When Eric and Daned first visited Brasilito, they weren't just looking for a vacation destination — they were searching for a place to truly call home. Like many families drawn to Costa Rica's shores, they arrived with open minds and left with a completely different understanding of what a safe, joyful, and deeply connected life could look like.
Costa Rica consistently ranks among the world's safest and happiest countries — and for Eric and Daned, that ranking stopped being a statistic the moment they experienced it firsthand.
A Country Built on Peace
Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948, redirecting those resources toward education, healthcare, and environmental protection. The result is a society built on the principle that a country's true strength lies in the wellbeing of its people — not in weapons. With no standing army for over 75 years, Costa Rica has cultivated a culture of peace, diplomacy, and community that is felt in every corner of the country, including the quiet streets of Brasilito.
For Eric, a father who had spent years navigating the complexities of raising a family in a fast-paced urban environment, the sense of calm that washed over him in Brasilito was immediate. "You feel it the moment you arrive," he says. "The pace is different. People look out for each other here."
The Happiest Country in the Americas
According to the Happy Planet Index and multiple global wellbeing reports, Costa Rica consistently outperforms far wealthier nations in measures of life satisfaction, social trust, and longevity. Costa Ricans — known as Ticos — live longer than their counterparts in many developed countries, and they do so with a fraction of the carbon footprint. The country generates more than 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, and nearly 30% of its territory is protected national parkland.
For Daned, these weren't just talking points — they were values she had been looking for in a community. "We wanted our kids to grow up understanding that happiness isn't about having the most things," she explains. "It's about connection, nature, and belonging somewhere that actually cares about you."
Brasilito: Where Pura Vida Is a Way of Life
Pura Vida — Costa Rica's national phrase — translates literally to "pure life," but its meaning runs much deeper. It's a greeting, a farewell, a response to "how are you?", and a philosophy that guides how Ticos approach each day with gratitude and ease. In Brasilito, that spirit is impossible to miss.
The town's walkable beachfront, its close-knit local community, and the natural beauty that surrounds it on every side create an environment where families like Eric and Daned's can breathe — really breathe — for the first time in years. Children play freely. Neighbors greet each other by name. Sunsets over the Pacific become a daily ritual rather than a rare occasion.
Safety That Goes Beyond Statistics
Costa Rica's safety record is backed by data, but for residents of Brasilito, it's something felt in everyday moments: leaving your shoes at the beach, letting your kids walk to the tienda, trusting that your neighbors are looking out for your family as much as their own. Guanacaste, the region home to Brasilito, is one of the country's most welcoming and secure destinations for international families and retirees.
At Arcadia at Brasilito Beach, that sense of security is reinforced by a gated community designed with both safety and openness in mind — a place where residents enjoy resort-caliber amenities while remaining deeply connected to the authentic coastal town surrounding them.
A Decision They've Never Regretted
Today, Eric and Daned are proud members of the Arcadia community. Their family has found a rhythm here that feels both adventurous and grounded — surfing in the morning, exploring nearby beaches, sharing meals with neighbors from around the world, and watching their children grow up fluent in Spanish and rooted in a culture that prioritizes joy over everything else.
"We came to visit and stayed to live," Eric says simply. "Costa Rica gave us something we didn't even know we were looking for."
If their story resonates with you, we invite you to come experience Brasilito for yourself. Because some decisions are best made with your feet in the sand.