The problem with winning is there is always someone in second place trying to overtake you. It takes a skilled competitor to not lose the psychological battle, to not panic, or change stride. For good or bad Costa Rica moves too slow for all of that; Steady Eddy here.
Here are ten ways Costa Rica was winning in 2014…
Happiest Place on Earth. Speaking of second place, Vietnam is closing in fast, but Costa Rica remains numero uno on the Happy Planet Index. It doesn’t matter who compiles the results, the end is always the same. Costa Ricans are the happiest people on Earth. Deal with it.
Top List of Places to Visit Code Nast. Condé Nast Listed Costa Rica as one it’s top 15-choices for travel destinations in 2015, based on 2014. The critics say Costa Rica is not a cheap vacation, but that isn’t stopping visitors from visiting. Being spendy never hurt Paris or Hawaii. Some destinations simply require a premium to visit.
International Living Magazine–Still Fans. This past year they ranked Costa Rica as a top retirement destination. IL is the authority in expat destinations. Eat your heart out Florida.
Most Searched Vacation Destination on Bing. If browser search results are a measure of popularity, with Bing searches, Costa Rica should run for class president. If elected for class president, we promise gallo pinto for every lunch, and an Imperial vending machine in the lunchroom.
Copa Mundial. Or should we call it “The Keylor Navas Show?” Wow, what a smokin’ win for Costa Rica! For a second there it felt like they could go all the way. The very streets of Costa Rica were packed from coast-to-coast with pride. What a time to be in Costa Rica!
Cocos Island Security Beefed up. With some help from Leonardo Dicaprio, and the Ministry of Public Security, we now have better surveillance on Cocos. This means we should see less shark finning and less drug trafficking off that island. Since this was done in March none such activity has made the news.
President Solís. Talk about winning in Costa Rica… There’s no denying Solís is a departure from the previous leadership. In his first year he’s taken stances which could only serve to improve Costa Rica. He’s put an end to worship of the living president and made his stance on geothermal energy clear. Talk is cheap though. Let’s see what year two brings us.
San Jose takes #2 in Central America. The World Bank has declared Costa Rica the second best city in which to do business in Central America and Dominican Republic. Panama City took first, which means we beat out Guatemala City, not bad. For anyone who’s defended San Jose to naysayers before this is great news.
Still the Best Surf Breaks in World. Okay this isn’t really a win for 2014, but it’s not a loss either. True, thanks to Robert August, the world has become a very surfable place, but that’s old news. Anywhere there’s a break, you’re sure to find boards, even is there’s ice. Holding strong, Costa Rica still ranks as a top spot for consistent year-round breaks. And the only ice is in our cocktails at sunset.
They Paved the 152. This is more local news, but we’re writing from Tamarindo, so there. The road to 27 De Abril, from Villarreal, is finally paved. For anyone who tried to drive the old 152 [read: obstacle course] they will swear by their decreased drive-time to Maxi-Pali. This cuts at least a half hour from the drive to San Jose too.
Of course, if we look outside 2014 in general at Costa Rica you could add to that list: hottest celebrity vacation destination, highest percentage of celebrity vacation homes, best eco-tourism in Latin America, most diverse shoreline, safest latin american country, highest density of biodiversity on the planet, and the most hospitable citizens in the world. Of course a few of those may be heavy on the opinion side, but it’s we’re fans, there’s no denying that fact. Don’t believe us? Come find out for yourself.
Horizon Pacific Management & Rentals is located in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Offering vacation rentals, property management, long-term rentals, as well as a complete concierge service. Providing you with a local contact during your stay, Horizon Pacific is a company you can trust, with the experience you need.