Costa Rica Expat Tours

find your new life in paradise

The Reasons for Costa Rica Biodiversity

by Leave a Comment

Here’s an explanation from our resident naturalist expert, Yahaira, on what makes for the amazing degree of Costa Rica Biodiversity.

Speciation

A combination of factors has made this small Central American country – 51,100 Sq Km in its terrestrial part – own about 5% of the biodiversity on the planet. In a word, we could define what has happened here: high “speciation.”  That is, the emergence of many different species over millions of years culminating in a huge amount of present ones. What is it about Costa Rica in particular that allowed it to be a cauldron for this process?

Latitude

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of Ecuador, i.e., it belongs to the tropical zone of the globe. It is said that climate stability of the Tropics, where the weather conditions are not extreme usually throughout the year for several million years, has allowed the emergence of many species through evolution. These sites served as refuges of life in difficult times in history, such as the glaciations. Elsewhere, the advancing ice decreased organisms radiation and speciation was slowed or even truncated for some taxonomic groups.

Microclimates

Its position between two large bodies of water, along with its narrow field allows the entry of winds, usually laden with moisture, into the territory. These winds blow in different degrees throughout the year, so its influence is variable in some places, more stable in others. This singularity, together with the system of mountain ranges that cross the country from northwest to southeast and steep changes in elevation from sea level up to 3800 m ( almost 12 000 feet) in the Cerro Chirripó, certainly has great influence in the creation of microclimates . The temperature drops as you ascend the mountain ranges and when the wind full of moisture cools on the rise, rainfall occurs differentially on both strands, Caribbean and Pacific.

Geographic Isolation

Soil types, topography and diverse climates have together served as geographical barriers to stop their distribution agencies specializing in one particular environment, as in the islands (eg, Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands). The Costa Rican Caribbean red frog is not the same as the red frog that lives in the Pacific, to name an example.

Costa Rica biodiversityHopefully this has helped you understand why Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity.

And if these issues are your thing, we invite you to come to the laboratory of life, where your next adventure may be a mixture of adrenaline, a little splash of wonder and knowledge.

Check out our Costa Rica Eco-Tour and other Costa Rica vacation package designs to see Costa Rica Biodiversity up close and personal!

Costa Rica Surfing

by 8 Comments

I can remember it just like it was yesterday. I was living in a little cottage on the island of Holden Beach, North Carolina.

One day dad pulls up in the jeep with a monstrosity of a surfboard.  It must have been 12 feet long and weighed about three times what I did.  I was seven at the time, so this would have been 1967 and short surfboards had not been invented yet (yes, I know I’m getting old!).

That sparked one of the great passions of my life, surfing.  I don’t do it as much these days, but from the time I was seven until fifty-two, I loved surfing as much as anything. Still do, it’s just that other pressures of life, coupled with the fact that I am getting older, seem to get in the way these days (excuses, excuses).  That is sad considering that I’ve been living for the past decade in one of the greatest surfing locations on the planet.

Costa Rica surfing probably is some of the best the planet offers, with countless spots dotted along its Pacific and Caribbean coasts. What makes it even better is that the Costa Rica surfing offers water conditions that are simply excellent. The water is warm all year long. There are not that many sharks to eat you like in Australia or even California (well, salt-water crocs are another story). While certain popular spots get crowded, you can always find that perfect little “secret” place where it’s just you and the waves.

I can remember one of my first trips to Costa Rica back in 2001. I was traveling on business with an employee of mine. I told him that since we had a couple days before we had to start working, I was going to hop into a rental car and head to the beach to catch some waves (not being a surfer, he opted for San Jose nightlife).

I can remember the sense of adventure of crossing the mountains on the way to Jacó beach. Of being out in the ocean on my board just before sunset. The waves were small and fun.

Sitting on the board watching the sky light up with a thousand colors as the sun was setting on the horizon, I thought to myself, certainly I’d found my paradise on earth.

Maybe that (and a thousand other such epiphanies) solidified my great love for Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise and once a surfer, always a surfer.  I guess it’s time to dust off my board and head to the beach!

The Art of Nonconformity in Costa Rica

by Leave a Comment

Chris Guillebeau Art of Nonconformity

Read Chris Guillebeau’s manifesto for the first time this morning. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to do that. I am a big fan of this young guy. I have read $100 Start-Up and follow his blog. Chris is much younger than I am. I only wish I could have had his wisdom in my 30’s. Instead I was thinking like the typical conformista. Doing it the way it is “supposed” to be done. And as time did tell, that didn’t work out so well for me.

The manifesto is entitled, A Brief Guide to World Domination. In it Chris instructs us how to live a nonconformist life, and do things like take over small countries. In reality, his manifesto has impact mindfulness written all over and under it. He just uses different terminology.

I guess in some ways I did follow his advice. I did “occupy” a small country. And the manifesto inspired thought this morning on what that all means. What has turning nonconformist and occupying this strange place that I now call home really meant to my life? In other words, what is it that I really love about this place?

My entire worldview has drastically changed as a result of my over a decade long experience of Costa Rica. What can I honestly say that I like most about that experience? Is it the language, or the landscapes, the waves, or the women, the freedom, or the frivolity? As impressive as all of those things are…nope…it’s none of those things. What I like most is the change living here has wrought upon me…primarily in the following 3 ways…

Change #1: Learning Humility

When I first came to Costa Rica I was anything but humble. I was a lawyer-MBA type who was flown down to orchestrate a large business deal. It was a heady experience and one that indeed did go directly to that part of my body. I had what you might call a Mark Sanford-esque experience (and anyone from my home state of South Carolina will know exactly what that means).

But all that came crashing to an end and when the dust finally settled I did as well, in my new home. And I learned, gradually, to be humble. Living in a foreign country can do that to you, if you really immerse. Oh, there are plenty who come here and never do that. But that is not my nature. I did immerse and it changed me.

How? Well, I believe the natural grandeur of this place put me in my place. I was, and still am, humbled by both the beauty, power and fragility of nature. I was humbled into dismissing the notion that human progress can proceed in a way that puts us at odds with nature. Nature will either win that battle, or the “spoils” will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the victor.

I was humbled by living shoulder to shoulder with people who were different. I gradually came to the realization that being from the world’s largest superpower doesn’t make me any more exceptional than they already were. Neither did my education, money, language, customs, intelligence, or anything else. That we are all just people striving for the same basic thing…to live a dignified life.

Change #2: Learning Respect

I came here thinking very firmly that I had all the right answers. That the indoctrination of my upbringing, education, church and nationality made me a much brighter person than I really was. I often notice that attitude with gringos who come here either to visit or live. If it is to live, you either learn to respect, or you are in for a very unhealthy experience. Those are the ones who grow bitter and continuously grumble about how the ticos have it all wrong. Well, they may have it all wrong, but they’re smiling (actually laughing at you) while you sit miserable.

You see, it pays to learn to respect other viewpoints. It enhances your human experience to learn to stand in the other fellow’s shoes, especially if those shoes are far different from ones you have ever tried on. It is one of the greatest lessons of life I have learned here. It has served to remove those impact blinders that I came here wearing. I began to see the world from a different and far more open-minded perspective.

Change #3: Learning Patience

For many years this came as a hard lesson for me. I did not understand the concept of time that existed here. It seemed as if time didn’t matter, or at least that these people certainly didn’t respect my incessant worry over its scarcity. They seemed to take the view that there really was enough time to go around and meet everyone’s needs. Maybe that’s because there is a far different definition of “needs meeting” here than exists up there. People here just get along with a lot less and are content with that. The idea of arranging your life to achieve maximum efficiency with the goal of having more just doesn’t occur to most people here. The goal of life is not to have more, but to live more. The two are not the same (I know that may come as a surprise to many).

So a much slower pace of life is what prevails. One that breathes deeper meaning into the concept of “relaxing and smelling roses.” And there are so many “roses” to smell here…maybe that’s the impetus. In the U.S. people strive to make a gazillion so they can have maybe 50% of the peaceful experience that a tico making less than half the poverty rate in the U.S. has simply by walking outside of his humble choza (home) and taking in the spectacular and completely free panoramic vista of his daily existence. So why should he be in a hurry? Not!!

So, first out of sheer necessity, and later out of a deeper understanding of true happiness, I slowed down. And I believe (hope) that it has added years to my life. It has certainly decreased the moments of panic and rage.

Maybe you expected something different with this post. Maybe you expected me to tell of my favorite location, activity, or experience. But no, my favorite things about living here are the life’s lessons it has taught me. I have learned the art of nonconformity in Costa Rica. I am grateful for that.

Oh, and if you would like to learn more about those lessons, you can always get my own Misfit Manifesto.

The Art of Nonconformity in Costa Rica first appeared in the Costa Rica Guy Blog.

Guanacaste…more than beaches!

by Leave a Comment

Guanacaste Costa Rica

Guanacaste Costa Rica is one of the country’s seven provinces.  Located in the Northwest side of the country and famous for its white sandy beaches, this region has much more to offer than white sand and waves.

Costa Rica would not be the same without it, for it is here where we find elements of great importance to the folklore of the nation. The marimba music, their dances and their “tortillas palmeadas” enrich the lives of locals and lift spirits of visitors.

Pottery made in the ancient Chorotega tradition from baked clay is sold throughout the country, but comes primarily from the small Guanacaste town of Guaitil. The Chorotegas (indigenous people now extinct) used the same methods thousands of years ago.

The province is named after the national tree which has its origin in this region.

Guanacaste is home to one of the last remaining tropical dry forests, the most threatened ecosystem in Central America with only two percent of its original coverage. It also has volcanoes, natural lagoons where tourists can swim peacefully and even hot springs. Guancaste Costa Rica is all about the tourism, with hotels of all categories and tour operators that allow experiences as diverse as diving trips, snorkeling, fishing, natural history walks, bird watching and turtle nesting, boating, surfing, rafting, horseback riding , canopy and rappel.

It is easy to get there. Liberia, the capital of the province has its own international airport.

Consider a visit to Guanacaste Costa Rica and experience its ancient traditions and gorgeous beaches!

 

Conquering Chirripo – Round 2

by 3 Comments

071

Just returned from my second 2-day long ordeal to reach the top of Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo.  First a few facts about this sacred mountain (sacred to me because of the blood, sweat and tears, yes tears, I have shed upon its rocky flanks)….

  • highest mountain in Costa Rica, with an elevation of 3,820 meters (12,533 ft)
  •  38th most prominent peak in the world
  • from the trail-head, the summit can be reached via a 19.5-kilometer (12.1 mi) hike
  • it is possible on clear days to see from coast to coast, from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea

Now for the statistics of my latest Chirripo conquest….

  • trail-head to Base Crestones (the very “bare-bones” base-camp where one spends a cold night prior to striking out for the summit) – 7 hours, 13 minutes
  • Base Crestones to summit and return to Base – 4 hours, 15 minutes
  • Base Crestones to trail-head – 5 hours, 15 minutes
  • total hike time – 16 hours, 43 minutes

Chirripo is an endurance test for anyone, let alone a 52 year-old who likes his Imperials and tragos de Flor de Caña a bit too much.  But apart from the sheer effort it takes to arrive at the top, there is an intense spiritual element in the experience, at least for me.  Once you enter into the valle de los conejos you reach a point of environmental nirvana that is as completely unsullied in its natural state as one can find on this planet and accessible to the human form without risking one’s life and limb (and bank account) to get there…..Everest comes to mind, but how many have died on its icy slopes?  Some really do pay a dear price as one unlucky man with a dislocated vertebrae was awaiting a helicopter to bring him back down to a hospital (at a price of around $5,000).  I am fortunate to say that my price was merely sore feet (my shoes were a bit too snug for the descent to be anything but a painful experience).

I made the trek this time with my buddy David Picado (he was unable to make the summit due to a bum knee that was aggravated on the 7 plus hour ascent to Base) and my 15 year-old sobrino (nephew for you gringos), Sebastian (or, Sebas as we like to call him).  Chirripo remains hidden from sight for most of the trek and only reveals itself about a kilometer or so prior to reaching the summit.  Sebas must have asked me a hundred times which peak was indeed Chirripo, as the park is home to numerous ones that closely rival the namesake in height.  But once you get that first glimpse of the jagged triangular peak one’s initial reaction is to gasp (at both its immaculateness and due to the fact that you know you must get up there….somehow).

And that somehow is basically with every ounce of energy your arms and legs can muster as you strain towards the top against gravity and lack of oxygen.  Once you arrive you are greeted with the most magnificent view that I have had privilege of laying eyes upon in my 52 years above ground.  I have not seen it myself, but they say on particularly clear days both oceans (Pacific and Caribbean) are visible.

I hope that this is not my last visit to this hallowed rocky parcel of my beloved Tiquicia.  In fact, I plan (at least in my head) to make the trek once a year for as long as my legs and lungs will allow it.  And since I live only an hour from the trail-head, there aren’t too many excuses for not doing so.  Chirripo presents a rough reminder of our mortality.  But also of the immortal nature of the human spirit as well as the author and creator of both.

Welcome to the Border – May I take your Order?

by 6 Comments

No, this post has nothing to do with Taco Bell.  I used to be what we call in Costa Rica a “perpetual tourist.” 

That’s one of those “types” who lives in Costa Rica on a tourist visa and just leaves every so-often (every 90 days as of the writing of this old post) to renew said visa…

I came here in 2001 on a business deal and for the next two years was traveling back and forth almost every month, therefore the thought of establishing “residency” never even occurred to me.  Then in 2004 I started a tourism business. For the first two years of that business I still traveled back and forth, so residency just didn’t seem necessary. Then in 2006 I made my permanent move and finally residency became important to me. 

So I got an attorney who promised that he could make my residency sail through the bureaucracy like grease through a goose.  A year later I was told that it wasn’t going to be as easy as first thought.  At that point I was frustrated and decided to hire another, supposedly more knowledgeable, attorney, who again told me pretty much the same.  A year later, still no residency.  By the end of 2008 I was still an f’ing tourist living in Costa Rica! 

As a perpetual tourist I had to leave the country every thee months for three days in order to renew my tourist visa.  I could go anywhere I chose, as long as I crossed the border and stayed put for three days, or seventy-two hours.  That is why there is that question on the immigration form you sign when you enter the country whereby you swear that you have been out of the country for seventy-two hours (look closely next time, it is there).

This was all fine and good in a way, as it kinda forced me to get to know our neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, Panama and even Colombia, which I visited the first time in 2008.  These places are actually very special too, despite political and social problems that still linger (especially in Nicaragua and Colombia).  It’s like getting to take a little mini-vacation every three months.

But the truth is, Costa Rica has an immigration problem.  I have heard there are some 500,000 illegal Nicaraguans living within these borders, not to mention Colombians, Panamanians, Dominicans, etc.  Proportionately speaking, the problem is even greater than in the U.S. 

I didn’t want to be part of that problem.

I am still trying to fight through the bureaucratic maze of Costa Rican Immigration and get my residency (although I really think at this point an “honorary residency” is in order…sort of along the lines of the “national convenience” decree that was issued to the billionaire Steve Case).  When I do finally get my residency, I plan to continue taking my little vacations to neighboring countries (I really would like to visit Peru). But at least I won’t carry around the stigma of being a “mojado indocumentado” any longer. And, at least, I won’t “have to!”

P.S.  For those of you out there who acquired your Costa Rican cedulas painlessly and effortlessly – GET A LIFE!

P.S.S. I did finally get my residency around 2009 (I think) and then 10 years later, became a full-fledged Costa Rican citizen.

Living on Tico Time

by 7 Comments

North Americans are often aghast at the cultural attitudes of the Ticos about punctuality. It is said in Costa Rica that if you arrive on time to a scheduled meeting you are “early.”  If you arrive thirty minutes late you are “on time.”  And only if you arrive MORE than thirty minutes late are you, well, “late.”

There are some practical reasons for this, which are especially true in San Jose, as well as everywhere else. For instance, the traffic is at times absolutely atrocious (as are the roads in many areas) and getting from Point A to B takes about double the time you’re probably used to.

You are probably thinking well maybe, BUT you have to take all that into account and leave early enough so as to anticipate delays and still be punctual.  For those of you thinking that, what follows is good advice.  If you are going to come down here with that attitude, please stay home!!!

We just don’t think that far ahead down here.  We would rather burn our brain cells on other more important matters. Just look at my friend Mack in the picture above.  Does he look like he is worried about making it on time to his next scheduled meeting?  Of course not!!  He is engaged in a much more worthy pursuit, like kicking back with a cold Imperial.

An area where “Tico Time” is most evident is the never ending wait for the bill (or cuenta) when you complete your meal at virtually any restaurant in the country.  Now we  gringos are used to receiving the bill (or having it shoved down our throats) even before we have tasted the last morsel.  Not in Costa Rica, however.  If you are waiting to receive the bill get ready to wait a long long time.

Why is this?

Well in Costa Rica it is considered rude and socially unacceptable to bring the bill before being asked. In Costa Rica culture all social problems are resolved by talking it through for hours after finishing the meal.  Therefore, if you want the bill you have to say, repeat after me, “la cuenta por favor.”

And please always say please, because the culture here is very polite.  “Gracias” and “por favor” are always expected and appreciated.

Another phrase you might hear in Costa Rica regarding time is “hay mas tiempo que vida.”  That means that there is “more time than life,” which is great thought to always carry with you, wherever you are…

It signifies a focus that is more on the living than on the time which it occupies.

Pura Vida!

Connect with Costa Rica Expat Tours