Living in Costa Rica – How is it?

Once folks from “up north” find out that I actually “live” in Costa Rica, they invariably ask me…so…

Living in Costa Rica – how is it?

Therefore, I thought I’d write a post on just that very topic.

The most succinct way I can think of to describe living in Costa Rica is in terms of one-word adjectives. So, that’s exactly the way I’ve organized my thoughts in this post…in random order…

Hot – Yes, living in Costa Rica is hot. You can escape some of the heat by moving up in altitude, but let’s face it, Costa Rica’s hot!

Slow – The pace of life here is slow, much slower than what you’re accustomed to. If you’re thinking about living in Costa Rica, get ready to slow down. Many gringos fight that…they refuse to slow down…until Costa Rica slows them down.

Friendly – Costa Rican’s are incredibly friendly…to the point of intimidation. It’s one of the special things that draws millions to this tiny country every year…some of whom never go home…wink!

Overwhelming – Sometimes when I’m driving along the scenic byways of this place, my senses get completely overwhelmed by its natural splendor. If you’re a photography buff, make sure to have your camera ready at all times!

Green – In keeping with the point made immediately above, Costa Rica is green. I once wrote a silly little post about it…but, really, the greenness is captivating and mesmerizing.

Frustrating – Much of this comes down to the cultural fact that folks here live by the maxim that there’s more time than life. They get things done, well, when they get done. Events themselves become much more important than the time they occupy. Timelines, deadlines, and the sort just don’t work well here. So don’t dare come here and try to live by them. That, admittedly, can be frustrating for us gringos.

Exotic – Defined as “originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country”, you’ll know right away that you’re not in Kansas anymore once you arrive in Costa Rica. The people are exotic, the land is exotic, the flora and fauna are exotic, and all of that creates an intoxicating mix that can become very addicting.

Adventurous – Depending on where you live, just going to the grocery store can be an adventurous experience here. If you’re the type that values adventure, then Costa Rica is probably your place!

Refreshing – There’s something about being in a place so steeped in natural beauty that’s refreshing. Also, there are the cultural aspects that make living in Costa Rica refreshing. People here call it the “pura vida” lifestyle and it can literally add years to your life!

Inspiring – If you want to get more creative with your life, Costa Rica can be a place that can greatly inspire improvement in that direction.

Authentic – Costa Rican’s live life without many of the luxuries that we take for granted up north. Life here takes on more of an authentic quality. It’s a bit like going back to a time when folks had to make do with what they had…and they did…you will too.

Rustic – Defined as being “constructed or made in a plain and simple fashion”…not only is the architecture here quite rustic, but life itself takes on rustic qualities. I don’t know about you, but I love all things rustic.

Natural/Organic – If you want to get healthy and eat a more natural organic diet, there’s no better place. Everything grows here and organic fruits and veggies abound. Living an unprocessed, vegan or vegetarian, lifestyle is much less challenging in Costa Rica than up north.

Romantic – Latin America as a whole is a romantic place…from the language, to the music and dance, to the outlaws and even to the regular folk…Costa Rica is no exception!

(potentially) Risky – We live very risk averse lives in the north. We prefer the dull and boring, but more secure, life over one that is full of adventure, potential danger and risk…don’t we? That’s just not the way life is generally lived in Costa Rica, where jumping off a huge rock into a pounding waterfall would be considered a very normal thing to do. Of course, there’s also the risk that once you come here…you may never leave!

There are certainly other words I could use to describe living in Costa Rica. However, the ones above came immediately to mind, so I went with them.

If you’re an expat in Costa Rica, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Come and adopt a few adjectives that describe for yourself the amazing reality that is expat living in Costa Rica.