Discover Costa Ballena
May 13, 2023 in Discover Costa Rica, Discover Costa Ballena, Life in Costa Rica, Tips for Buyers
A bigger driver for moving to the tropics is a better opportunity for sustainable living in Costa Rica. Find out why in this week's article. Standing at the edge of my shaded second story veranda, I feel the energy of the approaching rain as it cuts through the sky in gentle slopes and taps on the variously shaped leaves of the jungle below. The air feels heavy and thick with water droplets catching in the gentle wind. I feel as though I’m being held by a viscous medium. I watch as toucan after toucan glide from tree to tree; their starkly contrasting, glossy black feathers with bright yellow accentuating lines punctuating the verdant green backdrop. They bounce through the air - you will rarely see them flap - and feed on baby birds and fruit, looking resplendent all the while. Many of us who reside in the South Pacific have chosen to live in Costa Rica because we love being amongst the vibrant nature of this ecological navel of the planet and coexisting with it in its many forms. Six and half percent of earth’s total biodiversity resides in this tiny strip of land that binds the two Americas. More than fifty percent of this country is forested. Twenty-five percent is protected by national reserves and parks and 23% is untouched, primary forest. We know this. We love this. And we choose to have nature in our daily lives. We don’t have to be perfect beings to love nature and love living amongst it. People who move to Costa Rica love to live and let live - an ethic that merges seamlessly between how we feel about nature and our place in it. Feeling the ground while walking with our bare feet is an awakening of our inner connection with the earth and everything. It creates a sense of belonging that goes deeper than an address. People who come to Costa Rica feel like they have arrived and walked through a portal to a world where things are done differently. The way of life here is so fascinating and so different from what is happening in the modern world. It is so mind-blowing that we feel called to share it. Tucked inside the tropical jungle, humans in Costa Rica’s South Pacific live and work together in a different dimension. Home to hundreds of varieties of plants, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, and herbs, those who inhabit this land are passionate about living in harmony with nature and indulging in its offerings wherever possible. Costa Rica is an undisputed leader in climate action in Central America, having established a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The country has set targets for all newly built commercial, residential, and public buildings to be energy-efficient and climate-resilient. Costa Rica is both small in landmass and population, but it is politically and economically stable with a relatively high standard of living. It has long been a leader in ecotourism, and its leadership and citizens have been bold in pursuing sustainable development across many sectors. Costa Rica stands as a model of a country that has built its brand around its environmentalism. In 2020, the country met its 2030 goal of operating its electric grid with 100 percent renewable energy. Significant opportunities for energy efficiency still exist, but now renewables are often the cheapest and cleanest first approach to change. According to environmental protection group Tree Triage, in 1990, forests occupied 31.6% of Earth’s land area. By 2016, the proportion of land occupied by forests was about 1% lower at 30.7%. Tropical regions around the globe are losing an area of forest equivalent to the size of a football field every six seconds in 2019. Five countries are home to more than 50% of the global forests, and 66% of the global forests are located in ten countries. Costa Rica is the thirty-fifth most forested country, at almost 54% forest cover, 24% of which is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Costa Rica had 241,000 ha of planted forest. Since the arrival of multi-national fruit farmers until 1990, Costa Rica was losing 0.08% of forest cover every year. However, this has changed significantly over the last 30 years with private and government intervention resulting in a doubling of forested area. Costa Rica has since become one of the most rapidly reforesting countries in the world. As with anywhere in the world, sustainable living in Costa Rica requires a mindset shift. The remoteness of our region means that mass quantities of goods and services have not reached us yet. Impulse buying is easy to avoid and we can spend more time qualifying a product; to see if we need it, if it was made fairly and sustainably, and if the people selling it are earning an appropriate income. This is made easy in Costa Rica where there are ample options for alternatives to modern conveniences that are made locally, by locals, with local ingredients. Practicing ego-minimalism in Costa Rica is an apt way to combat the habit of hyper-consumerism. America’s favorite past-time is shopping (it is often misquoted as baseball). People in the US and Canada go to stores to see if there is anything that they could buy, rather than going because they need or even want something specific. The stress of keeping up with a first-world lifestyle leaves people with a scarcity mindset, where their needs feel unmet and their brain sets out to hoard what it can. In Costa Rica, we learn to replace our bad habits with better ones. We save energy by living outdoors more. We tend to eat less meat and eat more local fruits and vegetables, even growing some of our own food in this conducive climate. We use renewable resources, including a growing trend towards solar and taking advantage of the abundant natural sunlight. It’s easy to save water by collecting rainwater during the rainy season. And locally-produced, fair trade products are sold in every town in boutique stores and farmer’s markets. Sustainability and regenerative living are high aspirations for solutions to the modern ways of life that are destroying natural systems. So many people are experiencing stress, fear, tense, unhealthy, anxious and depressed, perpetuated by the digital dimension of living that our brains are having trouble handling. 2020 made us question if this is the way we are supposed to live. Costa Rica’s Southern Zone is a perfect place to reconnect with yourself. Sometimes we have to lose ourselves in the forest to actually find ourselves there as well. Almost everyone comes here with a similar goal of bettering ourselves. 2020 was also a call to action and Costa Rica is committed to receiving people who are ready to be stewards of the earth.What sets Costa Rica apart ecologically?
What are the current strains on the environment in Costa Rica?
What can we do to live more sustainably in Costa Rica?
Final Thoughts on Sustainable Living in Costa Rica
May 13, 2023 in Discover Costa Rica, Discover Costa Ballena, Life in Costa Rica
If you realize that you don’t like something about your life, why not change it? There are three main reasons why people move to Costa Rica: a more peaceful environment, access to majestic nature, and better weather.
May 13, 2023 in Discover Costa Rica, Discover Costa Ballena, Real Estate in Costa Rica, Life in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country known for its sightings. The most wildlife rich parts of Costa Rica are located in or near national parks and reserves, which cover more than 25% of the country's territory. But you can’t own real estate in these protected areas of Costa Rica, so nature lovers looking to buy property in Costa Rica naturally look to the less developed regions that surround nature preserves. And the community of Chontales in South Pacific Costa Rica is one of these magical areas. Chontales is Costa Ballena's next best kept secret. The word is out on Ojochal, Uvita, and Dominical, where ongoing construction and congestion are becoming a reality of everyday life. However, the Southern Zone community of Chontales, just 15 minutes south of Ojochal, is tucked away deep in the foothills of the Talamanca mountain range and is home to some of the most pristine wilderness living that Costa Rica has to offer. Residents of Chontales claim to have regular sightings of animals like ocelots, jaguarundis, coatis, tapirs, and even the elusive puma. These are the types of wildlife sightings that you would typically have to spend time on a nature reserve to see and you'd still have to be lucky, at that. Chontales allows for more opportunity to happen upon these wonderous wildlife sightings because this community is quiet, far away from any highway traffic, and deep in the thick jungle with amazing lookout properties set amongst a green wall of nature. The term ‘Chontales’ has its origins in the Nahuatl (Mexicano) language. It is said to mean “foreigner” or “a rude, rustic person” and was applied to various ethnic groups across Central America dating back to the Mayan empire. The Nahuatl of current-day Central Mexico were the first to agree to Hernan Cortes and his proposal that they join the Spanish Empire. And as Cortes traveled down this narrow strip of land between the two American continents, he brought this word meaning "foreigner" from one land to the next. Over time, the name ‘Chontales’ came to refer to tribes from a specific region of Nicaragua east of Lake Nicaragua. This name eventually found itself in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, where it represents one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls above Dominical as well as this remarkable development south of Ojochal that is the subject of this article. The tribes that came to be known as ‘Chontales’ typically lived in highly varied terrain, where no single landform dominates, and there exist many bodies of water. Given this description, it is evident why the name was chosen for this particular landscape -- the village we now know as Chontales de Osa. Sitting at an elevation of 1000+ ft, this highland community is laid over a series of green foothills amidst winding rivers with numerous waterfalls and a varied biodiversity with many rare sightings. Chontales is also one of few locations where Costa Rica’s mysterious stone spheres can be found. They are scattered across this elevated landscape, far from the Diquis Delta where they are thought to have been brought or built by the ancient Diquis tribe. The Diquis people were known to reside in current-day Chontales and likely brought these spheres with them for ceremonial rituals or ornamentation. Chontales today is a quiet location where the sounds of nature are soothing and easy to fade into the background. Nature lovers will not be disappointed with the dynamic scenery that includes lush green hills that roll down towards the mighty Terraba River and the agricultural valley that is nourished by this important watershed. These views extend all the way to the Pacific Coast, which, from many vantage points, stretches as wide as the eye can see. The Osa Peninsula and the Whale’s Tail are both within view on a clear day from the right angle, and sunsets are remarkable as they set over the sparkling blue ocean. Costa Rica’s southern village of Chontales is in the region of Puntarenas, in the hills above the port city of Cortes. It is located 73 mi / 118 km south-east of Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose. This is a community with the shared experiences of living on land with extensive green zones, away from the buzz of humanity, and where all manner of tropical wildlife thrive off of the mountain springs and rivers that zig-zag across this properous landscape. Chontales is a community unlike any other in the world. Made up of international residents, the thing that most unites each Chontales resident is their love of nature, tranquility, and privacy. This remote-feeling community is at the tail-end of one of the biggest booming areas for tourism and real estate in Costa Rica today. If you make it this far south in your travels in search of pristine nature, you are likely to consider yourself at home in Chontales, away from the bustle of this burgeoning region. Chontales is for the more adventurous expats - those who don’t need paved roads and stores nearby to feel comfortable at home. The people who most enjoy their lives here can plan their errands ahead of time and do everything all at once because they would rather experience a tranquil existence than hurry around running errands every day. Located roughly halfway between Ojochal and Palmar and above the sizable city of Cortes, Chontales is perfectly perched to enjoy non-touristy priced groceries to the south and incredible, world-class restaurants to the north. Melt your tensions away with the exquisite sensory experience of hearing flowing water, birds chirping, and wind rustling through the trees. Feel the delightful tropical weather beckoning you outdoors, where the majority of your living will be done. This is life in Chontales. New, high-end, modern homes are being built across this vast development, spaced out by jungle and rolling hilltops. Uniquely impressive features are showcased throughout these homes, with owners taking the time to select the best items because they know how much their home will mean to them and how much time they will spend on the property. It is the little things that matter most when you know you want to spend the majority of your time on your property, enjoying the fruits of the land and the show provided by nature. People who come to enjoy vacation rentals in Chontales also appreciate the special touches on top of the fantastic nature and privacy of Chontales properties. People who rent in Chontales will spend at least $200 per night to live in this tranquil development with its lush, green, river valleys and spectacular sunsets that they observe from large, shaded terraces and infinity pools. Souvenirs from this region are the magical memories we create through simple daily life. This is what it feels like to live pura vida.What is Chontales
What it’s like to live in Chontales
Types of properties in Chontales
May 13, 2023 in Discover Costa Rica, Discover Costa Ballena, Life in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country that prioritizes education. Compulsory primary education for both sexes, free and paid for by the state, was incorporated into Costa Rica’s charter in 1869. And in 2019, during the 150 year celebration, Costa Rica’s president reaffirmed the need for a bilingual Costa Rica to supplement the talent and training of this country’s people. “ It must be a great success because the country needs it, this is an objective that unites us, that calls us to work together.” Schools in Costa Rica reflect this attitude towards education and bilingualism, which is why families feel confident in raising their children here. Not only is this country a haven for peace and tranquility thanks to its protection of nature, it is also a place where children can get a great education, both in school and outside. Expat families appreciate the cultural education from Costa Ricans, who value family extremely highly, and who take pride in their nation’s offerings. Families primarily come to Costa Rica to live a different lifestyle that embraces the outdoors and time together. But education will always be a priority for parents and Costa Rica is a country that delivers. Below are some of the educational facilities that the Southern Zone of Costa Rica has to offer to expat families who either want a bilingual education for their children, or full-on immersion into life as Costa Rican. Uvita is home to most of the families in the Southern Zone and the two bilingual international K-12 schools available in the region. There are also other bilingual schools that cater to younger students. Casa del Nino Uvita Montessori - This school offers high-quality, bilingual (Spanish and English environment), comprehensive education from preschool through the end of elementary grades. Their goal is to foster a love of learning and address the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially. Uvita Christian Academy - An international school with a bilingual curriculum that is less structured (individual pace) to accommodate students whose families travel internationally during the school year. The school year begins at the end of January. The faculty are highly qualified. They use a U.S. accreditation program that has a proven track record with thousands of students successfully entering top colleges in the U.S. Centro Educativo Costa Ballena - A bilingual pre-k through secondary school education center that provides a great environment for students to learn and the interaction between children of different cultures is invaluable. After one year, many students who have come from other countries become completely fluent in Spanish. The curriculum follows U.S. standards so that kids can transfer back easily at any time. The class sizes are small, the teachers clearly care about the kids. The school was established in 2007 and earned accreditation from the Ministry of Education of Costa Rica in 2012. Approximately 140 students and staff from many different countries. We are the most diverse, multi-cultural spot in Southern Costa Rica offering preschool to 12th grade. Liceo de Uvita - This Spanish-language middle school has great staff, good facilities, and a good environment for students to learn, including a great English-language education focus. Life Project Education - This elementary grade school is a grassroots holistic education center nestled in Ojochal. Their unique program offers opportunities for children, families, and teachers to explore the emotional, social, artistic, moral, psychological, physical, aesthetic, creative, and intuitive layers of development. The bilingual team and curriculum nurture “simultaneous bilingualism” with daily exposure and opportunities to use and learn both English and Spanish equally. Life Project Education partners with WASC accredited Global Village School, a holistic education program in California. Families may elect to dually enroll in both Life Project Education’s program as well as the GVS program in order to receive a fully accredited verification of grade completion. Topics may be customized to children’s level, interests, and strengths but in general incorporates an authentic age-appropriate challenge or problem to be solved, partner or small group collaboration, student-centered inquiry and problem-solving, and presentation of learning. Cortes is home to the two main public high-schools that service the Costa Ballena region. Spanish speaking/bilingual high school students travel by bus from Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, and Palmar to attend these two schools. Liceo Pacifico Sur -The facilities at this high school are new and is seeking international accredation for post-secondary Escuela Nieborowski - Named after one of the Polish founders of Puerto Cortes, this large high school is one of the well-known schools for soccer. Below is a list of Spanish language public elementary schools available in the Costa Ballena area: Escuela Dominical Palabra de Dios - A public Christian elementary school in Spanish language only. Escuela Dominical Valle Dupar Central - A secular public elementary school in Spanish language only. Escuela Dominicalito de Osa - A secular public elementary school in Spanish and some English language. Escuela la Uvita de Osa - A secular public elementary school in Spanish and some English language. Escuela Tortuga Ojochal - A secular public elementary school in Spanish and some English language. This active surf town has a number of public elementary schools that are in Spanish only. Families that live in this region may choose to enroll their younger children in these schools for a cultural immersion experience. However, most expat families, especially those with 10+ year olds, will typically choose to live in Uvita or Ojochal to be nearer to the international bilingual schools. Although there are many virtual education opportunities around the world, Costa Rica has an excellent virtual school that caters to all ages — from kindergarten to college. BMS Bilingual and Multidisciplinary School Virtual School - This is the fastest growing private school in Perez Zeledon thanks to their ability to offer a great online curriculum to students of all ages. Opening its doors in 2011, the goal of the school is to offer tools for the intellectual, physical and personality development of children in a friendly way both with people and with nature. They claim to have the best team of professionals trained to develop each faculty. The school offers classes from pre-school into college. Curriculums are offered in the English language for all subjects, except for Spanish and social studies in relation to Costa Rica. The school curriculum has a strong focus on sports, music, computers, and environmental awareness. Symphonic Music School - training students with a high level of musical performance. The offer concerts and recitals, with several groups playing in symphonies, big bands, orchestras, and chamber groups. They offer summer camps and programs available for students of all levels. Escuela de Musica Acordes - Music school based on the teaching of music theory and performance of musical instruments Escuela de Musica GM Uvita - We have qualified teachers and vast experience in various musical genres that will adapt to what you want to learn. We teach music classes electric guitar acoustic guitar, bass, singing, commercial production, recording studio Bodhi Surf School Family Surf Camp - A place for active families looking for a unique experience where families can learn and practice surf and yoga in a friendly environment. Ojochal Language School - A place for kids to learn cooking, language, and adventure skills Akka Institute - yoga and jiu jitsu classes for kids in a beautiful, open air facility. Akka is a safe space for the local and international community to participate in daily activities centered on the health of mind and body, educational workshops and transformational events.Bilingual Schools in Uvita
Ojochal Schools
Schools in Puerto Cortes
Spanish Language Schools in Costa Ballena
Dominical Schools
Virtual Education in Costa Rica Southern Zone
Music Schools in South Pacific Costa Rica
Other Learning Centers for Kids