| You should have no problem making new friends of either
sex in Costa Rica, but you might have some difficulty meeting
Costa Ricans if you speak little or no Spanish. You will be
surprised how many ticos speak some English and are
dying for the chance to perfect their English-language skills
while you work on your Spanish. Perhaps you can find someone
with whom to exchange language lessons. This is a good way
to make new acquaintances and learn how Spanish is really
spoken.
You most certainly will find it easier to meet fellow Americans
in Costa Rica than in the United States, because Americans
living abroad tend to gravitate toward one another. Newcomers
have only find an enclave of fellow countrymen to make new
friends.
You cannot help bumping-into other Americans since Costa
Rica is such a small country (more than 50,000 gringos
live here permanently). This is especially true if you
live in one of the areas where many North Americans reside,
such as Escazú, Heredia, Rohrmoser or along the Pacific
beaches. Another good way of contacting other foreign residents
is by participating in some of the activities listed in the
Weekend section of the The Tico Times. This newspaper
serves as a vital link within the foreign community, or Gringo
Grapevine and helps to put you in touch with a whole network
of expatriates and the services they offer.
At any of the local gringo watering holes in downtown
San José, such as Nashville South, the New York Bar,
the Casino Colonial or Mac's American Bar near the La Sabana
Park, you can watch live sporting events from the United States
on cable TV or simply shoot the breeze with your compatriots.
Many Americans also congregate at the Plaza de la Cultura
and at McDonald's across the street, where they linger over
coffee every morning and watch the beautiful women pass by.
You have no reason to be lonely unless you want to be. Just
be yourself and you will find Costa Rica is just the place
for you. Oh yes, we might add that there are poetry readings,
art and sculpture exhibitions as well as other activities
where people can easily socialize. The Costa Rican-North American
Cultural Center has many events where you can also make new
acquaintances.
A group of expats having coffee at a local hangout
Here is a sample of the many organizations.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Aikido Club...................................................................
289-7479
American Legion Post 11 .............................................
233-7233
American Legion Post 12 ..............................................
775-0567
Canadian Club...............................................................
282-5858
Chess Club ....................................................................
384-0936
Democrats Abroad ........................................................
290-5798
Disabled American Veterans ..........................................
443-2508
English-Spanish Conversation Club...............................
260-4869
Internet Club.................................................................
220-0714
Investment Club of Costa Rica ......................................
256-5075
Lions Club ....................................................................
670-0447
Mac User Group............................................................
257-2160
Mountain Bike Club ......................................................
290-7870
National Bridge Association ..........................................
253-2762
Newcomers'Club ..........................................................
232-3999
PC Club ........................................................................
224-9926
Readers Club.................................................................
228-9167
Republicans Abroad ......................................................
239-2262
Rotary Club ..................................................................
222-0993
Spanish/English Conversation Club...............................
390-9759
Singles Club ..................................................................
289-8433
Women's Club of Costa Rica .........................................
282-6801
* For a complete listing of clubs and related activities,
look under the weekly What's Doing section in the Tico
Times or see Costa Rica Today. You may also check
out the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's community
calendar. Call 233-8068 for more information.
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