What is life like in Costa Rica?

Question

I am from Texas, but currently live in Spain. I speak Spanish and I already have a job. I've traveled to 45 countries so I'm not culturally dense, but I am curious about life in Costa Rica! I actually have never been more southern than Mexico, so I want to know everything. Is it easy to travel around the country? In bus or train? To other Latin American countries? How different is the Spanish there compared to in Spain? I won't be making much, but is everything a lot cheaper? I won't be living on the beach but is it easily accessible?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I don't know.  But my friend Toby just moved there last week.  He says he loves it so far.  He told me he gets a little lonely at night, but the picture he has of me helps.  Weird.  -Pam

Answer 2

I'm originally from California. I've been to Costa Rica it's wonderful. The people there are very humble and polite.

Please don't go there with your attitude. You CLAIM to not be culturally dense! The people above tried to answer your question and you were just horribly rude to them. Costa Ricans are such wonderful people they don't need rude ones imported into it!

Answer 3

I lived there for a couple of years so let me tell ya.  First of all, it's sunny December thru April, but May thru November it rains in the afternoon and night.  The people are extremely nice and laid back.  It's cheap, which is nice, but it's not like a total ghetto everywhere you go.  It's a good place.  Smaller towns are less likely to have ghettos, and the countryside out by the coasts are beautiful, even the banana plantations on the Atlantic side.  The landscape is pretty mountainous which makes for scenic views and a nice climate.

There are definitely noticeable differences in the Spanish, but come on, Spanish is Spanish.  Actually, the whole country speaks in the polite usted form all the time.  Husbands and wives use the voz form with each other, that;s the only exception.  There isn't any tu form at all.  Besides, it's always to pick up new kinds of localized Spanish, right?  If you decide to go, I'm sure that you'll think the Spanish there is really quite adorable.

The country is small, and the primary means of transportation is road, so if you don't have a car then it's gotta be bus.  I rode the bus the whole time I was there and it wasn't bad as long you got the Direct Route and not the Collector.  It's probably possible to drive from the east coast to the pacific in a single day's sunlight, even though I never did it.  The whole pacific coast is beaches and none of them are crowded.  There's no commercial trains.  Every city has lots of short-trip buses and taxis.  In terms of traveling to nearby countries, I don't know.  If you have documents then it's probably fine, but Panama can get sticky I heard.  The airport is very small but it's nice and well-operated.

So, yeah.  It's an awesome place, and totally humble and low key.  It's safe and fun too.  The best part is, everyone there LOVES outsiders.

Answer 4

Hello, I am from Costa Rica, and yes, as people have said its a beautiful country. To answer you question in order, I`ll begin with if its easy to travel arount the country. Yes and no, The country is small so you can rapidly get from one city to the other. The streets are not in their best shape but they are improving fast. Public trasportation is ok, urban areas have buses but they tend not to respect the schedule. There is no active train trasportation, there is only one route and its not so practical nor fast. But you will not have a hard time getting from one place to another one, plus its pretty safe so everything ok. In order to get to other latin american countries you should take the interamerican way, and its pretty fast and in good shape, but I would recommend to stay in Costa Rica, because their neighbours have more of the same and its not so good as in Costa Rica. Spanish spanish and Costa Rican spanish differ a lot, its almost the pronunciation and some words, but obviously you will perfect understand almost everything and they will certainly understand you pretty well. So no trouble on that. Everything is indeed cheaper in Costa Rica than in Spain or the US. Food is pretty cheap but technology stuff is not. The beach is VERY accesible, it doesnt matter where you are in the country, it will not take you more than 4 hours to get to the nearest beach, and from the capital city you can get to the beach in less than two hours. I hope all this information helps and good luck, and have a great time in Costa Rica, Pura Vida;)

Answer 5

Yea indeed  it more cheap Costa Rica Than Spain

  many historical monuments or buildings in Costa Rica. but has the superb Rain Forests have many natural treasures like rain pristine beaches and friendly people By $30 a day  you can have a very clean room with breakfast furthermore you have the sensation of which the time does not go as fast as in the Western countries

Answer 6

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Answer 7

i cant fully answer that cuase i dont live there but i vacitioned there last year. Its buetiful!!! Volcano's monkeies (WHICH WE CAN FEED!!) very nice arcatecture