#Tico costa rica free#

Charm and SophisticationĬosta Ricans have an international reputation for their commitment to peace, higher education and free thinking. Ecotourism and adventure travel, now a major source of income for Costa Rica, attracts visitors of all ages from the world over. The country is small, mountainous and intensely beautiful. 'Ticos' (as Costa Ricans are affectionately known) pride themselves on universal education and healthcare. With no need for a military budget, much of the savings have been applied to social programs, propelling the country to role model status for other Central American nations. Costa Ricans enjoy unparalleled personal and political freedom, mostly due to the clever use of peace treaties with powerful allies during the past half-century. This peace-loving country has a uniquely stable democratic government surpassed in the Americas only by the United States. | Home | Area Info | Lodging | Tours | Transport | Resources | Bookstore |Ĭosta Rica is among the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. This post was contributed by Karla Alba, who is spending her fall semester with AIFS in San Jose, Costa Rica.Amigo Tico - Your Guide to Quepos, Manuel Antonio and Costa Rica Thanks to Costa Rica for Pura Vida, the new motto to live by. By making friends with the locals, you’ll learn the true meaning of culture. While being abroad you have to try new things, dance to a different beat or even drink a different taste of coffee. Traveling puts you in a new place physically, but it is up to you to break out of your shell and be in a new place mentally. They’d tell us to look for them on campus and even invited us to the next party. We’d smile at each other, compliment each other’s grooves and move.

My feet introduce myself with words I was too shy to say, my hips welcomed the new conditions being taught and my hands connected with that of a tico, a new culture. “It’s in your hips, feel it,” they’d tell me. The music changed from American to French to Spanish, and for each song a different tico or tica would grab me a show me the steps. We walk past different groups of ticos and different conversation every one of them pausing to say hola or welcome. Ramon, a nice young tico, approaches us and immediately engages in casual conversation, asking our names, field of study and about our experience in Costa Rica so far.Ī familiar song plays in the background and Ramon grabs our hands and says “Let’s dance!” Song after song we danced and shouted the words with these friendly ticos, sharing shy smiles and welcoming laughs. As soon as we stepped out of the car, we are welcomed with smiles and invitations to go inside and make ourselves comfortable. Our ride pulled up to a small yoga house surrounded by students indulging in cigarettes. I based my assumptions on what I have witnessed in the States, all while forgetting that I was in a new place. I reminded myself of the new friend I made that morning and how quickly we exchanged Facebook information to possibly set up a coffee date. Questions clouded up my head, which sprung doubts and reluctance. I was hesitant, mostly because I did not know the area or what I was going to walk into. Later, after making acquaintance with a young vibrant tica named Ale, Natasha and I are invited to a party hosted by Veritas film students in San Pedro. The next morning, with Natasha in mind, I introduce myself to a tica at Café Frances, who come to find out is originally from Dominican Republic like me! I found this admirable and it motivated me to get out there and make some friends. But after searching the room, I’d catch a glimpse of her casually walking up to a group of ticos and saying “ Hi, soy Natasha.” She is immersed with friendly smiles. This is a trait I often worry about, because we are in an unfamiliar place. In social settings, I’ve watched Natasha, my roommate, wander off out of sight. Should I say hello, hola, or ¿que tal? Should I speak Spanish, English or a stylish mixture de los dos? I learned from my roommate, who is probably the most outgoing kid I’ve met thus far, that a simple ‘ hi’ goes a long way. It was knowing how and when to approach a tico, or a Costa Rican native, where I became tongue tied. Spanish is my native language, so I am fortunate because communicating was not the problem. But here in this new land, my normal introverted self has extroverted.

Needless to say, in the States I am a lone soul who enjoys self company. I went out with only them I ate and explored only within my comfort zone. During my first two weeks here, I stuck with what I was most comfortable with: the English-speaking Americans from my program. Costa Rica without the tico experience is no Costa Rica at all.

Tico costa rica