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After hours of mulling over hundreds of pictures of Costa Rica in the office one day (that’s what happens when you work in the travel business), I decided that I just couldn’t stand anymore. Seeing Costa Rica from a swivel chair behind a desk is just not as satisfying as being there in person. So I checked my bank account, arranged my scheduled, and bought tickets three weeks out for a quick, spontaneous trip to the tropical paradise.
Amongst the sputtering volcanoes, paradisiacal hot springs, rumbling earthquakes, and cascading waterfalls, I discovered the magic and charm of the popular and beloved country. Ironically, my adventures brought me across the path of numerous individuals who have also fallen in love with the country. It didn’t take long to figure out that there’s something a little bit addicting about the Rich Coast. I’ve spoken with families who travel biannually with their children, volunteers that have spent every work or school holiday helping out in the rainforest, honeymooners who inevitably return for an anniversary celebration, and friends traveling together who return home after a week, only to decide to quit their jobs, sell their houses, and return to Costa Rica for good.
So what is it that draws these visitors in and guarantees that life will never be the same again without regular trips to their favorite country? In my few days there, I picked up on a few keys to the magic of Costa Rica that will ensure that once you visit, you will absolutely return:
Whether it’s the natural beauty, the calm and simple lifestyle, or the comfort and ease of an overseas journey, Costa Rica seems to have something to offer to everyone. It is filled with a unique magic that satisfies, yet always leaves you wanting more. Take a trip to the natural paradise and it’s guaranteed that someday, you will be back again.
After hours of mulling over hundreds of pictures of Costa Rica in the office one day (that’s what happens when you work in the travel business), I decided that I just couldn’t stand anymore. Seeing Costa Rica from a swivel chair behind a desk is just not as satisfying as being there in person. So I checked my bank account, arranged my scheduled, and bought tickets three weeks out for a quick, spontaneous trip to the tropical paradise.
Amongst the sputtering volcanoes, paradisiacal hot springs, rumbling earthquakes, and cascading waterfalls, I discovered the magic and charm of the popular and beloved country. Ironically, my adventures brought me across the path of numerous individuals who have also fallen in love with the country. It didn’t take long to figure out that there’s something a little bit addicting about the Rich Coast. I’ve spoken with families who travel biannually with their children, volunteers that have spent every work or school holiday helping out in the rainforest, honeymooners who inevitably return for an anniversary celebration, and friends traveling together who return home after a week, only to decide to quit their jobs, sell their houses, and return to Costa Rica for good.
So what is it that draws these visitors in and guarantees that life will never be the same again without regular trips to their favorite country? In my few days there, I picked up on a few keys to the magic of Costa Rica that will ensure that once you visit, you will absolutely return:
1. Days start at 5:30 am.
If you’re anything like me and a complete night owl, that sounds perfectly horrible. But when an entire society is set up to start earlier, then that means it also ends earlier, so there’s still plenty of time for a good night’s rest. With dinner at 5 and shops that close shortly thereafter, you won’t find too many activities tempting you to stay out late. Not surprisingly, a morning walk on the streets at the crack of dawn (literally… the sun rises at 5:30 year round) promises a bustling atmosphere full of workers, travelers, and rush hour traffic. The benefit of such an early schedule? Well, with a climate that guarantees rain in the afternoon every day for six months out of the year, you learn to adapt to be awake when there’s actually going to be sunshine. Plus, I believe we can all recall Ben’s wise advice to help us become people who are healthy, wealthy, and wise.2. Costa Rica has 12 active volcanoes.
And this doesn’t send people running? No – it actually does the opposite! Despite their active status, Costa Rica’s volcanoes draw in hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Not only do lava and billowing smoke out of mountain tops make great tourist attractions, but so do the natural hot springs at the base that are formed as a result of the volcanic environment. For those looking for a relaxing resort vacation, a refreshing day at the spa, or a cocktail drink by the poolside, these pools and hot tubs filled completely with natural water from the mountain springs are the place to be. It’s kind of like Mother Nature’s Jacuzzi. And if a bath in steaming natural springs in the forest wasn’t enough already, add in the picturesque view of a smoking volcano in the background. Like I said – paradise.3. You can experience it all without having to go very far.
If you want to experience exhilarating adventures in the mountains, warm and crystal clear beaches, the tropical bliss of the jungles, and the busyness of activities in the city, Costa Rica is the place to be. From the U.S, it’s easy to find plenty of options for non-stop flights straight into San Jose. Plus, it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump from your home territory – a relatively short flight compared to most international trips. Once in San Jose, visitors can meander through the downtown, tour the national theater, shop in local farmers markets, and kick back in the plazas. Amazingly, just a few hours outside of the city are boundless opportunities for adventure and thrill. National parks spread out among every corner of the country and promise the outdoor adventurists endless chances for some true oneness with nature. If you’re looking for a little change of scenery, visit one of Costa Rica’s unforgettable beaches. Only two hours away from the city is the Manuel Antonio beach, one of finest in the country. From snorkeling to kayaking to zip lining, you’re sure to get a taste of the addicting beauty that will keep you coming back!
4. Pura Vida
More than just the most commonly used phrase in the country, pura vida encompasses everything it means to be Costa Rican. A simple phrase that literally translates to “pure life,” Pura Vida expresses the simple life that Costa Ricans are so well-known for – chilling out, enjoying family and friends, and appreciating the beauty of their country around them. This popular phrase essentially carries a meaning similar to hakuna matata, and it doesn’t take long once you’re there to adopt the phrase and apply it to your own life. Pura vida may open up a conversation, be a response to describe how someone’s doing, or be parting words between friends. Moreover, however, it’s a philosophy that guides Ticos and Ticas in their way of life. Consequently, a Tico or Tica may be one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. There’s no such thing as a stranger in Costa Rica, but everyone treats each other with respect and with the familiarity of friendship. Whether you’re a tourist or local, you can be assured that everyone you encounter will exude the happiness and peace that is so characteristic of the country that makes everyone feel at home.
5. Costa Rica is not actually a third world country.
Somehow, our society has developed this idea of Costa Rica as being a third-world country. That’s just not true. For starters, the term third-world became popular years ago but is now outdated. Plus, Costa Rica is now considered a high developing country, with poverty rapidly decreasing. In fact, it’s now one of the most stable countries in Central America and boasts a fantastic and challenging education system, producing literacy rates of almost 95%. Not only that, but visitors to Costa Rica will quickly notice how modernized the country has become. We may not want to admit it, but let’s face it: Americans like what is familiar and comfortable to them. Thanks to all the new developments and growth in Costa Rica, plenty of those familiarities are now popping up all over the country. From clean, well-kept bathrooms (a rarity abroad) to your favorite fast-food chains, Costa Rica offers a taste of the uniqueness of other cultures while still providing plenty of the comforts that make us feel at home. And you wonder why people keep going back! ;)
Whether it’s the natural beauty, the calm and simple lifestyle, or the comfort and ease of an overseas journey, Costa Rica seems to have something to offer to everyone. It is filled with a unique magic that satisfies, yet always leaves you wanting more. Take a trip to the natural paradise and it’s guaranteed that someday, you will be back again.
