When potential expats hear about Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, the first thing that usually comes to mind are the many islands of the Caribbean with their beautiful white-sand beaches. Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s Caribbean side is very different for a variety of reasons. In the 27 years that I have been […]
Individually, Costa Ricans consumed an average of 10.5 liters of pure alcohol per year, which was 26th out of 33 countries. Heavy drinking rates ranked Costa Rica 16th in the region. Only soda pop is consumed more than beer in Costa Rica. As many ticos say, “We have a very […]
In Costa Rica pegas or empachos are synonymous with indigestion. When this occurs the lymph nodes are affected and the stomach becomes inflamed with food getting stuck there (pegar means to stick or get stuck). This suposedly happens when the food doesn’t agree with a person causing a digestive problem. […]
In Costa Rica there are two seasons: Summer which runs from the end of November (noviembre) to about mid-April (abril) and the green or rainy season which extends from mid-April to mid-November. The months of September and October are the wettest of the year in Costa Rica. This year, it […]
The cost of living in Costa Rica seems prohibitive to many people, in particular, expats from North America who have a fixed income and have to budget their money. I would like to point out that as far as expats are concerned, it is a huge mistake to equate the cost of […]
Most foreigners who move here know little about Costa Rica’s history or national symbols. I have listed descriptions country’s national symbols and the approximate dates that they were officially proclaimed as part of the country’s heritage. The list includes The coat of arms, the nation’s famous three-colored flag, the Guaria Morada (flower), the Guanacaste tree, the […]
Over the last years, I have always strived to provide the best possible information and advice for those who relocate to Costa Rica. Many who move here are retired with too much spare time on their hands and nothing to do to keep busy. Instead of finding constructive activities in […]
1. Living Cheap by Renting or Buying Where Property is Cheaper The bottom line is where you decide to live can have a impact on your cost of living in Costa Rica. So, do your due diligence and explore areas that fit your budget and lifestyle. 2. Take Advantage of the Many […]
In my last article, I wrote about Costa Rica’s recent presidential election and the country’s long democratic tradition. Well, it comes an as little surprise that Costa Rica’s democracy is rated third in the Americas which consists of Canada, the United States, and Central and South America. Furthermore, the country’s […]
In case future expats do not know, Costa Rica is the longest-standing democracy in Latin America since the late 1940s. This democratic tradition began with the abolition of the country’s military. No other country south of the border can make this claim. Ticos (Costa Ricans) are extremely proud of this […]