In my past columns I have talk about Costa Rica’s excellent health care system. As you probably Costa Rica has both its “cradle-to-grave” public  health care system and private system available for foreign residents. The country boasts one of the highest longevity rates in the world and many of its doctors have been trained abroad. Best of all medical care is very affordable. Many people retire here for that very reason.

People on my monthly retirement/relocation tours often ask about alternative medicine and  therapies. We have acupuncture, different types of massage therapy, health spas and other alternative treatments.

One of the most recent additions to Costa Rica’s alternative health care field will be the Reserve at Portalon’s partnership with the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. The Chopra Center was recently ranked the #1 Wellness center in the world. Their center will take a holistic approach to health that treats the root issue versus the symptoms. The Chopra Center for Well being brings together the talents of a number of professionals in the conventional, complementary, and alternative medicine fields. They provide  alternative medicine consultations, therapeutic body treatments, health workshops, meditation instruction, hospital program development, and corporate training courses. The emphasis at the Center is on providing guidance to help individuals promote their own longevity, human potential and success, while increasing personal balance, happiness, and fulfillment.

Costa Rica have acupuncture, different types of massage therapy, health spas and other alternative treatments.

The center is based on providing alternative healthcare using the ancient practice of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a natural and holistic healing system from India , dating back to 5000 BC. Ayurveda attempts to deal with the root cause of the imbalance using several therapies. By using specific herbal supplements, special diet, detoxification therapies, specific yoga exercises and therapies, the body’s imbalances will be treated in multiple ways that help the clients.

The Chopra Center for Wellbeing will be the crown jewel of The Reserve at Portalon. Our center will serve as a platform for world leaders in their respective fields to lead transformative health seminars and workshops. Services for the betterment of the mind and body will be offered and the programs will be changed frequently so as to offer residents the most up-to-date treatments and services.

The Chopra Center for Wellbeing borders a lush primary rain forest reserve. Guest can meditate, stretch, and get massages above flowing water, and in the canopy of a living rain forest. Every facet and aspect of the wellness center will promote the healing process. The wellness center will be located within a 900 acre nature preserve. Chopra Center for Wellbeing is a gateway to enjoy numerous activities, adventures, eco-tours, and extreme sports found uniquely within our development.

The center will also include: Hiking and walking trails,  bird watching trails, mountain Biking trails, meditation Lodges and  English speaking nature guides will be available to help guests explore all the treasures of the rainforest for an educational, thrilling, and unforgettable experience.

Fiesta Casino near Juan Santamaría International Airport in the Pirate’s Bar inside is a good place to watch two or three NFL games every sunday.

I am not a gambler but I do go to the Fiesta Casino near Juan Santamaría International Airport almost every Sunday during football season. A group of my friends and I gather at the Pirate’s Bar inside to watch two or three NFL games. This has become sort of a tradition and we even get together for the Super Bowl there.

Most of the members of our group are retired but some still work. Nathan and Sully are former law enforcement officers from California. Allen used to work for the telephone company in Canada. Ed is a photographer from Colorado. Rudy is a successful real estate investor and salesman in Costa Rica.  The rest of the group share similar backgrounds.

The reason we chose the Fiesta is because of the options. They can air up to six games simultaneously on different televisions sets.   They have two giant screens where they show the best games or the ones  their patron’s request.  They also have specials where you can order an ice-cold beer and get a plate of Buffalo Wings for free. The food is good and there are a lot of dishes from which to choose. Best of all the waitress are friendly and very attractive in their scanty pirate attire. They have to have a good sense of humor to put up with us bunch of rowdy Americans and Canadians.

Actually we use the games as an excuse to socialize and have fun. One of the guys is always telling a joke and making some humorous remark. We probably miss about half of the games because of the playful banter. A few of the people in our group do a little gambling but football is the main attraction.

On Sunday and Monday nights after the games there is live music at the casino and the place heats up in all senses of the word. Some of the best local groups perform and the dance floor fills up with curvaceous  Latin women dancing to the tropical rhythms of the night.

This is just one example of the many activities  to stay busy and happy if you choose to live, retire or work in Costa Rica.

Staying fit is of paramount importance to many people. Costa Rica’s great climate is perfect for working out year round. So, you really won’t have to worry about staying in shape if you move here. The country offers many activities from which to choose: cycling, running, tennis, swimming, hiking, kayaking, Tai Chi Yoga and much more.

Costa Rica is a great place if you like to walk. I purposely try to walk as much as possible instead of using my car. There are several hiking clubs here for outdoor enthusiasts. I have a couple  friends  who belong to these groups and really love their weekend excursions.

Multi Spa is the largest chain of gyms with branches in areas like downtown San Jose and the upscale town of Escazú.

If you are a “gym rat” then you have come to the right place. Most major cities and some towns have gyms. The best ones are found in San Jose and the surrounding suburbs. Most gyms have weight training, aerobics, yoga, personal trainers, spinning, Pilates, martial arts, Tae Bo and virtually everything their counterparts in the States have. There are even programs for children.

Gym rates vary. At the high end of the scale  there is the new Pro Fitness Gym in Heredia’s Paseo de las Flores Mall. Everything is state of the art here. They didn’t spare any expense creating a world-class gym.  They offer over twenty different types of exercise programs including spinning and cardio kickboxing. They even have a pool when you swim against a current as part of resistance training.

Fitsimons, across form San Jose’s  Sabana Park, has a wealth activities to keep you in shape and a store that sells equipment like dumb bells and athletic clothing and shoes.

Gyms may also be found at some hotels like the Holiday Inn, at the Costa Rica Tennis Club and at the Cariari Golf Club. The latter boasts a 50-meter Olympic size swimming pool where you train.

The bottom line is that you won’t have to sacrifice your present exercise program by moving here. About the only activities you won’t be able to practice are winter sports  like  skiing, sledding and snowboarding. We do have ice skating at the  Castillo Country Club above Heredia.

As everyone knows gourmet coffee shops are the rage in the U.S. In some cities like New York and Seattle it seems like there is a Starbucks or other gourmet coffee shop on almost every corner and in most malls. In Costa Rica gourmet coffee shops are not as widespread but they do exist. So by moving here you won’t miss out on your favorite coffee drink. You’ll also have the opportunity to savor the country’s world-famous coffee for less than you would pay for it in the States.

McDonald’s McCafes  are the most ubiquitous gourmet coffee shops here. Almost every McDonald’s has one in their restaurant. Besides coffee drinks they offer a selection of mouth-watering pastries and cakes.

Java City, Trigo Miel, Spoon, the Hotel Costa Rica and  El Patio are other establishments offering similar products. Café Delicias with branches in Grecia, Alajuela and San Ramón, is very popular with expatriates.

Just as in the States many of these cafes offer wireless Internet to attract customers. McDonald’s even supplies their own computers. Every morning I try to go to the McCafé in my hometown of Heredia where Costa Ricans and foreigners can be found reading the local newspaper, socializing with friends or using their computers while they sip on a cup of steamy coffee. I really relish this part of my daily routine. In fact, my day feels incomplete if I don’t go to there.

One of the major concerns of people moving to another country is boredom and what to do to stay busy.

In Costa Rica one of the most enjoyable activities is dancing. Not only is it fun but it is incredible aerobic exercise. Thus, you can have a good time and stay fit all in one.

Costa Ricans love to dance. They can been found heating up the dance floor almost every night of the week. Dancing is a great way to learn about the culture and make Costa Rican friends.

The most popular dances here are merengue, salsa, cumbia (several versions) and bolero.

If you don’t know how to dance, don’t despair! There are several schools that offer classes in Latin dancing for a nominal fee. If you are the self-conscious type they even have private lessons.

A couple of years ago I took private lessons for almost three months  and really progressed . I studied at the Merecumbé Dance School in Heredia. My teacher Flori was very patient with her clumsy  and stiff student. After learning to avoid tripping over my own feet I eventually mastered the basic steps and turns for Salsa and merengue and had a fantastic time in the process. I’ll never by a Latin Fred Astair on the dance floor, now hold my own.

I plan to go back soon for a refresher course so I can hit the local dancehalls once in a while.