About Costa Rica

 

Ten Fun and Useful Things to Know About Living in Costa Rica -

When we relocated to Costa Rica, we found some traditions that were vital to everday living. Below are the top ten survival tips for everyday living in Costa Rica

The Hello/Goodbye Kiss– Costa Rica has many European traditions including saying “Hello” or “Goodbye” accompanied by a kiss on the cheek. This is a tradition that is still alive and well all over the country. Now let's be clear on how it's correctly done as some find it quite confusing. First off, it is only done on one cheek, typically by leaning in with your right cheek. The second step is the tricky part: You never really kiss the person! Yes, the secret is out, your cheeks will touch but you will kiss the air. This is done as a greeting and a farewell and it usually only applies to women; men will use a handshake for greeting each other.

At the doorway – When entering a home, you must ask for “permission” before entering. Traditionally you will say “con permiso” which translates to “with your permission”. It is considered a sign of respect to the owners of the home you are visiting as you enter.

I'll have that ready for you “tomorrow” – You will hear this phrase over and over again while you are here in Costa Rica. It is the polite way to say it will be ready in 2 to 5 days depending on what you are waiting for. The best way to define how long it will be is by following up that phrase with a specific time frame, such as “Ok, how about Thursday?”. That way you know where you stand.

Bars on the windows – When you start looking for Real Estate, you will notice that a majority of the homes have bars on their windows. Initially it leaves a negative impression on the safety of this country but that is not quite the case. Bars on homes have been used as a safety measure for generations to the degree that it has become must when building a home. Now that there are more formal residential areas being built with additional security (security guards) being used, home builders are staying away from iron bars.


El Guachiman – Throughout our cities and towns, you will notice that there are always men watching cars. This is a “service” that they provide for added security to your car. Typically when you decide to park, they will guide you in parking the car, signal to you that they will be watching your car and when you return expect to be paid a small fee for their services. (200 to 500 colones should suffice). Even though you car is being watched; don't leave anything in plain sight. That includes sunglasses, ipods, purses, book bags or laptops, etc. Don't give anyone a reason to break into your car.

Driving in Costa Rica – Driving in Costa Rica can be considered an adventure at times. Roads are sometimes not in the best of conditions and there are some potholes that you swear that look like they lead you straight to China. Besides the potholes, there is foot traffic on roads that do not have sidewalks and the drivers themselves are aggressive. If you live in the city, you can always take public transportation or taxis to save yourself some stress. We also understand that many prefer to drive themselves, but we always advise that drivers should be aware of your surroundings.

Women's fashion – Women in Costa Rica are proud of their bodies and like to wear revealing clothes in order to show off what they have; regardless if they have too much or too little. For foreigners, it becomes a bit of a shock and tough to process. Latin women are know for their sexiness and Ticas are no exception. They are proud, educated and confident women.

“No” is hard word to say – Ticos have a hard trouble saying “No”. Because they are an accommodating society, they want to help you regardless if they actually can or not. If you ask a yes or no question and the answer is “that's going to be difficult” or “let me see what I can do” then that means NO.

Touchy Feely – Ticos are very open and friendly. Once you engage in a conversation with them, you will notice that there will be a tap on your leg or pat on the back. It is a sign of friendship and trust, which may get more physical as you get to know them longer.

Patience, patience – Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains but not for efficiency. Things take time to get done so be prepared to have a little bit of patience stored away. The banking system has improved but any trips to immigration or any state agencies will take a good part of your day. Always have a book with you, buy the paper or have your 3G phone handy to kill time.