During the three years that we have lived in Costa Rica. Cindy and I are increasingly amazed at how well this country works for the health and well being of those living here.

[custom_script adID=149]

Certainly, there are issues due to the problems with the world economy at large, but on a day to day basis, Costa Ricans are well fed, well educated, healthy, industrious, and most of all, happy.

They also have been that way for sixty years while virtually all their neighbors have succumbed to anarchy, revolution, coups, and continued degradation of life’s quality. What is so unique about these people and what can all of us learn from them?

Curiously, much of the enabling example and rules of conduct stemmed from an enlightened national government. In 1940, President Rafael Calderon Guarcha commenced the following:

  1. He established the Work Code which introduced minimum wage.
  2. Founded the CCSS, a national social security retirement program.
  3. Instituted a national healthcare program.
  4. Established the University of Costa Rica.

Half a decade later, the new president, Jose Figueres Ferrer instituted the following:

  • He abolished the army. (Costa Rica maintains today a 7,500+ member National police force for a population of over four million.
  • Enabled women and illiterates to vote.
  • Put into effect basic welfare legislation.
  • Nationalized banks.
  • Outlawed the Communist Party.
  • Directed the writing of a new Constitution. (based largely upon the USA model).
  • Guaranteed public education for all.
  • Gave citizenship to black immigrant children.
  • Established a civil service to eliminate the spoils system in government.
  • Contributed to the construction of the Pan American Highway spanning the length of the country.
  • Promoted the private industry sector.
  • Succeeded in energizing the countries middle class, creating a strong buffer between the upper and lower classes.

Figueres said in 1981, “In a short time, we decreed 834 reforms that completely changed the physiognomy of the country and brought a deeper and more human revolution than that of Cuba”.

Figueres stepped down after 18 months, handing his power to Otilio Ulate, and ever since Costa Ricans have settled their arguments constitutionally.

A number of years later, the government responded to a lack of ability for the poor to obtain adequate housing by instituting the “Bono de la vivienda” which was a mortgage plan at minimum interest rates.

When the people were having difficulty paying the principal and interest, the government converted the program to a housing grant system and now many are able to live in a dignified small house of their own.

The health care system continues to work quite well, and we are able to enjoy the benefits which are also extended to expatriates living as guests in their country.

Much of the success of this healthcare system is due to the fact that there is no insurance conglomerate wedging itself as a leach between the caretakers and the cared for.

Be that as it may, there is a more fundamental reason for the success of this society and the key to describe this has already been mentioned twice within the previous sentence. That key word is CARE…

When government and the governed share an intrinsic value of the worth of all individuals, then society can progress toward that often elusive goal of happiness.

“The test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members.” Pearl S. Buck

[custom_script adID=97]


Written by VIP Members Larry and Cindy Windes. Larry is a retired architect who has designed and built projects in dozens of countries around the world and Cindy was a computer teacher and administrator for a semi-conductor design center and they both now live in Costa Rica.

Are you into beautiful Costa Rica?

All interesting things you want to know about Costa Rica are right here in our newsletter! Enter your email and press "subscribe" button.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *