Ahhh! What a headache it can be to just think about buying a car in Costa Rica. Between simply finding a car, a lawyer, rtv, marchamo, and deciding whether to buy from a dealer or an individual you may think bringing your own car may be simpler. The truth is it probably isn’t simpler.
If you don’t have residency yet and you leave Costa Rica every three months then bringing your car may work out for you, for a while. So long as you are on a tourist visa your car will be attached to that visa, meaning when you leave the country that car needs to leave with you. However if you are planning on becoming a resident Read more
Choice? What Choice? It’s just ICE, right? Wrong. As of June 2, 2011 Ice is not the only player in the cell service game. Tuyo is the first private cell service provider in the country, offering new phones and a variety of services. This new company has been widely accepted and well received by consumers and has finally created much needed competition in the market. After Tuyo’s great start, ICE felt the pressure and launched a Father’s Day sale. Purchase ¢ 10, 000 in Kolbi Prepago minutes and get a free phone. In the past there was no need for sales. ICE had no competition. The introduction of Tuyo in May and Movistar and Claro in December has pushed ICE Read more
Will I be able to find the things I like? Where is it safe to buy meat and vegetables? These and other questions are common concerns when relocating to Costa Rica. It takes time to get acquainted with what’s available in your town and where you get the most bang for your buck. A particular challenge is purchasing meat and vegetables.
Most supermarkets have both a meat and produce sections but they are often less than stellar. Also the selection may be very limited and unfamiliar. Meat is almost as expensive as it is in developed countries but the quality is usually better. Most cows in Costa Rica are range fed, which makes for safer, better quality meat. While Read more
Green lush forests, colorful exotic animals, towering volcanoes and a variety of other landscapes have made Costa Rica a top destination for nature retreats and eco-tourism. Also growing in popularity are Nature and Wellness Spas. These havens perfectly combine rest, indulgence and adventure. Pamper yourself in a truly healthy environment, surrounded by pristine forests and wildlife.
Samasati is a nature retreat spa located just outside the Cahuita National Park, about an hour from the Panama border. Bungalows and guest houses are located deep in the tropical forest. A variety of scrubs, wraps, exfoliation, reflexology and massages are available at the full service Samasati Spa. One-hour treatments at the spa cost $85USD. Yoga packages include yoga classes, a spa treatment, Read more
When a country exports coffee, sometimes all that’s left for the locals is the worst in the crop. That’s not the case in Costa Rica. If you live in Costa Rica you can still get the good stuff and good prices. What’s the best? What are the prices? That’s all up to you but here’s some of the local brands.
Most supermarkets carry the big Costa Rican name brands: Cafe 1820, Cafe Rey, Volio, Cafe Montaña, Yodito and Cafe Maravilloso. Most of these coffees cost around $3 per ½ kilo at the supermarket. Some supermarkets carry the whole bean coffee which can be a better deal. You can buy a 4-kilo bag of Cafe Montaña whole bean for $8. There’s Read more
Heredia is known as La ciudad de las Flores. Why? There’s two stories. One is that all of Heredia’s women are as beautiful as flowers. The other story is that due to its nearly perfect climate, flowers are always in full bloom. Personally, I believe both may be true.
The city of Heredia (usually referred to by locals as Heredia Centro), is the capital of the province by the same name. Heredia Centro is one of Costa Rica’s larger cities, similar to San Jose in size but more laid-back. The center of town is of course Parque Central, which is surrounded by old colonial buildings now used as government offices, as well as restaurants and shops. A short walk Read more
Black Friday has come and gone and with it began the dreaded holiday season. If scrambling at the last minute to try to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list is the last thing you want to do then this article is for you. Find the best local and designer stores in the country, shop online or send packages to your friends and family back home. It’s all easier than you think.
Multiplaza Escazu is located on the road to Santa Ana in San Jose. Here you’ll find your favorite designers like Bisou Bisou, Carolina Herrera, Kenneth Cole, Givenchy, Hugo Boss and Salvatore Ferragamo. Amongst the many other shops there’s Del Rio leather shop, the Apple store, Read more
Jaco is famous as Costa Rica’s wildest party beach. The beach at Jaco isn’t great for swimming – it’s too rough. The waves are big, and have called to surfers all around the world for years. Nearby Playa Hermosa has some of the best waves in the country for surfing, and a black sand beach. There is now an annual surf tournament at Playa Hermosa. When the surfers are done for the day, the party begins at night. If you’re looking for young partying surfers and backpackers, foreigners and Costa Ricans coming down from the city, then Jaco is where you want to be. Lots of celebrities choose Jaco as a vacation spot. You never know who you might Read more
While you are here you may find that want to bring part of Costa Rica back with you. How can you do that without breaking the bank? Where should you go to find the highest quality of souvenirs from local artisans and painters? The are two places in Costa Rica that are perfect to find anything from trinkets for your friends or the perfect art piece to bring part of Costa Rica into your home.
The Mercado Central (Central Market) is literally at the heart of San Jose and it’s a perfect place to observe daily Costa Rican life. It’s located at between avenues central and 1 and Calles 6 and 8, occupying a whole block. Inside you’ll Read more
When I first got to Costa Rica many foreigners told me that I needed to buy a dehumidifier. I didn’t really see the importance since I was home a lot at first and I didn’t notice any problems with mold. Then one week I left for only four days and upon arriving back home I found mold had grown on all my clothes, wood, couches and basically anything made of cloth. After that I decided to get myself a dehumidifier and it has been a life saver and a killer.
One reason I love the dehumidifier is I noticed when I mopped the house the water would not dry on the floors, now with the dehumidifier I don’t have that
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