Insider Secrets

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.

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

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