Written by Doug:  I first came here to Costa Rica’s  first international orchid show in 1986 on one of those 4 day/3 night adventures. It was in March.
I returned in July and spent six weeks cruising around the whole country.
It took five hours to get from Boyeros ( stop light in Liberia) to Flamingo and I had to un-stick the Land Rover twice with a winch to get there !
On my way back to SJ; I passed through Tilaran and spent the night in Cabinas Los Lagos.Rode dirt roads to view the lava that night.
I told myself “this is where I retire”.
20 years despues….I DID !  Pura Vida!

Yes. I consider this area of Tiliran to Be Costa Rica. Pura Vida without the need of living in a cage.
I have a greenhouse, several garden areas, uncountable varieties of fruit trees, rabbits, meat chickens, egg laying hens, meat chickens, a small pig pen. I moved here to live like a Tico.
I have zero interest in PriceMart or Multiplaza.

I’m bringing some hams and also a beef brisket to make some corned beef this morning.
Come on by.

As to the wood for my projects, two Cabins and my house… It was harvested in the farm below me.I paid a good price but made the old guy some nice outdoor furniture( Adirondack chairs) as part of the deal.

This is what Doug had to say about living in the countryside–outside of the Central Valley area of San Jose and Alajuela:

WOW. You need to get out of the Central Valley. I pay 4200 a kilo for lomito de res, my cleaning girl is 850 colones an hour. My mechanic charges 2500 an hour, works fast and is good. The Honda shop in Miami charges $60 an hour and they’re morons.
Put that water heater on a timer. I only run mine from 5 to 530 AM and can still take a fairly warm shower at 8pm..
I recently finished a cabin. It’s all tricked out with hand made cedar doors, windows and furniture, etched glass,custom plaster ceilings with exposed beams. Italian ceramic, REAL plumbing and electric, alarm.
$42 / sf- turn key with dishes, coffee maker, stove, fridge and a new 32 inch TV.

Sounds like a real “Pura Vida” Doug!

Take a look at Doug’s project at  www.arenalbotanicalgarden.com

I will talk a little about my personal experiences living in COSTA RICA. I have been coming to Costa Rica annually since 1970  because  I married a Costa Rican.. and lived here for 5 years straight from 1998-2003.  Now in 2011- I see in the last 7-8 years the cost of living in Costa Rica  has steadily  escalated. In the last year 2010 to mid 2011 –the dollar lost 14% of its purchasing power!    The weakening dollar: the exchange rate went from 580 colones for one dollar to 498 colones for one dollar.

Presently, the dollar seems to be staying around 498-500 colones for one dollar.  If your income is in dollars-Fluctuations in exchange rates producing  uncertainty is a major consideration.

So why is the cost of living here so high and just what do you mean by high?   The are many factors:    First-Costa Rica is a small  country and imports  a lot of  items  related to daily life,  (although being agricultural it does grows a lot of the food consumed here.)   The cost of these imported items is  driven up  partly because the government slaps an import tax on most imported items.  Example are household appliances and  automobiles.  Also imported food items.  (Anything that is imported  into the country from outside it’s borders.)

ICE- Costa Rica’s  electrical company is government  run and is a monopoly so what does that tell you.  Therefore the cost of electricity is extremely high (commercial is 25 cents per kilowatt hour and domestic is a little bit less than that. ) I pay for the B&B  (commercial rate) which I manage around $110 per month and that is when I have NO  GUESTS.  I cook on a propane gas stove, wash dishes by hand,  and I do not  iron clothes.  I very occasionally use the clothes dryer.  Biggest expense is the hot water heater (I dont use the  lesser expensive Tico showers which heats  the water as  it comes out of the water pipe directly into a gadget which heats only that water- This method is very ineffective and often  times  you are showering in cold or luke warm water)    I have an older  double wide kitchen refrigerator which uses a lot of electricity.  I am very frugal with lights inside and outside the house, and use only cost efficient light bulbs.  I have no air conditioning nor heating-which is not needed due to the climate which is around 72 F. year round.  The elevation where I live is an almost perfect climate at  3,500 feet above sea level.

Telephones- the more you talk-the more you pay..this applies to home phone lines as well as cell phones.  You can have high speed internet service connected to your home phone line-it’s a separate charge of  $35 per month.  If you dont talk much, then yes the home as well as the cell phones are cheap-however if you talk a lot you are charged per minute.  My cell phone bill is around $18 per month and I talk VERY LITTLE.   My home line -which I do talk a lot- is around $50 per month (then you have to add cost of internet service to this)

Water:  Is relatively inexpensive because it is so plentiful in Costa Rica.  I pay around $12 per month (when I have NO  guests in the B&B.)

Domestic help:  Is $3 per hour -however there are added cost to this.  And to calculate the added costs you need to go to the Labor office in your home town  and get a copy of ALL THE RULES  related to domestic help.  These rules are MANY  and the cost of them add up to quite a large sum of money.  Don’t hire domestic help without understanding  and implementing these rules.

Cost of automobiles and maintaining them here in Costa Rica is VERY  high. First if you want to import  your automobile.  you must pay a very high import tax.   This tax is figured by the blue book value of your car and the import tax goes from 100% of the value on down (depending on the age of your automobile) Gas is around $5.50 per gallon.   Mechanical work is   expensive -similar to prices in the US.  Tires and brake pads have to be changed more often due to the pot holes in the road and the stop and start type of driving that goes on here in CR. To insure  your car costs about same as US.  The car has to be inspected 1 time per year which costs $25  and in December you have to pay the tag—-and be prepared this cost is very high depending on what year and model your car is..new cars can be hundreds of dollars!

Cost of construction of a home is about same as in US per square foot. ( approx. $90-$100 per square foot-depending what kind of finishes you desire)  Construction is very slow and be sure to construct in dry season.  In rainy season workers loose a lot of working hours due to the rain–and you are required to pay for “some of these lost working hours”

Land is very expensive in CR- probably because it is a small country and just not that much land available to buy.   An acre lot in the central valley will cost around  $80-$90 a square meter and there are around 4,000 sq meters in an acre.  Planned developments charge a lot more per square meter……Beach lots are much  much higher in price.

Speculation is rampant on land prices so be sure not to over pay.  Spend a lot of time investigating for yourself and do not take someone else word for the value of the property.  North Americans usually pay a lot more than Ticos for the same property….so be careful.

Food costs are about same as in Atlanta, Ga  (where I come from)   However:  Fruits and vegetables are cheaper in Costa Rica.  But meat prices are higher.

Property taxes are low in Costa Rica

Labor  is cheaper however  it seems to take longer to get a job done here than in North America.  The Labor office in your home town will provide a list of labor prices for different types of work and professions.

A good restaurant will cost you the same as where I come from in Atlanta, Ga.  and if you are in a tourist area it will cost you more.  However: you can eat at a “Costa Rica Soda” which is a small place, locally run,  the food is simple and cheaper.

So why retire in Costa Rica?  Frankly, given today’s cost of living here…I would say I can’t think of a REALLY GOOD REASON but that is my opinion only.  In life there is a saying “different strokes for different folks”  Of course there are the advantages of the tropical weather with a lot of sun year round- and the beautiful green of the plants, trees, and flowers.  And  North Americans seem to live in areas where other North American live so one can make new friends.  The beaches are relatively close,  however a stay at a lovely beach if pricey- after you factor in  the cost of the gasoline to get there- takes 2-4 hours to drive to the nicer beaches from the central valley.  The hotels vary in prices-depending on how much comfort  and luxury you want to pay for.

Security ….I know you have read on many web sites about the serious problems with robberies in Costa Rica.  Visitors often said to  me,  “Seems that there are bars on everything, homes and businesses. “   “Why is that?’  Well, my answer is:  Because they must protect their homes and businesses from thieves.  Sadly, this is a very serious problem in Costa Rica.   Especially in the rural areas where there are few policemen.   If you visit the major cities of San Jose and Alajuela, you will see a large number of policemen.  However:  when you go out to the outlying towns, you will see few policemen.

PRACTICAL ADVICE:  To live here one must learn patience and  tolerance because the culture here is not to hurry or set a deadline for anything.  It is very helpful to speak some Spanish so you can learn something of the C Rican culture, which  leads to  tolerance and a much more enjoyable life.

And yes it is true.  You will get charged more than a Tico for the same service  OR for the same piece of land or for the same house.  That is just the way things work here, and it’s better just to accept this and learn to live with it.

MORE PRACTICAL ADVICE- I highly recommend that you come to Costa Rica  and rent for a least one year and check it all out for yourself.  That will give you enough time to see if you can adjust to a different culture.   And if the advantages for you outweigh the disadvantages. You will learn what the cost of living here is for your lifestyle.  You can determine for yourself if you can afford to live here the way you would like to live..  and  just of important if  you can adjust to the differences in culture.

So I have been living in Costa Rica for quite awhile SO what bugs me the most-  1.  the roads which many have pot holes and  are poorly designed. Too many cars on the highways esp from Alajuela to San Jose.    2.  the Costa Rican drivers esp the males who drive too fast, pass on curves, and are plain rude behind the wheel.   3. the price of gas here $5.66 per gallon- so you really have to think twice when you put your car on the road.  4. I like the Costa Rican people  who are helpful and polite-but one must learn that their culture is different and I mean DIFFERENT.   Examples: Relationships between men and women..the woman plays a much more submissive role in this Latin Culture.   Another example-this culture is one of politeness to the extreme.  To avoid a confrontation means not  telling you what you want to hear.  Or not exactly giving you a “straight answer”  So one has to become an expert at “reading between the lines”. And to live a happy life you must learn to be “polite  and smile” and wait awhile –without causing confrontation.  The Ticos do not deal well with confrontation, usually they will “retreat”

WHAT DO I MISS:  The conveniences I was accustomed to back home, the fact that things were organized and moved more or less smoothly.  Here in CR things are less organized.  Takes a lot longer to get even little things done.  And seems you need a lawyer for everything and lawyers are very expensive here. A simple power of attorney can cost you up to $90  SO  ask the attorney AHEAD  of time how much xyz is going to cost you and you may need to negotiate the price.

So Ill bet after reading this you are going to say-well, Ill just come to Costa Rica on vacation-enjoy the sunshine and beautiful green rain forest and beaches  and go back home where I things move smoothly  and everyone speaks my language.

This article is written by Ann Cabezas who has lived and worked in Costa Rica off and on since 1998.  First coming to CR in 1970, after marrying a Costa Rican.  She has built three houses in Costa Rica.   Ann  has worked in the Costa Rica Travel Industry-designing  personalized vacation itineraries for many years.  You can contact her at  anncabezas23@hotmail.com

I asked my accountant why.  His explanation is in 2011 there has been a huge influx of dollars into the Costa Rican economy..

Then why would anyone from the North America want to retire in Costa Rica?   Well, that is a good question.  The over all cost of living here is not lower than most locations in the US.  But the wonderful climate with the sunshine may be one factor  to keep the North Americans who are already retired here…and the green green that one sees everywhere in Costa Rica is definitely a mood elevator.

However there are other  considerations: many of the major road systems in Costa Rica are in poor repair.  And the cost of the upkeep of an automobile is very high..cost tires, cost of wear and tear caused by the many potholes.  And the rainy season gets long and dreary.

The cost of food is expensive now.  One gallon of milk $3.80   One gallon regular gas $5.66  One loaf of bread $2.25  one pound of butter $4.00  I dozen eggs $2.40

One pound of sugar 60 cents

The two main things that most Costa Ricas eat are rice and beans which still remain affordable.

Chicken with its bones is $3 pound.   Good ground beef is $3 pound

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at very reasonable prices at the  week end farmers market located in most towns.

nightly fire works show at the Arenal volcano

We were vacationing in Costa Rica near the Arenal Volcano at the Arenal Observatory Lodge and Ken said to me ” Wow what a spectacular sight!” As the red hot lava and giant fiery rocks shot from the summit of the mighty Arenal.  So he picked up his video camera and started shooting.  Thus was the beginning our “making a travel adventure video in Costa Rica,”  taking us from the North Central Region of Costa Rica  to the North West Pacific Beaches of Guanacaste,  on to the Central Pacific to Manuel Antonio, and finally to the Caribbean coast.

Initially I had the idea to make a film on Living and Retiring in Costa Rica since I had actually done that myself.  I stayed eight years in this beautiful little country, loved the simplicity of the way of life, and was priviledged to learn quite a bit of the  Spanish language  which enabled me to get to know many of the locals.  I learned to eat their food, listen to their music, and dance their dance.  So when my videographer husband Ken came with me for the first time to Costa Rica he brought along his video camera.

As Ken began to experience Costa Rica he said “This country is so beautiful.”  “Let’s include in the film the beaches, mountains, and rain forest.”  Thus our quest began and led us back to Costa Rica for three consecutive summers.  We wrote script and filmed footage and along the way created  a visually beautiful film.   The finished product is the video which we gave the name-”Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular.”   And spectacular it is!

We met so many wonderful Costa Ricans who were tremendously helpful.  The owners of Arpe,  a large construction materials  company located on main street  in Alajuela  created a space for Ken and his video camera right up on the stage  which was constructed for  the employees to view the annual Horse Parade (know  in Spanish as “Tope”)   One thousand horses and their proud riders began the parade.  The  horses were  of  Andalusian descent, brought from the mother country of Spain.  These gentle and  graceful horses danced to the music of the Ranchero  while the enchanted onlookers snapped photos and greeted the riders.

Our most exciting moment was a BIG adventure called The  Canopy Tour.  Ken with the tour guide strapped behind him and video camera in hand zipped  along twelve different zip lines high up over the rain forest canopy.  How Ken was able to hold the camera steady and hold on tight to the zip line rope is still a mystery to me.   Then the rain came down in drops as large as quarters but to my surprise and delight the rain drops were warm.  We got drenched  from head to toe, but took it all in stride and laughed a lot.  After all we were in the Rain Forest!

We returned with  thirty five hours of footage and Ken began his long hours and late nights of editing, deciding what to put in the film and what to leave out, not an easy task.  Costa Rica is a small country of  spectacular beauty  and we would have loved to have made the film longer to include it all.  Knowing that we wanted  a film of approximately sixty  minutes we  sat down to the difficult  task of deciding what to omit.   But we were so pleased to be able to include three different interviews with North Americans who live in Costa Rica in the central valley areas of Escazu and the two mountain side communities of Heredia and Grecia.   Their stories are an insightful look at their daily  lives   in a small tropical country where the sun shines everyday,  and where “Pura Vida”  or “Pure Life”  is the country’s  motto.

We sincerely feel that  if you choose to purchase the video, you will be happy with it.  You will experience the immense beauty of a small area of our earth where the rain forest are preserved. More than twenty per cent of it’s territory has been set aside for National Parks and Wildlife Preserves.  We would love to hear from you, with your comments on the video at “Contact Us” at the top of the Home page.

Best Wishes,   Ann and Ken at costaricalearn.com

If you are thinking of retiring to Costa Rica and want to hear first hand what is it like from North Americans who have done just that, then our video Costa Rica A Travel  Adventure Spectacular offers you the opportunity to hear the  testimonials of three different couples from North America who have moved to Costa Rica to retire or to work.  One couple is from Canada and live in Grecia.  He commutes to Canada where he is a consultant for a large corporation.  Another couple live in Escazu.  She works in the US part of the time.  The last is a writer and relocation tour specialist who makes Costa Rica his home full time.  Learn from these people all the reasons to come to Costa Rica, the excellent climate, warm friendly people,  great fresh food, excellent affordable medical care, and much more!

You can do this by purchasing our fifty eight minute video on the home page of costaricalearn.com   First you can preview the film by watching the two minute trailer.

We are confident that you will love the film!

One of many species of Costa Rican Orchids

Friendly smile at Costa Rica's Farmer's Market

Are you thinking of making a move to Costa Rica?  Perhaps to work or even to retire?

But are not sure if you can afford to do so?

I can offer you great tips to help you determine if this is the right move for you.

Cost of Living:  What is less expensive in Costa Rica than in USA or Canada?

No heating and cooling needed in your home.  (unless you live on the beach, then you may want air conditioning.)

Real Estate taxes on your home are less

Health Care is very good and cost much less.  Dental care and also medications are much less in Costa Rica

Fresh vegetables and fruits at the local week end farmers markets are really cheap.

Public transportation such as public buses are very good and very inexpensive

Home phones and cell phones and basic Internet service are cheaper in Costa Rica

Cable or satellite service about same as  US

9.  Domestic help is much less in Costa Rica- around $2 per hour.

What cost more in Costa Rica?

cars- the gov of Costa Rica slaps a tax on all imported cars which is a lot of money!
Expect to pay 50-75% more for the same car that you buy in the US.  Mechanics who repair your car are expensive and car parts which are all imported are expensive.
Gasoline is around $3.50 a gallon.

Apartments and houses (to north American standards)  expect to pay at least $700 and up per month for a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe secure neighborhood.

A week end at the beach?  In an nice 3 star hotel with good food expect to pay around $75-$100 per day per person.

It is what ever life style you choose that dictates how much money you spend every month.  If you want to live the lifestyle like you are now having in USA, then you will of course spend more money each month.  If you want to live a more simple life…slow down..smell the roses.  Well then you will spend less money.

If you are interested in learning more about  “The Real Costa Rica”  please order our video:    Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular from  page one of costaricalean.com   You will hear  the testimonials of three North American who work in Costa Rica and also those who retired  in Costa Rica.   Plus see this beautiful country up close!   So go to the top of page one where you can view a two minute trailer of the video.     And order you own copy today!

Please tell me one reason why you would choose Costa Rica to retire?   1.  The weather is gorgeous and the Costa Rican people are warm, helpful, and friendly

Do I need to Speak Spanish?  No..BUT  it opens up the true Costa Rican culture to you and if you can talk to the locals…well  you can participate in the community gossip line (ha!)

So if you want to know a lot more about the Real Costa Rica, then take a moment and order our video!

Cima Hospital, one of Costa Rica's Private Hospitals

If you are traveling in Costa Rica and need go use your Medicare insurance to pay for medical care, will it cover?  No, Medicare’s coverage does not extend  abroad.  Coverage is provided only in the US.   Only option is to purchase an international insurance plan or  a travel insurance  policy that covers medical care in Costa Rica.  Or simply pay in cash for your medical care, which is much less expensive than in the US.

There are very good private hospitals in the capital city of San Jose.    Cima hospital  is located in Escazu, a San Jose suburb.   And Clinica Biblica hospital is located in downtown  San Jose.

Doctors in Costa Rica are very well trained and many speak English.

So why is it that the Costa Rican citizens seem quite healthy and live to a ripe old age?  Is is because they are  covered with basic health care provided by the socialized health care system run by the government?  Perhaps this is part of it, but Costa Ricans live a very different life style than we do in the US.  First, they don’t create so much stress in their daily life.  They live more simply  with  less materialism.  The family unit is strong, sticking together and helping  each other.

The Costa Rican government offers their citizens  a socialized health care system which is not free.  Each citizen of Costa Rica pays into the system according to their income levels. Usually there are lines and wait  lists for some medical procedures.

Also,  the choice is available to buy private health care insurance by  the Costa Rican citizens.  Which of course costs more than the socialized health care plans.

She writes “While the health care and medical insurance debate rages in the United States, most of the rest of the civilized world has long ago found it’s own solution.  Costa Rica is among them. It has a government sponsored universal health care insurance available to all for a fee each month.  This fee is determined by the income a person makes.  In other words a person pays according to his means. ”

In addition, private health care insurance is available  from  many different companies.  One of the biggest sellers of this private health insurance is the Instituto National de Seguros, a government sponsored program known at the INS.

Jo explains that when she joined the government universal health care system she was assigned a clinic and a hospital in the area where she lives.  If a doctor of a particular speciality is not at this hospital and she needs to be seen by him, then she will be given permission to go to a different clinic or hospital.   This insurance does not disallow anyone for a preexisting condition.

Jo applied for a gold card (65 or older)  With this card you get certain privileges such as riding public buses free.   Also, with this gold card you can go to the front of the line in the public banks.

Also at the health clinics this card will allow you to go to a special window where you do not have to wait for a long period of time.

The universal health insurance also covers  dentist but you have to go to a dentist who works with this insurance.  And eye care is covered, again you have to go were the insurance is accepted.

On the other hand, private health care is reasonable.  Much cheaper than the US and on the whole very good.  Two private hospitals Cima and Clinica Biblica are very popular with the English speaking people.  One can purchase a health insurance policy which will send them to one of these two hospitals.

The Costa Ricans differ in their opinion about the government  run universal health care.    Some talk about long waits and standing in long lines.  But, Jo says that over the years she has received as good a care as she did while living in the US at a fraction of the cost.  She states that she had her pacemaker replaced (this pacemaker was originally put in when she lived in the United States).  Jo said that  she was very pleased with the doctors  and the hospital in Costa Rica  where her pacemaker was replaced.

People who move to Costa Rica and take residency will now have to enroll in this government universal health care system, whether you choose to use it or not.   It is my understanding  that you  will not have a choice.  Although I have been told that  the  monthly premium is not a great deal of money.

You  can read more of Jo Stuart’s interesting articles by googling  AM Costa Rica.  Her column  is called “Living in Costa Rica”…..where the living is good.

Here at costaricalearn.com we would love to share your experience with health care in Costa Rica, just click on comments or reply at the end of this article.

The New Golden Door to Living and Retiring in Costa Rica covers almost every topic related to moving to Costa Rica, working, getting settled (all aspects such as banking, housing, shopping, residency requirements,….etc.,etc, etc.  Chris did not leave “any page unturned”

One of the most frequently asked questions:  I want to import my car into Costa Rica so how much tax will I have to pay and when do I have to pay it?  If you ship your car you will have to pay the tax when it is gotten out of customs.  How much you have to pay?  This depends on the age and make of the vehicle,  most always a good sum of money!  I inquired about importing my 2003  Toyota Corolla automatic transmission.  The quote I was given was $4,500.00.   Plus I would have to pay the shipping cost from Miami, $800-$1000.  And also pay an agent to get the car  though customs (  price?)   So how do you calculate ahead of time the tax due on a vehicle.  Since the gov of C Rica tends to change the rules yearly, it is best to get the most current information.  How do you do that?  If you have a Costa Rican  attorney hire him to check this for you, that is the safest way to get the most up to date information on  how much you will pay.

If you drive your car over land into Costa Rica you can keep it  and drive it without paying taxes for 3 months, then drive it out of the country for 72 hours,   and then get one more extension for an additional 3 months  (for 6 months total) Don’t drive it after that if you have not paid the tax.  The law can impound it.  All the details of exactly how to do all  can be handled through your Costa Rican attorney.   Of course you are required by Costa Rican law to buy a minimum insurance before you drive the car.  Your attorney again is the best source of up to date information on this matter.

Maybe I should simplify my life and  buy a car in Costa Rica?  This just depends on you, if you want YOUR car for whatever reason, then it might be worth the effort.  There are hundreds of used cars for sale in C Rica.  You would of course need to have a mechanic  you trust go over every aspect of the car before you purchase it.

Costa Ricans are essentially democratic, benevolent and peaceful, well mannered,  friendly and helpful.   They are basically shy  and non aggressive and will go to any length to avoid an argument.  They tend to agree with you when sometimes actually deep within they really don’t agree.  (This characteristic is one that is hard to get accustomed to)   And many times they will not answer your question with a direct answer, as we are accustomed to in our Anglo Saxon culture.

Small town life in Costa Rica:  In the small towns of Costa Rica there is a connectedness, a community  unity.   People care and help each other.  The most important thing to them is the family unit and families tend to grow up and live close to one another.  It is not unusual to see a family compound where the parents build their home and also a home for each of their children.  These are often completely enclosed by a tall concrete wall.  The Costa Rican is fundamentally a campesino  and feels more at home in an agrarian  rural setting.   However, in the larger cities such as San Jose and Alajuela  people seem to live more separately, very characteristic of life in a big city.   In the cities  everything  moves fast and stress becomes a part of daily life.

Costa Ricans welcome foreigners.  The government has set up tax incentives to start a new businesses or  work in an existing business,  or  retire here  and enjoy the beautiful natural environment.

The North American culture has had a great influence on Costa Rica.  Costa Rican kids watch movies and TV programs produced in Hollywood,  they know the names of actors, musicians, and politicians, and especially are in love with pop music from North America.  Fashions trends are fast to reach the youth of Costa Rica from the US.

Costa Rica has a complex ethnic  makeup. When Christopher Columbus reached the shores of Costa Rica in 1502,  on his third voyage to the new world,  he found indigenous tribes living here,  and they engaged in trade with Columbus and his followers .  As more and more people immigrated from Spain,  some of them mixed with these indigenous people  and produced a race of “mixed blood”  Although some of the Spaniards remained segregated and married only among their own.   In Costa Rica today you will see these white skin, blue eyed people.  And also you will see the “mixed blood” who have olive skin, dark hair and eyes.

As time passed the Spaniards tried to enslave the Indians, and they rebelled.  Many were killed or died from new diseases brought over by the Spaniards.  A small number of them survived and they  fled into the mountains to hide.

Certain areas of Costa Rica have  a distinct population:  for example on the Atlantic coast is a large population  from African descent who came to Costa Rica from the Caribbean Islands, mainly Jamaica and the West Indies.  They came to work on the  cacao (chocolate) plantations and the banana plantations.  They also helped to build the railroad from San Jose to Limon  (no longer in service).  They speak both English and Spanish.

The province of Guanacaste, Northern Costa Rica: this area was once part of Nicaragua so the people have darker skin, are short in statue,  and resemble their Nicaraguan neighbors in manner and accent.

There is also a small Chinese population in Costa Rica, which seems to be mostly in  the Limon areas and in San Jose.  These people came to Costa Rica to help build the railroad from the central valley to the Atlantic coast.  Many stayed, married Costa Ricans,  and started small family businesses.

Italians came to Costa Rica to work on the railroad, and  remained.  Many of them live in an area called San Vito in the southern part of Costa Rica.

Indigenous People of Costa Rica: When Columbus first arrived to Costa Rica there it is estimated that approximately 60,000 Indians lived in different regions of Costa Rica.   Columbus was looking for gold and the first Indians he encountered wore gold necklaces and told stories of gold along the coast on the southern Pacific of Costa Rica.   However,  Costa Rica was not to become  a “rich jewel in Spain’s crown”.  In fact it turned out to be one of the poorest of Spain’s  American colonies.   When new settlers came from Spain they found life  very oppressive.  They had to endure very hot weather, impenetrable forest, floods, raging rivers,  impassable mountains, swamps, and diseases.   By 1506 expeditions from Spain were landing throughout the Atlantic coast.  They captured Indians and shipped them to Hispanola (Dominican Republic) as slaves to the large land owners.  These exeditions brought small pox, influenza, and other plagues to the region and many of the Indians died from these infections.  Immigrants from Spain forced the Indians into labor without compensation and the Indians rebelled, many of them fleeing into the dense forest of the mountains of the Talamanca regions (today a small number of them still live, isolated from the outside world).  The Indian revolts, the shortage of food, and lack of gold imposed continuous hardships on the new settlers. And by 1560 the number of  new Spanish settlers decreased.  By this time few of the Indians remained.

This caused the settlers to have to do all of the work themselves. So they planted and gathered the crops with  their own hands,  and  endured  this desperate struggle to exist  in a wild wilderness land.  Historians point to this period of Costa Rica’s history to explain the character of today’s Costa Rican.  They cherish independence, love peace and liberty. Perhaps this was the beginning of their strong democratic tradition of the  independent yeoman farmer working his plot of land in the hills.  The rich vs. poor social classes did not arise and there were no groups of strong and powerful land owners.

During the second half of the 19th century immigrants began to arrive in large numbers.  They were attracted by the promise of prosperity generated from the developing coffee industry.  Also the Costa Rican government had as open door policy. There were German and English settlers who started businesses  in import-export.  Other businesses were started by Lebanese, Turkish, and Polish Jews, who became powerful merchants.

Starting around  the year 1840, when Costa Ricans discovered that they could grow coffee,  things changed, both economically and socially.  Coffee became a big business, creating on oligarchy of coffee barons who rose to positions of wealth and power.   A distinct social class emerged of rich  plantation owners.  They built large and grand  homes and sent their  children to Europe to become educated in  European manners and a gentile way of life.  Today, we see beautiful buildings designed by European architects, best example being the National Theatre in San Jose.  Built around the turn of the century it is a copy of the Paris Opera House.  It is host to  operas,  ballet, and other classical performances as well of pop concerts.  Also scattered around Costa Rica are beautiful churches reflecting European influence and designs.

Since the 1960s Costa Rica laws favoring North American and European retirees, have led to the establishment of a large number of Americans and Europeans in the central valley and surrounding smaller towns.  They come to enjoy the warm tropical climate and relaxed way of life.  Some start new businesses.  Others just retire and live a simple life,  eat natural vegetables and fruits, enjoy the unspoiled beaches, and even take some Spanish lessons.  Time for them is to be savored..one day at a time.