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Expats Journey- Tere & Skip
A Tica's Roots & an Expat's Journey
Costa Rica expat advice from native Tica Tere and experienced expat Skip. Real estate tips, cultural insights, and practical moving guidance for pura vida life.


Driving Philosophy: Hazard Lights, Honking & Hand Signals
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

Skip and Tere
3 days ago6 min read


The Endless Gallo Pinto Debate
(Teresita of Santa Cruz & Skip the Expat) Skip’s Viewpoint “Ah, mi amor, you have no idea what true happiness is until you’ve tasted Gallo Pinto con alma! ” Teresita says proudly, standing in her colorful kitchen in Santa Cruz. The air smells like heaven! It's a mix of cilantro, onions and a splash of Lizano sauce that could wake up an entire neighborhood. “My abuela,” she continues, eyes twinkling, “could make Gallo Pinto thirty different ways. Thirty! And that was just be

Skip and Tere
Oct 196 min read


How Costa Rica Has Changed Skip's Point of View, and How Tere has Enjoyed it from the Start! Lessons from Living the Pura Vida Life.
When Skip arrived in Costa Rica, he was full of enthusiasm, checklists, and enough bug spray to protect an entire village. He’d read...

Skip and Tere
Oct 124 min read


Tico Time: A Cultural Anthropologist's Defense (Or: Why Gringos Are the Weird Ones)
The eternal struggle: Tico Time Tica: “Relax. If the party starts at 7, show up at 8:30.” Expat: “I arrived RIGHT ON TIME and ended up...

Skip and Tere
Oct 57 min read


Coffee Time, Tico Style vs. Expat Style
Skip's point of view Back in South Florida, my “coffee time” was less about socializing and relaxation. . and more about survival and...

Skip and Tere
Sep 286 min read


Costa Rica Weather Betrayal: What “Rainy Season” Really Means
The Way Skip See's the Rainy Season. . Through the Lens of an Expat! If you’ve ever visited Costa Rica, you know the locals smile...

Skip and Tere
Sep 218 min read


The Friendship Challenge: Why Making Real Connections as an Expat Takes More Than Just Being Nice!
(Skips's point of view) When you first land in Costa Rica from your home country, friendship seems so easy. Everyone smiles. Everyone...

Skip and Tere
Sep 1410 min read


The Language Barrier Reality: When 'Pura Vida' Isn’t Enough
Pura Vida is magical… until it’s not. It’ll smooth over a late arrival, turn a line-cut into a laugh, and make a fruit-stand hello feel...

Skip and Tere
Sep 78 min read


Pura Vida in Practice: Lessons from Both Sides of the Fence
Listen instead: full blog narration by Tere & Skip. Press play. When Skip honked at a family of iguanas crossing the road and my...

Skip and Tere
Aug 3112 min read
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