What are the areas like outside of san jose, Costa Rica?

Question

I have no knowledge at all of what life is like down there. Are there suburban type areas or just beach lifestyle or both? If you live on the outskirts how is the social life? Is it hard to get groceries and other common things like it would be in the US if you lived in a rural area?

Answer 1

Get out of the city, the smaller towns and beaches are so much better and friendlier, less poultion and cheaper to stay at.  Unlike most american small towns, costa ricans grow food wherever, so groceries, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables are found everywhere.  I have been many times to CR and avoid SJ simply becuase I prefer the slower atmosphere of small towns and beaches.

Answer 2

Many people come to Costa Rica for vacation and never want to go home.  I did, just that!  I have been here for 8 years.

Once out of the Central Valley, bus service takes over and everyone travels by bus to work and play.  The center of the country is a line of volcanos towering over the lowlands on both sides.  Beaches are filled with tourist but the locals have their own special hideaways.  Transportation is very cheap and frequent.  The countryside is beatiful and green with awesome parks everywhere.

Family life is very imporant here.  Small farms house all family members, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers until they pass away.  Holidays are centered around the family and special foods.

Here, it is common to say it's a town if it has a Church, School, Soccer field and Bar.  Not necessarily in that order.

Families travel on week-ends to the local soccer field which is in the center of town to enjoy socializing with neighbors and friends.  An inexpensive way to enjoy life on small salaries.  During Jan.Feb.Mar.April small towns have festivals that are enjoyed by all.   Every week-end farmers bring their goods to outdoor markets....at the town square... excellent fruit and vegetables fresh cut at an awesome price.  (5 cantelope $1.) Papaya, bananas, pinapples, fresh picked.

There are small stores in every town.  Large towns have big groceries and farmers markets.  In San Jose there are several 2 story malls, many grocery stores just like elsewhere in the world.  Wallmart has bought controling interest in many here.  

You will find the people in all of Costa Rica friendly, helpful and very caring.  They will give you their last meal, happy to invite you to their home and treat you like a King or Queen as they do each other.  

For this...... its hard to go back where you came from!

Most families live in small houses about 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft.  Ceramic tile floors are usually spotless and homes well kept.  The majority of houses are made of concete with tin roofs.  A lot of Costa Ricans have rooms for tourist, especially in areas like Volcano Arenal at La Fortuna.  These rooms are cheap, basic but always clean.

Everyone has a favorite family doctor, dentist and herbologist as well as a homeopathic doctor.  Natural is the name of the game here! Fresh herbal teas win out over prescriptions.

From the rolling hills, to the volcano national parks and the beautiful beaches, Costa Ricans welcome tourist with smiles and gratitude for helping their economy.

Answer 3

When my husband moved here, Im costarican and he is american. Well, lets say he was impressed, we have from TGIF to hooters, all the american imported goods, etc. Nowadays, the beach areas such as Jaco in the Central Pacific or Tamarindo in the North Pacific, are very fancy with all the services and things you are used to in the States. Internet everywhere, even a $10000 Dior Purse on the beach. That was unheard in  my country 10 years ago. But if you want to see the old costa rica, not invaded by the cosmo global vision, then I recommend going to Puerto Viejo in the caribbean.

Answer 4

Its just like living in the United States - and there are many places down there that when you are driving through them you would swear that you are in the States!

Its like anything else - Yes there are rural areas that are quite removed from the more populated towns all over the country but that is not a problem for most people when it comes to shopping or finding out about their social activities.

The biggest difference between the States and Costa Rica is that they are much more laid back than what we are!

And this is probably the main reason why they enjoy life much more than we do.

I go there every year as I have done for the last twelve years and love it - and I will be going again next month for the time of my life!

VIVA LA PURA VIDA!

Answer 5

The Great Metropolitan area is Downtown San Jose and other centers of population such as Guadalupe, Hatillo, Escazu, Tibas, San Pedro, all in the province of San Jose.

If you travel to the outskirts, beaches, you will find smaller towns, with exceptions such as Jaco, used to be a quaint beach town, now you can see Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway, etc, small bustling town.

There are far more relaxing areas such as the southern part of the country, Drakes Bay, Carate, Punta Banco.

But you will always find grocery stores, cantinas (bars), electricity, potable water, etc.

I would prefer to leave San Jose and settle in my beach property, the nearest supermarket is like a 30 minute drive to Paquera, but once you decide to live this way you get organized and learn that you can do your shopping every 15 days or so