Our Amazing Little Country

ABOUT COSTA RICA

I love Costa Rica. Mainly I love the people here -- their warmth and openness, their generosity. This is why I decided to make Costa Rica my home, in spite of not knowing two words in Spanish. That Costa Rica is spectacularly beautiful with astounding diversity also makes it a place everyone can appreciate, if you have the confidence and desire to move away from the hum-drum of cities and commercial tourism locations.

Costa Ricans have reason for genuine pride in being so different from other Latin countries, and being in so many ways better off than far wealthier North Americans. It comes in part from a long history of a very free press, good universal education, a decent public health care system, no military presence (domestic or foreign -- no U.S. or other military bases here), a strong democratic government. It's a small country (4.5 million people in an area about the size of West Virginia). There's no real history of dictatorship, never had slavery. There's  no major link to drug trafficking or money laundering, and no "single industry" dominant company. Politics are pretty tame entertainment, and every four years the elections assure more colorful campaigning than the football championships. Families are closely woven together, yet easily make room for outsiders. The Costa Rican people are happy with their life style. In 2011 Costa Rica came out #1 in the world as the Happiest Country on Earth.

These underlying values create a citizenry -- Ticos, we call ourselves --both welcoming to foreigners and relatively safe for independent travel.  With a few useful facts and tips you'll find yourself exploring dirt roads and finding hidden waterfalls -- discovering all by yourself why Ticos are so enchanted by our own country.