I have been living in Costa Rica full time for almost 10 years now and cannot imagine myself living anywhere else.

I actually hear this a lot from friends and colleagues, but for me there is no greater realization of how much I truly love living in Costa Rica then when I come back home from vacationing outside of the country.

It really does not matter if it is a quick getaway to our neighbors to the North or South (Nicaragua & Panama) or to visit my family and friends in California or Washington State.  Leaving the country it is like hitting the reset button for a reality check on how lucky I am to live where I do, it really is a paradise!

I recently just went to Nicaragua for a few days with some of my family from my wife’s side and we had a great time, but it was easy to see from the moment we crossed the border how it was definitely not the same energy that is felt in Costa Rica.

I am very familiar with this feeling as I have gone back and forth to our neighboring countries several times, but to see it felt from my in laws was quite interesting.  My wife and I took my mother and sister in law Northbound with us and it was the first time they had ever left the country.

Without us saying too much about the cultural differences we could see in their faces their reactions to the energy they felt around them.  Do not get me wrong, I love having Nicaragua to the North and have traveled the country quite a bit, but it is definitely not like it is here in Costa Rica and I would not choose to live there.

Here in Costa Rica, the people are some of the kindest people I have ever encountered.  Yes, you can find a bad seed anywhere, but overall Costa Ricans go way out of their way to make those they do not know feel welcome.

This is one of many reasons why so many people choose to move and vacation here.  For people visiting Costa Rica, Costa Ricans (“ticos”) will spend quality time trying to understand them and talk with them even if they do not speak the same language and do it willingly with a smile on their face.

I have personally traveled to a good 15+ countries and have yet to find a culture that is this friendly and happy.  Costa Ricans use the words “pura vida” (pure life) regularly to express themselves throughout the day and yes it is used a lot!  Maybe the expression brings out the kind of positive energy that is seen and felt everyday here from the city to the oceans and mountain sides?

Besides being one of the friendliest countries on the planet, this country offers beautiful lush rain forests, endless wildlife, abundance of local fresh fruit, great seafood, warm ocean water with excellent surf / water activities and is arguably some of the best coffee and happiest country on the planet!

I love coming back home to Costa Rica and for me there is nothing better than waking up the morning after I return from my vacation to a cup or 3 of fresh Costa Rican coffee!  Leaving the country for vacation is awesome and this may sound crazy, but coming back home and getting that renewed realization of how lucky I am to be here is even better!

I am so thankful to live where I do and to be able to share it with my friends and family.  I constantly see friends, family and clients come to visit Costa Rica and they do not want to leave, where I find myself grateful for have had the opportunity to have traveled but am more than ready to get back home… pura vida!

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.