Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Daily Life in Costa Rica
With its lack of war, long life expectancy and relatively sturdy economy, Costa Rica en-
joys the highest standard of living in Central America. For the most part, Costa Ricans live
fairly rich and comfortable lives, even by North American standards.
As in many places in Latin America, the family unit in Costa Rica remains the nucleus
of life. Families socialize together and extended families often live near each other. When
it's time to party it's also largely a family affair; celebrations, vacations and weddings are a
social outlet for rich and poor alike, and those with relatives in positions of power - nom-
inal or otherwise - don't hesitate to turn to them for support.
Given this mutually cooperative environment, it's no surprise that life expectancy in
Costa Rica is almost the same as in the USA. In fact, most Costa Ricans are more likely to
die of heart disease or cancer as opposed to the childhood diseases that plague many devel-
oping nations. A comprehensive socialized health-care system and excellent sanitation sys-
tems account for these positive statistics, as do a generally stress-free lifestyle, tropical
weather and a healthy and varied diet - the
pura vida.
Still, the divide between rich and poor is broad. The middle and upper classes largely
reside in San José, as well as in the major cities of the Central Valley highlands (Heredia,
Alajuela and Cartago), and enjoy a level of comfort similar to their economic brethren in
Europe and the USA. City dwellers are likely to have a maid and a car or two, and the
lucky few have a second home on the beach or in the mountains.
The home of an average Tico is a one-story construction built from concrete blocks,
wood or a combination of both. In the poorer lowland areas, people often live in window-
less houses made of
caña brava,
a local cane. For the vast majority of
campesinos
(farm-
ers) and
indígenas
(people of indigenous origin), life is harder than in the cities, poverty
levels are higher and standards of living are lower than in the rest of the country. This is
especially true along the Caribbean coast, where the descendants of Jamaican immigrants
have long suffered from lack of attention by the federal government. However, although
poor families have few possessions and little financial security, every member assists with
working the land or contributing to the household, which creates a strong safety net.
As in the rest of the world, globalization is having a dramatic effect on Costa Ricans,
who are increasingly mobile, international and intertwined in the global economy - for
better or for worse. These days, society is increasingly geographically mobile - the Tico
who was born in Puntarenas might end up managing a lodge on the Península de Osa.
