7 Costa Rican Realities

As with many good things, they often have to come to an end, and this no exception. As we disembark from our transfer van and enter the Liberia airport, after paying our departure tax and waiting to check our baggage. Well organized with the haunting military presence, it gives one a few moments of reflection. 7 Costa Rican Realities. Only now in retrospect can I come to grips with all we have just experienced.

Just give me People

The first thing that I noticed is that people do check-in and baggage handling. Not an automated system that the airline has put into place to frustrate and confuse the traveler. I understand that the automation is meant to speed up the process of check-in and save the airline money but at what expense? Currently, this is nice. A human that you can ask a question and get an immediate answer, all very efficient and adds to global commerce that can only help all those that work and use the system. Except for the shareholders. I am ranting, sorry.

In a few hours we will once again face the horrendous inefficiency of such systems as I enter Canadian customs. I do see many government and airline staff standing around seemingly doing nothing — just an observation.

I am confident that you have been reading the “Costa Rican Chronicles” so that you should have an excellent idea as to how we felt about our overall experience. Here as I have then. I have tried to be as honest and insightful as I could. However, in Costa Rica, when the sun shines, sometimes you need to get protection for the exposure.

Find the right place for you

Pushing my bags further along the cue.

The “Westin Playa Conchal” was a fantastic place, amenities and everything else that you could imagine. It was there for us, and we loved the pampering-sometimes. We did find ourselves feeling like we were in Houston or Key West or another hot American location. The “Westin” although they tried to create a village within the resort they did create a massive buffer of insolation between the country of Costa Rica and their guests. I know, what should I expect. You are right; this is a resort. I am sure that many guests were looking for just what they were selling. Being our first time here, we thought that we would need that buffer. Standing in line waiting to check our luggage, I was wrong.

Perhaps finding a boutique hotel or hostel close to the center of any town or village. We could immerse ourselves in the culture right from there. Dive in the water is excellent.

Just Drive, she said. I should have listened

The line is moving better as the person in front of us has found their passport.

 Isolation is a relative term. Although we did move around some, in retrospect we should have rented a car to allow ourselves more freedom to roam around the country. It is a small piece of geography, and I am confident that although the road system is not vast, having our transportation would have allowed us to explore on our own. Again this increases a few variables like theft and extortion, but I don’t see that as being a huge concern. What we did explore was pretty amazing. Can you imagine if we had a larger area to explore? Besides, we would have ended up saving a few dollars in the process. Yes, it does seem hard to believe.

The Gringo tax an Unofficial economy

Your Checking two bags?

Dollars and the “Gringo tax.” I can’t verify for sure, but Costa Rica was an expensive place to travel. It is not New York City expensive. While using local restaurants and stores, the cost of items seemed to be higher than I would have imagined. Was there a “Gringo tax?” I can’t be certain. An unofficial “extra” cost that may be added to your tariff if the proprietor thinks that you may not be aware of the actual cost of goods. Local price “X,” “Gringo price,” “Y.” I don’t entirely blame them. I understand how we as “Americans” are perceived-we are from the country north of that for the record.

We read that Costa Rica was less expensive than Belize, but I am still having a hard time believing that to be the case. For those that live outside the US, like us keep in mind that the US dollars are accepted everywhere with varying exchange rates in Costa Rica. Ok, fair enough. But if your financial origin is Canada or Australia or another country where the value of your currency is not as high. Factor that in as well. You will find that this is no different from many others if not all countries in the region.

https://vacationtimeescapes.com/tantalized-in-tamarindo/

An Eco-Tourism Evolution

Yes, I did pack these myself this morning.

 The countryside is terrific with so many microclimates. Everywhere the freshness of both the seaside and mountain air, although distinctive from one another creates an environment that we have found nowhere else- you can taste the air. For many travelers, this is the main attraction; after all, Costa Rica has based its tourist economy on this reality. The hotels proudly display this as do many of the restaurants and bars. However, from what I understand this is not practiced as widely as one would think, like in in private homes. Where I live, we have a bin for everything, and we place our disposable goods in the appropriate container. My understanding is that no such program exists in Costa Rica. These initiatives seem to be created by the private institution itself. Odd.

https://vacationtimeescapes.com/sensational-sensoria/

Time to clean up our act

Tourist agents proudly expound and give you insight into how that most of the energy created either  thermometric or  hydroelectric this is amazing, but can’t the government take the next step to create a recycling program for all of its citizens. My feeling is that significant tourist areas are fined if they do not adhere to environmental restrictions placed upon them. I will fully support this if this is the case.

Another environmental trait that most visitors are unaware of is the quantity of pesticides used each year in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a world leader. I came upon this doing research as it was not something that was mentioned or found in print during our visit. If you would like to find out more about pesticide use and what steps are being done to reduce this please follow the link. These are just a few of the 7 Costa Rican Realities.

http://www.pan-uk.org/phasing-out-hhps-costa-rica/

Its will always be about the People

Can you place your belongings into the bin? I take off my belt. 

I have to admit, sitting by the seaside or at the base of a volcano, I thoroughly enjoyed the small villages and towns. Here in itself is my grace. These have left the most significant impact on both my memory and psyche. Seemingly carefree and enjoying many of the basics of life that I wish and maybe one day will be able to attain. An innate awareness for me, living and existing for them. I felt that I was in the presence of something much more significant than them and me together. I guess it is all about perspective. If you have the opportunity to commune with such a place, your perception will be altered forever, and for that, I shall be forever in your debt.

As with many places, you may not be aware of these non-publicized realities. These may be uniquely ours. It is hard to say. I do know that any time you decide to leave the comfort of your couch and explore some uncharted personal territory, you will always be enriched by the experience. Although I have mentioned some of Costa Rica’s non-published realities, I would venture back and use the knowledge I have gained from having the opportunity of being there. I hope that you are fortunate enough to explore this region, as I am confident that the land has more  experiences in its future than I can chronicle during these brief forums. 

Please enjoy and pass on your experiences and comments on the land of “mist and sun.”

As always, Your Vacations. Your Escapes

VTE