I recently was introduced to a community of generous and amazing people. They do not live in the same neighborhood or even in the same town, but they all share one common idea. It is the idea that meeting and helping travelers helps not only the foreigner, but enriches their life as well. It is an online community of givers. They are known as Couch Surfers and more specifically the Couch Surfers of San Jose, Costa Rica.

They are an online community consisting of people from all over the world that lend travelers a free place to stay while traveling. In San Jose alone there are over 80 hosts and over 100 all over Costa Rica. It is all based on the honor system and it seems to work. It is amazing to me to think that there are so many trusting people that would let complete strangers stay at their home. It is a breath of fresh air among times when trust is rare and far too many are taking advantage of opportunities in the wrong ways that things like this work.

The other day someone was describing their experience with the couch surfing in Costa Rica. They could only rave about everyone and everywhere they had met. Being a host has its perks too. It forms instant connections that last a lifetime. For example, the hosts in the San Jose area get together on a regular basis to participate in philanthropies, have parties, and simply to shoot the breeze. Everyone that I have met involved in this program here in Costa Rica have been nothing but friendly and willing to show you a good time.

So if you are traveling around Costa Rica on a budget, I highly recommend Couch Surfing. It is easy, affordable, and so much fun!!!

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Filed under: Travel on July 19th, 2007