Relocation to a new country can be a daunting task. Not doing the correct research can most often mean the difference between success and failure. According to unofficial statistics, forty percent of the expats who move here return home. Why? There are a variety of scenarios based on what I […]
The whales tail at low tide is just one of the natural wonders my guests can see on my Combination Beach and Central Valley tours. Another sight to behold is the sunset from the Hotel Mariposa high above Manuel Antonio. Both have to be seen to be believed. I never […]
Costa Rica is world famous for its natural wonders. One of the guests on my monthly relocation tours referred to the country as a “nature lover’s Disneyland.” He was spot on in that there are scores of activities for nature lovers found here. Costa Rica’s national parks are just one […]
Christopher Howard has just finished updating the new 19th edition of his 750-page guidebook, “The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica — the official guide to relocation.” Like all of Howard’s other works, this new edition will by published by his company, Costa Rica Books S.A. The book […]
When I lived in my home state of California many moons ago I frequently travelled from my home in San Francisco to see my friends and family in Los Angeles. On the average the trip was about 7 or 8 hours depending on which route I took. The trip between […]
Recently, I wrote an article about the many different types of ceviche that are served in Costa Rica. To familiarize themselves with Costa Rica’s unique culture expats should sample as many of the local foods as possible. As I alluded to in my last article on the subject, “In Costa Rica ceviche or ceviche is a […]
From time to time I like to write about different kinds of Costa Rican foods, so that current and future expats can become familiar with the country’s culture. In Costa Rica ceviche or cebiche is a seafood dish typically made from raw fish cured in lemon or lime juice, and flavored with salt, cilantro, […]
This is a subject that I have written about repeatedly and can make the difference between success or failure while living here. During the last 41 years I have had the chance to observe many North Americans who pass themselves off as experts on Costa Rica. Most work in real […]
In the greater metropolitan area of the Central Valley there is basically no room to grow because of the lack of available horizontal space. The urban sprawl now extends from San José to Heredia in the north, to Escazú and Santa Ana in the west and to Curridabat and to […]
International Living’s annual Global Retirement Index compares, contrasts, ranks, and rates 25 countries across 10 categories. “All over the planet, we’ve identified friendly, good-value, warm-weather escapes where you could effectively upgrade your life—places where it’s possible to live better, but spend less. For many expats, that’s the end goal. “Even […]
