Costa Rica: The Happiest Country On Earth.

Costa Rica is located in Central America above Panama, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is ranked as the happiest country in the world, which is not surprising, considering it’s a paradise on earth, with 12 different ecosystems spanning from the oceans to the mountains, incredible beaches, jungles, rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Costa Rica has many national symbols that represent the country, its people and its traditions. Their national flag is composed of the same colours as the flag of Thailand; however, the colours hold a unique significance in Costa Rican culture. Blue represents the sky, white symbolises the peaceful nature of the country and red represents the courage of the people and their defence of the democratic system.

The Pre-Columbian Spheres of Diquís, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are another national symbol. They are estimated to have been placed there by the indigenous peoples of the area between 300 B.C. and 300 A.D. and were made a national symbol in 2014. They represent the amazing history of Costa Rica and the social and political structures that existed way before the modern world. 

Costa Rica is an incredibly popular destination for remote workers and their Digital Nomad Visa is one of the most accessible, allowing digital nomads to extend their tourist visa and stay in Costa Rica for up to 1 year! The currency of Costa Rica is the colón but US Dollars are widely accepted and the official language is Spanish.

From November 18 to December 3, 2023, NOMA is partnering with ONDA to bring you a special remote work trip to Costa Rica. Your dreamy itinerary includes surf lessons, yoga sessions, a trip to Las Baulas National Marine Park and an amazing Friendsgiving feast with all your new friends! You'll experience life like a local and live the pura vida dream.

ONDA is a hospitality collective located in Playa Grande, on the Pacific coast in the Guanacaste province. Merging the community feel of a hostel with the luxuries of a hotel, expect welcoming accommodation with a two-floor coworking space and all the frills.

Playa Grande is situated close to the popular area of Tamarindo but has a more laid-back surfer town vibe; perfect for the digital nomads who just love to go with the flow. A 3-minute walk to the beach, many restaurants and cafes within a 5-minute walk, everything you need is right on your doorstep.

For all those keen to catch a wave, the best surf spots in Costa Rica are conveniently located on the Northern Pacific Coast. Playa Grande has its own surf spot, La Casita, a popular location for beginners and experts alike. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is considered one of the top destinations in the world for scuba diving. The underwater world is home to hammerhead sharks, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins and more. Be cautious of the turtle eggs laid in the sand by the endangered leatherback turtles on Playa Grande beach or take a trip to Las Baulas National Marine Park to see baby turtles hatching. 

Be aware that the weather in Costa Rica differs greatly depending on what coast you are on; the Pacific coast’s rainy season ranges from May to November and on the Caribbean coast, the seasons are flipped… so why not jump between the two?

If you head into Tamarindo here are the spots you don't wanna miss:

• Sharky’s has karaoke night on a Tuesday and beer pong tournaments on a Sunday.
• Thursday Night Markets feature live music and local artisan products.
• La Oveja Negra is a popular spot for live music or open mic nights.
• Crazy Monkey has a live salsa band and DJs all night long.
• El Mercadito is a food market with a wide variety of cuisines.
• Green Papaya Taco Bar has the most delicious Mexican fusion food.
• Patagonia Grill features delicious traditional Argentine food.
• Falafel Bar showcases the best Lebanese dishes in the area.

What exactly is it that makes Costa Rica the happiest country on earth? Here’s some reasons we think it might be so wonderfully positive:

• Costa Rica represents almost 6% of the planet’s biodiversity.

• In October 1949, Costa Rica abolished the army and has been committed to peace ever since. 

• 26% of the country is made up of protected territory 

• Nearly 93% of its electricity is produced from renewable resources. 

• Costa Rica became the first tropical country to entirely reverse deforestation 

• They are home to Indigenous populations of the Bribri, Cabecar, Maleku, Teribe, Boruca, Ngöbe, Huetar, and Chorotega.

• Costa Rica is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and there are over 200 volcanic formations.

• Tortuguero National Park is home to a strange-looking creature called the Gaspar fish, which is considered a living fossil.

• The elderly people of the Nicoya Peninsula in Southern Guanacaste are among the oldest in the world.

• The unofficial motto of Costa Rica is ‘pura vida’ translates to ‘simple life’ or ‘pure life’ and aligns with the culture and attitude of the country. 

• Costa Rica is the most successful national football team in Central America and is the only Central American team to have played in five FIFA World Cups.

• Some of the top destinations in Costa Rica include Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Samara, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and the capital city San Jose.

• Costa Rica’s famous zipline canopy tours will have you flying through the treetops to explore the forest's rich biodiversity.

Costa Rica's incredible culture is one you won't want to miss. Join Noma and ONDA this Thanksgiving in Playa Grande and experience the pura vida lifestyle in the happiest country on earth.