Best of all, I can visit world class family attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and Kennedy Space Center any time I want. The fishing is spectacular, the golfing is even better, and I have my choice of water sports year round.

Oh sure, some of us Floridians head for the North Carolina mountains or out west to the snow-capped Rockies or north to New England’s rocky shores.

Their reasons for venturing out of what I think of as the “Southern Part of Heaven” can range from a desire to see places with four actual seasons to simply returning “home” to visit with family and old friends. (Remember that a huge chunk of Floridians are transplants and still consider someplace else to be home!)

But, then consider this. A growing number of Floridians are awakening to the lure of Costa Rica and other Central American destinations as great places to vacation, invest in a second home, or find that perfect retirement spot.

In no particular order, here are some reasons I believe that’s happening.

A big one, believe it or not, is the very same reason we live here – the climate. The thought of enduring bleak, icy, sunless winters before we can get warm again just doesn’t ring our bell.

Next, we’re accustomed to a more relaxed, simpler, low-stress lifestyle. Lots of us tried the “exciting” hustle and bustle of urban living before realizing it’s not our thing.

In other words, the average Floridian has come to treasure living in what Jimmy Buffet calls the “little latitudes”.

So, when you compare our other vacation options to Costa Rica, it’s that laid back lifestyle that will win the hearts of most Floridians.

Delving deeper into the “why”, perhaps a more subtle reason can be found in the international flavor of our state’s population.

Since the mid-1970’s, we’ve welcomed a steady influx of new residents from a variety of cultures and countries. Understandably, Hispanics now make up about twenty percent of Central Florida’s cultural mix and they are quickly integrating themselves into the richly diverse fabric of our region.

In fact, like many places in the Sunshine State, Spanish has become the Orlando region’s “second language”. We’re quite used to hearing it spoken and seeing it used in bi-lingual signage and advertisements. That means a trip to Costa Rica or anywhere in Central America is highly unlikely to induce “culture shock” in a Floridian!

Next, consider that international travel is no longer just for the rich and famous. Reasonable air fares and jet-fast travel means more and more North Americans now see vacationing or living in Central America as no big deal.

For us Floridians, a quick check of Orlando’s air connections shows I can be in Costa Rica, or just about anywhere in Central America, in the same or less time than U.S. destinations like Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago or even Bangor, Maine.

Costa Rica, along with its more visionary neighbors like Panama and Mexico, realized long ago the economic benefits in attracting North American vacationers, retirees and investors.

Their farsighted investments in modern airports, utilities, and other infrastructure projects, along with generous tax breaks and visitor-friendly access and residency laws have returned handsome dividends. As indeed they should.

When you put it all together, it’s no wonder Costa Rica is now firmly on the radar screen of so many Floridians.

And, hey, when it comes to recommending places to visit or vacation...you know that if Floridians like to vacation in Costa Rica, it’s got to be good!

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