MY HAIRY ALARM CLOCK


Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Car insurance/registration- $190/year

It’s one of the hardest decisions to make when moving to Costa Rica. Would you rather live in the mountains or at the beach? Stare out across a green valley of rolling hills or at a turquoise sea?

The first four years I lived in Grecia, a lovely town located an hour from the international airport.  My house was located high on a mountain ridge next to a forest reserve. One could look out and see for miles across the entire Central Valley.  I immediately packed away my alarm clock since flocks of parrots would fly over my house the same time every morning. Waking up to the sounds of parrots was an incredible way to start the day.

It was a delight to live so close to a number of animals I never knew existed. One night we heard a scratching on our windowsill and noticed a kinkajou licking the bugs off the glass. There were nights when coyotes roamed the property and others where silver foxes darted across the lawn. I woke up one morning to find a horse in my backyard and another to a pack of coati waddling single file into the forest. It was simply a remarkable place to call home.

This was my first introduction to living anywhere with such a sweeping view. I quickly learned it did wonders for my disposition. It’s as if your brain appreciates the vista, silently telling your nervous system, “It’s a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.” It’s impossible to start the day in a bad mood when this type of beauty surrounds you.

Another remarkable thing is the mild weather is consistent each day. The temperature was the same indoors and out, no need for heat or air conditioning. Many of my friends say this helps with their arthritis symptoms. Their joints don’t ache nearly as much as living in an area with fluctuating temperatures. Not only does this area put you in a better mood, it also helps physically. Who wouldn’t want to spend time here?

This year I decided to move to the beach in search of new adventures. It was difficult to say goodbye to my friends and all those cunning critters that made my world so entertaining. However, I knew this country had a lot more places to explore and wanted to see much more.

Living near the beach is exciting. Instead of waking to a flock of birds, groups of howler monkeys roar into the morning sky with thundering precision. Surf boards are everywhere: sticking out of cars, under the arm of someone riding a bicycle, and balanced on kid’s heads looking to hitch a ride to the closest break. Each one of these beaches is spectacular and suited to different activities.  I learned Playa Grande is for more experienced surfers, whereas Tamarindo is the perfect place to learn to surf. Playa Danta is great for seeing a whale while paddle boarding and Playa Conchal is better for swimming. It feels like I am living in an amusement park.

A downside is the weather is much hotter than in the mountains, so I look forward to the cooler mornings and playing in the ocean later in the day. But what I love the most is staring up into a starry night while sitting on a piece of driftwood. The rippling sounds of the ocean transform into notes on a scale, eventually composing a soft lullaby while the warm breezes swaddle you like a blanket. It reminds me of being in my childhood home, that feeling that everything is right in the world.

I would love to have both options, spending time in the mountains and at the beach.  However, I won’t get greedy. I’ll be thankful for what I am doing today, watching a dog surf in Tamarindo. And I’ll be grateful that my alarm clock is still packed away, deep in the back of my closet.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:35-04:00 December 21st, 2011|Categories: Nature|Tags: , , |24 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

24 Comments

  1. […] foggy lens of a heated political debate. It’s understandable that you need to be heard. Take the howler monkey, the loudest land animal on the planet. You hear them in the morning, howling away across the […]

  2. […] I wrote my second book Happier Than A Billionaire: The Sequel, and where I persuaded a family of howler monkeys to move to my side of the […]

  3. Robert January 4, 2012 at 1:55 pm - Reply

    Man, what a life. You make it sound wonderful and for that, I’m thankful. Enjoy the new year.

    • admin January 7, 2012 at 7:01 am - Reply

      Thanks! We are having a lot of fun down here. Occasionally there is a snag or two, but it always seems to work itself out.

  4. Boone Brux January 3, 2012 at 11:48 am - Reply

    I’m completely intrigued by this. My husband and I have been talking about the next adventure in our lives. Though we love Alaska, I long for balmy temps. Can’t wait to read more about your adventure.

    • admin January 3, 2012 at 7:21 pm - Reply

      Thanks so much Boone. Boy oh Boy, this was an adventure. But it felt right for us. I wanted to really do something fun….something different….why as we get older do we feel like we need to stay inside the box?

      It was amazing how many people told me I would ruin my life, I would be back in a year. I suppose this type of move seemed so crazy for them. But there are many people just like me who long for the same thing. I’ve learned so much from this journey, the biggest being to dream big….even if the dream seems ridiculous to most.

  5. David Singhiser January 2, 2012 at 9:45 pm - Reply

    I just finished your book today. Absolutely loved it!

    I’ve lived in Thailand, Mexico, and Spain and can identify with many of your adventures.

    Next, I think will be Central or South America.

    • admin January 3, 2012 at 7:15 pm - Reply

      Thanks David! I would love to go to Thailand, it must have been wonderful. Isn’t it great to travel, it changes how you look at everything.

  6. Jennifer Steele January 2, 2012 at 12:30 pm - Reply

    I really enjoyed the book. My husband and I are looking for a place we can live on $3K per month and somehow I got your book. it was hilarious.

    Jen

    • admin January 3, 2012 at 7:14 pm - Reply

      Thanks Jennifer, if you $3K, you are really set. I believe you could live a wonderful lifestyle anywhere in this country with that. Good Luck!

  7. Kathryn January 1, 2012 at 5:42 pm - Reply

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
    One of my resolutions is to focus on the simple pleasures and move toward simplifying my hectic life. Nadine has the right idea! I’m planning to enjoy your book once again next month on my flight down to Tamarindo. I can’t wait!
    Nadine-Shall I bring you poptarts, cascade or fresh bagels when I come?

    • admin January 2, 2012 at 9:08 am - Reply

      Thanks Kathryn. I think I am okay with groceries but thanks for asking! I am sure you are so excited to be back in Tamarindo. It is especially lovely lately. So many people playing volleyball on the beach and learning to surf, I often just sit back and watch all the activity as the sun slowly sinks in the horizon.

      It’s the biggest lesson I learned during this journey. I am finally here, in the present, and not thinking about the past or furture. I remember when I was in the rat race and didn’t notice anything. Now I am grateful for it all.

  8. larry December 29, 2011 at 4:55 pm - Reply

    I visited Lapa Rios on the Oso peninsula afew years back .I love birds and saw flocks of scarlet macaws there as well as myriads of green parrots. Totally enchanted place!Arenal volcano was also visited as well as the hot springs at its base.
    Loved Costa Rica but at age 70 not sure about following my dream

    • admin January 2, 2012 at 9:11 am - Reply

      I remember seeing wild scarlet macaws for the first time and was mesmorized. It was like I just saw a movie star. We are so used to seeing these birds in cages, it’s spectacular when you get to see them flying overhead. And Arenal volcano will always be one of my favorite places to visit.

      By the way, 70 is the new 50!

  9. Sophia December 26, 2011 at 8:18 am - Reply

    I like your writing style and thank you for sharing your story. As to mountains or the beach, it should depend on the local climate. If the weather is not too wet, I would like to choose the beach, 😀

    • admin December 29, 2011 at 11:40 am - Reply

      It’s a hard choice, both have their pluses and minuses. It is so much warmer here, but when I see that ocean…I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

  10. Ed Barber December 21, 2011 at 11:54 am - Reply

    As usual, your terrific use of words sets us in your world. That’s as marvelous skill that rivals your humor writing. Thank you for taking us there. As always, you make us feel welcome. L Eg.

    • admin December 22, 2011 at 10:18 pm - Reply

      Thanks so much. I try to paint a picture, so that others can really get the sensations of what I experience here on a daily basis. It’s so wonderful, I want to share it with others, even if it is just words.

  11. Deborah hearn December 21, 2011 at 10:47 am - Reply

    And those howler monkeys sound like they should be huge but they are not.
    My son went to Costa Rica for the first time and made a video. He heard the howler monkeys and said “I hope they don’t come after us and rip off our arms and sh*t.”

    • admin December 22, 2011 at 10:14 pm - Reply

      They sound so big!! Then you see them and are amazed they can belt it out so loud.

      The seem to get most annoyed when my husband waters the plants. Then they really make some noise!!

  12. Mike Ferguson December 21, 2011 at 9:49 am - Reply

    I spent two nights in March at the Tortuguero Preserve… those howler monkeys have a sound that defies description, and seemed to start their braying a half-hour BEFORE I needed to wake up! Ahhhh… decisions, decisions. Soon…

  13. Jerry December 21, 2011 at 9:32 am - Reply

    Mountains or the beach. A dilemma most people would love to have. I think I would take the beach. On second thought maybe the mountains would be better. But then…….

    • admin December 22, 2011 at 10:11 pm - Reply

      Too many beautiful places to choose. I’m so lucky I had the chance to experience both. One could get into a heated argument about the merits of either of the choices.

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