

Although fairly unknown by most Costa Ricans, Isla de Chira offers a variety of attractions, such as the impressive biodiversity of its mangroves, artisan fishing and the opportunity to learn about the unique lifestyle of this remote and untouched community.

In July 2005, MYX led a team of students from Philadelphia who collaborated with local Chiran youth on a large-scale mural, located at the island's small port. The mural now proudly welcomes the growing number of visitors to the island and became the subject of an original documentary produced by WYBE Philadelphia.

 
In Summer 2006, MYX returned to Chira with two teams of American students and built a library for one of the island's three schools. Using wood and other natural objects found on Chira, American and Costa Rican students constructed new bookshelves, re-painted worn out furniture and created a large-scale mural, transforming a once neglected and characterless concrete room into a cheery and inviting study center.

MYX returned to Chira for the third year in July 2007 and built a public picnic area, complete with hand-painted benches, where islanders and visitors alike enjoy gatherings, cookouts and outdoor parties.

See more photos here: Costa Rica 2005, Costa Rica 2006 and Costa Rica 2007