PURA VIDA!  That says is all….Costa Rican people, or Ticos as they call themselves, use this term as a greeting and a parting.  Pura Vida means “pure life” or “life lived in happiness and health”.  What a wonderful way to greet and say goodbye to someone!  No wonder Costa Ricans were named the “happiest people on earth” by a recent study. 

Most Ticos are middle-class, and while extreme poverty does exist in some remote areas, the average standard of living is well above its other Latin American neighbors.  The cost of living is much lower than in many developed countries so people live well on a lower income. The large middle class is due to a strong democracy that promotes equality for all.

Ticos are over 90% Caucasian or “Mestizo”- a mixture of Spanish heritage as a result of the Spanish conquest in the 1500’s.  Less than 3% of the population is black, with most living in the Southern Caribbean region or Limon.  The black ancestry can mostly be traced to Jamaica as many black slaves were brought to Costa Rica to build the railroads and work the banana plantations in the 1800’s. In the southern Caribbean region the blacks speak English with the musical Caribbean accent.  Spanish is the main language of Ticos, but many also speak English. There are still a small number of indigenous Native Indians living in Costa Rica, but most societies were decimated by the Spanish conquests or have blended into Costa Rican society. 

Costa Rica’s allure of a pura vida life and natural beauty has made Costa Rica attractive to many Europeans and North Americans.  There are several areas with large populations of Germans and Italians, and North Americans have found the northern province of Guanacaste very attractive.

Ticos and Ticas (the feminine form of Tico) are a peaceful and friendly people, as evidenced by the dismantling of their military in 1948.  They welcome tourist and go out of their way to be helpful.  Ticos also love to “party” and “celebrate”!  You will find a fiesta in some part of the country in every month.  Costa Rica’s fiestas consist of food, lively music, dancing, and usually a bull fight (bloodless in most cases).

Ticos are much less stressed than people from more developed countries and are usually referred to as “laid back”.  This may account for their longevity!  National Geographic and other scientific studies are being done to understand why people in some areas of Costa Rica live such long and healthy lives.  Among other reasons they have discovered so far is the deep rooted spiritually of the Costa Rican people and their close family and community ties.  There is also an abundance of natural healthy unprocessed food.

It isn’t hard to figure out why a society that places such importance on family, community, spirituality, good food, music, and dancing would be named “The Happiest People on Earth”!
PURA VIDA!

Population:
4,195,914
Age Statistics:
0-14: 27.2%
15 - 64: 66.8%
65+: 6%
Life expectancy:
77.4 years
Ethnic Groups:
94% Eur., 3% Afr.origin
Language:
Spanish
Education:
9 years comp. 96% literacy rate
Religion:
70.5% Roman Catholic; 13.8% Evalgelical Protestant; 4.3% other; 11.3% none
Workforce:
13% Agriculture; 22% Industry; 64% Services; 4.6% unemployment rate
Per capita income:
$5,100