Vegan Lifestyle in the Zone – Question From Reader

Towns for the Vegan Lifestyle - Ojochal Uvita or Tinamastes

Preamble: this article is my response to question I received from one of this blog’s readers. Its a bit unusual, but I see it as demonstrating a growing interest in The Zone – wellness – in its many forms. This one is specifically “vegan”, but the principles apply to all aspects of wellness. Tinamastes is mentioned … Read more

The Costa Rica Expat Scene

Expats in Costa Rica

“Myopic” would probably best describe this post. The vantage that I have of the Costa Rica expat scene will be purely autobiographical, what I have seen and some of what I have heard in my 16+ years of living full time in Costa Rica both as a father of a family of 5, an Internet … Read more

You Call This Tourism?

Playa Hermosa is a beach just north of Uvita, towards Dominical. There are several “Playa Hermosa” beaches in Costa Rica. We used to go out to this one and marvel at the beauty of the 2 mile-long stretch of beach that extends down to Uvita’s Whales Tail reef, and how there was absolutely nobody there. We used to joke about trying to find a place to put our towel, like what you find on so many such beaches in various parts of the world.

We’re not there yet, and frankly,

Good and Inconvenient Living in Costa Rica

A metaphor for life in Costa Rica

Living here in Costa Rica’s southern pacific zone, or “Costa Ballena” as it is called, has some interesting quirks. Quirks that, when considered as a list can make one wonder why this place is frequently referred to as “paradise” and achieving the “dream”. Here are some examples of what I mean:

  • You live on a “public road”, but you pay for your road care with your cooperative neighbors
  • The U. S. Government has worked it so that expat citizens must disclose their Costa Rica bank accounts to the Treasury Department on their tax returns. I hear mixed numbers about this, but I understand that there are only about 2 countries in the world that require annual tax filing from their expat citizens, the US being one of them.
  • Ditto for disclosing your Costa Rica corporations
  • Emergency medical care can take a while to get to you, like when you are lying on the side of the road, waiting for an ambulance
  • You hear prowlers outside of your gorgeous ocean view home – the police have no gas for their vehicle, so you call your neighbors
  • You bring a book with you to the bank so you can pass the time waiting for the next available teller
  • Un-cared for domestic animals
  • Rip tides
  • Sun
A metaphor for life in Costa Rica
A little rough on the outside, but sweet and healthy on the inside.
OK, so I got carried away there with my list of inconveniences that accompany living in Costa Rica. Maybe I’ll do one of those “You know you live in Costa Rica when…” lists.
I suspect that life in Costa Rica is much like life elsewhere and that all of us members of the human species like to gripe about various aspects of life, wherever we are.  The above list is, for the most part, meant to be informative to those that don’t live here. This list could easily have been extrapolated from conversations overheard at the neighborhood soda (Costa Rican restaurant).

However, I contend that…

the lack of such services here in The Zone, may have something to do with

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The Latest News for Uvita, Costa Rica

Uvita gives all indicators of being the area where commercial, social and cultural happenings will be centered in the future. This is important to the topic of real estate and investment concerns. Early recognition of a trend can help to position oneself well for future payoffs. From where Rod & I sit in our front row office, Uvita could be one of the most beautiful little coastal hamlets in the world. Everything grows here, especially the truly exotic varieties of flora that the Earth has to offer. Why the town resembles more of a strip mall than an exotic tropical oasis is a bit difficult to understand.
We are happy to discover that other Zone residents feel the same way. We received a request to post this announcement in our front window: “United We Can Achieve” – The Development Association of Uvita. This newly organized group of residents is pulling together a new idea they call, “The Boulevard” project.

Land Reform and Democracy in Costa Rica

In 1838, Costa Ricans obtained “the right to own private property” or as it’s listed in their Constitution under Artículo 21, Derecho a la Propiedad Privada. One of the things I enjoy about being the parent of a 13-year old is discovering new things. It’s like being in the 7th grade all over again except … Read more