Where to Make New Friends

You should have no problem making new friends of either sex in Costa Rica, but 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 to exchange language lessons with. 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 U.S., because Americans living abroad tend to gravitate toward each other. Newcomers only have to find an enclave of fellow countrymen and they can make new friends. You can't help bumping into other Americans since Costa Rica is such a small country (there are over 30,000 gringos living there permanently). This is especially true if you live in one of the areas where many North Americans reside, like 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 editions of the Tico Times. These newspapers serve as a vital link in the foreign community, or "Gringo Grapevine"and help 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, Tiny's Tropical Sports Bar or the Casino Colonial, you can watch live sporting events from the U.S. on cable T.V. 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 American Costa Rican Cultural Center has many events where you can also make new acquaintances. 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. You may also check out the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's community calender. Call 233-8068 for more information.