The expatriate community of southern Pacific Costa Rica is an eclectic mix. People from
all over congregate in our jungle oasis, some for the short term and others for much
longer. Many life plans are fulfilled, while some go up in smoke. Budgets are balanced
and budgets are broken. It’s a constant cycle producing a steady stream of many
different types — quiet types, entrepreneur types, volunteer types, dreamers, drifters
and, of course, retirees. All of this movement makes it pretty easy to find other expats
nearby that enjoy some of the same things you enjoy. They speak your language, so to
speak, and that can be comforting when trying to adjust not only to a new home, but an
entirely new country.
But what about that other community? You know, the local community. What steps are
you taking to integrate yourself into it? Because those steps, more so than your bank
account or the age on your driver’s license, could very well determine how your time in
Costa Rica ends up being remembered.
Learning Costa Rica Culture
Let’s get one myth out of the way: Studies now suggest that learning a new language
does not become more difficult as you grow older. In general, any advantage children
have in learning a language is offset by the tools an adult can access to learn the same
language. So if you haven’t already, you can give substantial effort to learn Spanish,
and you can make slow-and-steady progress in this endeavor. These efforts will not go
unnoticed by your Tico friends and neighbors, and in many cases they’ll jump at a
chance to correct your errors and help you improve your Spanish skills.
One of the most beautiful things about the southern zone is its people and their
mindsets – they are FREE! People practice different religions, they dress all over the
board and they talk in various dialects. You can still have a bonfire or cold beer on the
beach without getting cited by an officer of the law. You can drive your licensed ATV on
the coastal highway or buy ceviche from a family-run stand right off the road. And yet,
with all this freedom, it’s of utmost importance to respect the local customs, laws and
ways of life. Virtues like dressing appropriate for your surroundings, not driving while
intoxicated and showing respect for others are valued just as much here as they are
across the world.
More than 75 percent of Costa Ricans identify as Catholic, and there are several
religious holidays and festivals throughout the year, the biggest of which are Semana
Santa (the week preceding Easter) and Virgin of Los Angeles Day (August 2). These
times are to be both respected and celebrated. While the week before Christmas really
heats up with tourists, it’s important to keep in mind that Christmas Eve, for example, is
an important time for Ticos to spend with their families. If you’re relying on local labor,
it’s best to plan way ahead for the biggest holidays so that your employees maintain a
proper work-life balance that is essential to the Pura Vida lifestyle.
These are just two of the things any expat can do to become more rooted within our
local community. There are many other ways to go about it, from helping kids or families
in need, hiring locals to work for you, starting up volunteer programs and even teaching
English in around your neighborhood — that one is especially well-received! What is
important is to make the effort and put yourself out there because even in a small
community like ours, there is still a ton to discover!
The Costa Rica Expat Community
The expatriate community of southern Pacific Costa Rica is an eclectic mix.
People from all over the globe congregate in this jungle oasis, some for the short term
and others for much longer, to plant their flags in Central America’s finest tropical clay.
Many life plans are exceeded while others go up in smoke. Budgets are balanced and
budgets are broken. It’s a constant cycle producing a steady stream of many different
types — quiet types, entrepreneur types, volunteer types, outdoorsy types, dreamers,
drifters and, of course, retirees.
All of this movement makes it pretty easy to find other expats nearby that enjoy some of
the same things you enjoy. They speak your language, so to speak, and that sure can
be comforting when trying to adjust not only to a new home, but an entirely new country.
But what about that other community? You know, the local community. What steps are
you taking to integrate yourself into that community? Because those steps, more so
than your bank account or the age on your driver’s license, could very well determine
how your time in Costa Rica ends up being remembered.
It’s possible to come all the way down to southern Costa Rica and surround yourself
with the same people you’ve been around for much of your life. But what’s the fun in
that? Why leave in the first place? Let the ego go, make some speaking mistakes in
public, get better at Spanish, meet some amazing new people and expand those
horizons. Because even in a small community like ours, there is still a ton to discover.
Written by Steve Dorman
