Travelers to Costa Rica are often informed that hotels and restaurants add a percentage (usually 10%) onto your bill which serves as the tip for the employees. Technically, this is true. A 10% fee is usually added onto the end of your bill as gratuity and technically once you’ve paid your bill, you’ve paid the tip.
However, what you may not be told is that the tip you are leaving isn’t going straight to the waitress or the maid. It is getting split up amongst all the employees – the cook, the busboy, and even upper management! So, while your waitress will get some sort of a tip for her hard work in running back and forth from your table Read more
There are a ton of different ways to go about getting information regarding traveling to and living in Costa Rica. But how do you know the information is reliable? Plenty of you have e-mailed asking for information, but as you know… I don’t always find the time to answer, and sometimes I just don’t have the answers! I can, however, connect you with the people who do have the answers!
I, together with all the other Gringo writers (see my blogroll for affiliate sites) have worked to create a database that puts you in contact with the people you need to reach in Panama (and Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and more!)
If you are looking for legal services, real Read more
“Where in the world am I?” If you don’t have GPS this is a question you will be asking yourself time and again as you travel around Costa Rica. Costa Rica, like many foreign, countries doesn’t really have many street signs, especially out of town, so then the question arises: how do you find your way around?
We use a system developed in Costa Rica called PPS (People Positioning System). To use this system, if you have rented a car you will first need to pull over where you see a group of people standing around and ask. (Don’t worry, throughout Costa Rica you will be able to eventually find someone that speaks English.) In general most Read more
Today I was looking through some pictures from my last trip to San Jose, and I stumbled across these of the CowParade cow sculptures. Although the Parade has officially ended, I never posted them up, and felt like they were the perfect addition to the blog today. They kind of make me laugh, and remind [...]
Today I was looking through some pictures from my last trip to San Jose, and I stumbled across these of the CowParade cow sculptures. Although the Parade has officially ended, I never posted them up, and felt like they were the perfect addition to the blog today. They kind of make me laugh, and remind me of the lively spirit of San Jose.
I had no idea the CowParade was such a big deal around the world, but it is! The event has been used to raise charity in many cities, and increase tourism, as it did for us here in San Jose, which for many serves as a stop-off point on their adventures through the rest of Costa Read more
As a trained Jazz musician I am also interested in seeking out Jazz clubs in the many countries I travel to and getting a feel for what each country considers to be Jazz. I especially like it when what is considered to be traditional Jazz is mixed in with the local flavors producing a new [...]
As a trained Jazz musician I am also interested in seeking out Jazz clubs in the many countries I travel to and getting a feel for what each country considers to be Jazz. I especially like it when what is considered to be traditional Jazz is mixed in with the local flavors producing a new fusion of sound that, when played by quality musicians, almost always sounds fantastic.
Now, if you are a Jazz snob and particular about keeping things in line (which is basically an oxymoron in the organized chaos of Jazz) visiting a Latin American Jazz club may not be the best way for you to spend an evening. However, if you, like me, enjoy watching musicians haphazardly play Read more
If you are thinking about relocating or retiring in Costa Rica, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when trying to decide where to live, and I’m talking in addition to finding something that fits into your budget. Sometimes people don’t think enough about what they need out of their surroundings, and what their personal preferences are.
You may automatically think that you want to live on the beach, but the temperatures in costal Costa Rica differ greatly from those in the interior. Also, the farther you get away from the main city of San José, the farther you are from cultural activities, such as museums and the symphony, and entertainment, such as movie Read more
If you are looking to settle down or at least have a nice vacation home in Costa Rica, there are a few things you need to do first. Even though ownership of land is protected by the law for locals and foreigners alike, it is good to contact the Costa Rican Chamber of Realtors, or AMCHA, as they have a great reputation for being honest. The Association of Residents in San Jose and a trust worthy lawyer are also great assets, as they can guide you through the process of obtaining land.
Deciding where to settle is a whole other issue. The province of San Jose is one of the most populated, with the neighborhoods of Santa Ana Read more
Costa Rica is famous for its carved wooden crafts. The problem is finding a shop that sells quality products without charging outrageous high-end art gallery prices. The solution comes in the way of Mot Mot, a shop located in the town Quepos.
Like many of the other shops in the area, Mot Mot sells a number of wood crafted products, including little animal sculptures, intricately carved boxes, and kitchen accessories. The shop is bursting with color; the crafters use yellows, reds, greens, blacks and purples in their crafts.
Whether you walk out with a wooden turtle or a cutting board, you are sure to have a great souvenir to keep or to give away. Although they
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