10 things I love about Costa Rica

I’m a cynical guy, and I complain about pretty much everything. Why do I do it on WeLoveCostaRica.com (Sorry Scott O.)? Because underneath the complaints, I truly love Costa Rica.

Here’s why:

1. Healthy families. The divorce rate is climbing, and there are still a lot of children born out of wedlock, but in general the family unit is MUCH more intact in CR than in the US. I attribute much of this to the teachings (or threats, however you look at it), of the Catholic Church. In many small towns the entire extended family lives on the same block. Think of what it would be like to always have all your relatives around you practically all the time, sharing resources, and keeping an eye on you (ok, a bit oppressive at times, but let’s not get cynical).

2. Great climate. Pick your personal favorite temperature & humidity, then go there and build your house.

3. The food. Rice and beans sounds ho-hum to a Gringo, but it grows on you. The cornucopia of exotic fruits astonish. The farmers markets are a great way to stock up weekly and help out the local growers. San Jose and surrounds also offer a large number of terrific restaurants. Cooking at home? Don’t forget the Salsa Lizano (they call it Salsa Inglesa, probably because it may have been modeled after Worchester sauce).

4. The people. Cordial, warm, helpful, nice, generous. Even when they honk at you on the roundabout, they’ll smile & wave the second time around.

5. The politics. Peaceful, reasonable, not arrogant. It wasn’t long ago that the President walked around pretty much alone like a normal human being, and he spends his time making peace, not war. Oscar Arias was instrumental in ending the warring in Central America, as well as influencing Panama to dissolve their military (like CR did in 1948). That’s why he got the Nobel Peace Prize.

6. The natural wonders. World class beaches, spectacular cloud forests, divine waterfalls, clean rushing rafting rivers, safely erupting volcanoes, birds, wildlife, etc. It’s a front row seat to Mother Nature everyday day of the year.

7. Women. Any unattached Gringo spending more than a few months there puts his bachelorhood at serious risk. Sorry ladies, like the streets in San Jose, this usually only goes one way.

8. No junk mail! No telemarking calls! Easy to disconnect from all the bad news and media hype, and actually experience life through your own senses. Once upon returning to the US, someone made a joke about Mark Fuhrman (OJ Simpson trial). I asked, “Who’s Mark Fuhrman?” They stared at my like I was from another planet. Sounds like I didn’t miss much.

9. Inclusion. There are no cliques in the schools. Everybody’s your friend the first day. Nobody’s left out of soccer pick up games – everyone’s invited to play. Second and third place in sporting events is not losing. Greater value is placed on the community and the team rather than the individual. Nobody is shunned.

10. Slower pace of life. Less productive certainly, but it will lengthen your lifespan, and you can take time to smell the orchids.

Did I forget anything?