1. Waiters and shopgirls call you mi amor (my love) and mi reina (my queen).

2. Fathers (and mothers!) here are so affectionate with their kids.

3. Active volcanos never let you forget that the earth is a work in progress.

4. Gallo Pinto (“painted rooster”)—a nicely spiced blend of rice and beans that, much to your surprise, you’ll begin to crave at every meal.

5. The coffee!

6. You can buy single cigarettes at kiosks and pulperias (corner stores), which lets you pretend you’re not really a smoker.

7. You don’t have to go looking for amazing birds—they’re right outside your window.

8. You can surf (and snorkel, kayak, raft, and swim) without a wetsuit.

9. The force-of-nature afternoon downpours during the rainy season, which remind you that we must adapt to nature, not the other way around.

10. You’ll never catch this country declaring war (Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949).