Updated: 02/05/2019 | February 5th, 2019

This is a guest publish by Abby Tegnelia, a former expat living in Costa Rica. “Pura vida” is a typical expression in Costa Rica, approximately equated to “the pure life” in English. Abby’s time in Costa Rica was full of pura vida life experiences. She resided in a one-room bit home as well as enjoyed a life of Spanish classes, drinking on her neighbor’s stoop, as well as sunset walks on the beach. Here’s why Costa Rica is the ultimate location for slowing down.

The most unique part of living in or traveling with Costa Rica is what I phone call the “calming-down effect.” Life is so simple there; the most stressful decision to make all the time is commonly where to watch the sunset. Physical modifications show up thanks to the chance to online in a world surrounded by untouched nature. Monkeys play in the trees as well as roosters roam the streets.

I lived a year in the land of “pura vida,” as well as I’m surprised by the many misconceptions people have about the country.

The most obvious error that any type of expat notices is exactly how many people believe it’s synonymous with Mexico or mix it up with Puerto Rico. many travelers are surprised that margaritas as well as tortilla chips are scarce. Ticos (the word for native Costa Ricans) really eat a extremely simple diet plan of mainly rice as well as beans; my regional good friends commonly make a huge, family-sized pan of it in the morning. At breakfast, it’s served with an egg; beef, chicken, or fish is added later in the day, with a fresh cabbage salad at dinner.

Nor is whatever perfect. It’s extremely costly to import just about anything to this little country in central America. wine is triple the cost that it is in the US, as are many other things. (So when you order it at a bar, expect it to find from a box.) I have a good friend who plans weddings, as well as she constantly hears, “But in Mexico, they offered us this…But in Mexico, we got a offer on that…” Her response is always: “Then go get married in Mexico.”

Costa Rica’s famous nature (jungles, rainforests, beaches) do not disappoint — they are pristine as well as beautiful. however sometimes the seemingly few beach bars there do. In the country’s effort to protect stated nature, there are strict legislations about exactly how close to the beach you can develop a bar, house, or hotel. As one would expect in such a laidback central American country, the municipality ignored this for many years. however the country has stepped up enforcement, as well as so around Costa Rica, cherished ceviche shacks as well as watering holes were torn down to ensure that beaches might return to their natural prettiness.

Some things you will never get utilized to: a guy holding a infant with one arm as he speeds down the primary road on his bike still turns my stomach. however trust that there’s a solution to every problem. A pipe is leaking in your front yard, as well as you can’t get with to AYA? Don’t go ballistic. Flag down a truck as well as ask them yourself. sometimes the garbage guy don’t come for a week. Honestly, they most likely have a beef with somebody in your neighborhood, as well as it’s being done on purpose. The trash heap will ultimately be taken away. In the meantime, think about it part of the charm.

I just recently shown up at the Liberia flight terminal to a mass of people in the immigration line. It was chaos. Americans were seething at the mess, guy yelling as well as pushing. I was just as upset – at them for being so rude. You just landed in an open-air flight terminal in Costa Rica . Did you truly believe somebody was going to come out as well as begin directing traffic? Smile, as well as wait an additional ten minutes. This isn’t the United States. The slow-paced way of life will manifest itself in many different ways, not all of them to everyone’s liking.

On the flip side, often, a “problem” will just kind of repair itself. Once, I needed a new wallet as well as couldn’t discover a single one for sale. (There are about three stores in my pueblo, most of them hawking only souvenirs.) however people in my town had wallets, so I understood ultimately I’d figure out exactly how to get one. One day, the response actually came knocking. someday a lady knocked on my door with a catalog packed with French beauty products as well as vibrant clothes. I flipped with it as well as sure enough, I discovered a wallet! A few weeks later, she returned from San José with it. This is exactly how you shop when the closest huge city is four hours away by cars and truck – as well as few people have sufficient money for a cars and truck to begin with. I replaced my torn-up Gucci with a simple brown fabric wallet covered in colored flowers. It was $10 – as well as perfect.

Abby Tegnelia is a life-long travel junkie journalist who works difficult to discover experience in daily life after two years of travel as well asexpat living. Abby left Costa Rica when she was hired on as a magazine editor (her dream job) in Las Vegas, as well as is now checking out a new career in Silicone Valley. Nowadays she works as a client funnel consultant, social network strategist, as well as material marketer.

Book Your trip to Costa Rica: Logistical tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to discover a affordable flight. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse websites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned. begin with Skyscanner very first though since they have the biggest reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest stock as well as finest deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses as well as affordable hotels. My preferred locations to stay are:

Arenal Backpackers resort (Arenal)

Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)

Hostel Vista Serena (Manuel Antonio)

Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will protect you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s comprehensive security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it many times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:

Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)

Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want more info on Costa Rica?
Be sure to see our robust destination guide on Costa Rica for even more planning tips!