COSTA RICA - For all its popularity, Costa Rica draws many people who have a somewhat distorted view of what this lovely country has to offer. If you are reading this, chances are you know that, despite lucking out with a disproportionate amount of coastline for such a small nation, Costa Rica is nor an island. And only the truly Disneyfied would imagine that the natural wonders of this mecca of biodiversity can be switched on and off at will. But you may have subtler biases, like thinking a life in Costa Rica will resemble a vacation in Florida or Hawaii. Or that you can breeze into this backwater with your first-world moxie and make a killing in real estate or tourism or teak farming.

Dreamer beware. Costa Rica is no Florida, and it's no backwater banana republic and this is reflected in the pricing of real estate. Check out the central west coast to see examples of this! Still there are deals to be had and occassionally a real bargain is found. One of the most politically and economically stable nations in the region, it has long attracted international investors. Its easy for a foreigner to start a business here, you can even do it on a tourist visa. Running a successful business is another story, and it requires the same skill and luck such an endeavor requires anywhere in the world. In fact, doing business here, or just successfully hanging out, may demand more of you than you might expect. No one thrives here without humility, a fully function¬ing sense of humor, and a degree of flexibility that would amaze the most accomplished yogi.

THE LAND

Talk about centrally located. Picture the bent elbow of land that connects North and South America: Costa Rica rests in the crook of that arm, at the northern edge of where North America funnels down into a narrow isthmus separating the Pacific and the Caribbean. The country lies at the hub of two continents and at the crux of two geographic plates the Cocos and the Caribbean. In millennia past, the isthmus served as a land bridge, allowing flora and fauna to come tip from the south and trickle down from the north. The resulting diversity of plant and ani¬mal life is staggering. Imagine 1,400 species of orchids and more than 100 kinds of bats and you get a taste of the huge feast spread on this small table of a country. At 50.000 square kilometers (19,305 square miles), Costa Rica is the second smallest country in Central America, after El Salvador. Its Caribbean coastline is a mere 160 kilometers (99 miles) long, while Elie Pacific coast, with more bays and peninsulas, measures 480 kilometers (298 miles) from the Nicaraguan border to Panama. At its widest-280 kilometers (174 miles)—Costa Rica is still a narrow country that can be traversed in a few hours.

EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES

Costa Rica is the child of a volatile but enduring; relationship between sections of the earths crust that both want to have — or rather go — their own way. The Caribbean and Coco plates conic together just off Costa Rica's coast, and the resulting clash produces pent-up geological energy that finds release in earth¬quakes and volcanic eruptions. Of the county's many volcanoes, at least five are still active. Watching truck-sized hot rocks tumble down Arcnal Volcano's perfect cone is a sight not soon forgotten, but even the wisps of smoke issuing from Rincon de la Vieja are impressive reminders that the earth's surface is still very much a work in progress. Earthquakes have also played their part in teaching Ticos to respect the "fire down below". The colonial capital of Cartago was destroyed by quakes in 1841 and again 1910. More recently, in 1991 a 7.5 earthquake rocked the Caribbean and South-Central zones, destroying the San Jose and Limon railroad and countless roads and bridges. More gentle quakes are common, and geologists say the frequent tremors serve as relief valves to postpone the next really big one. Quakes have been happing here regularly for all recorded history

The environment is widely waried in Costa Rica. The Central Valley consists of slopes that are ideal for coffee farmers to grow their world famous beans. Coffee is a mainstay of the Ticos both for economic reasons and for personal. The mountains tops are just high enough to have the rare snowfall and are popular for those people who long for more moderate temperatatures than those found in the valleys or coastal regions. In these are can occasionaly be found pine trees and are a great growing area for strawberries. To the south and west of San Jose a dry region of almost desert like conditions can been seen as you pass through some of the hills. Horses are popular here and you will see people trailering their animals back and forth especially on the weekends. To the East and North along the coast is a very wet low lying area known as Torutugero. It is a famous National park area visited by many tourists each year. The wetlands and heavy jungles make this place unique in Costa Rica. Directly to the West along the central coast in the Jaco area is a hot and humid (but less so than the east coast) beach destination. It is extremely popluar amoung both foreign and local tourists and is becoming developed more with each passing day. The multi-million dollar Los Suenos Resort and Marina can be found in this area. Further to the North along the West coast lies the Guanacaste region. Long areas of beach both white and dark sand, beautiful parcels of lightly rolling land, and a somewhat more arid environment. Costa Rica has something for everyone.