I am spending a week in Costa Rica to celebrate spring break from school with some of my delightful grandchildren.

I have with me my daughter Kelsey and her two kids, my son Guy, his wife and their child, and my daughter-in-law’s parents and her older sister, her husband and their three kids. 14 of us in all, with 6 kids, the oldest of which just turned 5 years of age, and the youngest just 4 months.

We rented a house for the crew.  It is a little tight on accommodations, but we are surviving.

We are located in Tamarindo, a town on the Pacific Ocean in the northwest province of Costa Rica called Guanacaste. Although I have traveled to Costa Rica twice before, I have never been to this part of the country.

Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1821 just over 200 years ago. It has a population of 5+ million people. It has a mixed economy with strong agricultural, tourism, and technology sectors. Major exports include coffee, bananas, pineapples, and medical devices.

What makes Costa Rica stand apart, at least in my mind.

• When compared to the other Latin American states what really stands out is its stability. It has a long tradition of a stable democracy and peaceful transitions of power.
• It abolished its military in 1949, some 75 years ago, becoming one of the few countries in the world without a standing army.
• The culture in Costa Rica places a huge emphasis on family and community. As a result there is a strong social support network that comes with close families and communities.
• Happiness as a goal is important in the country. “Pura Vida” (literally, pure life) is a popular saying in Costa Rica, where it represents a philosophy or way of life that emphasizes living life to the fullest, appreciating the simple things, and maintaining a positive outlook.
• The country is beautiful and environmental consciousness is high. Costa Rica is known for its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. 25% of the country’s land is set aside for national parks and other preservation, and it is one of the best places to discover wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.

But, the real point of this travel is to spend quality time with the kids and the grandchildren — the little ones, los ninos.

This “quality time’ can take different forms…

• Getting a cup of ice cream at the local gelateria with my 5 year old grandson not once each day, but sometimes twice, and, yes, on one day, three times!

• Playing Marco Polo in the pool with my grandson, trying unsuccessfully to tell him that he needs to close his eyes as he tries to find me in the pool.

• Sitting in the front seat of our rented ATV, right next to my grandson, seatbelts secured, allowing him to turn the key that starts the noisy, rumbling, and imposing four wheel drive ATV.

• Exploring in a pottery studio how to mold clay into pottery with my grandson.

• Snuggling on the deck of a catamaran sailboat with my granddaughter while day cruising the beautiful waters of the  Pacific Ocean.

• Dancing with my three year old granddaughter to a 4 piece band under the stars on a dance “floor” made of sand just a few feet away from the lapping Pacific Ocean.

Stay tuned for more about Costa Rica in subsequent blogs.