Time is a fluid concept: If you arrange a meeting for 8 AM, don’t be surprised if it starts closer to 9 AM, or even later. This casual approach to time is known locally as “Tico Time.”

Plans are merely suggestions: In Costa Rica, making plans is more about expressing a wish rather than a firm commitment. This can lead to some amusing misunderstandings but also means that life is rarely dull.

The ‘Directionally Challenged’ Nation

Anyone who has tried to navigate the streets of Costa Rica will understand why GPS is a must-have. Street signs are a rarity, and directions usually involve landmarks that may or may not still exist.

“200 meters south of where the old fig tree used to be”: This could be an actual direction you receive. Not only does it require historical knowledge, but also a good sense of humor.

Landmarks over street names: Even in the capital city of San José, people use landmarks for directions. For instance, “from the Coca Cola building, 100 meters west.”

The Wildlife Joins You for Coffee

Costa Rica houses 5% of the world’s biodiversity, and sometimes it feels like a majority of that is in your backyard or even your living room!

Geckos on the ceiling: These little lizards are common houseguests and are welcomed by residents since they help control the insect population.

Monkeys as alarm clocks: In some areas, particularly near forests, the howls of monkeys often replace the need for an alarm clock. Their early morning calls ensure you start your day bright and early.

The Never-Ending Quest for the Perfect Avocado

Costa Ricans love their avocados and take the ripeness of this fruit very seriously. The quest for the perfect avocado sometimes turns into a comedic sketch at local markets.

Ripe today, not tomorrow: Timing is everything. Buying an avocado in Costa Rica might involve visiting several markets and engaging in numerous discussions about the precise level of ripeness.

Avocado debates: Discussions about whether the best avocados come from Mexico or Costa Rica can be a passionate topic, often discussed with the seriousness of a political debate.

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Sock

It’s not just a universal problem. In Costa Rica, the humidity and the general Pura Vida approach mean that missing socks are just a part of life. Laundry day brings its own set of humorous challenges.

Single socks: Locals joke that there’s a sock monster who lives in Costa Rican washing machines, feasting on one sock from each pair.

Humidity woes: Clothes may take forever to dry, especially during the rainy season, leading to creative indoor drying setups that can be quite amusing to behold.

Christmas in Shorts

Celebrating Christmas in tropical weather means adapting many traditional customs, which can result in some funny sights.

Beachside Christmas trees: Instead of traditional snowy scenes, in Costa Rica, it’s not uncommon to see Christmas trees decorated on warm sandy beaches.

Santa in shorts: Santa Claus in Costa Rica often swaps his usual heavy red suit for a lighter version, sometimes even shorts and a T-shirt, much to the amusement of visitors from colder climates.

Conclusion

Living in Costa Rica is a unique, delightful experience filled with quirks and idiosyncrasies that make everyday life interesting and often humorous. From ‘Tico Time’ to wildlife encounters and the quest for the perfect avocado, there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant country. Embracing the Pura Vida lifestyle means not only adapting to but also learning to laugh at the charming peculiarities of this beautiful tropical paradise.