Nice article in the New York Times today

Nice article on Costa Rica from a New York Times writer who is traveling in Central America. Note the part where he compares Costa Rica to some of its neighbors. This is on a day when another one of my clients just returned from a visit to Nicaragua and can't wait to get back to Costa Rica. Nothing against our neighbors, but Costa Rica is different. If you haven't traveled here, come with an open mind. You will love it!


Ken Schaafsma


Op-Ed ColumnistThe Happiest People Sign in to Recommend

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: January 6, 2010

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica

On the Ground Nicholas Kristof addresses reader feedback and posts short takes from his travels.


Hmmm. You think it’s a coincidence? Costa Rica is one of the very few countries to have abolished its army, and it’s also arguably the happiest nation on earth.

There are several ways of measuring happiness in countries, all inexact, but this pearl of Central America does stunningly well by whatever system is used. For example, the World Database of Happiness, compiled by a Dutch sociologist on the basis of answers to surveys by Gallup and others, lists Costa Rica in the top spot out of 148 nations.

That’s because Costa Ricans, asked to rate their own happiness on a 10-point scale, average 8.5. Denmark is next at 8.3, the United States ranks 20th at 7.4 and Togo and Tanzania bring up the caboose at 2.6.

Scholars also calculate happiness by determining “happy life years.” This figure results from merging average self-reported happiness, as above, with life expectancy. Using this system, Costa Rica again easily tops the list. The United States is 19th, and Zimbabwe comes in last.

A third approach is the “happy planet index,” devised by the New Economics Foundation, a liberal think tank. This combines happiness and longevity but adjusts for environmental impact — such as the carbon that countries spew.


Here again, Costa Rica wins the day, for achieving contentment and longevity in an environmentally sustainable way. The Dominican Republic ranks second, the United States 114th (because of its huge ecological footprint) and Zimbabwe is last.

Maybe Costa Rican contentment has something to do with the chance to explore dazzling beaches on both sides of the country, when one isn’t admiring the sloths in the jungle (sloths truly are slothful, I discovered; they are the tortoises of the trees). Costa Rica has done an unusually good job preserving nature, and it’s surely easier to be happy while basking in sunshine and greenery than while shivering up north and suffering “nature deficit disorder.”

After dragging my 12-year-old daughter through Honduran slums and Nicaraguan villages on this trip, she was delighted to see a Costa Rican beach and stroll through a national park. Among her favorite animals now: iguanas and sloths.

(Note to boss: Maybe we should have a columnist based in Costa Rica?)

What sets Costa Rica apart is its remarkable decision in 1949 to dissolve its armed forces and invest instead in education. Increased schooling created a more stable society, less prone to the conflicts that have raged elsewhere in Central America. Education also boosted the economy, enabling the country to become a major exporter of computer chips and improving English-language skills so as to attract American eco-tourists.


I’m not antimilitary. But the evidence is strong that education is often a far better investment than artillery.

In Costa Rica, rising education levels also fostered impressive gender equality so that it ranks higher than the United States in the World Economic Forum gender gap index. This allows Costa Rica to use its female population more productively than is true in most of the region. Likewise, education nurtured improvements in health care, with life expectancy now about the same as in the United States — a bit longer in some data sets, a bit shorter in others.

Rising education levels also led the country to preserve its lush environment as an economic asset. Costa Rica is an ecological pioneer, introducing a carbon tax in 1997. The Environmental Performance Index, a collaboration of Yale and Columbia Universities, ranks Costa Rica at No. 5 in the world, the best outside Europe.

This emphasis on the environment hasn’t sabotaged Costa Rica’s economy but has bolstered it. Indeed, Costa Rica is one of the few countries that is seeing migration from the United States: Yankees are moving here to enjoy a low-cost retirement. My hunch is that in 25 years, we’ll see large numbers of English-speaking retirement communities along the Costa Rican coast.

Latin countries generally do well in happiness surveys. Mexico and Colombia rank higher than the United States in self-reported contentment. Perhaps one reason is a cultural emphasis on family and friends, on social capital over financial capital — but then again, Mexicans sometimes slip into the United States, presumably in pursuit of both happiness and assets.

Cross-country comparisons of happiness are controversial and uncertain. But what does seem quite clear is that Costa Rica’s national decision to invest in education rather than arms has paid rich dividends. Maybe the lesson for the United States is that we should devote fewer resources to shoring up foreign armies and more to bolstering schools both at home and abroad.

In the meantime, I encourage you to conduct your own research in Costa Rica, exploring those magnificent beaches or admiring those slothful sloths. It’ll surely make you happy.

Happy New Year from Costa Rica

At midnight in Costa Rica on Jan 1st it is not unusual to see people walking around the block with their suitcases! Folklore says that by doing so at the stroke of midnight will ensure a year full of travels. Other superstitions include sprinkling rice in the corners of your home, them sweeping them up and packing them in a bag will guarantee food on the table all year. Gathering blue wildflowers on Jan 1 will keep eye ailments away and whatever you are doing at the stroke of midnight will characterize your year to come.


My family's New Year's Day tradition is to go for a walk in the mountains at Hermosa Hills, then a walk on the beach in Jaco, followed by a swim in the pool, some College Football, reflection on the past year and goal setting for the new year!

Today is the first day of 2010! A new decade. A new start. This is the year to make your dreams a reality! So, even if you didn't parade around the block with your luggage at midnight, there is still time to make traveling to Costa Rica part of your New Year's Plan for 2010!

See you in Paradise in 2010!


Ken Schaafsma

Jaco/Hermosa Scores Big For 2009 World Surfing Games

From The Tico Times

The 2009 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games at Playa Hermosa and Jaco on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast last month holds the official distinction of being the most attended and covered sports event in Costa Rican history.

According to ISA, the eight-day tournament in early August drew more than 70,000 spectators to applaud surfers from 35 different countries competing for titles in the Men's and Women's Open and longboard competitions. ISA sais this was the biggest turnout ever recorded for a surfing event.

Hotels, restaurants and businesses in the Jaco and Playa Hermosa area reaped huged benefits in tourist dollars, taking in more than $2.5 million during the competition, according to businesses and hotels in the area. That amount is three times more than the average tourism sales total expected from an entire high season in Jaco.

More than 100 media outlets covered the even, including more than 50 international publications and radio stations. Coverage of the event was offered in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.

"Today, the country of Costa Rica, thanks to results that exceeded our expectations for the event has shown that it is a country that surfs at the highest level and receives great support from fans across the country," said Jose Urena, president of the Surf Federation of Costa Rica and coach of the national team. (end Tico Times article)


Did you know that the World Surfing Games are the highest sanctioned surfing event from the ISA? And that the ISA is the only surfing organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee?

Hermosa Hills is located five minutes from and over looks this world famous surfing beach and popular destination. Our villas at Hermosa Hills are the perfect destination for a family looking to plug into the eco-adventures of the area, surfing, beach, National Parks, Zip Lines, Sport Fishing and so many more things to do here. Hermosa is located only five minutes North of Jaco's great shopping, swimming and nightlife, yet quiet, peaceful and unmatched views of the Pacific Coastline, valleys and Majestic Mountains. Imagine yourself, children, grand children, neices and nephews surfing this world famous destination and enjoying all of the hundreds of activities that are offered here.

Yet another reason to make Hermosa Hills your home in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. You will never get board - unless you want to!

See You In Paradise!


Ken Schaafsma

This article appeared today on the MSNBC website. Costa Rica ranks at the top of the index thanks mostly to its green energy policies and its longevity index. Those who choose Hermosa Hills will also enjoy these benefits and more. Contact us today to learn about what others have already discovered - this Costa Rican Paradise!

From MSNBC; Monday July 6, 2009

Costa Rica is very nearly paradise, not just for holiday-makers lounging on its beaches, but for its citizens who are extremely satisfied with their lot and also have a tiny carbon footprint. The combination has earned the Central American country first place in a new Happy Planet Index (HPI) published on Monday. While leaders of the developed world attending G8 talks in Italy worry away at economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), deflation and their implications for economic recovery, the second edition of the HPI lauds alternative standards that provide a new twist on the old adage that wealth does not buy happiness. Costa Rica stands out for the highest levels of reported life satisfaction, a long life expectancy of 78.5 years and because 99 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources. Latin American nations generally fare well, bagging nine of the 10 top spots, and Sub-Saharan Africa performs very badly, with Zimbabwe taking bottom place. It scores 16.6 out of 100, compared with Costa Rica's HPI total of 76.1, according to an advance copy of the report. Somewhere in between are the world's wealthiest economies. The United States placed 114th out of the 143 nations surveyed, with an HPI result of 30.7 and was found to be "greener and happier" 10 years ago than today — as were China and India, ranked respectively 20th and 35th, with scores of 57.1 and 53.

Economic Growth a Siren Song "Following the siren's song of economic growth has delivered only marginal benefits to the world's poorest while undermining the basis of their livelihoods," said Nic Marks of the New Economic Foundation, a London-based "think and do tank" that pursues "real economic well-being" and is the brains behind the HPI. "What's more, it hasn't notably improved the well-being of those who were already rich, or even provided economic stability." The aim, Marks said, was "to break the spell" and work towards "a high well-being, low-carbon economy before our high-consuming lifestyles plunge us into the chaos of irreversible climate change." To measure the efficiency with which countries convert the earth's finite resources into their citizens' well-being, the HPI takes three separate indicators — ecological footprint, life-satisfaction and life-expectancy — and then carries out complex calculations. First published in 2006 as "a radical departure from our current obsession with GDP," the HPI's sums have been criticized for not taking sufficient account of issues such as political freedom, but the index has also found followers. Within two days of the launch of the first HPI, it was downloaded and read in 185 countries worldwide. Among those who have taken up the idea are David Cameron, leader of Britain's opposition Conservative political party, and the European Commission has launched a program "Beyond GDP" in pursuit of ways to measure progress better adapted to our age. Anyone can calculate their own HPI though the Happy Planet Index website, http://www.happyplanetindex.org/.

Another reason to See You in Paradise! Contact me today.

Ken Schaafsma

I'm A Celebrity So Get Me Out of Here - Healthcare in Costa Rica

Another viewing of the painful show, "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here," featuring several celeb egos living in a Costa Rica Jungle aired last night and a pair from the TV Show "The Hills" were wisked away to CIMA Hospital in San Jose. The show did a good job with edits and with camera angles to make the hospital look small and primitive. The reality that this reality tv show failed to capture is that CIMA is a world class hospital affiliated with University in Texas, USA. It also failed to show that three towers comprise this state of the art hospital. In fact, my son was born at CIMA and the healthcare there is first rate, the service is first rate and the cost is a fraction of the costs of healthcare in the USA (and no waiting)!

In fact, numerous American's are coming to CIMA and other top rated Costa Rican hospitals on medical tourism trips for medical and dental procedures that would cost several times more in the US. Canadian's are coming to Costa Rica for medical procedures because they are not willing to wait several months or years for treatment in Canada and because they don't want to pay the high US prices.

For example, we have a Harvard Med School Physician practicing internal medicene who charges very, very reasonable rates and with short appointment lead times. My English speaking dentist will do crowns and bridges for a couple hundred dollars.

Contact Me and I will gladly assist you with facilitating your medical tour and will put you in touch with top rated doctors (many trained in the US and abroad). You will typically save enough to pay for your trip and leave with money in your pocket, all while enjoying the sites and sounds of this Costa Rican Paradise!

See you in Paradise!

Ken Schaafsma (I'm not a celebrity so leave me here)!

I’m not a celebrity so leave me here!

Yes, the TV reality series “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” is airing on NBC’s primetime displaying numerous Celeb Egos while they are put through some intense obstacles. It makes for a good reality television show, but it isn’t the Costa Rica that I live in, nor the one visited by Mel Gibson, Brittany Spears, Angelina Jollie, Brad Pitt, Football Star, Tom Brady and his new Victoria Swimsuit model wife (they were recently married in Costa Rica), and many, many more who come to Costa Rica to enjoy our beautiful coastline, beaches, mountains, rainforests and eco-tourism where roughing it means making your own coffee or having to apply your own sunscreen. Of course, for those wanting a challenging hike to a beautiful waterfall or mountain bike ride through the rainforest, we have that too!

When you are ready to star in your own piece of reality and participate in my reality life called, “I’m not a celebrity so leave me here,” please contact me. I am living the good life and I am here to help!

See You In Paradise!

Ken Schaafsma

Endangered Spider Monkeys Live in The Reserve at Hermosa Hills

The endangered and elusive Spider Monkeys were recently spotted at Hermosa Hills by Joaquin Aguilar, Project Manager, other support staff and Home Owner, Rich Hokanson.

Although Spider Monkeys are native to the area, they have been endanged and this is one of the first spottings in many years outside of the Carara National Park. "It was exciting to see the troupe of spider monkeys and we are thrilled to have them as neighbors of our reserve," said Aguilar. He went on to tell us that the dominate male, was putting on a show to demonstrate that he was in charge, then the branch he was bouncing on broke. The male spider monkey dropped about 15 feet before grabbing on to another branch short of reaching the ground. He then seemed to mellow completely and according to Hokanson, who is from Long Island, New York, said that the primate almost acted embarrased for falling. "It was an awesome and exciting demonstation!"


Spider Monkey Facts:
-Eat mostly fruits and thus need a larger territory than capuchin and other types of monkeys.
-Have a territory of 2.5 to 5 kilometers.
-Females give birth only every 2 to 3 years with a gestation period of 224 days.
-Very sensitive to human disturbance and due to slow reproductive rates, don't recover quickly when their habitats are affected by deforestation and hunting.
-Adults grow to more than 8 kg and 1.28 m long from head to tail-but the tail is longer than the body and head.
-Males may be slightly heavier and have a longer head and body length, but female tail length can exceed that of the male.
-Found between Mexico and Brazil and at one time was abundant in Costa Rica, but deforestation and hunting have greatly reduced troupe sizes in Central America.

See you in the rain forest, at Hermosa Hills and In Paradise!

Ken Schaafsma