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Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica With a handful of state-owned banks and around 20 private commercial banks, there is no lack of options if you're ... more >

Relocation Hotspot: Arenal - Costa Rica

Relocation Hotspot: Arenal Given the area's appeal and amenities, both La Fortuna and Nuevo Arenal are surprisingly affordable. more >

10 Tips for Buying Real Estate - Costa Rica

10 Tips for Buying Real Estate Our top home buying tips to avoid common pitfalls when buying Costa Rican real estate. more > Costa Rica on the Cheap Though my husband and I counted colones, for $850 per month, we were able to afford a nice three-bedroom home in a great... more >

How to Get a Cell Phone - Costa Rica

How to Get a Cell Phone Cell phones are very popular in Costa Rica, though the service costs more than a fixed land line. There are three ways ... more >

Taxi Tale: Lost & Found - Costa Rica

Taxi Tale: Lost & Found In a moment of forgetfulness, my friend left his camera in the car -- and we hadn't a clue as to the vehicle's make, ... more > Child-Friendly Costa Rica Parenthood is considered an important responsibility in Costa Rica, and parents are given preference. On the bus, they ... more > Getting a Prepaid Cell Phone At the start of 2010, ICE (Costa Rica’s Electricity Institute) rolled out the nation’s first prepaid cell phone service.... more > Etiquette in Costa Rica The Costa Rican culture is a gentle, friendly one with its own curious courtesies. It is a non-confrontational, slower-... more > Opening a Business in Costa Rica Owning a corporation affords you many benefits, even if you do not have Costa Rican residency. more > Gallo Pinto & Arroz Con Leche I remember the first time I bit into a juicy mango, how the juices ran down my fingers as I devoured the sweet fruit. ... more > Costa Rica's Medical Tourism Medical vacations combine surgical procedures with pampered escapes, often at comfortable recovery centers or hotels. ... more > Tips on Driving in Costa Rica With kamikaze drivers and unpredictable road conditions, driving here is often described as an adventure sport in ... more >

Natural Parenting in Costa Rica - Costa Rica

Natural Parenting in Costa Rica From cloth diapers to breastfeeding, we are bringing up our baby naturally in Costa Rica. more > Taking Public Transportation When I moved to Costa Rica, I was excited by the prospect of yes, public transportation. I couldn't wait to ditch my car... more >

E-Voting Info for American Expats - Costa Rica

E-Voting Info for American Expats American expats: learn where and how to vote in the 2012 elections and make a difference. more > Health Insurance Options Many expats in Costa Rica protect themselves from potential financial disaster by purchasing health insurance coverage ... more >

Going Green While Keeping Clean - Costa Rica

Going Green While Keeping Clean Cleaning with natural, eco-friendly products in Costa Rica is easy, convenient and affordable. When I discovered my ... more > Dental Tourism is on the Rise From root canals to tooth whitening, you'll find dentistry in Costa Rica incredibly affordable. more >

The Glorious Green Season - Costa Rica

The Glorious Green Season In most of Costa Rica, a typical day during the green season begins with clear skies and rain by early afternoon. ... more >

4th of July Celebrations - Costa Rica

4th of July Celebrations The Fourth of July is an exciting celebration for Americans in Costa Rica. Here's a look at this year's major events ... more >

Teaching in Costa Rica - Costa Rica

Teaching in Costa Rica Exactly two years ago, I came to Costa Rica to teach English as a Second Language to 7th-11th graders in one of ... more > Bringing Your Pet to Costa Rica When I moved to Costa Rica, I brought my beloved cat with me. He quickly adapted to his new home, enjoying the constant ... more > Changing Seasons in Costa Rica It’s a typical January morning in Costa Rica’s Central Valley: gloriously sunny and full of possibility. The dry season ... more > Golfito Duty Free Zone: Purchase Up to $2000 a Year The small, south Pacific town of Golfito is a boon for expats setting up house, upgrading electronics, or expanding ... more > Baby Boomer Retirement A cool breeze wafts through my house and it's completely silent except for the chirp of a rufous-collared sparrow ... more > Brewing Coffee with a Chorreador I've sampled dozens of varieties and can heartily confirm this well-deserved reputation for rich java. For a traditional... more > You Know You're a Local When Moving to another country is an exciting adventure. There are so many new experiences and customs that require ... more > Fruit of the Month: Rambutan The first time I saw a rambutan at the farmers' market, I did a double take and wondered aloud, "What is that?" The ... more > Riteve (Revision Tecnica) Advice for Car Owners Tips and advice on the Revision Tecnica, commonly known as the Riteve -- a mandatory inspection for all vehicles in ... more > Relocation Hotspot: Escazu For many expats, Escazu is a home away from home, offering American-style amenities and services. more > Fruit of the Month: Papaya Costa Rica's tropical soil yields some of the largest, most sumptuous papaya this side of the Rio Grande. This exotic ... more > Fruit of the Month: Avocado One of nature’s superfoods, avocados come in many sizes, colors and flavors. The rich and creamy fruit is technically ... more > Costa Rica World's Happiest Country With excellent health care and a high quality of life coupled with moderate cost of living, it’s no wonder Costa Rica ... more > Music Scene in Costa Rica Music is a staple of Costa Rican life, so it comes as no surprise that local papers constantly announce visiting ... more > Central Valley Day Trips If you've just relocated to the Central Valley, you're a short distance from glorious orchid gardens, verdant coffee ... more > Border Crossing: Nicaragua by Boat Riding in a Costa-Rican long-tail boat up the Frio River watching howler monkeys and enjoying the cool breeze didn't ... more > Fruit of the Month: Jocote Tart and delicious, the jocote fruit is in season from August to September in Costa Rica. more > Netflix Launches in Costa Rica On September 12, Netflix will launch its movie and TV streaming service in Costa Rica. more > Tips for Driving the Caldera Highway Using the Caldera Highway, you can zip from San Jose to the Pacific coast in about an hour. Follow these tips for a ... more > Falling in Love with Tres Leches Tres leches is a delectable dessert made with 3 types of milk: evaporated, condensed and heavy cream. more > New 1,000 and 2,000 CRC Bills The colorful new 1,000 and 2,000 CRC bills will phase out the older notes by September 1, 2011. more > Fruit of the Month: Soursop Here in the tropics, soursop can grow to massive proportions: the spiky green fruit often weighs in at more than five ... more > Staying Healthy in Costa Rica From venomous snakes to dengue fever, follow these tips to stay healthy in Costa Rica. more > Exploring the Central Valley If you've just relocated to the Central Valley, you're a short distance from glorious orchid gardens, verdant coffee ... more > Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Costa Rica Costa Rica’s stable democracy, cost of living, and excellent healthcare are major draws for retirees. more > Health Care Options A look at the pros and cons of Costa Rica's public and private health care systems. more > Having a Baby in Costa Rica Interview with Emma, age 28, who welcomed a son in Costa Rica's public hospital this past September. more > Costa Rica's Evolving Technologies From high-speed Internet to 4G cell phone service, Costa Rica's communications have rapidly improved. more > Costa Rica's Natural Remedies Before moving to Costa Rica, the closest I'd been to a natural remedy was applying pressure between my thumb and index ... more > Health Benefits of Coffee Enjoy each sip of your delicious Costa Rican coffee – it just might help you live longer! more > The Craft Beer Festival Experience It was an afternoon of cheerful, ale-infused camaraderie at the country’s first ever Craft Beer Festival. more >

A Look Back: Tamarindo, Six Months Later - Costa Rica

A Look Back: Tamarindo, Six Months Later When I moved to Tamarindo – a buzzing beach town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast – back in January, I made a resolution to... more > Naturalized Costa Rican Citizenship by Marriage Naturalized citizenship through marriage to a Costa Rican is surprisingly easy to obtain. more > Relocation Hotspot: The Orosi Valley The Orosi Valley is a picturesque place to call home, with cool temperatures year-round, affordable real estate, and ... more > Fruit of the Month: Cas In Costa Rica, ripe cas fruit is almost exclusively used for drinks, due to its tart flavor. more > Relocation Hotspot: Jaco Just over an hour from San Jose, Jaco is an easy Pacific escape for city dwellers and relocating expats. The town’s ... more > Cartago Plans New Bike Paths Cartago is planning the country's first system of bike paths, dedicated solely for cyclists. more > Planning a Wedding in Costa Rica While your wedding will be blissful, planning can be hectic. Getting married in Costa Rica involves finding a venue, ... more > Renting a Home in Costa Rica My best advice to new arrivals is to rent first. Costa Rica has an array of microclimates and distinct communities, and ... more > Pura Vida: The Ease of Living When making plans for relocation, most people consider cost of living, but what we often fail to factor is the joy and ... more > The Top 5 Reasons I love living in Tamarindo Writing down 10 reasons why I love living in Tamarindo – a small beach town in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region – would be... more > Relocation Hotspot: Liberia Liberia is known for its quiet, dusty streets lined with stately houses bleached white from the fiery sun. The town is ... more > Relocation Hotspot: Santa Ana Home to verdant mountains and constant breezes, Santa Ana is celebrated for its weather, outdoor activities, and ... more > Getting Married in Costa Rica We said our “I do’s” and then posed for wedding photos beside a roaring waterfall. It was a beautiful ceremony and a ... more > Buying a Used Car in Costa Rica After three years of traveling Costa Rica by public transportation, I purchased a 4WD vehicle. I wanted to explore; to ... more > Protecting the kinkajous in Manuel Antonio They found the kinkajou curled up in a cardboard box with a parakeet dropped at the doorstep of the animal rescue ... more > Ten Reasons to Live in the Central Valley My top 10 reasons for living in Costa Rica's Central Valley. more > Learning Spanish at Rancho Margot We found a smooth boulder to set down our things beside the riverbank. The morning light warmed my skin as I began my ... more > Fruit of the Month: Mamey Sapote My first encounter with the mamey sapote, or zapote, was at the farmers’ market in Zapote. Oblong, brown fruits sat ... more > 10 Tips for Successful Relocation Practical tips for new expats to successfully adapt to life in Costa Rica. more > 10 Unusual Things I Love About Costa Rica In our continued posts on what we love about Costa Rica, I want to include some of life’s different pleasures that I’ve ... more > Fruit of the Month: Star Apple Sometimes called cainito, aguay, or milk fruit, the star apple is known as caimito in Costa Rica. more > Costa Rica's Tropical Libations Costa Rica's tropical fruits offer a tantalizing cornucopia of lip-smacking smoothies, juices and cocktails. more > Common Misconceptions about Costa Rica A look at some common misconceptions about life and living in Costa Rica. more > Where to Get English-Language Books Our recommendations for finding English-language books and magazines in Costa Rica. more > Travel Photography Exposed A room and spa treatments at a four-star resort were a dream for an ESL teacher on a meager salary, so when a freelance ... more > Relocation Hotspot: San Pedro Home to the University of Costa Rica, San Pedro is one of San Jose's hippest spots for the young and young-at-heart. ... more > Fruit of the Month: Cacao The cacao plant was once considered a valuable currency among Meso-American cultures. Covered in a sweet, creamy pulp, ... more > Thanksgiving in Costa Rica Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated American holidays in Costa Rica. more > Cell Phone Service Options Cells phones are extremely popular in Costa Rica. The government telecommunications monopoly maintains three cell phone ... more > Border Hopping Relocating to another country is a monumental decision. Before making the plunge, many choose to visit Costa Rica on a ... more > Learning Spanish in Costa Rica You can live in Costa Rica without speaking Spanish, but I recommend learning the basics. The benefits? Daily tasks are ... more > Cell Phone Savvy: How to Use A Cell Walk down any street in Costa Rica, and you'll see people chatting on cell phones, texting friends, or surfing the ... more >

Laura Chinchilla Takes Office - Costa Rica

Laura Chinchilla Takes Office Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica's first female president-elect, will take power tomorrow, on May 8, 2010. The historic ... more > Shopping: The Price of Paradise The general rule for cost of living in Costa Rica is that services are inexpensive and imported goods are costly. Just ... more > Costa Rica's Public Health System Costa Rica's public health system has its pros and cons; here are some tips to facilitate your next visit. more > Costa Rican Directions: Finding Your Way A Costa Rican address often begins with an important landmark, and since most streets have no common name and houses are... more > Semana Santa Easter Traditions The week leading up to Easter Sunday, known as Semana Santa in Costa Rica, is one of the country’s most important ... more > Relocation Hotspot: Alajuela Renowned for its friendly residents and relaxed vibe, Alajuela feels like a big city masquerading as a small town. ... more > Gardening in Costa Rica Costa Rica's rich soil and moderate climate make it easy to grow colorful flowers and hearty produce– you just have to ... more > Cultural Quirks of Costa Rica Ten interesting and unusual facts about life and living in Costa Rica. more > Reality TV Comes to Costa Rica Reality shows have touched down in the land of pura vida, bringing the natural beauties of Costa Rica to the small ... more > Pet Adoption in Costa Rica If you are thinking about making an addition to your family, I encourage you to contact local vets, adoption ... more > You've got mail Costa Rica's telecommunications industry is rapidly evolving as more people go online for both work and play. If your ... more > Costa Rican Holiday Traditions With the local traditions of food, family and fun, Christmas is one of the most joyous times of the year in Costa Rica. more > Relocation Hotspot: Grecia Grecia, the cleanest city in Central America, offers mountain landscapes, affordable living and lots of small town ... more > New Wind Farms for Sustainable Energy Costa Rica forges a path toward sustainable energy with several new wind farm projects. more > Top Reasons to Invest in Costa Rica Get the most out of your dollars in Costa Rica, Latin America’s safest country for foreign investment. more > Relocation Hotspot: Naranjo Situated in the Espirito Santo Hills, Naranjo enjoys spring-like temperatures throughout the year. more > Options for International Calls Before moving to Costa Rica, my friends and family were very concerned with how we would keep in touch. I soon ... more > Foodies Guide to Costa Rican Sodas Try typical Costa Rican cuisine at a soda, a family-run restaurant that serves up delightful meals at low prices. more > Fruit of the Month: Inca Berry The Inca berry-- known as uchuva in Costa Rica-- delivers a sweet burst of flavor followed by a tart finish. more > Fruit of the Month: Plantain A staple on most Costa Rican tables, plantains can be served as both savory and sweet dishes. more > A Twist on Costa Rican Cuisine Emma's ceviche recipes, both excellent served with a light salad of fresh greens. more > Imported Food Items in Costa Rica I adore the local cuisine in Costa Rica, but like most long-term expats I get a hankering for a taste of home (or the ... more >

Costa Rica Finally Goes Smoke Free - Costa Rica

Costa Rica Finally Goes Smoke Free Costa Rica recently passed legislation effectively banning smoking in all public places. more > Relocation Hotspot: Heredia Nestled between picturesque Barva Volcano and urban San Jose, Heredia is the land of coffee-dappled countryside and city... more > Costa Rica’s Best Cheap Eats With local dishes steeped in tradition, fabulous produce, and access to fresh seafood everywhere you go, the food in ... more > Backyard Surf Series on Hermosa Beach Saturdays at Hermosa Beach are a blast. Six- to eight-foot swells meet the beach breaks and crash on the volcanic mocha,... more > Top Ten Reasons I Love Living in Costa Rica Here's my top 10 list for those thinking about relocating to Costa Rica. more > Getting Residency Without a Lawyer Obtaining legal residency can be relatively stress-free and accomplished without a lawyer's assistance. more > Fruit of the Month: Mangoes Costa Rican mangoes are rich and juicy – like biting into a velvety fruit covered in mild honey sauce. Native to India, ... more > Making Friends in Costa Rica When I arrived in Costa Rica, I had three priorities: hail a taxi, unpack my bags, and find some food. Soon, a new ... more > A Different Kind of Easter Easter in Costa Rica is a religious affair and secular traditions are uncommon: visits from the Easter Bunny are rare. more > Top Ten Tips for New Expats Your first few days living in Costa Rica are a special time, one in which everything is new and exciting. Make these ... more > Fruit of the Month: Guaba Learn all about the pacay, a sweet delicacy known as guaba in Costa Rica. more > How to Eat a Pipa The sweet water from green coconuts is one of Costa Rica's most delectable treats, and good for you too! more > Fruit of the Month: Passion Fruit Before moving to Costa Rica, I had never seen a passion fruit's seedy pod. Today, it is one of my all-time favorite ... more > Life in the Monteverde Countryside Roxana has loved animals since she was a girl growing up on one of Santa Elena's original farms. I sat with her sipping ... more > DIMEX Cards Required for Banking In July 2012, Costa Rican banks will require all legal residents to present their DIMEX ID card to conduct banking ... more > Relocation Hotspot: San Ramon Located less than an hour from San Jose, San Ramon lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: a mountain town boasting a ... more > Going to the Movies in Costa Rica One of the great things about going to the movies in Costa Rica is affordability – gone are days of $20 for tickets. ... more > 2011 Halloween in Costa Rica Halloween has gained in popularity in Costa Rica; check out these Central Valley parties and events. more > San Jose's New Address System In July 2010, the Municipality of San Jose announced plans to integrate the country's first planned address system, ... more > Retiring on Social Security How much can you really save by retiring in Costa Rica? For many baby boomers, the question isn’t what you can save, ... more > New Chinatown in San Jose San Jose's Student Avenue, known as the Paseo de los Estudiantes, will soon be known by another name: Chinatown. more > Electric Cars in Costa Rica Costa Rica became one of the first countries in the region to offer residents a choice of several electric car models. more > Fruit of the Month: Starfruit Starfruit, also known as carambola, combines both sweet and tart notesreminiscent of apples, pineapples and even lemons. more > Being Vegetarian in Costa Rica Options for vegetarians and organic foodies are growing in Costa Rica. more > Getting Fit at Affordable Prices Getting in shape is fun and affordable in Costa Rica's gyms and fitness centers. more > Fruit of the Month: Breadfruit Breadfruit is often served as a savory dish, either fried alone or mixed with meat, vegetables, herbs and spices. more > Independence Day in Costa Rica Parades, national pride and a spirit of community mark Costa Rica's Independence Day. more > Receiving Mail in Costa Rica New arrivals from the United States, Canada and Europe are often surprised that Costa Ricans do not rely heavily on the ... more > Live Longer in Costa Rica The facts are in: if you are middle-aged and live in Costa Rica, you are more apt to reach a healthy 90 years of age ... more > A Ride on the Urban Train I couldn't wait to take the Urban Train, the Greater Metropolitan Area's commuter rail. Since the Heredia-San Jose route... more > Live Like a Local & Keep Costs Down The most important factor in determining your cost of living is your lifestyle. more > Culture Shock in Costa Rica As you delve into a foreign culture, you’ll soon realize that everyday life has changed in unexpected ways. A bit of ... more > Medical Tourism in Guanacaste In 2011, the northwestern province of Guanacaste will open the region's newest private hospital – a cutting-edge CIMA. more > New Bills Go Into Circulation In April 2010, the Costa Rican Central Bank announced its new lineup of national bills. Six new bills, including ... more > Relocation Hotspot: Rohrmoser Home to tree-lined boulevards, upscale shopping, and famous residents, Rohrmoser is an ideal place to live. more > The Passenger's Seat: Taking Taxis If you ask me, it's no coincidence that the words car-free and carefree look similar. I have always preferred being a ... more > Top Five Reasons I Love Costa Rica Living Everyone has reasons for falling in love with Costa Rica. For me, the following five factors of Costa Rica living have ... more > Costa Rica's Coffee Culture In Costa Rica, coffee is known as the “golden bean,” a moniker that touches on the plant’s contribution to the local ... more > Starting an Herb Garden Enjoy fresh, aromatic herbs straight from your own garden with these easy steps. more > Benefits of Moving to Costa Rica Costa Rica is the land of "pura vida,” -- a country with no army, amazing natural beauty, eco-friendly policies, and a ... more > Feeling at Home in Costa Rica This morning I drank gourmet coffee that cost $2.50 a pound, and yesterday I dug slippery globes out from furry red ... more > Finding Work in Costa Rica Many share the dream of living and working in Costa Rica. As you would with any major life decision, do your research ... more > Health Benefits of Noni Around the world, noni is renowned as a medicinal plant, and is often called nature's healer. more > Moving to Costa Rica: Taking the Plunge After college, I didn't know what to do with my life -- but Costa Rica was always a possibility. In 2007, I signed up ... more > Getting the Best Exchange Rate In Costa Rica, cash equals discounts and it's not uncommon to find vendors who don't accept credit cards. Cash is also ... more > Useful Slang & Expressions For a country the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of idioms, street slang, and country-... more > Fruit of the Month: Pejibaye What fruit tastes like a cross between roasted chestnuts and a perfectly buttered baked potato? The wonderfully unique ... more > Cell Phone Market Opens An open cell phone market equals great news for tourists and new arrivals. more > Relocation Hotspot: Atenas My hometown is a slice of quintessential small town Costa Rica. Located on the western edge of the Central Valley, it's ... more > Costa Rica's Earthquakes Find out what you need to know about the country’s shakes and quakes. more > Moving Abroad with Children Costa Rica is an excellent choice for a family move abroad. This family-oriented society allows kids to make friends ... more > Cost of Living in Costa Rica If you're considering a move to Costa Rica, you’re probably wondering "how much will it cost me?" The good news is that ... more >

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