How Are The Costa Rican People to “Outsiders”?

I’m often asked: How are the Costa Rican people to “outsiders”?

In a word…fabulous!  I’ve never been to a place where the people are so courteous and polite.  I’m not just talking about the ones working in the hospitality industry either.  The gas station attendants, the auto mechanics, the landscapers and even the trash collectors are pleasant to foreigners on a daily basis.

Why?  Well I can only speculate, but I believe it’s because of the higher education that the citizens receive (96% literacy rate).  Meaning that they understand the concept that visitors to the country means jobs and a steady paycheck.  They recognize that progress will only benefit their families and community.

I have been to areas where employees of foreign developers have gone from living in shacks to living in brick homes and driving nice vehicles.  It is evident that they appreciate the fact that they have a job, as well as the opportunity to learn a trade and move up the ladder of success.  Many employees pass down what they have learned to their children, thus insuring that the future of their family is somewhat secure.

Others benefit from the increase of the local economy through a rise in the population and income brackets to secure jobs in service and repair businesses, as well as their own family businesses, producing long term and high quality jobs for all to gain from.  In other words, a local resident may love to build furniture, but hasn’t had the opportunity to make a living at it because there wasn’t enough business in the area to support him.

Now, add a few thousand jobs to the region, plus the addition of the foreign population and voila… our furniture builder now has a much larger market to sell to, as well as the ability to increase the price (and hopefully quality) of his goods because there are more people making more money.  Its basic economics that the residents understand, value and appreciate.