Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, and for senior expatriates, relocating to Costa Rica introduces unique challenges. The stunning landscapes, welcoming locals, and rich culture are enticing, but navigating the complexities of daily life can be overwhelming. This is where property management services step in, providing essential support for seniors looking to settle comfortably into their new community. The Challenges Senior Expats Face in Costa Rica Costa

Costa Rica has become one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America for foreign real estate investment. Democratic stability, strong legal institutions, and a robust system for the protection of private property have positioned the country as a reliable jurisdiction for international investors. From a legal standpoint, Costa Rica offers a particularly favorable framework for foreign individuals seeking to acquire real estate. Article 19 of the Costa Rican Constitut

The sun had just started climbing over the palms in Santa Cruz, the kind of sunrise that doesn’t rush you—just shows up, beautiful and calm, whether you’re ready or not. Skip sat at a small wooden table outside a soda near the beach. He held a cup of coffee firmly with both hands, staring into it like it might offer life advice. Once upon a time in Florida, mornings meant traffic reports, emails before breakfast, and arguing with red lights that clearly had it out for him. No

Christmas in Costa Rica doesn’t arrive with a shopping cart — it arrives with a chair pulled up to the table. Skip still remembers his early Christmases back in Florida. December meant calendars packed with obligations, traffic that tested patience, and a quiet, unspoken competition that hovered over every gathering. Gifts were wrapped beautifully, receipts tucked away “just in case,” and somewhere in the middle of it all, Skip often found himself exhausted by Christmas morni

Moving to Costa Rica? You'll quickly discover that Ticos are incredibly proud of their heroes—and knowing who they are helps you belong. Whether you're chatting with your gardener about last night's fútbol match or your housekeeper mentions her favorite singer, understanding these cultural icons transforms you from outsider to neighbor. Here are the people who shaped Costa Rica's identity—and why they still matter today. Leaders & Peacemakers Who Shaped a Nation Costa Rica di

Skip wiped a bit of powdered sugar off his shirt, spooned a bit of sweet cherries from the side of the plate and looked across the table at Teresita, and declared with full confidence,“Alright, I’m saying it. I’ve traveled, I’ve tried everything… but nothing—and I mean NOTHING—beats Tres Leches.” Teresita folded her arms, raised one eyebrow, and grinned.“Por supuesto, Skip. You finally understand something important in life. This is cultural growth. This is maturity. This is…

Have you ever wondered how to make REAL Costa Rican tamales like the ones served at Christmas in every Tico home? After our tamal-making adventure went viral last week, hundreds of you asked for the authentic recipe — and today, I'm sharing my family's traditional tamal recipe that's been passed down for generations! This isn't a quick recipe (fair warning!), but it's THE authentic way Costa Rican families make tamales for holidays and special celebrations. Grab your apron, c

Skip: Every December, I watch Costa Ricans gearing up for tamal season like it’s the culinary Super Bowl. I still don’t understand what triggers the frenzy. One minute everyone’s calm and living Pura Vida… the next minute they’re boiling pork at dawn and hoarding banana leaves like the apocalypse is coming. Teresita: Skip, you need to stop acting like tamales are some cute little snack. This is Christmas engineering. Making tamales is basically our version of NASA launch prep

"Mom, are you sure the doctors there are good?" "Dad, what if something happens and we're not there?" "How do we even know you're getting proper care?" If you're living in Costa Rica as an expat, you've probably heard these worried questions from your adult children or family members back home. And if you're the family member asking these questions — you're not alone. I hear from anxious families every single week. They lose sleep wondering if their loved one in Costa Rica

Skip’s Viewpoint: So apparently I’m not as relaxed as I thought. Back in Florida, I always considered myself a professional-level relaxer. I had a backyard hammock from Home Depot, and I sat in it two whole times—which, in my book, practically qualified me for the “Zen Master Lifetime Achievement Award.” But then Costa Rica happened. I moved down thinking I’d slide effortlessly into the Pura Vida groove. I pictured myself drinking coffee, watching toucans, swinging in my hamm

As someone who has helped dozens of expat families navigate Costa Rica's bureaucracy, I can tell you: DIMEX renewal is one of the most common sources of stress I see—and it's 100% preventable with the right information. I asked my trusted legal partner, Lic. Oscar Andrés López Hernández from Expat Legal Advisors, to break down everything you need to know. This is the guide I wish every expat had.

What if moving to Costa Rica could literally add years to your life? I'm not talking about wishful thinking or marketing hype. I'm talking about peer-reviewed research from Stanford University, National Geographic, and the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study. Right here in Guanacaste — where I live and work — the Nicoya Peninsula is one of only five "Blue Zones" in the entire world. These are places where people routinely live to 100 and beyond, not in nursing homes

The gardener who shows up three times then disappears. The pool guy who charges double what the neighbors pay. The housekeeper with "emergency family situations" every other week. The contractor whose "two-week project" enters month four with no end in sight. If you're an expat homeowner in Costa Rica, you've either experienced this nightmare yourself or heard horror stories from other expats at the weekly coffee meetup. After years of managing luxury properties for British E

You walk into a Costa Rica pharmacy with a pounding headache. You know exactly what you need — the same medication you've taken for 30 years back home. But when you ask for it, you're met with blank stares. "No tenemos eso." Sound familiar? You're not alone. Every week, I receive calls from frustrated expats who can't find their medications in Costa Rica. The truth is: Costa Rica pharmacies have most of the medications you need — they just go by different names. After 15+ yea

Living the Pura Vida lifestyle in Costa Rica comes with many perks, but it's important for expats to understand their tax obligations. Costa Rica's tax system is quite unique. It follows a territorial tax principle, meaning only income earned within Costa Rica is subject to taxation. Below we break down the key aspects of Costa Rican taxes for individuals and businesses, annual filing duties, and tips to stay compliant while enjoying paradise. Costa Rica's Territorial Tax Sys

Skip’s Viewpoint – The Expat From Florida Skip had lived in Florida long enough to know three things: Smiling at strangers makes them suspicious. Waving at strangers makes them more suspicious. Saying hello to strangers means you’re either running for office, crazy or selling something. So when Skip arrived in Costa Rica, he brought that same “don’t-make-eye-contact” philosophy with him. But it didn’t last long. One morning, he was wandering through a small mountain town, pr

Saying “YES” more often in Costa Rica is like discovering a hidden superpower. Skip's point of view For Skip, the proud expat adventurer from the USA, that magical little word has become his new favorite toy. Back home, the wildest thing he said “YES” to was ordering dessert on a weekday . But now he’s here in Costa Rica — where people say “YES” to last-minute beach trips, mystery foods, zip-lining through jungles, and dancing like nobody is watching (even though everyone mos

When I first helped a British couple navigate Costa Rica's healthcare system, they were shocked to discover their assumptions about accessing medical care were completely wrong. They'd read all the positive reviews—and yes, Costa Rica's healthcare is genuinely excellent—but no one had told them about the real-world experience  of getting it as a foreigner. After years of managing healthcare logistics for dozens of expat families, I want to give you the unfiltered truth. Why C

In Costa Rica, the Abuela isn’t just a sweet older lady who hands out cookies. No, no, no… she is the sun around which the entire family orbits! She’s the leader of the pack, the CEO of the household, the undisputed referee of every family disagreement and the master chef whose secret recipes are taken straight from the heavens. If you think the President is in charge, trust me… the Abuela outranks him in every home! Teresita knows this. Born and raised in Costa Rica, she ha

The era of perpetual tourism is ending – here's what every expat needs to know about Costa Rica's biggest immigration overhaul in decades. Expert Collaboration: This comprehensive immigration analysis was developed in partnership with William 'Skip' Licht  (Costa Rica immigration specialist, WhatsApp: 1-754-423-8823 , costaricagoodnews@gmail.com ) and Oscar Hernandez  of Expat Legal Advisors (Local: +506 8543-7650 , legal@expatlegaladvisors.com ), ensuring you receive accurat

Understanding this system before you need it = peace of mind I'm Costa Rican. I grew up with Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) . I knew which EBAIS to visit, how to wait for appointments, where my family went for emergencies. I thought I understood our healthcare system completely—after all, it was mine. Then I started managing British Embassy diplomatic residences and coordinating medical care for international staff and their families. Suddenly I was seeing Costa

Category 5 Hurricane Brings Catastrophic Flooding to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast Orange Alert Declared for Guanacaste as Historic Storm System Threatens Luxury Properties While Hurricane Melissa remains hundreds of kilometers offshore, this Category 5 monster—with sustained winds reaching 259 km/h—is unleashing catastrophic consequences across Costa Rica's Pacific slope. If you own a non-rental luxury property in Guanacaste, the next 72 hours will reveal whether you have true

Just as a dealership-maintained vehicle commands 20-30% higher resale value than one with spotty maintenance records, professionally managed properties in Costa Rica are weathering the market correction while others hemorrhage value. The numbers are staggering. Costa Rica's real estate market has shifted dramatically in 2025 , with median home prices plummeting 41.21% from $907,769 in January 2024 to $533,647 in January 2025, according to the latest market data. Guanacaste, o

DISCLAIMER IMPORTANTE (But Make It Fun): ¡Atención, mis amores! Before Skip and I make you laugh about our driving adventures, let's be clear: This blog is 100% HUMOR and 0% driving advice! Costa Rica has way too many traffic accidents because some people think traffic laws are more like "traffic suggestions" or "traffic maybe-if-I-feel-like-it." We DO NOT endorse, approve, or recommend driving like a loco/loca! Please use your materia gris (gray matter) when behind the wheel