The expression "Pura Vida!" is heard and seen everywhere in Costa Rica. The people of this tiny Central American country, who refer to themselves as "Ticos", exclaim "Pura Vida!" to mean "That's life at it's purest". They use it for anything from shrugging off tension when things go wrong to celebrating good fortune and happiness. It can also mean "hello" or "goodbye" in the same way "aloha" does in Hawaii.
The Costa Rican Language is Formal Spanish
That means Usted is used instead of the less formal tu heard in other Spanish-speaking nations. Respect is important to Costa Ricans. Asking for something is considered rude if it is worded "I want (yo quiero)" in the same way that "gimme" is frowned on in English. "It's my desire (me desea)" or "I like (me gusta)" is more polite and will be better received.
Don't expect to find many Ticos who are bilingual. They hear only Spanish on television and in school, so opportunities to learn other languages are limited. Because of the giant tourist industry, though, it is not necessary to speak Spanish to travel in Costa Rica, but it is smart to carry a language dictionary for those times when smiles and gestures fail.
Also considered rude is to say "I don't know" when asked for information. This leads to wrong directions being given, so it is smart to ask more than one person if you don't want to get lost. Ticos want everyone to be happy, so they say whatever they think the other person wants to hear. "I'll be there in two hours," spoken by a repairman could mean the housecall will be made three days later! Instead of feeling frustrated, a guest in Costa Rica will fit in better if they just accept the slower pace and realize Tico commerce is subject to many variables.
Costa Rican Cuisine
Rice and beans is a different dish than Beans and rice! In the first, bean "soup" is poured over rice, in the second they are served separately. One version or the other is present at every meal, even breakfast. Sometimes served with chicken, sometimes served with fish, most meals also include cabbage. Locally grown coffee is commonly served with any meal.
Transportation in Costa Rica
Owning a vehicle in Costa Rica is expensive and time-consuming as there are annual safety inspections and driving restrictions in high traffic areas. Taxis are available everywhere, however, and bus transportation is inexpensive and a great way to meet locals and see the country. Two regional airlines carry business passengers and tourists when time is of the essence, both have weight restrictions and require reservations. For getting around on the many waterways, inexpensive public ferries run at set times. Local entrapreneurs are always available for higher priced boat taxi service.
Except in extremely poor households, most Costa Ricans have a TV. Stations are recieved through the air and public announcements, even obituaries, are broadcast daily. Instead of 20-second news soundbites, morning news shows spend nearly endless time educating citizens about healthy eating, parenting, and getting help for serious problems, with viewers calling in their comments and questions for featured experts. Other programming includes many cartoons and overdubbed Hollywood programs and movies without subtitles. Direct TV is available privately at a reasonable cost and internet is a blossoming commodity; wireless is easily accessed in many hotels and restaurants.
While not everyone gets legally married, intact and extended nuclear families raise most children. The national government of Costa Rica reinforces parental rights. Minors are not allowed to travel in or out of the country without the consent of both parents. Though adult prostitution is legal and subject to regulation, penalties for sexual exploitation of children are severe.
Sports and Religion Dominate Tico Communities
Like other Central American countries, most cities in Costa Rica have a large Catholic Church and a huge soccer field in the center of town. Children grow up playing soccer, it is considered a national pastime and league competitions are widely followed. Catholicism is gradually being replaced, however, especially in rural areas, by protestant evangelical faiths.
Costa Ricans Receive Free Education
Unfortunately, many rural children still drop out at the sixth or eighth grade level. The government does not pay for books or uniforms for high school, and long bus rides deter many families from sending teens to distant facilities. University Education is available, however, to those who persevere and work hard.
Overall, Ticos are a generous and friendly people. Tico children are national treasures, their health and welfare depend on everyone. They work hard and take pride in their beautiful country, which is a world leader in environmental protection policies. Ticos take initiative as a matter of necessity, and are quite creative problem-solvers. Their peaceful lifestyle make Costa Ricans a people to envy.
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