Properties in Costa Rica Blog

For vacationers and retirees ringing in the New Year in Costa Rica, it can be time of parties in one of the local beach towns or a quiet time spent in nature or reflecting with family or friends. Many people opt to hold small dinner parties, and seek out this time to do some backpacking in one of Costa Rica’s parks. It’s about taking it down a notch to reflect on the past year, express gratitude and set some goals for the coming year. To connect with nature, there’s are some great mountain tops in the country and places to explore. For many people, New Year’s eve is a time of reflection. The traditional meal for New Year in Costa Rica is a pork leg, and when the clock turns 12, there is the tradition of singing “Año Viejo”. There are also some fun long held traditions that are part of the country’s rich folklore.

Ensure travel in the coming year

There is the old tradition of running around the house or crossing the neighborhood street with a suitcase or a backpack in hand to ensure travel for the coming year.

Clear negative energy in the home

Cleaning and sweeping the entire house the women is believed to clear away past evils.

Remove bad luck

Throw a pan full of water over one’s shoulder is believed to sway all bad luck from the previous year.

Attract your mate

Other New Year’s traditions include wearing red underwear in the hope that the coming year will bring their spouse or true love.

Attract good fortune

Wearing yellow in hopes of getting conferred with good luck in the coming year.

Attract good fortune

Eating 12 grapes at midnight with each one dedicated to one month in the coming year for good luck.

These are fun local traditions that you can weave into celebrating the New Year in Costa Rica. As It’s really about setting an intention to have a positive experience in the coming year that brings you much good fortune and new experiences. When we live our lives from a centered purposeful place, joy and good fortune tends to follow. It’s how many Costa Ricans live their lives daily, and perhaps is part of what attracts so many foreigners to one of the happiest countries in the world. Enjoy ringing in 2016!

Secret to a long life may just lie in the Nicoya Peninsula region in Costa Rica. Among Costa Rica’s many treasures and benefits may also be the long searched for secret to living a long, healthy and happy life. The factors that contribute to longevity include: low stress lifestyle, plant based diet, faith of some sort and water high in minerals! A sense of purpose and hard work are also part of the attitudes that lead to a longevity. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren providing much-needed support to families from which they gain a sense of purpose and belonging.

It turns out the Nicoya Peninsula is in the Blue Zone – one of five hot spots around the globe where people live longer lives. The zones include: Loma Linda, California, Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy, and Okinawa, Japan. Defined by its sandy beaches and tropical forest, Nicoya Peninsula is one of the areas in the zone.

Add to this discovery, “Costa Rica spends only about one tenth of what the United States spends on healthcare, yet more than twice as many men there can expect to reach a healthy age 90.” There’s something about being able to slow down and take life in that benefits all humans, and it’s a quality many westerners seem to have lost. Diet also plays an important role. A plant based, fresh food diet is a big factor. Fortunately, Costa Rica is an agricultural country with an abundance of fresh, locally grown organic produce available year round.

Its customs and lifestyles create an environment where people can live healthier, longer lives, and that’s great news. It’s a testament to what many people experience when coming here, and part of the reason the country’s population continues to swell. It’s a lifestyle choice that is good for the heart, mind and body. It’s no wonder, Costa Rica has also been identified as one of the happiest countries in the world, and the Nicoyans may just be the epicenter of a well lived life.