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Living in Costa Rica, Pura Vida Style

Costa Rica

If  you ask a Costa Rican how they're doing, you'll hear "Pura vida!" And why wouldn't you? The uniquely Costa Rican motto sums up what the beautiful Central American country is all about.

Pura vida means pure life and Costa Rica is full of it. It conveys a sense of living in peace and harmony amongst nature. The laid-back mentality is really contagious when traveling around Costa Rica. Costa Rica is so peaceful, it doesn't even have a military.

Located between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is aptly named the Rich Coast in English because it is home to an astounding 5% of the world's biodiversity. The mixture of dry flatlands, coastal plains, beaches, lush rainforests, mountainous regions and ancient volcanic regions account for this unique biology, and makes for an interesting, scenic and unforgettable drive.

Costa Rica has won awards for the best coffee in Latin America because it grows in its high-altitude volcanic regions. These high altitudes, however, also mean that cars in these regions are robbed of valuable horsepower because of the thinner oxygen.

Rental cars in Costa Rica are mostly Japanese SUVs. The average gas price in the country is $1.04 a liter, which is high considering the average Costa Rican makes only about $12,500 a year. Some of these cars are equipped with turbochargers, needed for the boost to get up steep inclines in mountain-area roads such as those found in Northern areas such as Monteverde's cloud forest and reserve. A 4-wheel-drive SUVs is a must for driving in Costa Rica, especially for rural areas and places off the beaten path.

Although SUVs will make traveling much easier and safer, there is no better four-wheel-drive beast than a horse. To get to some secluded areas, Costa Rica's many astonishing waterfalls, horseback is the best and only way to go and enjoy the scenery.

Costa Rica mountain roads are mostly paved, but they are extremely narrow, undivided, flanked by large trees or cliffs and are usually unlit at night. A driver has to be on constant alert with high beams on for oncoming drivers and for stray monkeys and armadillos that are prone to wandering on to the road.

Although SUVs make traveling much easier and safer, in Costa Rica there is no better four-wheel-drive beast than a horse.

Costa Rican drivers, are generally courteous and follow traffic rules well. They also seem to have an affinity for keeping their eyes open on the road. One of our van drivers was whipping down a winding road near the Arenal Volcano in the late evening when he suddenly slammed on the brakes. He slowly began to reverse the van.

Everyone on the bus was beginning to get nervous, when our guide stood up and asked, "Have you ever seen a sloth?" With a shared sigh of relief later, the passengers stepped out of the van and the guide pointed up to a two-toed sloth that was crawling slowly upside-down on a telephone wire. Its amazing how the driver could fly down a steep and dark road into blind corners, avoid accidents and still be keen enough to spot a dark sloth hidden in the trees.

If the driving is left to a hired driver, you can take advantage and keep your eyes open for animals. Lizards and iguanas are as common in Costa Rica as squirrels are in Canada. Monkeys are less common in populated tourist areas, but if one is spotted, try not to smile. Showing teeth is a sign of aggression for monkeys, and what they say about angry monkeys is true, even in beautiful Costa Rica.

Nature and wildlife preservation in Costa Rica is serious business, so venturing into the Palo Verde and Rincon de la Vieja national parks promises a glimpse of howler monkeys (whose call can be heard from about a kilometer away), Capuchin monkeys, toucans, crocodiles and a lot of colorful birds and butterflies.

A week of exploring Costa Rica's astonishing rainforests, volcanic hot springs, stunning waterfalls and diverse national parks and zip lining across tree canopies and canyons is incredible. So want a break from your hectic schedule,  visit Costa Rica and live the peaceful life for a while, Pura Vida style.

Costa Rica Featured Hotels San Jose Hotel Galiza Central Valley La Postita Eco-Lodge Northern Zone Arenal Volcano Lodge Manuel Antonio Hotel Flor Blanca Jaco Beach Docelunas Resort Jaco Beach Tommy G's Jaco Beach Casa Arena Jaco Beach Hotel Mango Mar Jaco Beach Hotel Poseidon Jaco Beach Carita's Hotel Southern Pacific Diquis Del Sur Dominical Hotel Domilocos Caribbean Hotel Sunshine Caribbean Sol Y Mar Cabinas Caribbean Hotel Magellan Inn Caribbean Hotel Los Almendro Caribbean Hotel El Pizote Lodge Caribbean Jordan’s Jacuzzi Suites

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