Blog Posts About Life in Costa Rica Expert time-tested advice on how to live, retire and invest in Costa Rica.
Most Veterans can get their medical needs met in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place for veterans to live. The country boasts the largest percentage of expats in Latin America, almost ten percent of the country comes from other places. Costa Rica has year-round spring-like weather, a stable democracy (the oldest one in Latin America), good healthcare, a multitude of outdoor activities, and a relatively low […]
Historically, Costa Rica is much safer than other so-called retirement havens in Latin America
Let’s look at Mexico: Supposedly, over 1 million Americans are living in Mexico many of whom are retirees from the U.S. and Canada. Although very few are victims of violent crime, they live in a country where wanton violence is an everyday occurrence. More than 500,000 people have died as […]
The Limitations of Border Runs
(and why they should NOT be a common practice) While border runs may provide temporary solutions for individuals seeking to extend their stay in Costa Rica, it is important to consider the limitations and potential drawbacks associated with this practice. This essay explores why border runs should not be a […]
Healthcare Issues: Local medical discount programs
Expats may find it important that two local healthcare provider systems, Hospital Clinica Biblica and Hospital Metropolitano, offer cost-saving plans for their clients. Both programs, for a small monthly fee, extend discounts on many healthcare services, including doctor visits, lab services, some medical procedures, pharmacies, and much more. If you […]
Pet culture and stray dogs in Costa Rica
Until recently, dogs were not part of most families in Costa Rica, nor was there any pet culture at all. Now, almost everyone has one or more pets at home. Some years ago, people were complaining that in their condominiums, dog owners wouldn’t clean up the poop their dogs leave behind. This […]
Would you trade a Rolex for a Casio?
Costa Rica versus Panamá Shakira is a world-famous Latin American singer from Barranquilla, Colombia. Recently she broke up with her soccer star husband Gerard Piqué because he had an affair with a younger woman behind her back. Still recovering from the break-up, Shakira vented her feelings about Piqué and his […]
How to Become a Citizen of Costa Rica
Many persons are not aware that a few years ago the government of Costa Rica changed the rules to make it easier for expats to become citizens. The process is now fairly simple and is similar to obtaining residency (something that needs to be done first.) What are the advantages […]
15+ Smart Steps to Renting a Home in Costa Rica
I always do a fly-over of the topic of renting in Costa Rica in my presentation at the ARCR Seminars, but because I know quite a few El Residente readers are renting, as will many future ARCR members, I decided to write this more in-depth article. Now you probably say […]
Thoughts about the Cost of Living in Costa Rica
I just received an inquiry from someone who was thinking about moving here but changed his mind because of the high cost of living. A key factor is the fact that the dollar’s strength has fallen here. First, the latter is not a permanent situation. Costa Rica has always artificially […]
San José is not what some people say
Recently, I received a message from someone who expressed interest in taking one of my monthly relocation tours. In his letter, the gentleman stated why he was reluctant to move to Costa Rica at this time. He stated bluntly that “San José is a pit.” He is not the first […]