Blog Posts About Life in Costa Rica Expert time-tested advice on how to live, retire and invest in Costa Rica.
Does Costa Rica have the death penalty?
I am often asked by those who want to relocate to Costa Rica if there is a death penalty (La pena capital or La pena de muerte). Costa Rica abolished its death penalty in 1877 and was one of the countries that banned capital punishment in 1882 by Article 45 […]
Costa Rica’s 200th Independence Day Celebration continues with a very special honor
The whole world knows about Costa Rica’s stellar reputation and enduring democratic tradition. On September 15th this unique country will celebrate its 200th anniversary. In the past I have alluded to Costa Rica as an example of sanity in a world of convulsion when compared to other nations. Rarely does […]
Future expats don’t need therapy, they just need to move to Costa Rica
Wellness tourism (turismo de bienestar in Spanish) is growing, especially after over the pandemic that has lasted almost two years. Costa Rica is considered the perfect sanctuary for participating this type of activity since it offers a backdrop of incredible scenery, paradisical warm-water beaches, numerous hot springs, volcanic spas, wellness therapies […]
Costa Rica is Fantasy Island for some expats
Airing from 1978 to 1984, Fantasy Island was a television starring Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke, the enigmatic overseer of a mysterious island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, where people from all walks of life could come and live out their fantasies, for a hefty price. His assistant was a dwarf by the name of Tattoo, played […]
Costa Rica’s special 200th Independence Day Celebration
Retired expats should know its importance On September 15th Costa Rica will be holding a special bicentennial celebration. Costa Rica gained independence on September 15, 1821, as a result of the Mexican War of Independence that lasted from 1810 until 1821. The country never had to fight for its independence, […]
Costa Rica’s beach living vs. the Central Valley for living
Very important to keep in mind when choosing where to live Beach Living Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. When the country is mentioned most people visualize themselves sitting on a paradisaical beach sunbathing and sipping on an exotic beverage. While this scenario is […]
Costa Ricans Live Longer Than Us. What’s the Secret?
In the United States and elsewhere, public health and medical care are largely separate enterprises. Costa Rica shows the benefits of integrating the two—it spends less than we do on health care and gets better results. The cemetery in Atenas, Costa Rica, a small town in the mountains that line […]
More affordable housing options for expat retirees
With housing prices rising in Costa Rica more and more expats are seeking inexpensive options. In my last article I wrote about small portable homes like those for sale in the United States. I mentioned that there is now a company in the city of Alajuela that will manufacture these […]
New Affordable Housing Option for Retired Expats
Costa Rica has so many nice places from which to choose that it is often difficult to make a decision as to where one wants to reside. Once you find your piece of paradise then you have a choice of renting or buying. The former gives you more flexibility if […]
Legislation to attract foreign pensioners and Rentiers is on its way to getting approved
In March 1992, a change in the pensionado law eliminated many tax privileges retirees had enjoyed since the program started in 1964. Under the old system, foreigners with official pensionado or rentista (permanent retiree) status were required to live in the country four months a year. They were entitled to […]