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EDITORIAL
KEEPING THE PEACE, SAFETY AND HAPPINESS
C
osta Rica has achieved its bicentennial. This is a great milestone for a young country! Costa Rica has maintained its foothold in the world as a peaceful place with happy citizens and no armed forces. This has allowed the government here to spend money on education and health care instead of bombs. One of the reasons Costa Rica is a soughtafter destination for vacationers and relocating expats is the peaceful, safe environment. With this reputation for being a gem comes outside people seeking to capitalize. There have been many instances of people moving to Costa Rica and thinking it is the wild west. They do and say what they please to attract investment. They also portray a dreamlike situation that entices people the world over — especially North Americans — to want to be a part of this country. When the truth is good, why make false statements? I believed the false statements and got duped by a group of developers who couldn’t tell the truth, even when it was very adequate. When they realized that I was a fighter and wouldn’t let go, these people turned on me. They tried to decimate my character and slandered me in the community. Well, I am here and they are gone with their reputation in shambles. I know many of you know the group and the people I am referring to. Many of you were also victims of these shysters. I quickly realized the power the pen holds.
Shortly, an expose will be published by leading media in the United States detailing the level of deceit, corruption, and greed that caused many the disruption of their dreams. We were on an episode of House Hunters International featuring the property being marketed. When I realized very quickly that this group was lying and over-promising to make money while using our episode to market their lies, I pulled the plug and contacted the film producers to never air the episode again. This is very relevant at a time when real estate is booming in Costa Rica. We have new people moving in, and without proper information and research, they too can become victims of false and fraudulent advertising. My advice is to make sure and do your due diligence and question everything. You are not in your sphere of influence and could easily become a victim of greedy developers. A knowledgeable buyer or expat is a welcome sight for the agents and developers who care about what you want to achieve with your investment and move. Knowledge is power; make your effort fruitful rather than picking up pieces left by the people waiting to prey on you.
Word of mouth is very strong. When someone is wronged, the people told about that situation will keep passing on the story for a very long time. Keeping Costa Rica a happy place is an effort that we all must work together to maintain.
With this year’s bicentennial celebration in Costa Rica, you will witness the joy and sense of community that defines the people of this land. We, as outsiders, need to embrace that joy and happiness to keep this county in the light of a peaceful, safe place to visit and reside.
John B. Quam
Hear this story in English, Spanish, and French.
HOWLER T r o o p
FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
H
owler is excited to congratulate Costa Rica on its bicentennial anniversary of Independence Day, September 15, 2021. Check out our commemorative cover stories highlighting Tico national symbols, with a special tribute to the beloved sloth’s new status as number 16 on the list. Links are provided to many past magazine articles about specific national symbols, including this month’s Cultural Heritage feature on Costa Rica’s flag and coat of arms. Several business leaders join us in saluting the country’s proud achievements and bright future. Travel & Adventure takes you to two historical hot spots, where unearthed discoveries still leave many unanswered questions about Costa Rica’s PreColumbian indigenous legacy: the Diquis spheres at Finca 6 and the Guayabo national monument site. Continuing our “wildlife in flight” theme from last month’s overview of beautiful birds, our September Creature Feature is “Written on the Wings of Butterflies.” We also look at why, how and where surfing and yoga belong together in Costa Rica, along with many other ways to enjoy wellness experiences here. Another article revisits the country’s consistent “happiest in the world” ranking. Sweat lodge rituals are the focus of a four-part Mindfulness series starting this month, while Entrepreneur Costa Rica offers resilience-building tips and LegalEase examines the real estate registration system known by the acronym SIRI.
This month’s featured contributor, Rick Philps, provides insights into the modern pitfalls of archaic landowner provisions for squatters’ rights in Costa Rica. Rick is a Canadian citizen, naturalized as a citizen of Costa Rica. Before moving here in 1998, he practiced law for 14 years in his home city of Victoria, British Columbia. His further legal studies in Costa Rica earned him a Bachelor of Laws and Licensing degrees (Civil Law), with Honours, from the Metropolitana Castro Carazo University, and a postgraduate degree in Notary and Registry Law, from the Escuela Libre de Derecho University in San José. Rick is a member of the Costa Rica College of Lawyers, a qualified Notary Public. He has practiced law in this country since 2003, in the areas of real estate and development; corporate, commercial and contract law; escrow and banking; wills and estate planning; and immigration. Rick also offers legal due diligence seminars and consultations in the Gold Coast area for expats moving, or considering moving to Costa Rica.
WRITERS Sylvia Barreto Benites. Writer, teacher, tutor and founding director of IREN Renaissance Institute, a Costa Rican nonprofit organization focused on innovative learning solutions for children and adults. To this role she brings a Masters degree in education and more than 25 years of experience in public, private and alternative classrooms, both in New York and Costa Rica. Joanna Blanco. Integrative nutritional health coach who helps clients embrace wellness in five interconnected areas of life: relationships, livelihood, physical activity, spiritual awareness and diet.
HOWLER
September 2021 Vol. 30 No. 9
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-in-CHIEF John B. Quam
Debbie Bride. Canadian continuing to create and communicate in Costa Rica. John Brockmeier. Writer and activist inspired by diverse interests and international life experiences. Maria Laura Charles. Digital marketing strategist, content creator, experience designer and empathy activist. Creator of Casa Narime & La Marea. WhatsApp: +506 8879-2145. Ivan Granados. Managing Partner at GM Attorneys, specializing in real estate and corporate law. igranados@gmattorneyscr.com Karl Kahler. Author of “Frommer’s Costa Rica 2017,” former travel editor of the Tico Times and former national editor of California’s San Jose Mercury News. Laura Méndez. Founder of Pura Vida Vibrations. Offering sound journeys, breathwork experiences, cacao ceremonies & other activities. hello@puravidavibrations.com Mario Molina Salazar. Sustainable traveler and cultural manager of my art organization Costa Rica en la Pared. Street art and its impact to transform communities. costaricaenlapared@gmail.com Jenn Parker. An avid writer, traveler, and nature lover on a mission to surf the earth and share her stories. Tom Schultz. BS Biology and Geology, avid birder and nature photographer, retired software executive. tom@pananima.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Jorge A. Russell. Professional photographer from Chile based in Jaco beach. Does outdoor photography and studio photography. 8836-6475. Jorgerussellphotographer @gmail.com
C r e at i v e & a r t Terry Carlile m a r k e t i n g d i r e c t o r - Terry Carlile account executive Mary Fernández
E d i t o r i a l S ta f f Debbie Bride - Editorial Coordinator Laurie Quam - Copy Editor G r a p h i c D e s i g n - Terry Carlile c o v e r p h o t o d e s i g n - Terry Carlile Business Development John D. Lane. jdlanelcm@gmail.com H OW L E R ( ™ ) 2 0 1 7
C o n ta c t
John Quam - Managing Partner headmonkey@howlermag.com Editor: editor@howlermag.com Advertising: ads@howlermag.com Design: design@howlermag.com CR Office: (506) 4701-5942 Howler Magazine Costa Rica @howlercostarica @thehowlermag @howlermagazine The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Ced. Juridica: 3-101-725213 The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Howler organization or its advertisers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests write to: info@howlermag.com. The Howler Magazine does not assume responsibility for the content of its advertisements.
“Costa Rica Through the Lens” October Howler Special Edition Photographers: click here for details
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UP FRONT
COVER STORIES
COSTA RICA’S BICENTENNIAL NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF COSTA RICA SLOTH BECOMES AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL SYMBOL FELIZ DÍA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA COSTA RICA!
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE COOL PLACES Finca 6 and the Mystery of the Spheres FEATURED PLACE Guayabo: History of a Mystery CREATURE FEATURE Written on the Wings of Butterflies
SURFING CR SURF FEATURE Surfing and Yoga Go Hand in Hand TIDE CHART
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT CULTURAL HERITAGE Costa Rica’s Flag: Proudly Waved, Carried and Worn
PURA VIDA/LIVING CR LIFESTYLE FEATURE Made the Move and Never Looked Back MINDFULNESS Inipi and Temazcal: Understanding the Sweat Lodge Ritual WELLNESS FEATURE Beyond Yoga LIFESTYLE FEATURE Happiest Country on the Planet
CR BIZ DOING BUSINESS RIGHT What Are Squatters’ Rights in Costa Rica? LEGALEASE Real Estate Registration System (SIRI) ENTREPRENEUR CR How To Build Inner Resilience
Feliz Día de la Independencia
Costa Rica!
Toasting Two Centuries of Promise and Progress
C
ongratulations, Costa Rica! September 15th is never like any other day of the year in this country, nor are Ticos looking forward to it any less in 2021. Quite the contrary. In the same spirit that makes Independence Day a favorite annual celebration from coast to coast, extra measures of enthusiasm will enliven this year’s bicentennial anniversary of Costa Rica’s secession from Spain, alongside its four nearest northern neighbors: Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Interestingly, while subsequent autonomy for each of these Central American countries followed at different times, no separate “birthday” traditions are honored. All five nations have continued to commemorate the same date when their colonial ties were officially severed together: September 15, 1821. Because news traveled much more slowly in those days, and with Costa Rica being the southernmost distant land, it took another month for word to reach here from Guatemala. On this proud and happy occasion, Howler extended an opportunity for other well-wishers to join us in toasting Costa Rica’s legacy of promise and progress.
Quick access links: Marriott Hotels, Costa Rica CINDE Essential Costa Rica NEWMARK - Solarium When someone says “I hope I can find a place to call home where I can be comfortable with my surroundings, the people I come in contact with every day and a place I can’t wait to return to when I go away” they are hoping to find our paradise - Costa Rica. Almost everyone who comes to visit needs to be pushed out the door to return home. There is peace and quiet on one side and action/adventure on the other. The locals(Ticas/Ticos)are always there to please their guests. “Try it and you will love it” is an understatement. John D. Lane Part-time resident, Reserva Conchal
UP FRONT
National Symbols of
Costa Rica
Two-Way Mirrors to the World
T
COVER STORY
here is nothing arbitrary or spontaneous about the declaration of a national symbol. The right time and circumstances reveal themselves naturally as a country’s unfolding history keeps fine-tuning its national identity. On 16 such occasions, Costa Rica has held up a two-way mirror of self-representation to the world by adopting a national symbol that is “new” only in this official figurative sense. Without exception, their iconic significance is timeless, effectively anchoring the natural and human legacies of this magnificent land to the past, present and future.
Truly, it’s the people that make Costa Rica the treasure it is to the world.
As Costa Rica proudly celebrates its bicentennial anniversary of independence, we are pleased to feature the following national symbols overview in chronological order. Links direct you to related Howler articles in this e-magazine and past issues.
1. Flag Inspired by the colors and ideals of the French Revolution, Costa Rica’s flag was designed by then-First Lady, Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, in 1848 and declared a national symbol the same year.
2. National shield Originally created and declared a national symbol in 1848, alongside the Costa Rican flag, the country’s shield (synonymous with emblem or coat of arms) has undergone changes over the years. Key elements of geography, socioeconomic progress and patriotic values are vividly depicted in the unifying imagery.
3. National anthem Nearly a century after the music was composed and performed for an auspicious international occasion, “Himno Nacional de Costa Rica” attained official national symbol status in 1948. June 11, 1852 marked the national anthem’s debut performance for visiting diplomats from the United States and England. President Juan Rafael Mora Porras had asked the military band director, Manuel María Gutiérrez, to compose the music for this purpose. It wasn’t until 1903 that the current lyrics were written as the winning contest entry of José María Zeledón.
video
UP FRONT
4. Guaria Morada The exquisitely beautiful guaria morada orchid was chosen as Costa Rica’s national flower in June 1939, an outcome of Argentina’s initiative to create an international peace garden featuring a representative flower from each participating country. Associated with the beauty of Costa Rican ladies, the prized purple flower adorns church altars during Lent and Easter, as well as the building roofs, walls and trees where it grows. It is considered a traditional symbol of luck, peace, love, hope and harmony.
5. Guanacaste tree
COVER STORY
Declared Costa Rica’s national tree in 1959, with special importance to botanical conservation efforts, the majestic guanacaste has a commanding presence on flat landscapes with its imposing size and umbrella-like shape. Guanacaste is the indigenous Chorotega word for “human ear,” which the tree’s seed pods resemble.
6. Yigüirro Revered for its beautiful song rather than its plain plumage, the yigüirro was designated as Costa Rica’s national bird in 1976. By signaling the coming rainy season and bountiful harvest, the little brownfeathered bird makes up vocally for what it lacks in stature and color. Besides being a symbol of the earth’s fertility in that sense, it represents humility and the hardworking nature of rural Ticos.
7. Oxcart Few could argue that Costa Rica’s ornately decorated oxcarts have long been the most eye-catching national symbol, even years before being officially designated as such in 1988. Their cultural significance to the country’s economic and social development, not to mention as a form of artistic expression, was further recognized 17 years later. In November 2005, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the oxcart a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Their iconic significance is timeless.
UP FRONT
8. White-tailed deer Ambitious conservation efforts have saved the white-tailed deer from near extinction due to illegal hunting and human habitat encroachment. Found mostly in the Santa Rosa National Park area of Guanacaste, and Puntarenas, this beguiling creature became Costa Rica’s first national wildlife symbol in 1995.
9. Marimba Declared Costa Rica’s national musical instrument in 1996, the marimba is a sweetly resonating symbol of culture and tradition that transcends generations. Believed to have originated in Guatemala, the percussion instrument consists of a set of wooden bars, arranged as a keyboard and struck with mallets to produce musical tones. Inextricably linked to Costa Rica’s legacy of traditional music, particularly in religious observances and folk festival performances, the marimba has a special place in the authentic Guanacastecan culture.
COVER STORY
10. Independence Torch Costa Rica’s independence torch was declared a national symbol in conjunction with Independence Day celebrations on September 15, 2005. It represents the ideals of freedom and sovereignty that unite Costa Rica with its sister countries of Central America. As a prelude to Independence Day each year, the lighted torch is carried on foot from the Nicaraguan border to Cartago, the capital city at the time of independence. Cheering the torch bearer in each town along the way is a highlight of this annual patriotic and cultural celebration.
11. Crestones As an extraordinary emblem of Costa Rica’s natural and ecological wealth, the crestones in 2011 were the first tourist site to be named a national symbol. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these spectacularly rugged rock formations in the Talamanca mountain range are named for their resemblance to rooster crests. Showcasing both Chirripó National Park and La Amistad International Park, they include Costa Rica’s highest peak, Mount Chirripó, at 3,800 meters above sea level
12. Manatee The manatee’s recognition as a national symbol in 2014 sent two vitally important messages about Costa Rica’s legacy of endangered wildlife conservation. First, vulnerable marine species deserve as much protective attention as land fauna, particularly when facing near extinction as the manatee was. Second, children can significantly influence government policies, as demonstrated by a pivotal manatee protection proposal by elementary school students from Limón province.
13. Diquis spheres Since their discovery in the early 1940s prompted the earliest published research, Costa Rica’s Pre-Columbian spheres have been an endless source of fascination and speculation about their enigmatic purpose as indigenous Diquis icons. Sculpted from hard volcanic rock, the geometrically perfect balls attained UNESCO World Heritage Site status and also were declared a Costa Rican national symbol in 2014.
UP FRONT
14. National Theater Having graced the capital city’s architectural landscape for more than 120 years, the National Theater of Costa Rica was designated a national symbol in 2018. The late 19th-century icon of coffee boom prosperity earned its “crown jewel” identity early on as a neoclassical masterpiece, adorned with Italian marble. Goethe's “Faust” was the theater’s inaugural performance when its doors opened to considerable fanfare on October 21, 1897.
15. Coffee It took a remarkably long time for Costa Rica’s “golden grain” to win national symbol status, but July 28, 2020 marked the addition of coffee to the list in 15th place. Representatives from the education and coffee sectors joined legislative and municipal officers at a news event recognizing the fundamental importance of coffee to the country’s economic, social and cultural development.
COVER STORY
16. Sloth Perhaps fittingly, the sloth now occupies last — but decidedly not least — place as number 16 on Costa Rica’s national symbols list. However late to the party, these universally beloved creatures were no less celebrated in every worthy sense when the news was announced in July 2021. Get your fix of sloth knowledge in these Howler articles featuring fun facts, two-toed versus three-toed distinctions, and a little-known haven for sloth sightings.
UP FRONT
Sweet and
COVER STORY
S L O W
Sloth Becomes an Official
National Symbol
by John Brockmeier
COVER STORY
UP FRONT
They sleep, mate, and even give birth upside down.
I
n July 2021, the universally popular sloth was officially designated as a national symbol of Costa Rica. Of all the country’s ideally representative icons, none is more endearing than the lovable slow-moving creature with its somewhat alien appearance and cute smile.
On many more counts, sloths are among the most extreme animals on the planet, and not just due to the fact they poop only once a week. Sloths cannot see well, in fact, they are almost completely blind during the daytime because of the light. This is one of the reasons they are so sluggish. Not being capable of seeing makes them more careful shifting around.
People come from all over the world in hopes of seeing sloths in Costa Rica. Not all sloths are alike, but both three-toed and two-toed species Moving slowly can additionally sound like a are found here. What’s the difference, other than the obvious extra toe? Find out in this Howler liability — in particular if you are almost blind. However, shifting slowly is actually beneficial article. to sloths. Using much less energy than other mammals commonly do is vital, considering With no shortage of interesting and their diet consists of only leaves. The sluggish surprising facts about sloths, it’s easy to motions of sloths allow them to be less understand why these engaging creatures captivate the attention of people seeking to view detectable to predators like jaguars and eagles. them. The three fingered sloth has the unusual First of all, they really are extremely slow. In ability to rotate its head 270 degrees because fact, their pinnacle pace of 0.25 kph makes them of its extra vertebrae. This allows it to remain vigilant for predators. the slowest mammal on the planet.
UP FRONT
Though the sloths look cuddly, their fur is very coarse and harbors its own ecosystem Sloths do everything in their tree habitats within. Being in the rainforest causes them except poop. They sleep, mate, and even give to be wet much of the time. This causes algae to grow on a sloth’s fur, providing more birth upside down. camouflage in the treetops. Several types of bugs also inhabit their fur, including And, as you may expect, that calls for some excessive adaptations. They were given cockroaches, beetles and a particular moth species only found on a sloth. unique tendons in their hands, which lock into place. And, together with their long, hooklike fingernails, these tendons permit them to hold easily. You would think that hanging upside down would cause a head rush. Their circulatory system incorporates a unique system of values that prevents the pooling of blood within the head.
COVER STORY
Arboreal adaptations
Their mission to poop poses the most dangerous times in the life of a sloth. Descending from the tree once a week puts them at extreme risk of attack by predators. The chance they take by moving to the ground needs to count. They lose about 30% of their weight when they go. Leaving their pile is also a call-out for a mate.
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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Finca 6
and The Mystery of
the Spheres
by Tom Shultz
C
osta Rica is home to only two protected pre-Colombian archaeological sites, including the larger and better known National Monument of Guayabo. But the less familiar Finca 6 holds greater interest as a subject of study due to its major feature, the mysterious Diquís stone spheres.
COOL PLACES
Although spheres exist at four different sites in Costa Rica, Finca 6 is the only one open to the public. Located in the flat alluvial plain and wetland of the upper Osa Peninsula, near Sierpe, the land area is characterized by heavy sedimentation. Fortunately, this enabled the spheres and other structures to be very well preserved below a 1.5-meters-thick layer before they were unearthed, usually by farmers clearing or digging a field.
No
one
knows
their
purpose
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE As one of the few places where spheres were discovered “in-situ” (undisturbed), Finca 6 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Why did they exist? The most fascinating fact about the Diquis spheres: no one knows their purpose. There are many theories but little proof. Some believe they denoted rank or kingship, others think they were merely status symbols or perhaps tribe symbols.
COOL PLACES
Astronomical importance has been suggested by a set of spheres discovered at Finca 6 that align themselves with the sun in mid-April and mid-August. This alignment on what is called the subsolar point — the sun is 90 degrees directly overhead — occurs only in tropical latitudes and is most noticeable for the total lack of shadows.
Photo by Pura Vida Blonde
But for all these and other theories, mystery still surrounds the spheres. What is known for certain is that they are old — about 2,000 years old. Their surface is polished and their shape is perfectly spherical, ranging in size from that of a bowling ball to two meters or more in diameter. The spheres are comprised of volcanic basalt, Andesite or sandstone, none of which are found at the Finca 6 site, but much further into the mountainous Dota region. This is where scientists believe the spheres were quarried before being either carried, or floated down streams, to the settlements below. Visiting Finca 6 Finca 6 is a National Museum-run site located at Finca 6 de Palmar Norte in the Osa Peninsula. Take route 34 eastbound or route 2 westbound to Palmar Norte, then cross the big bridge heading south. Turn right onto route 223 towards Sierpe. Drive seven kilometers before turning left onto a dirt road (marked by a sign), right before a blue bridge. Continue until you reach the museum parking lot. Public bus transportation from San José is available via TRACOPA (Sierpe destination). Phone 506 22214214 or visit tracopacr.com
The Spheres and The Simpsons Costa Rica’s legendary Diquis spheres have a new claim to fame after being featured in episode no. 669 of Fox TV’s The Simpsons. Aired on Sunday, November 17, 2019, “Livin’ La Pura Vida” took the yellow cartoon family on the kind of Costa Rican adventure only the show’s creators could dream up. Over the years, the relocation of many uncovered spheres in Costa Rica has made them anything but a well-kept secret. They can be found in front of government buildings and even hotels, while the black market for spheres has also given rise to modern notoriety.
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
COOL PLACES
by Karl Kahler
Guayabo:
History of a Mys
stery
T
he strange thing about Costa Rica’s richest archaeological site is that nobody knows who lived there, where they came from or why they went away.
An unknown civilization inhabited what is today Guayabo National Monument, about two hours east of San José, between 1000 BCE and 1400 CE. These people vanished a century before the arrival of the Spanish, and nobody knows why. The inhabitants of this site were prodigious builders who left behind several stone mounds, cobblestone roads, petroglyphs, graves, aqueducts and water storage tanks that still work. The site was declared an “International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark” in 2009. Archaeologists say this was a cacicazgo, a chiefdom ruled by a cacique, a chief, and a shaman, a spiritual leader. One or both of these men are thought to have lived in centrally located, cone-shaped wooden homes on top of mounds of stone. The stones are still there but the homes are long gone.
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE The approach to this power center was an uphill cobblestone road with steps that were short in height but broad in front, requiring an approaching person to keep looking up, as if to a higher power. The base of this road was flanked by identical rectangular structures dubbed “checkpoints” that controlled access to the central village.
COOL PLACES
Today most of these ancient wonders have eroded to rubble that could be mistaken for random boulders in a field. But one feature — the old cobblestone road called the Calzada Caragra — was reconstructed in modern times to show what it might have once looked like. The modern restoration is just 100 meters long, though the ancient road is believed to have been 4 to 5 kilometers long.
The central settlement is thought to have been the administrative and spiritual center of an array of villages that supplied the labor to build the mounds, homes, roads and aqueducts. “The great monuments at Guayabo reflect a centralization of political and religious power, suggesting this was the capital of a chiefdom,” reads one of the signs along the trails here. “Power must have been exercised as a result of the main leader’s sacred investiture with warrior support,” the sign says. “Territorial dominance must have involved settlements with varying importance under Guayabo rule. Cobblestone roads suggest this was a ceremonial center visited by people from other communities and also connected
There was no written language, or else we might know what these people called themselves.
to subsidiary sites and lesser chiefdoms. The distribution of sites with architectural works shows this chiefdom ruled a 15-kilometer radius.” Axes and other agricultural tools found here suggest that the people were peaceful farmers, though some of these implements may have been used in battle as well. Tombs of important people can be seen throughout the site, as well as petroglyphs depicting animals. There was no written language, or else we might know what these people called themselves. Guayabo is open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To get there in your own car, take Hwy. 2 east out of San José and follow the brown signs to “Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú” and “Monumento Nacional Guayabo.” There’s a turnoff to the right next to a big statue of Jesus. Guayabo is about 85 kilometers east of San José, and four-wheel drive is recommended for the final stretch of steep and rugged gravel. Guided tours by bus are also offered out of San José and Turrialba.
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Written
on the Wings of B
CREATURE FEATURE
W
hen visitors come to Costa Rica, they are often thinking more about monkeys and toucans and sloths, rather than one of the most plentiful creatures to see here — butterflies and moths. Costa Rica boasts 90% of all butterfly and moth species in Central America, and an astonishing 18% of ALL butterflies on the planet. The number of species to be discovered here is quite frankly overwhelming — somewhere between 1,500 and 1,800 butterfly species and over 8,000 moth species!
Blue morpho butterfly
Butterflies
by Tom Schultz
The butterfly’s colors and life cycle has made it the symbol of beauty, rebirth and transformation in so many cultures, from the Mayan and Hindu to Celt and Christian. Few cultures lack the influence of these wonderful, colorful and beautiful insects. Costa Rica is no exception: we even have butterflies on our money!
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Monarch butterfly larvae on tropical milkweed
National symbol
CREATURE FEATURE
That species appearing on a currency note is known and sought after here as one of the country’s unofficial national icon: the blue morpho. It’s unmistakable as the most easily recognized of all the butterflies in Costa Rica. The blue morpho’s wonderful color is actually due to an optical effect rather than pigmentation, similar to the impact of refracted light on the waters of Rio Celeste. It’s commonly associated with the rainforest here, but can be seen along water in many parts of the country. Among the many other butterfly beauties to see in Costa Rica is the also-famous monarch. These butterflies are known for their 4,000 mile migration from north to south to breed. In the winter months, you can see monarchs by the millions in the mountains of Mexico. But there is something a little different about Costa Rican monarchs — they are resident and do not migrate. They travel up and down elevations in conjunction with the dry and rainy seasons, feeding on their favorite plant, tropical milkweed. Other than the best known species, there are so many different butterflies and moths to see, from the transparent glasswings, to the swallowtails, malachites and longwings, each beautiful and special in its own way. Photos: Tom Schultz
Red postman butterfly
Tiger longwing butterfly
You can visit butterfly gardens in many of Costa Rica’s larger tourist areas, from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. They are all worth a visit, especially as they help breed endangered species. However, it only takes a little time in a flowering garden here, simply watching, to see butterflies. In most gardens you can see the common banded peacock, the red postman (named for traveling the same route to the same flowers in order every day), the orange julia and yellow sulphurs.
“Nature’s message was always there and for us to see. It was written on the wings of butterflies.”
You can spend a lifetime studying butterflies, and I know some people who have. But for me, a great part of the joy of living in this country is just marveling at the beauty of these colorful creatures — one of nature’s better efforts. Go out, relax and enjoy watching butterflies as part of your Costa Rican experience!
— Kjell B. Sandved
Glasswing butterfly
Blue-patched eyed-metalmark butterfly
Owl butterfly
IMAGINE NO LIMITS
GREEN SEASON:
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MOON PHASES
SEPTEMBER TIDE CHART Day
SEP 6 New Moon
SEP 13 1st Quarter
SEP 20 Full Moon
SEP 28
3rd Quarter
SUNRISE SEP 1 SEP 30
5:33 am 5:32 am
SUNSET SEP 1 SEP 30
5:52 pm 5:34 pm
High
Low
High
Low
High
Wed 01
03:23 2.71 ft
09:57 7.11 ft
16:19 2.30 ft
22:46 6.40 ft
Thu 02
04:32 2.83 ft
11:03 7.10 ft
17:25 2.18 ft
23:51 6.64 ft
Fri 03 Sat 04
00:46 7.10 ft
05:41 2.64 ft
12:05 7.33 ft
18:24 1.83 ft
06:40 2.19 ft
12:58 7.74 ft
19:13 1.36 ft
Sun 05
01:32 7.69 ft
07:30 1.59 ft
13:45 8.22 ft
19:55 0.84 ft
Mon 06
02:14 8.33 ft
08:14 0.95 ft
14:28 8.70 ft
20:35 0.34 ft
Tue 07
02:53 8.94 ft
08:56 0.35 ft
15:09 9.10 ft
21:14 −0.09 ft
Wed 08
03:31 9.47 ft
09:36 −0.14 ft
15:49 9.36 ft
21:52 −0.38 ft
Thu 09
04:10 9.85 ft
10:17 −0.46 ft
16:30 9.46 ft
22:32 −0.50 ft
Fri 10
04:50 10.03 ft
10:59 −0.56 ft
17:12 9.36 ft
23:13 −0.42 ft 23:57 −0.14 ft
Sat 11
05:32 9.98 ft
11:44 −0.44 ft
17:57 9.08 ft
Sun 12
06:18 9.71 ft
12:31 −0.11 ft
18:45 8.64 ft
Mon 13
00:44 0.32 ft
07:08 9.25 ft
13:23 0.36 ft
19:39 8.12 ft
Tue 14
01:39 0.88 ft
08:05 8.70 ft
14:23 0.86 ft
20:44 7.66 ft
Wed 15
02:42 1.41 ft
09:12 8.21 ft
15:32 1.24 ft
21:57 7.42 ft 23:13 7.52 ft
Thu 16
03:57 1.74 ft
10:27 7.95 ft
16:47 1.34 ft
Fri 17
05:17 1.72 ft
11:40 7.99 ft
17:59 1.15 ft
Sat 18
00:21 7.91 ft
06:28 1.39 ft
12:45 8.26 ft
19:00 0.79 ft
Sun 19
01:19 8.42 ft
07:27 0.93 ft
13:39 8.58 ft
19:51 0.42 ft
Mon 20
02:08 8.90 ft
08:17 0.50 ft
14:27 8.86 ft
20:35 0.13 ft
Tue 21
02:51 9.27 ft
09:00 0.18 ft
15:10 9.03 ft
21:15 −0.02 ft
Wed 22
03:31 9.47 ft
09:40 0.01 ft
15:50 9.04 ft
21:52 −0.02 ft
Thu 23
04:09 9.49 ft
10:17 −0.00 ft
16:28 8.91 ft
22:27 0.15 ft
Fri 24
04:45 9.35 ft
10:53 0.14 ft
17:05 8.63 ft
23:02 0.45 ft
Sat 25
05:20 9.06 ft
11:29 0.41 ft
17:43 8.23 ft
23:38 0.87 ft
Sun 26
05:57 8.64 ft
12:07 0.79 ft
18:22 7.75 ft
Mon 27
00:15 1.37 ft
06:35 8.15 ft
12:47 1.24 ft
19:05 7.24 ft
Tue 28
00:56 1.89 ft
07:18 7.64 ft
13:33 1.69 ft
19:55 6.78 ft
Wed 29
01:44 2.38 ft
08:10 7.17 ft
14:27 2.08 ft
20:55 6.46 ft
Thu 30
02:43 2.73 ft
09:13 6.86 ft
15:31 2.29 ft
22:05 6.42 ft
SURFIN G COSTA RICA
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Photo: Jorge A. Russell
SURFING COSTA RICA
Surfing and Yoga Go Hand in Hand by Jenn Parker
L
SURF FEATURE
et’s take a moment to reconnect to our breath. Inhale deeply through your nose. Fill your lungs down to their very tips. Let your ribcage expand to where it feels as if it might open and take flight like a seafaring yellow butterfly. Slowly exhale through your mouth. Take another deep breath and feel the fresh air swirling like the wind down into your diaphragm, causing your chest and belly to rise like the tide. Let this ebb of air slowly flow out through your nose as you slightly constrict your throat. Take notice of your breathing sounds to understand why this so-called ujjayi breath in yoga is also known as the ocean breath. The audible hush of ujjayi breathing is undeniably similar to the sound of the salty fingers that claw the seashore as each wave reaches its end, and then retracts to be reborn again. Our breath is as powerful as the waves we surf, and it is this sea-sounding breath — our pranayama — that helps us to create balance on the earth and in the sea.
There is a certain flow and meditative mindset that many surfers seek when they paddle out. There is this understanding that the ocean demands the attention of the present mind. In complying, which takes practice as any yogi also knows, a sort of enlightened moment might occur. This time-standsstill, one-with-the-wave moment slips into the past as you move forward on the wave. You can ride the waves, but you can’t catch them. And there is something beautiful, and I daresay spiritual, in this fleeting attempt to be one with something so wild and unruly.
Both surfing and yoga require practice, patience, and perseverance.
SURFING COSTA RICA Mental and physical preparedness The practice of yoga can help us prepare for these attempts on a mental and physical level. Between the practice of present-mindedness, pranayama, strength and balance building, and promoting a flexible mind and body, yoga is the perfect complement to surfing. Yoga can also teach us to be calm and clear-headed despite the charged and chaotic energy that generates the swells we chase.
SURF FEATURE
Surfing is also an incredibly demanding sport. Surfers need core, shoulder, back and leg strength, stamina and breath-control. The lower back, hips, shoulders and neck are vulnerable to overexertion, stiffness and injury from surfing. And if we want to be able to surf for the better part of our lives, we need counter stretching and movement to balance out the demands we place on our physical selves in the sea. This is yoga.
Both surfing and yoga require practice, patience, and perseverance. They both need us to be here and in the now. The strength you acquire from surfing will surely show in yoga postures that utilize shoulder and spine strength. And the balance you build from postures like eagle or tree pose will definitely translate to better balance on your surfboard. The backand-forth benefits of each are immense.
Surfing and yoga are Google buzz words certain to yield a lot of results that include “Costa Rica.” Costa Rica has become globally synonymous with both. And in more recent times, it has become synonymous with retreats that include both surfing and yoga. That’s because, let’s face it, yoga and surfing go together like rice and beans, and they do so effortlessly in Costa Rica.
Nosara and Santa Teresa have become the main hubs of these highly sought-after surf and yoga retreats. Those two hot spots, as well as Montezuma and Playa Grande, attract likeminded participants from otherwise diverse backgrounds around the world. Surf and yoga retreats create a unique space to share days that include daily movement, time spent in nature, healthy eating, rest, reflection, learning and friendships that might not happen otherwise. They create the opportunity to experience firsthand how these two practices and ways of life balance and enhance one another — like yin and yang.
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ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT
Costa Rica’s by Sylvia Barreto Benites Photo: José Gerardo Suárez Monge
T
here is nothing more symbolic of a country’s heritage than its national flag. The flag represents a cultural identity that unites all the people and values it stands for. Costa Rica’s flag is an important element of civic events as well as cultural ones. It is the pride of athletes who wave it after winning international sports events, and its colors are worn every four years by Tico soccer fans everywhere on earth during the World Cup championships. The Costa Rican flag embodies the ideology of the people and the land that holds them. It also represents the establishment of a sovereign and peaceful nation.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Throughout the country’s history, Costa Rica has adopted eight flag designs reflecting different stages of independence. Initially, it was the Spanish flag and after independence, a Mexican flag. From 1823 to 1848, there were variations of a flag with two sky blue bands and a white band. Doña Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, the wife of Costa Rica’s first president designed the flag we know today. She was a great admirer of France’s liberal ideas, revolutionary principles and inspiration for independent countries. Depicting the beauty of Costa Rica’s people and land, each color has its significance. Blue is for the skies of Costa Rica, white represents the reigning national peace and red stands for life — the spilling of blood for liberty and the Tico’s generosity of heart. As an important component of Costa Rica’s flag, the shield, or coat of arms, in the center has also changed over time, from stars and symbols to the current design with waters, stars and land.
Prou The shin
The country’s geographic, cultural, economic and political vibrancy shine through in the coat of arms imagery. At its center are the three most important volcanoes in Costa Rica: Arenal, Poás and Irazú. In front and behind are two vessels portraying the commercial and cultural exchange with the rest of the world, while the blue ocean represents the Caribbean and Pacific ports. Silver stars above correspond to the seven provinces; San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. To the left, a rising sun on the horizon symbolizes modern Costa Rica’s free and prosperous republic. The green valley depicts the Central Valley as a hub of population and economic vitality. Lastly is the gold frame representing coffee production, since Costa Rica was the Latin American pioneer in establishing this industry.
Some distinct laws pertaining to the Costa Rican flag are interesting. It cannot be flown permanently outside a home, although houses can be adorned with flags, colors and coats of arms during civic festivities. The flag is not allowed to be used in advertising representing a product or political parties. It is flown outside all public buildings and outside the president’s house, and is allowed to be placed on licence plates and cars of particular public officials. Both the flag and coat of arms are significant Costa Rican symbols. They reflect a common history and are a reminder of the importance of independence and sovereignty, something Ticos are very proud of.
udly Waved, Carried and Worn e country’s geographic, cultural, economic and political vibrancy ne through in the coat of arms imagery.
With great pride and gratitude, CINDE celebrates 200 years of Costa Rican independence. We are proud
that our country has exceeded our expectations and now shines internationally for various reasons. Therefore, our value proposition revolves around three pillars: People, Planet and Prosperity. When we talk about People, we refer to our human talent: Costa Rica stands out as the top country in Latin America for human capital, according to the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum. That has enabled Costa Rica to transform various areas, including our economic model, to the extent that, today, the medtech and knowledge services sectors lead the country’s exports. That reflects our Prosperity pillar. When it comes to Planet, this is another pillar to be proud of: 6% of the world’s biodiversity resides in Costa Rica. The country also promotes environmental awareness and sustainability, and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. We are beings of continuous improvement and, as a country, we are constantly at work. Our past demonstrates that Costa Rica can overcome challenges, with the pandemic being a recent example. Costa Rica has shown resilience and the ability to maintain business continuity, despite shutdowns and the many changes brought by virtual work modalities. That served as further evidence to inspire multinationals to continue trusting in our country. Today, more than 350 companies prove this under the management and support of our organization. Our confidence is rooted in decades of work. Between 1998 and 2018, Costa Rica grew at a rate of 2.6%, thanks to the foreign direct investment that — if it had not been present — would have halved the country’s growth rate. Intel’s entry to Costa Rica sent a powerful message to the world, paving the way for many other multinationals from various sectors. In turn, these companies under the Free Trade Zone Regime boost the country’s productivity levels. At CINDE, we believe that Costa Rica offers fertile ground to reap even more successes, more human talent that contributes to global development, and more pride in our positioning as a strategic destination to invest with purpose. Jorge Sequeira Managing Director CINDE Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency
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PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Made the move and never looked
BA
LIFESTYLE CREATUREFEATURE FEATURE
I get the joys of helping all those who want to make the move to Costa Rica.
Sponsored content Photo courtesy of Tres Amigos Realty Group
View from Playa Hermosa
ACK!
P
lease allow me to introduce myself — my name is Joseph A. Emanuelli. I am the Managing Broker of Tres Amigos Realty Group in Playa Hermosa. Originally from New York, I made the full-time move to Costa Rica from Arkansas, where I was living and working at the time. A little about me: I am a retired executive chef with a passion for food, meeting people, and making them happy. There is nothing in life that gives me more joy than seeing the expression of sheer happiness on someone’s face, knowing I had a part in it. I am a legal full-time permanent resident of Costa Rica, as well as a licensed member of the Costa Rican Global Association of Realtors and a NAR International Affiliate. Now back to how I made the move to Costa Rica! I first came to Costa Rica in December 1999 and fell in love with the beautiful country, warm people, and the easy lifestyle. For me being a chef, the great abundance here of natural exotic fruits and vegetables that could only be acquired in specialty shops in the U.S., was a great plus as well. I would travel back to Costa Rica every opportunity I had. Actually, I travelled back three to four times a year. Finally, in 2001, I decided to take the leap and purchase my first property.
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
After that, something kept drawing me back to Costa Rica. Then in early 2007, on another trip back to my beloved second home country, I found another property that I just had to have. Having the Costa Rica vibe under my skin and in my heart was almost like a drug addiction; I could not get enough of it. In the back of my head, I kept thinking, “How can I make the move legally and still continue working?” I ended up buying the property that I eventually lived in full-time for almost eight years. Making it happen So how did I make the move for good? Well, after closing on the sale of that home that I had to have in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, while flying back to the United States, I met a very interesting gentleman on the plane. We talked for the entire threehour flight back to Houston. It almost felt like a job interview, honestly.
Roughly two months later, I sent him an email reminding him of who I was and when we met. Now here is the part that’s incredible. Twenty minutes after I hit “send” for the email, my phone rang. As I answered the phone, “Hello, this is Joseph, how can I help you?” I heard this booming voice telling me, “You’re hired!” I replied, “GREAT! When do I start and what’s the salary?” Not knowing who this caller actually was, I just started playing along. It turns out it was the partner of the gentleman I spoke with on the plane and had just received my email. We spoke for a good amount of time, and I agreed that since I already own a home in Playa Hermosa, I would come back to Costa Rica and meet with him.
When we were getting ready to land, he looked at me and said, “Here is my card, I want you to join our team. Call me if you have an interest.”
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
I looked at it and laughed a bit. The card had a big real estate name brand on it and he was the owner/partner of four franchises in the Papagayo region. I thanked him for the offer and put the card in my pocket.
Joseph a. Emanuelli Managing Broker Tres Amigos Realty Group Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica SUGEF Registered Broker josephtresamigos@gmail.com
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Inipi and Temazcal:
Understanding the Sweat Lodge Ritual by Laura Méndez
T
he Lakota term for sweat lodge is inipi, which means “to live again.” Inipi is a purification rite, considered necessary to help the vision quest seeker enter into a state of humility and to undergo a kind of spiritual rebirth. The word temazcal, on the other hand, comes from the Nahuatl word temāzcalli [temaːsˈkalːi], which means “house of heat.”
MINDFULLNESS
Both words refer to very similar ceremonial principles with different traditional backgrounds. Participating in “sweats” has enabled countless generations of people to deepen their spiritual connection and feel closer to the earth, to seek wisdom and to ask for advice.
Part 1 of 4 It’s important to understand that each sweat lodge experience stands alone, unique from previous or future sessions. Therefore, it is best to keep your expectations in check. Let’s start with a basic understanding of this sacred ritual. The temazcal obeys a sacred geometry that is made by sowing and tying wood rods in a ritual way, symbolically representing the universe and its forces. When this geometry is activated during a ceremony, these forces “shelter” not only the people but all kingdoms. The four rows of horizontal branches surrounding the cabin symbolize the four worlds: mineral, vegetable, animal and human. The last rod, intertwined on the ceiling with all of the 16 vertical branches, forms an eightpointed star representing the planets and the universe.
In this way, the cabin symbolizes all of creation and the sacred womb of Mother Earth. In her navel are placed the grandmother’s stones, wise possessors of the genetic code of the history of our planet. The following are some benefits of this sacred ceremony. La Cabaña de Sudor (sweat lodge), temazcal or inipi can all refer to a powerful therapy of connection with the earth, opening the door for us to awaken our ancestral memory. Currently it is known that the temazcal stimulates the lymphatic system, helping to eliminate toxins. When the temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius, the skin essentially serves as a “third kidney.”
The high temperature inside a temazcal causes the body to sweat, while the humidity does not allow the sweat to evaporate. So the body’s sympathetic and parasympathetic self-regulation system responds. Circulation is accelerated and sweating increases even more, eliminating toxins to the maximum. The skin reddens, indicating that excessive heat and cold are being expelled. In this way, the harmony required for health is achieved. During this process, the amount of sweating is greater than for any type of exercise. As a result, the body’s metabolism during and after the temazcal reaches a pace similar to running or swimming for a long period of time. Would it be crazy to ask yourself right now how amazing this sounds?
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR As growing numbers of people become interested in sweat lodge experiences, safety is of utmost importance. Temazcal participation should always be under the supervision of an experienced temazcalero who is qualified to safely carry out these ceremonies.
MINDFULLNESS
Our next Howler article will review more benefits of the sweat lodge healing ceremony. Stay tuned.
¨Everyone else is waiting for eternity and the shamans are saying, How about tonight?¨ — Alberto Villoldo
It was December 1986 when a much younger me stepped off a plane from Toronto where it was 20 degrees below zero and was hit by a deep blue sky and 28 degree sunshine........that was it - I was sold. As Costa Rica is celebrating its 200 year existence you all probably know about the great beaches and smoking hot women (sorry volcanoes....ha ha) but there is so much more than that here. As Covid ravaged the world and its ihabitants it became clear to me that this place really is something quite special. Yes the culture is different and that’s exactly the point...it has lasted 200 years so they are doing something right. All of us that settled and thrived here are very adaptable - if you’re thinking of moving here you must ADAPT. When I first came there was no internet and the sum of my knowledge on the place came from an old encyclopedia Britannica (remember encyclopedias !!!???) My family thought I was crazy coming to live here but now every December they are all here to escape the great white north. recent political events and extreme woke culture make Costa Rica seem like paradise indeed. Come take a look. I will buy you a cold beer when you get here....... Mark Jackson Isthmus Realty SA. San Jose. Costa Rica 506 8391 9051
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Y d n o Bey
Immerse Yourself in a Costa R
WELLNESS FEATURE
by Mario Molina Salazar and Maria Laura Charles
Yoga
Rica Wellness Experience
M
ention wellness in Costa Rica and yoga readily comes to mind: practising poses on a wooden deck, surrounded by tropical plants or breathtaking views of the surrounding natural landscape. But beyond yoga, there is also much more than you likely ever dreamed in the way of diverse wellness experiences! Endless versions of paradise exist here for anyone seeking places and ways to decompress. Pristine sites for cleansing and rejuvenating abound in this idyllic country. The most obvious example is water — the ultimate source of purification. Whether it’s the ocean, rivers, waterfalls or hot springs, Costa Rica may be one of the easiest places on earth to access and enjoy any or all of the above. And there are more than a few special spots in lesser-known locales, with or without water, where wellness energy emanates. The following are some of our favorites.
It’s how you experience Costa Rica with every cell of your body.
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR La Senda
Finca 6 stone spheres
Close to Tamarindo in Guanacaste, La Senda is home to the world’s largest cacti labyrinth. Its creation on this site is associated with a strong vortex of positive and negative detected on the property.
More than 500 pre-Columbian stone spheres remain intact on one of Costa Rica’s most important archeological sites, Finca 6 in the southern coastal Osa Peninsula region. However, the purpose and indigenous cultural significance of the Diquís stone spheres remain shrouded in mystery. There are many theories, some related to astronomy and the alignment of the spheres being a means of scheduling agricultural cycles. The spheres are also believed to be sources of energy and wellness for those who visit and spend time in their midst.
The labyrinth design was inspired by sacred geometry that symbolizes the harmonious balance between masculine and feminine energy. Lake Coter
Located near La Fortuna in the Arenal Volcano vicinity, this small heart-shaped lake is surrounded by a magnificent forest, Click this Howler article link to learn on land that belonged mostly to the Malekus more. indigenous people. The lake name Coter translates as love and peace in their native From this sampling of some special language. Costa Rican corners where visitors can derive invigorating energy, we now shift Legend has it that for many centuries, our focus to activities that can recharge groups of indigenous people from different the body, spirit and mind. Below is a cultures and countries of Central and South list of relaxing, if not healing, wellness America came to Lake Coter in preparation experiences you can choose to enjoy in this for becoming shamans, traditionally heavenly land. described as men of medicine.
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
Click this Howler article link to learn more.
La Senda cacti labyrinth at Santa Rosa, near Tamarindo. Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor
Cacao ceremony
Cacao ceremony
The master plant of cacao has feminine energy, believed to expand the heart and allow for introspection. It is a meeting point for the awakening of our ancestral memory, to honor our lineage and thus open and expand the heart to connect with Mother Earth.
Just like many primitive tribes in other parts of the world, countless generations of indigenous people in Costa Rica have practiced sacred rituals for healing and alignment with the higher self. These Cacao ceremonies are intended to help ancestral traditions were inspired by elements participants forgive, release and understand of nature: plants, animals and sounds. from a loving and expanded heart through music. The historical significance of cacao as a medicinal plant for the Bribri and Cabecar tribes in Talamanca dates back centuries. The cacao ceremony is a subtle and profound ritual, performed by a shaman. He shares the drink of pure cacao with a group of people and guides them through the ceremony while singing and playing ancestral instruments.
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Happiest Country o T
he rooster often crows before the break of dawn, a dark hour when many farmers, fishermen and families in Costa Rican rise to seize the day. There’s a rare coolness at this time of day, as multiple generations share a labor-of-love breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs, sweet plantains, bread or corn tortillas, fresh fruit and coffee.
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
In fact, any mealtime is likely family time, including a home-cooked lunch that many Costa Rican children and breadwinners return home to enjoy every day. Coffee signifies community, work offers camaraderie, and a town is just an extended family. Active living is how most waking moments are spent, whether at work, commuting or tending to household chores.
Natural light and nature overpower fluorescent bulbs and concrete walls. Nearly everyone in the country can read, health care is denied to no one, and there is always a celebration of a saint, a town, a food or a victorious event taking place somewhere. However overgeneralized such timelessly wholesome depictions of lifestyle and culture may seem, Costa Rica stands up to modern scrutiny on multiple “good life” counts. While small in size, it has a happiness stature second to none when certain measurable attributes are compared with other more populous, developed and wealthy countries.
on the Planet For the third time in less than a decade, Costa Rica holds the prestigious title of World’s Happiest Country, scoring higher than 139 others on the 2016 Happy Planet Index (HPI). As a self-proclaimed measurement of “what matters,” this global index of sustainable well-being was introduced in 2006 by the Londonbased New Economic Foundation, whose initiatives promote international reforms to social, economic and environmental policy.
by Jenn Parker Original Howler publication date: August 2018
The HPI score has four main components: experienced well-being, life expectancy, inequality of outcomes and ecological footprint.
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR Data from United Nations, Gallup World Poll and Global Footprint Network sources are factored into the HPI score, which has four main components: experienced wellbeing, life expectancy, inequality of outcomes and ecological footprint. Annual HPI reports provide a snapshot of how well nations are doing as habitats for enjoying long, happy and sustainable lives. In simple terms, this is the equation used to calculate a country’s overall score (see illustration below).
For example, current World Health Report data puts Costa Rica in 30th place for its average life expectancy of 79.1 years. Yet this takes nothing away from the Nicoya Peninsula’s boasting rights as one of only five so-called blue zones in the world, where a disproportionately large number of centenarians thrive in health and happiness. (Learn more in the Howler article “Breaking 100,” about contributing factors such as diet, sense of purpose and community, strong familial relationships, sun exposure and activity level.)
Costa Rica’s winning score in 2016 (the most recent HPI year) was 44.7. This number on its own tells us nothing useful in percentage or “highest possible” terms. It suffices to know that all the other HPI countries had a lower overall score in 2016, even if some rated higher than Costa Rica in specific categories.
HPI
Well-being
Life Expectancy ncy
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
Ecological Footprint
Inequality of Outcomes
On behalf of Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort and Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belén, it is a pleasure to congratulate the Republic of Costa Rica on the 200th anniversary of independence. Without a doubt, the people of this nation are its greatest asset and it is a pleasure to work alongside the talented ladies and gentlemen of Costa Rica who strive every day to make this a better world. We are proud of Costa Rica´s unwavering commitment to sustainability and we will continue to work towards this common goal. We will also continue to make a positive impact on the communities where our hotels are located, providing not only employment and opportunities for advancement but also mentoring the younger generations and caring for those who need it most. Costa Rica is a thriving nation and we are honored to call it home. Dennis Whitelaw Area General Manager Marriott Hotels, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belén
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort in Playa Herradura
Costa Rica Welcomes Business Costa Rica, home to 6% of the world´s biodiversity, is also home to a population of 5 million within its 51,000 square kilometers of territory. Its longstanding democracy and welcoming political environment, coupled with a strategic location and the highest literacy rate in Central America (97%), are only some of the reasons it ranks highest in the world for the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment. Guanacaste, known world-wide as a tourism destination, is rapidly transforming to accommodate the world of international business. Better infrastructure including roadways, reliable electricity and internet connections coupled with our spectacular beaches and wide-open spaces, make it a privileged location to work. Recent legislation welcomes digital nomads by offering a work permit that allows long term stay. On top of all this, Free Trade Zone tax incentives look to attract foreign investment, especially smaller or boutique operations. Smaller initial investments and greater tax breaks for longer periods make Guanacaste an attractive location for small services companies or satellite offices for larger corporations. We are now home to companies that specialize in software development, digital marketing, customer service, food and beverage production, and even video production. The possibilities, and thus opportunities, are endless. Tina Carman Leasing Agency Director Central America NEWMARK
CR BIZ
What are Squatters’ Rights in Costa Rica? by Rick Philps
B
efore you purchase property in Costa Rica you may want to know more about so-called squatters rights.
These are formally referred to in legal terminology as prescriptive rights and adverse property possession. Over the last 120 years, they have largely been abolished by statute in English common law jurisdictions such as the U.S., Canada, and English Commonwealth countries.
DOING BUSINESS RIGHT
Unfortunately, that same transformation has not taken place in civil law (Roman law) jurisdictions such as Costa Rica.
What are squatters’ rights? Squatters’ rights are the rights to occupy and possess land without taking formal title to it. These rights arose from the original settlement of Costa Rica as an agriculturally based Spanish colonial nation. In the settlement process, large tracts of land were granted by the Spanish monarchy to their friends and other members of the Spanish nobility. Most Spanish noble owners of these lands never came to Costa Rica to occupy or develop them, not wanting to associate themselves with “a bunch of heathens” in the New World.
Most Spanish noble owners of these lands never came to Costa Rica to occupy or develop them. Accordingly, third parties willing to occupy and convert the lands into sustainable agricultural production were allowed to cultivate these somewhat abandoned properties. This was seen as a good thing for the Costa Rican society as a whole, rather than to leave the lands fallow. Therefore, such third parties were granted the rights of property possession and occupation in return for their farming labor; hence, “squatters’ rights” came into being. 200 years later Now, we’ll fast-forward to what squatters’ rights mean today in Costa Rica. In modern times, they stand for nothing more than a perversion of the law. Agricultural production is conducted in a completely different manner than it was
200 years ago when colonial settlement took place. Albeit, there are many more legal restrictions associated with acquiring such squatters’ rights today than previously. Vacant land in rural areas is more at risk. There are organized “gangs” of squatters ready and willing to occupy such lands. Their sole purpose is to acquire squatters’ rights over time. This allows them to essentially “steal” the property from the rightful, registered property title owner. The practice of acquiring squatters’ rights has become nothing more than a quasi-legalized business of land thievery. This practice is conducted in many cases by wealthy and influential members of Costa Rican society who back these squatter gangs.
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90 days
Caretaker – employer relationship
Such rights begin to be acquired after only 90 days of uninterrupted occupation of the land by the squatters, in a publicly open and peaceful manner. This culminates in an application to the court by the squatter(s) to acquire a registered title to the lands, following a 10-year uninterrupted period of such occupation.
The irony of having a written contract with the caretaker, is that if the legal relationship between the land owner and the caretaker is not clear, the caretaker can in fact, acquire the squatters’ rights the owner is trying to protect.
How to protect the property
Obviously, the solution to the perversion of these squatters’ rights laws is to abolish them by legislation. There are cases currently before the Costa Rica courts regarding land theft arising in this manner. When finally adjudicated, this may ultimately force the required legal changes to be made, to protect the land owners of such at-risk properties in the future.
DOING BUSINESS RIGHT
Here are some tips to protect yourself as the registered owner of the property title of such at-risk lands: 1. Fence the perimeter of the property. 2. Place “Private Property/Keep Out” signs (in Spanish and English) every few meters around the perimeter. 3. Hire a caretaker under a written contract to watch the lands and report to you as the owner of any observed squatter activity.
My opinion
For more information and answers to your questions on diverse legal topics, visit Costa Rica Canada Law: www.costaricacanadalaw.com
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Costa Rica’s Real Estate Registration Information System (SIRI) by Ivan Granados
I
n 2006, the Government of Costa Rica established (re-designed) the Cadastre and Registration Regularization Program (PRCR). As established in Law 8154, which approved loan agreement number 1284/OCCR between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the objective is to strengthen the country's real estate legal security in order to improve public and private investments.
LEGAL EASE
In Costa Rica, the official cadastral and registry information is administered from two big databases: 1. Contains the graphic information of the cadastral plans, called SIC (Cadastral Information System) 2. Manages the literal information of the properties, called SB (Real Estate System). However, with the integration of the National Cadastre and the Real Estate Registry under the legal reform that gave life to the Real Estate Registry, it became necessary to evolve towards integrating both databases. The resulting Real Estate Registry Information System — referred to as SIRI — works on three key areas: 1. Formation of the Cadaster and compatibility with the Registry.
2. Regularization related to real property in areas under special regimes (ABRE). 3. Municipal strengthening in the use of cadastral information. "All this data is unified in the Real Estate Registration Information System (SIRI) and in the cadastral map, which is a multifinancial map, which will express the physical and legal data of the property. There will be a single seat, registry-cadastral, with a graphical representation of the property, a map with the legal reality of that property." — Executing Unit of the Cadastre Regularization program and National Registry, 2009. Therefore, SIRI is a tool for the interaction, research and study of properties in the country. With this system you can obtain the following services: 1. Visualization of the Mosaic of Plot Plans and the Conformation of the Cadastral Map. 2. Cartography Visualization and the Consultation of Lot´s Plot Plans. 3. Display of Images of the Plot Plans, Verification of Tolerances, Format and Geometry (Paths).
It became necessary to evolve towards integrating both databases. 4. Data of the Adjoining Property Identifiers Relationships, Inconsistencies and Modifications. 5. Georeferencing lines and landmarks. Layers of MINAE, INDER, CONAI. Situation Holders, among others. Law 6545, National Cadastre, indicates in its first articles what Cadastre is and its role. We can see that it also indicates in Article N°. 4, two types of zones: 1. Zona Catastral: Part of the national territory in which the cadastral survey validation and verification is in process. 2. Zona Castrada: Part of the national territory where the cadastral survey validation and verification has been concluded and officialized. The law indicates that once the decree declaring a cadastral area has been published, the data derived from the Cadastre, referring to the location and measurement of the properties, will be considered as true and may not be challenged, except by judicial route. However, rectifications may be made by legal officio or to the management of the owner. Later, the National Cadastre will make them to guarantee and improve the accuracy of the cadastral data. The management carried out by the owner must be endorsed by an authorized professional.
The final purpose is that gradually, through this management, the Cadastral Zones will be applied to the entire country. Should you have any questions related to the application of SIRI, we are at your service at info@gmattorneyscr.com
Minding Your Money and Your Wellness in 2020
HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 29
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How to Build Inner
Resilience by Joanna Blanco
Get strong to fight against stressful situations
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W
elcome, my fellow entrepreneurs, to a new month with new challenges, situations and expectations among others. As business owners, we know our plans, but we never know the actual events in our future. The best way to confront an uncertain situation is by putting a smile on your face — let's always try to keep practising positive thinking. This will seem more critical as you continue reading.
ENTREPRENEUR CR
Those of you who have read my previous Howler articles might know that I love to write based on my own experiences and situations. These bits of advice are what I believe to be essential for any entrepreneur in this changing world. The reality I was recently forced to confront is that complicated and robust situations can take over your life and plans in an instant! This can lead us to fall and hit a wall that none of us ever want to encounter: the wall of stress. I hate being stressed, mostly because I am an anxious person by nature. That is why I work every day to be resilient and overcome any adverse situation with tools and techniques to keep me positive and productive. This is essential to maintain a good performance that will keep my business going.
As entrepreneurs, we depend on our energy to keep up with the tasks and actions in our plan to attain the income that sustains our business and personal life. So, let me suggest a few ways to build resilience. Let's begin with its meaning: RESILIENCE [rəˈzilyəns] Noun: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. 1. Fight the stress Recognize and analyze the situation. Why do you feel anxious, angry, frustrated, in pain or depressed? You need to understand your emotions, why they are taking over your mind, and your ability to function as usual. So, calm down! Take big breaths, cry, take a walk, talk with someone you trust, and liberate your mind from the stress's oppression. We don't make good decisions when we are under pressure, so it is essential to be calm. Sometimes it is easier, sometimes not, so take your time!
As entrepreneurs, we depend on our energy to keep up with the tasks and actions. 2. Create solutions Building resilience is about creating this character in your mind to build new plans out of difficult circumstances. Be critical of the situation, but not of yourself! You are human, and we can all make mistakes. We have the right to fall apart and then rise again. So, think about how you psychologically can regain your energy and continue with your life and plans. Find again the positive attitude that helps you to be focused and productive. Then, make a plan to resolve the issue. There is always a solution; maybe you like it better than another solution, or maybe not. But finding the answer to your problem will give you peace of mind. 3. Work for the future It is essential to have healthier habits in our life, to build physical and psychological strength. A healthy lifestyle will make you resilient faster.
A physical activity routine, eating healthy most of the time and sharing time with your loved ones and friends are a good start. You can also work on loving your job, practising gratitude, taking self-care time and healthier sleep habits. These are some of the actions that complement a lifestyle to help build inner resilience character. Our plan should be to create the best version of ourselves to become a warrior — a strong human who can fall and rise again even in bad situations. Remember to give a hand to those who are going through difficult situations and demonstrate that together we are stronger. More importantly, we should lead our children to have a healthy and balanced life so when growing up, they create inner resilience in their character. This will equip them to win over any problem in their future. Do you want to be more resilient? I am more than happy to help you.
Contact me any time: joannablanco@vivesattva.com and follow me on Instagram
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