Guanacaste Costa Rica beach

The Tico Times recently posted a survey asking readers for their favorite vacation destination in Costa Rica.  Keep in mind this is “vacation spot” which is not necessarily the same as “best place to live” in Costa Rica. Here are the results when I last checked the website:

25%  Central Pacific – which includes Jaco and Manuel Antonio
24%  Guanacaste Beaches (northwest Pacific coast)
14%  Osa Peninsula (southwest Pacific coast – more remote)
12%  Arenal
11%  Caribbean coast (including Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero)
10% Nicoya Peninsula
3%  Monteverde  (Cloud Forest)

What’s your favorite vacation spot in Costa Rica? Where’s your favorite spot to buy a second home or to live permanently?

Enjoy Costa Rica by the water or on the water

Moving to Costa Rica is the topic of an article in this morning’s Wall Street Journal. The article talks about taking early retirement and moving to Costa Rica. Here’s what the article says were their criteria:

• Warm weather
• Maximum 4 hour plane ride from the US
• Adequate and affordable health care
• American-friendly
• Located near or by an ocean
• Clean and abundant fresh water
• Affordable housing
• Cost of living at least 50% lower than in the US
• Good coffee

The Costa Rica Tourism board has produced a series of videos on Why Visit Costa Rica? The first of the series features Mr. Sloth.

The Costa Rica government just paid off the last installment of debt that it owed to Caja, the social security system of Costa Rica. The payment was for $32 Million.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the US government repaid into the US Social Security system all of the funds it has borrowed?

Happy Birthday, Costa Rica!  ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

Costa Rica flag

Today Costa Rica celebrates 190 years of independence. Costa Rica has had no army since 1948 (it does have police), putting money instead into education and health care. Reports of the literacy rate in Costa Rica range from 95% – 97%.

September 15th is a national holiday in Costa Rica. Even the US Embassy is closed.

Despite being located between two countries with a history of violent revolutions, Costa Rica has always been a peaceful country, and the Costa Ricans are among the most pleasant people in the world. The friendliness of the Ticos is one of the attractions of the country. No wonder their motto is Pura Vida! which loosely means, Life is Good!

Sailing on Bahia Culebra Costa Rica

Bahia Culebra is on the northern edge of the Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste Costa Rica. It is always nice to look at but capturing this sailing vessel, which we frequently see in the area, right at sunset is exceptional. Thanks, Sylvia, for another calendar month with a great photo.

Bahia Culebra is in the popular resort area of Guanacaste in the northwest corner of Costa Rica. Playa del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama and Papagayo all ring Bahia Culebra and are within a half hour drive of Liberia International Airport.

Sylvia Guardia is an excellent photographer who lives in Guanacaste, though her assignments cover a much wider area.  She’s a delightful person and I highly recommend her, whether for wedding photography, business photography, or custom work.

In the last month our Costa Rica blog had visitors from 36 countries.

Some Costa Rica roads are still closed after heavy rains. InsideCostaRica reports that 23 road sections are totally closed and 33 others are partially closed.  Quepos is particularly hit this time with 3 roads completely closed, including the one access road to Manual Antonio. You can check the government transit website for current details on the closures.

The Costa Rica “rainy season” is rainy this year and Ticos are saying, “Rain, rain, go away!” Many of the main highways have seen closures, especially those going through the mountains. Some of the roads are open to cars and buses but not to trucks.

If you are traveling to Guanacaste, during the rainy season you may want to fly directly into Guanacaste rather than taking a cheaper or direct flight into San Jose – the drive between San Jose and Guanacaste, normally 4-5 hours, is extremely unpredictable this year due to road conditions.

Happy Independence Day, Costa Rica! Today, September 15th, is the 189th anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica and is a national holiday in Costa Rica. Banks, businesses and most retail operations will be closed for the day.

Tuesday night starts the celebration with Ticos gathering to sing the national anthem and lighting candle lanterns. Parades will be held around the country. Some road sections will be closed. . Many Ticos will sing patriotic songs and carry flags.

Most parades are scheduled for early morning so that they will beat the afternoon rains that are typical of the rainy season – also known as The Green Season.