When you arrive in Costa Rica and you meet practically, well, anyone, the first thing they’re going to do is come zooming in at your face—so you’d better be prepared.

This is not a thing that Americans do, though if you’re European you’ll be well-accustomed. But it’s certainly a thing that Costa Ricans do, and that’s THE INFAMOUS CHEEK KISS. It’s offered at both hello and goodbye, and—surprise!—even the expats that you meet here do it, too.

But unlike certain cultures in, say, Spain or France or Italy, where two or three or even four cheek kisses are customary, in Costa Rica? You’ve got it on easy streak because in Costa Rica there is only ONE cheek kiss. And it’s the left cheek of whomever you’re greeting.

Even better? It’s not a full-on kiss kiss. It’s more like an air peck, accompanied by a half hug. And it’s completely normal to do under all of the following circumstances:

Meeting someone for the first time
Greeting friends in the street
Saying goodbye to anyone you’ve had a conversation with
And with anyone, regardless of age—so elders, youth, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, and entire families

And guess what? If you’ve just walked into a Costa Rican home full of family members, you absolutely are expected to go around the room greeting everyone with a cheek kiss—and you’re also expected to say goodbye to everyone in the room with another cheek kiss as you leave. :)

While all of that sounds exhausting, it’s actually quite nice as a way to show everyone respect and vice versa. More exhausting? Is when you return home and try to kiss your accountant on the face.

WARNING YOU NOW, IT’LL HAPPEN. And then you’ll wish you were in Costa Rica, once again.