Pura vida, without complications

Avril would do well here. While Costa Rica's semi-official national slogan is pura vida, or "pure life," it could very well be simple vida, or perhaps keep it simple, stupid, were Ticos to be so rude (and other than some cab drivers, they aren't). For, a lack of street signs aside, Ticos eschew all things "complicated." Indeed, as far as I can tell, complicated is synonymous with bad.

Take our hostel owner, for example. When we asked about an area of town in which we were looking at an apartment, his description was, "Well... it's a bit complicated." I expected further elaboration. None came.

Similarly, when trying to figure out a time to meet with our landlord, he told us Monday would be complicated. I guess he could have easily been busy, but it's something more than that. And it's not like Ticos don't work hard, or that difficult is bad. It's more that, well, simple is best.

Unless, of course, you're trying to take the bus out of town. (More on that, later).