I know not everyone will agree with me but… at least at this point in time, I don’t recommend supporting public events that are not traditionally Costa Rican.

For example, a community-sponsored 4th of July event. It just reeks of colonization, cultural insensitivity and a disregard for the local people.

AND gentrification.

While I’ll be the first to say that to be born in the US and living the first 37 years of my life in such a diverse country was a blessing and I got to learn about and experience so many different cultures which was amazing…

Things are different here. I recognize that Chinese New Year is celebrated in Chinatowns across the US… but simply put, we don’t have “USAtowns” here.

I’m not saying that YOU can’t celebrate these holidays in your home, and even invite locals to join in and learn what it means to you. But that gives Costa Ricans a choice versus forcing our traditions on their entire town.

Living in Costa Rica, you’ll need to figure out how to balance your home country traditions while also respecting those of your adopted country.

(excerpted in part from my book, Moving to Costa Rica Simplified)