Blog Posts About Life in Costa Rica Expert time-tested advice on how to live, retire and invest in Costa Rica.
How expats can avoid boredom by taking advantage of all that Costa Rica has to offer
The other day I was talking to an expat friend who is very well off financially. He has a beautiful home and a new Costa Rican wife and stepdaughter. Nevertheless, he complained that he has too much time on his hands and gets bored easily. Interestingly, he has lived here […]
We live better in Costa Rica than we did in the U.S. – here’s how much it costs
A couple of weeks ago I published an article about how a single person can survive on $1,200 per month. Indeed, it is possible with a little self-discipline. The article below exemplifies how a couple from the States and their children can live in a tropical setting with less and […]
Can a single live on $1200 a month in Costa Rica?
Yes! I know many foreigners who are doing it. The most important factor in living on a low budget is knowing how to do it. Numbeo is the world’s largest cost of living database. It collects crowd-sourced data that accumulates into insights into various aspects of life in different cities […]
Expats can now discover the world of bees (abejas)
In previous articles, I have written about many activities to stay busy and happy while living here. It seems like every week there is something new to do in Costa Rica. The Tour de la miel (honey tour) is interesting, fun, and educational for people of all ages. One experiences […]
Why Costa Rica is the Best Place to Retire in 2024?
That pura vida vibe makes Costa Rica the perfect home away from home. Maybe it’s the pristine tropical beaches, the eternal spring-like weather in the Central Valley, the fact it (Nicoya to be exact) is home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, the volcanic energy coursing through its ground, […]
Is it still safe to live in or visit Costa Rica?
In order to answer this question correctly and objectively, I need to put everything into its proper perspective. During the 40 plus years that I have lived in Costa Rica it has been branded and to some extent labeled as a “tropical paradise.” Even the national motto, pura vida, reinforces […]
A couple of important traffic laws for expats and tourists
From time to time, I like to keep people informed about traffic laws in Costa Rica. Being aware of these rules can help avoid getting a ticket (parte) and fine (multa) and even having one’s license plate confiscated. So, if you are illegally parked you can have your car’s places […]
Expats should know that there are health food stores in Costa Rica
Costa Rica does have health food stores called Macrobiótica that can be found all over the country. These establishments have an ample variety of vitamins, supplements and natural products like medicinal herbs. All you have to do to locate one, is to look on line or take a walk around […]
Costa Rica vs. Colombia (Medellín) as a Retirement or Relocation Destination
– basically, you get what you pay for. Costa Rica has been “the” expat relocation haven for more than thirty years and for good reason. But Medellín, Colombia has become the “new kid on the block “for some expats. Why? First and foremost is the cost of living in Colombia, […]
Expats can now savor more and more foods and goodies from home
Once you relocate to Costa Rica you will notice the abundance of affordable fresh foods and vegetables at the many weekend farmers markets. In addition, there many unique local food products sold here and a whole gamut of Costa Rican and international restaurants from which to choose. When I moved […]