There is an aspect of Costa Rican life that some new expats might find nostalgic. Others might be put off.
This is the mixture of religion with public life.
Not since the 1950s has there been such a demonstration of public faith in the United States. There were a long string of U.S. Supreme Court cases against displays of the Ten Commandments, prayers in school or crosses on public and even private land. Residents there must think twice before wishing someone a Merry Christmas for fear of offense.
That is not the case here where the Costa Rica Constitution specifies Roman Catholicism as the state religion. A growing percentage of residents report that they are not churchgoers, and there is a growing movement to divorce the government from any religion.
Catholicism has taken a hit from newer evangelical churches, but that only encourages the promotion of Christian holidays.
At Christmas, a visitor can see nativity scenes, called portals, in front of public buildings and in public offices. Government money is spent for Christmas lighting, and the central government, plus municipalities and private business are closed between the days leading up to Christmas and the day after New Year's.
More...
