LIVE IN COSTA RICA is a time-proven company offering well-organized introductory trips from the United States for people interested in moving to Costa Rica. For more information, contact them toll-free at: 800-365-2342 E-mail: liveincostarica@cox.net or christopher@costaricabooks.com or see Live in Costa Rica. All trips are led by Christopher Howard, the author of this best-selling guidebook and renowned expert on living and doing business in Costa Rica. See Chapter 2 and this chapter for a sample itinerary.

LIVE IN COSTA RICA’S Blog,  is written by the author of this guidebook and a good source of information about life here.

RELOCATION AND RETIREMENT CONSULTANTS have helped newcomers find success and happiness in Costa Rica for more than 25 years. They offer an extensive network of contacts and insider information for potential residents and investors. See Live in Costa Rica or contact them at: SJO 981, P.O. Box 025216, Miami, FL 33102-5126, TOLL-FREE Tel: 877-884-2502, E-mail: crbooks@racsa.co.cr.

ARCR SEMINARS ON LIVING IN COSTA RICA are given once a month by the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR). Do not miss the opportunity to get informed about living in Costa Rica. The topics covered are: Costa Rican Laws and Regulations, Health Care System in Costa Rica, Real Estate (buying, selling and renting), Insurance in Costa Rica, Banking in Costa Rica, Moving and Customs, and Living and Retiring in Costa Rica. Call 2221-2053 or 2233-8068 or fax 2255-0061 for more information.

EL RESIDENTE is published by the ARCR and not for sale to the general public. If you join the association, your membership will include a bi-monthly copy of their newsletter.

TICO TRAVEL also offers trips to Costa Rica. Their trips are designed to introduce retirees, investors and entrepreneurs to the exciting opportunities that await them abroad.They remain committed to individual and high-quality service, offering un-biased information about Costa Rica. They offer shorter tailor-made tours for individuals, couples and small groups. Their trips are also led by Christopher Howard. Call toll-free 800 493-8426, Fax (954) 493-8466, E-Mail: tico@gate.net or see www.ticotravel.com.

YOUNG EXPATS OF COSTARICA (www.YoungExpatsOfCostaRica.org) is a social club for expatriates under the age of 40 living in Costa Rica.This club will help younger expatriates living in or moving to Costa Rica to meet other expats in their age group for friendship, romance, travel and activity partners, and professional networking.
The club’s primary organizing tool is the Yahoo Groups e-mail list/forum found at the club’s website. Members can use this list to coordinate social activities such as parties, movies, clubbing, trips and other outings, and to discuss issues of particular interest to younger singles, couples, and families, including Costa Rican colleges, ways to make a living here, dating and starting families in Costa Rica, etc. This is in contrast to other expat organizations, events and Internet forums in Costa Rica, which currently consist mostly of retirees and middle aged people and thus are more focused on topics of interest to older people.

Costa Rica Blogs

Reading blogs is an excellent source of information about Costa Rica. However, be forewarned that a lot of the blogs being published are nothing more then personal diaries and contain too much subjective information. The people behind them are neophytes and have not lived in the country long enough to dole out expert advice. Just try and glean pertinent information from their experiences. We don’t have the space in this guidebook to list all of the blogs containing information about Costa Rica. The two below are excellent.

Live in Costa Rica Blog is renowned author, Christopher Howard’s personal blog. It contains dozens of articles related to living, retiring and investing in Costa Rica. The author shares his experiences and anecdotes about life here.

Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties Blog is a very informative blog about living in Costa Rica and the many aspects of purchasing and owning property. Robert Shannon is the author of most of the articles and is one of the most astute real estate experts in the country. He has spent almost twenty years as a successful developer, consultant, broker, salesman and is the principal behind www.costaricaretirementvacationproperties.com, which is one of the top companies in the region.