(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

One of the most common questions I receive from potential clients considering relocation to Costa Rica involves residency requirements and tax benefits. With the upcoming expiration of Law No. 9996's benefits in July 2026, understanding the legal implications has never been more important. I'm honored to share this expert legal analysis written by Lic. Oscar Andrés López Hernández , Attorney-at-Law with Expat Legal Advisors , a law firm specializing in immigration, real esta

(Free Complimentary In-Person Consultation) How cutting corners on property management turns a $1,500 monthly "savings" into a $47,000 disaster—and why professional estate management protects your investment instead of draining it I'll never forget the phone call that came in October 2019, right in the middle of Costa Rica's brutal rainy season. The voice on the other end was panicked, desperate even. "Tere, I need help. I think I made a terrible mistake with my property." Da