Surfing Nosara

How the world's shifting economy and growing technology affects your move to paradise.

by Andrew Saxton

It wasn't all that long ago, that while visiting some of the more touristic areas of Costa Rica, you had to visit multiple phone booths, try multiple phone cards, and speak with an entire team of Costa Rica's finest operators before you were able to finally phone home successfully. Well, as we well know, that has all changed. With the ushering in of newer technologies and the slow but steady adaptation of more modern services and process, living in Costa Rica is now easier than ever before. So what does this mean for you, the weekend warrior looking to finally make the leap? A lot. Here's why.

To begin, globalization in the purest form has been affecting every major economy of the entire world, with specific jobs being outsources to remote locations, enabling larger company's to reduce their wages paid out while receiving what is in some cases a better, more skilled and eager work force. Costa Rica is no exception. Major companies have crossed the border and have been operating here now for some time. Anything from micro processors to clothing manufacturers, it's here. Long gone are the days of the strict coffee and banana economic limits. Furthermore, with the country's recent acceptance of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement), it can only be expected that this trend will continue, barring a major governmental change (not likely).

So how does any of this remotely affect you? You thought you were moving here to avoid all of that, right? Well, you'd be surprised how much some of these new added conveniences can greatly improve your way of life. After realizing the cultural differences between Tico and Gringo time frames on getting things done, you'll start to see the tip of the iceberg. Don't get me wrong, it's great to slow down and smell the roses, but there are times when it can get down right ridiculous. That being said, even the everyday gardener in Costa Rica now can be seen using his cell phone to call his next client, letting them know he'll be late. She then asks him why he's calling because that's nothing new. In all seriousness, it does help things significantly.

On the subject of cell phones, it is now quite common and easy for everyone and anyone to have one. Even if you only plan on being in the country part time, it's worth having one. With the long waits on installation from ICE (the country's governmental monopoly on both communications and power), it's now possible to be live on the phone right when you get to the country. Some attorney's now even offer ready-to-go corporations that include bank accounts, cell phones and cell phone service, and other perks all in a bundled package. And don't tell anyone I told you this, but it's also now possible to unlock any multitude of U.S. cell phones here in Costa Rica, including the ever-popular iphone.

Another fantastic improvement that we've recently seen, is the addition of both satellite television, satellite internet, and other communication tools that allow one to skirt the typical ICE barriers to entry. While it's true that the ICE truck may take its sweet time coming to hook up that phone line while your business suffers from you not being online, it's also now possible to get you internet via satellite. This was something that was only for the filthy rich at one point in time, but can now be enjoyed by guys like the Surfing Nosara staff. The advent of the internet to the everyday consumer and resident in Costa Rica, Guanacaste and Nosara, has given the ability to those who could previously have never been able to work off-the-grid, the opportunity of a lifetime. Jet-setters, part time residents who still own their businesses back home, and full time employees in the tech and financial industries can now work from wherever they want, whenever they want to. That includes both before and after their surf session.

On the flip side of the benefits to this growth, there are also down falls that may be seen. Of course there's the issue of overgrowth, which is a great thing to pay attention to certainly. There is also the problem of the little guy going out of business. Your local Tico style restaurant gets replaced by something larger posing as the real thing and catering to tourists with fat wallets and screaming kids. These are all things that can occur, and areas such as Tamarindo and Jaco are evidence of such. We would all do well to pay special attention to not let such things happen to Guanacaste, and more specifically, to Nosara. However, there will certainly be some benefits to be reaped as well. Improved service, improved educational requirements of workers, better response times for required work, dissemination of knowledge through areas of the work force, and improved accountability in order to keep up with the competition are just a few things that one would foresee in the immediate future. If things are done correctly, and that choice is going to be up to the government of Costa Rica (the speed of change is affecting them as well) to keep things heading in the right direction.

So there you have it Mr. Blackberry addict. You're free to come down, check your emails, clear your SPAM filter, and basically drive yourself crazy. But best of all, you'll be able to dial home online with Skype, speak face-to-face to the kids at college, check the home security system online, and be pestered by the in-laws. Of course, this choice is yours, and you can still disconnect from all of this as well, but now either way you choose, you can go surfing when you're done.

Former corporate execs prepare for the board meeting.