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Here are a few of my favorite things about living in Costa Rica. I hope others will add a few of their favorites to the list.
[b]Choose your climate:[/b] Costa Rica is a land of micro-climates. Because of the topography, as little as a five minute drive can often move you into an entirely different climate zone. For example, we live in San Ramon de Tres Rios, about 10 km (6 miles) east of central San Jose and the average temperature is at least 6 – 8 degrees F cooler here than downtown. Part of the difference is due to change in altitude. We are at 4,700 feet and San Jose is at about 3,700 feet, but also we are directly on the ridge line and much closer to the higher mountains which means that we always have cool mountain breezes. Temperatures seldom get over the low 70’s and night time temperatures are in the upper 50’s to low 60’s. I sleep in a flannel shirt with a blanket and a quilt. With the high air quality and cool temperatures, I sleep like a baby – usually 8 to 10 hours a night. Before moving here, I seldom slept more than 6 to 7 hours. Also, because we are relatively near the equator, there is very little seasonal climate change except for rainy season/dry season and I don’t mind the rains at all. Even in the rainy season, there are plenty of sunny days and the rain is seldom torrential.
[b]Healthy Diet:[/b] This one is a bit more nuanced because the typical Costa Rican diet isn’t especially healthy and most Costa Ricans aren’t especially knowledgeable or concerned about diet and nutrition. However, it’s easy and inexpensive to eat healthy here, primarily because of the availability and low cost of fresh fruits and produce. We go to the local feria (farmer’s market) almost every weekend and load up on great fresh fruit and produce which is the mainstay of our diet. We also eat a lot of fresh fish – rainbow trout, tuna, pargo snapper, corvina and tilapia are always available and usually inexpensive in our local fish market. We eat absolutely NO processed, prepared supermarket food. It’s not as readily available or tempting as in the States and the prices are high which is a further disincentive.
[b]Health Care:[/b] our experiences with both the private and public health care systems in Costa Rica have been uniformly positive. There are fewer “bells and whistles” than in the States, but doctors and other health care professionals here are well-trained, knowledgeable and, most importantly, they are much more caring and concerned than the typical doctors I’ve had dealings with in the States. I haven’t experienced any of the arrogant, impersonal, superior attitudes exhibited by most of doctors in the States. I have the private, personal cell phone numbers of all of our doctors here and they even make house calls when appropriate. Their fees are reasonable and they frequently don’t even charge for routine consultations and follow-ups.
[b]Affordable Domestic Help:[/b] My elderly, disabled mother lives with us and requires 24 hour care. In Costa Rica, we can actually afford to have a live-in, full time housekeeper to help care for her, in addition to cleaning the house, doing the laundry and preparing breakfast and lunch. Including all benefits, such as health insurance, vacation pay and year-end bonus, her salary is 180,000 colones per month (plus room and board).
This list isn’t comprehensive. It only includes a few of the things which are most important to us and which are in sharp contrast to the States. I invite others to add their own favorites.
Climate: Agree 100%. Plus, no matter which climate you choose, the scenery is beautiful and full of wildlife.
Healthy Diet: Agree 100%. Everyone from the liberal side of this board complains about wars and stress from a failing democracy….Our diet is killing us Americano’s much faster than either of the aforementioned.
Health Care: Agree somewhat. I really cannot comment with any real knowledge. I have only had to use the healthcare system once when I was bitten by something while trekking through the jungle…I was taken to the small Nicoya Pen town of Carmona where a very, very pregnant youngster at a Farmacia ask me alot of very good questions prior to despensing me two meds. Both meds seemed to work..I am alive!
Affordable Domestic Help: Agree 100%. No comment needed.
I would add:
Flora & Fauna: Plenty of beautiful plants and many animals in every direction you turn. Simply a Beautiful country.
Pace of Life: Much slower pace of life in CR. This can be an adjustment, but I like it much better personally.
TS
Tom,
Thanks for adding to my list.
Yor’re right about the pharmacies. For many minor illnesses and injuries which would require a doctor’s visit in the States, the pharmacist can provide all the services you need. Most (not all) prescription drugs are much cheaper in CR than in the States and, of course, many are available for free through the Caja. Except for restricted drugs such as narcotics, the pharmacist can dispense them without necessity of a separate doctor’s prescription. The cunsultation with the pharmacist is free.
I also like the slower pace of life. Yes, it was a big adjustment for me but I’ve finally made it and don’t find myself getting annoyed or impatient with the “pura vida” attitudes as I did in my first few years here.
Climate is [i]much[/i][b][/b] better than Canada in the winter!!! And of course, you don’t have to heat the house.
But cannot agree with this ” … full of wildlife” as this is not true in some larger towns/cities. But in the countryside, yes.
Many tourists I have encountered, have been disappointed that the tropical birds such as macaws, parrots, hummingbirds and toucans were not as visible as they thought they would be, although this was due to the locations they visited.
Lower cost of fresh veggies & fruit, although the costs are rising.
Most of the Ticos are special, [i]if[/i] you take the time to get to know and speak with them.well hot dog!!
being married to a Tica with an extended family that has reaches all the way to ICE, OIJ, Customs, Casa Amarilla, etc. has it’s advantages
If I have a problem in CR it is solved in a NY minute, LOL
LINES?? in the Bank are a way of life in CR but my wife can put up with this while chatting with the person in front or on the back. It is just natural for them but for me it is a Aleve moment.
Waiting for a CAB is a no brainer, call from the restaurant, BANK or Hotel inside, don’t expose yourself.
Special they are if you find a special CR person and that is not hard to find.
Warren
The way that time seems to “stretch” here. Instead of feeling as though life is slipping away in a blur of days, each moment seems to be experienced. Something we didn’t expect, but love.
Our terrific Tico neighbors with their kindness, sense of fun and tolerance as we SL-O-OWLY learn the language.
The blue, blue, blue skies.
…and so much more!
We holiday in Costa Rica 3 to 4 weeks every winter. Just got back to Calgary, Canada last week. By the way it is -24 in Calgary as we speak. During our stay this year I managed to get an ear infection while swimming in the ocean. Getting up one morning I complained to my wife about it, she being a nurse said if it was her she would have it looked at. We were staying south of Puriscal so off to the Puriscal hospital we went. Very nice and very new hospital.
We went to the emergency dept. and it took about 20 minutes to see a doctor, try and get that kind of service anywhere in North America. The Doctor told me I had an ear infection and had a nurse give me an injection then sent me next door to the pharmacia for a weeks supply of antibiotic. When leaving the hospital I asked where do I pay. They simply said, quote, no pay, you go. So I went next door with my prescription which they said would take 30 minutes to fill (standard time anywhere). In 30 minutes I came back for the prescription with my wallet open and again said where do I pay and again I was told, no pay, you go. What a country. I guess this is just another reason why every year I keep going back to C.R.That’s an interesting anecdote, jackson. Three years ago, I fell off a ladder and tore up my knee. I went to the CAJA hospital in Grecia where I was seen in the Emergency Department, sent for two x-rays, seen by the orthopedist who was delayed by traffic, and had a full-leg cast applied. The whole process was finished in under two hours.
At the time, we were not enrolled in the CAJA so, unlike you, I had to pay — $140US. Maybe next time I’ll go to Puriscal.
Just joined this forum and am appreciating this topic and all your comments. I’m in CR for the first time for 2 months, staying in Atenas. I’m here for health reasons, retired early on disability, have a husband and other family back in Central Oregon where I can’t take the cold winters. So I’m finding comments about the health care here especially interesting. Fortunately I haven’t needed to utilize any of it during my stay so far. Thanks and keep the comments coming and I will chime in when I have something to say! La Pura Vida!
It is a simple fact that goes a long way. If you move from Canada during the winter months to Florida you will think you found “Paradise” but completely different when moving to another country.
Different culture, religion, food, government, language, etc.. but you can overcome these things by adapting and understanding them (go native) or try to be the UGLY N. American, trying to buy yourself with dollars to find that comfort zone you want.
Don’t take your attitude (US style) for granted in Costa Rica, things work completely different in the Pura Vida land.
Tico’s will admire you more if you display a simple attitude and not BOOST or try to compare your salary, Macmansion, status with them. They already know you have 1 or 2 cars in the USA a house with hot water in all bathrooms with a walking closet in your masterbed room, the $$ to travel, meaning (a good job).
You will go a long way by being HUMBLE with them.
Warren
Don’t take your attitude (US style) for granted in Costa Rica, things work completely different in the Pura Vida land.
Warren[/quote]Completely different, indeed. Another reason to like C.R. is the lack of litiginous people and lawyers. I am reminded of the tendency to ‘sue first, think later’ when I look at some of the dumb warnings I see on products sold in the U.S., that were inspired by fear of lawsuits. The top 25 dumb labels can be dug out of http://www.forbes.com and include these beauties:
The 2010 winner: the Jabra Drive ‘N’ Talk, a Bluetooth speakerphone accessory for cell phones to be used in the car. The Drive ‘N’ Talk carries this contradictory warning label: “Never operate your speakerphone while driving.” (So should it just be called the “Talk”?)
The 2009 winner was far less confusing, if totally unnecessary: A small tractor, made by New Holland, bore the admonition “Avoid Death.”
Here are some other doozies, found over the last four years:
Label: May cause drowsiness.
Product: Nytol sleeping pills.Label: This product may contain nuts.
Product: Peanut M&Ms.Label: Do not use while sleeping.
Product: Vidal Sassoon hair dryerLabel: The Vanishing Fabric Marker should not be used as a writing instrument for signing checks or any legal documents.
Product: W.H. Collins’ Vanishing Fabric MarkersLabel: This product is not intended for use as a dental drill
Product: DremelMultipro’s rotary toolsLabel: This product moves when used.
Product: Razor scooterLabel (on website): Do not eat.
Product: Apple’s iPod shuffleSolid advice, always.
Oh yeah…..one of our favorite things about Costa Rica: the “You’re Stupid” Rule.
-You see that there is no railing on the 3rd floor terrace, get drunk and fall to your death….”You’re Stupid!”
-You walk along the roadway in the dark and get run down by a big truck…”You’re Stupid”.
-You hire the guy to be your gardener that EVERYBODY tells you is a thief and your house gets cleaned out..”You’re Stupid”…
and SO many more examples! Here in Costa Rica the responsibility to NOT be stupid falls squarely on the head of the individual. Good luck on suing for damages because if you decide to try….”YOU’RE STUPID”!!!!!
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