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Natural Beauty, Adventure, Happy and Healthy People Await
Travel + Leisure named Costa Rica the 2024 Destination of the Year and already it’s topping lists for 2025. In the podcast above (audio version here), Andres Salgado who grew up in Costa Rica and his wife, Emily, show you why. Natural beauty, adventure (snorkeling, rappelling, rafting, zip lining, bungee jumping), healthy food, happy people — all here. They discuss what they love about the culture, give tips for exploring The Rich Coast, and inspire us to experience for ourselves Pura Vida!
One of Five Blue Zone Countries in the World
In the interview, we discuss Costa Rica as part of the Blue Zone study which identified five places on the planet where people live happier, healthier, and longer. On Costa Rica’s Nicoya peninsula, residents are twice as likely to live to age 90 as Americans. This area has the lowest middle-age mortality in the world. Healthcare cost is minimal compared to medical care in the U.S. Check out Nicoya’s secret or “Plan de Vida.” The other four Blue Zones are in Greece, Italy, Japan, and in the U.S., Loma Linda, California.
Costa Rica is a great place to get lost for a while — something we need to do sometimes — to be found and free. Traveling solo gives us space to discover what we value most. Traveling with loved ones allows us to reconnect in a natural setting full of beauty and adventure. Experiencing how other people “do life” can make our lives richer not only while exploring or living abroad but when we return home. While teaching English to adults one summer in Italy, a student observed that Americans “live to work” while Italians “work to live.” I felt the difference and have lived differently since. I’m also trying to incorporate the “Power 9” — common denominators of Blue Zones — into my lifestyle.
Why Costa Rica Is Special to Me
Costa Rica is special to me — not only because my niece’s husband, Andres, lived most of his life there, but also because I did my first solo trip abroad there. My 2013 adventure in Puerto Viejo didn’t go as planned. It actually went better. Costa Rica slowed me down, broke me open with beauty, and taught me resilience. It became my gateway to moving abroad in 2014.
Below find photos from the episode, Andres’ recipe for a Costa Rican breakfast, maps with spots they mentioned, deals on stays through Booking.com, and tours.
Part 2 of the Podcast Interview on Favorite Destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the U.S.
In Part 2 of the interview (audio version here), Andres and Emily shared their engagement story from Switzerland and favorite travels across the US, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Andres’ Recipe for Sunday Breakfast
4 large eggs
2-3 Ranchero Sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1 red bell pepper
diced or cut ham
1/2 Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies Mild 10oz
1/4 can of green peas
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil (for cooking)
Cook onion and bell pepper until softened. add the ranchero Sauce and rest of ingredients. Cook eggs sunny side up.
Book Your Stay by Location
I’m a fan of Booking.com because for most stays there’s free cancellation and you can wait and pay at the property.
San Jose’s Gastropub Scene
Costa Rica for All Ages and Seasons of Life
Weddings in Paradise
Tours at Viator
Tours for Travelers Who Are 50+
I haven’t tried Road Scholar yet but want to.
Tours for Educators and Students
As an educator, I’ve done ten EF European tours.
The post Insider Tips on Costa Rica: Destination of the Year appeared first on Southern Girl Gone Global.