A healthy and fun way for expat retirees to get exercise

Anyone knows that exercise is important as we age. In Costa Rica there many opportunities to stay fit. Gymnasiums and swimming pools abound as well as other exercise venues. Probably most enjoyable way to learn about the county’s culture and combine exercise, is dancing.

Dancing burns between 200 and 400 calories per half-hour. It also increases the heart rate, helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease. It is also excellent for getting rid of stress and is a low-impact form of exercise with a minimum risk of injury. In addition, learning dance steps helps improve one’s memory and coordination because a lot of turns and intricate moves are involved.

If you do not know how to dance cumbia, boleros, merengue, salsa, bachata or other types of Latin dances, don’t despair. Merecumbé is Costa Rica’s premier dance school and has branches where retired expats and people of all ages can learn how to dance. The school was originally founded to systematically teach the best methods of dancing. Merecumbé currently has around 7,000 students and 220 instructors.

Once you learn how to dance, there are many clubs where you can practice and socialize with others. Some of the premier dancehalls and clubs are: La Caribeña (in the Zapote district of San José), Castros Bar (perhaps the best), Viejillos (in Grecia), Tipico Latino and Miraflores (in Heredia), Bosque Bar (Hotel San José Palacio), Garibaldi and other spots all around the country. Merecumbé also organizes their own dances.

Costa Ricans are good at dancing, have a strong dance culture and are extremely creative on the dance floor. With a little practice expats can join in on the fun and learn about the country’s dance culture in the process.

Check out one of Merecumbé’s Facebook pages at: https://www.facebook.com/merecumbe.alajuela.3

I always mention Merecumbé when I speak at the seminar sponsored by the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) and during my popular monthly relocation/retirement tours.