Menu
Meaning “pure life,” pura vida life is the slogan of Costa Rica, or at least the country’s collective philosophy. This laid-back attitude is one of the main characteristics that draws many expats to the country in the first place wanting to experience the pura vida life. This concept of slowing down, letting things just roll off your back, and relaxing is a great outlook to adopt. It’s likely one of the reasons Costa Ricans are among the healthiest and happiest cultures in the world.
Costa Rica’s economy is heavily dependent on ecotourism. And if you’ve even seen so much as a single photo slideshow highlighting the country’s natural beauty, then you can easily see why.This Central American country literally has it all, with terrains and eco-climates ranging from long stretches of undeveloped coastline to towering volcanoes to dense jungles and rainforests to lush valleys to waters teeming with all sorts of exotic marine life to inland lakes, streams, and rivers with cascading waterfalls and I could go on and on.
In North America, the way you choose your desired temperature is by adjusting your thermostat. In Costa Rica you can tweak your weather by carefully selecting your location and more specifically your elevation. If you are you looking for a year-round consistent climate with temps in the low 70s and the anticipated daily shower each afternoon, try the Central Valley, near San Jose, which thousands of expats already call home.But if you are OK with enduring a little more heat and humidity in exchange for the laid-back lifestyle of one of the country’s amazing beach towns, then try a quaint little village on the coast, that’s where you will find the authentic pura vida life.A word of caution, though, the rainy season runs from May to November. And, depending on where you live, “rainy” could mean anything from the aforementioned afternoon shower to torrential downpours that go on for days on end. The Caribbean coast usually gets more rain than the Pacific.
Costa Rica’s great weather and amazing natural beauty have made it extremely popular as an expat and tourist destination. As a result, there are tons of ways to experience the outdoors and get your adrenaline going.
You can go deep sea fishing in a record-breaking catch, soar through the canopy and see the rainforest via zipline, go whitewater rafting on a raging river, hike to the top of a volcano, learn to surf on some of the world’s best waves, or even just enjoy the exotic flora and fauna that’s all around you.
The country’s popularity as a tourist destination can also be quite profitable for entrepreneurs living in Costa Rica. All those visitors need food, lodging, tour guides, and other niche services that savvy expat investors are more than willing to provide. Costa Rica is a great investment opportunity!
Due to the country’s peace-loving nature and stable government, there are also no riots or other political uprisings, it’s often referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas.
That being said, Costa Rica still has its share of petty crimes. The good news is that much more of them are property-related.
Homes, particularly those that are only used seasonally, are frequently broken into. Tourists are often pickpocketed. And leaving items unattended in an unlocked vehicle or lying around outside your home is a good way to ensure they won’t be there when you come back.
Prevention is key for those visiting or living in Costa Rica. If you’re a tourist, try not to look or act like one. Don’t wear loads of flashy jewelry, accessories, sunglasses, etc. Limit any excessive carrying of electronics like camera, smartphones, iPods, and other devices. And, whatever you do, don’t go waving around wads of cash, particularly large bills.
As long as you use common sense and stick to the more traveled and well-lit thoroughfares, especially at night, you should be just fine.
While many of these and other factors about living in Costa Rica may seem like a lot to sort through, most all of them can be easily weighed by just scheduling a trip to bring your family down and decide for yourself.
Worst case scenario? You’ll have one of the best vacations of your lives. Best case? You could find the home you’ve always dreamed of.
PURA VIDA!
Follow the link to learn more about life and design in Costa Rica https://aurea-designs.com/projects/luxury-vacation-villa-renovation/
