Lifestyle in Costa Rica

Whether you wish to spend your free time embarking on adventures up volcanoes or in jungles with newfound friends; or simply relaxing in a hammock on a beach with a beer and a book, Costa Rica offers a fantastic lifestyle for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the world and life's simple pleasures.

Costa Rica also offers a varied lifestyle that will ensure you never get bored ' you can just as easily walk to your local farmers' market to shop for affordable, fresh produce; or drive along a modern highway to a big mall or upmarket chain stores. Likewise, you can fill your days pursuing activities, such as fishing, hiking, surfing or scuba diving; or you can choose to sunbathe on the beach, maybe taking a break to dip your toes in the water and look for shells in the sand. Whatever you choose to do, the general ethos in Costa Rica is that you should enjoy doing it, and live as stress-free an existence as possible.

Pura Vida

Costa Ricans have one of the longest average lifespans in the world, and this longevity is attributed to a philosphy known as 'pura vida'.

Although it has become a bit of a marketing slogan in recent years, this recipe for a happy, healthy life still remains the same and it never has a negative connotation. Pura Vida's beauty lies in its versatility, and you may find you start using it too after a few weeks ' it can mean 'hello', 'goodbye', 'all's well', 'cool', 'same to you'. It literally translates to 'pure life', but can be more loosely explained as 'enjoy life'. It indicates a joie de vivre that defines the lifestyle you can expect while living in this Central American haven.

Interestingly, Costa Rica topped the Happy Planet Index rankings for the third time in 2016. According to the New Economic Foundation, 'Costa Ricans have higher wellbeing than the residents of many rich nations, including the USA and the UK, and live longer than people in the USA'.

As well as its incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, this small country is known for its peaceful way of life. It does not have an army, enjoys relative political and economic stability, and is often referred to as the 'Switzerland of Central America'. Pura Vida suggests relaxing, enjoying every moment and appreciating the small things. It's a philosophy of taking things easy and having fun, as well as putting friends and family first. It's also about cherishing life's simple pleasures and not being in a rush, and it embodies a lifestyle that anyone who lives in Costa Rica can partake in.

Plan de Vida

Costa Rica is a relatively stable country with an excellent health care system, and this definitely plays a part in explaining why Costa Ricans have such a high average life expectancy.

Nicoya, which is an isolated 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border, is one of the world's five Blue Zones, and residents there are apparently twice as likely as Americans to reach the age of 90, as well as live healthier and happier lives. The water in this Pacific peninsular has the highest calcium content in Costa Rica, which, along with the exposure to sunshine and vitamin D may explain the lower rates of heart disease and osteoporosis. The traditional diet of fortified maize and beans is also a great nutritional combination, and low calory consumption appears to add years to lives.

However, one of the main reasons that the residents in this region are believed to live so long is that they have what is known as a 'plan de vida.' This can be translated as a 'reason to live', which encourages a positive approach and helps keep people of all ages active.

This culture of forming solid social networks can be seen across Costa Rica as a whole ' neighbours are friends and frequently visit each other; families are supportive of their elders and live together, and this all helps to further cultivate a strong sense of purpose and community spirit. Everyone has a reason to live, a plan de vida. There is also a strong focus on family, and children provide a sense of purpose and belonging for the elderly. People feel needed well into their old age, and consequently, want to contribute to the good of society. Simple pleasures, such as listening and laughing together, are also valued, and people appreciate what they have.

Useful links:

Expat.com ' Everyday Life in Costa Rica Forum
Costa Rica Tourism Board www.visitcostarica.com