Before going to Costa Rica for the first time in 2023, I considered myself reasonably well-traveled. Growing up we took family vacations–mostly road trips as good Midwesterners do. As an adult I’ve spent time on 3 continents, 8 countries, and many of the 50 states. I’ve taken planes, trains, buses, ferry boats, and cruise ships. Each time I enter a new city, state, country, or culture, I take time to learn about it before I go.
And yet, much of what I discovered while visiting Costa Rica was unexpected. Here are 5 ways Costa Rica surprised me:
1. The Weather
It’s not all hot. Thinking about the beaches and jungle, I expected it to be hot and humid everywhere. But much like every other mountainous area, the higher you go, the cooler it is. Where I go in San Ramón, it’s a warm, mid-80s during the day and drops to the high 60s with a cool breeze overnight. With the cloud coverage this high up, especially during rainy season, I find myself wearing a sweatshirt and pants more often than not!
2. The Distance
In my mind, Costa Rica is a tropical country in a faraway land. But in reality, it’s a nonstop 3-hour flight from Orlando! Costa Rica is also on Mountain Time, so the jet lag is nonexistent, and the time zone shift is manageable. But because it’s much closer to the equator, daytime and nighttime hours are significantly different than the United States. All year round the sun rises at about 6am and sets at about 6pm. No jet lag, but if you’re like me and get tired when the sun goes down… Well, Costa Rica has good coffee to keep you awake!
3. The Fried Chicken
Yes, you read that correctly. There is a fried chicken shop on every corner here! I couldn’t tell you the history of why or how, but Costa Ricans love fried chicken. And so do I! Stop by one of these counters for some chicken and french fries. It’s delicious, juicy, and tastier than the fast-food fried chicken I’ve had back home.
4. The Cleanliness
I am surprised to say Costa Rica is a much cleaner country than I imagined! To be clear, I didn’t picture it particularly dirty. It’s kind of like dusting the ceiling fan–you don’t notice when it’s clean, but you do notice when it’s dirty. But for me, Costa Rica was noticeably clean. I’ve driven through remote paths in a handful of other places, including the United States, and seen ditches littered with garbage. But not here! Costa Rica is known for eco-tourism and its environmental initiatives, so the streets are clean, the water is clean, it’s all clean!
5. The Language
Costa Rican Spanish is not always the same as the Spanish I learned in my high school and college classes. Some of this is regional, some slang, but there are some cultural differences at play here, too. For example, instead of saying “de nada” which means “you’re welcome,” Costa Ricans will more often say “con gusto” which is more like “with pleasure.” It’s like Chick-fil-A! The people here are known for being friendly, and you can see why. English is also widely understood and becoming spoken more and more. It’s a great place to grow in your Spanish skills and explore a new culture and country without feeling completely unable to communicate.
It’s normal to be surprised when you enter a new culture or country. And that’s half the fun of traveling! Whether you go to Costa Rica or down the street, I encourage you to spend time with people who aren’t like you and see what you learn. Like me, you may be pleasantly surprised in unexpected ways!