Culture Smart! Costa Rica: A Quick Guide to Customs and Etiquette

Great overview of Costa Rican history and culture. My husband and I both read this book in preparation for our upcoming trip to C.R. and felt it gave us a well rounded overview of the country and it's people.

This is a nice review about Costaricans (Ticos), we are a kind of peace-and-love people, very Glad to be born in the happiest nation of the world, willing to share our happiness with everybody: gringos, nicas, europeans, panas, etc. We expect foreigners to become costaricans . . . yes after 2 months to stay with us we will tell you ohh now you are a Tico. For sure you have to take a nature "Pura Vida" trip to our Tropical Paradise. Yes it is true that we have a "mañana sindrome" and let the future to God. But trust me we are not a macho society, we are a mathriarchal society, the wives keep their maiden names, the children belongs to their mothers as in the nature (that is why some american mothers take their children here escaping from USA-macho-laws) and actually our women use to take the iniciative to get their men. We know that our best value is ourselves, we love each other tico. Just be glad, nice and "Pura Vida" . . . ohh and please do not rush.

I'm glad that I read this book. My family and I are considering living in Costa Rica. This book will help us understand Costa Rican culture so we can have a positive experience in Costa Rica.