Insider Secrets

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

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

In Costa Rica, as in many other jurisdictions, one of the available pathways to obtain lawful residency is through investment -either by acquiring real estate or by purchasing certain qualifying assets. For the purposes of this analysis, we will focus specifically on real estate acquisitions. Thanks to the tax incentives established under the “Ley para la atracción de inversionistas, rentistas y pensionados” (Law No. 9996), this option has become even more appealing, as it no

The tropical paradise of Costa Rica harbors a silent destroyer that strikes luxury estates with devastating precision. Hidden moisture and salt-air corrosion systematically destroy finishes, infiltrate closets, compromise HVAC systems, and fry electronics—particularly when owners travel abroad. While budget property checks might cost less upfront, they consistently miss root causes, transforming minor moisture issues into five-figure restoration bills that shock returning own

(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

The $50,000 Mistake Maria seemed perfect. She smiled warmly during the interview, had glowing reference letters, and claimed over 5 years of experience. She didn't speak English, but she seemed to understand the basics through hand signals and simple gestures—and she was such a sweet person. The expat couple felt great about their decision to hire her as their full-time housekeeper for their beachfront home in Guanacaste. Like most domestic workers in Costa Rica, Maria spoke

Moving to a new country for retirement is a big step, especially when you want to enjoy your golden years in peace and comfort. Costa Rica has become a favorite destination for many seniors looking for a warm climate, friendly people, and a relaxed lifestyle. If you are considering making this beautiful country your new home, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to thrive as an expat senior in Costa Rica. Embracing expat retirement in Costa rica: What to

When Skip arrived in Costa Rica, he was full of enthusiasm, checklists, and enough bug spray to protect an entire village. He’d read...

Luxury homes in Costa Rica aren't just beautiful architectural achievements—they're living, breathing ecosystems that demand constant...

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's point of view Back in South Florida, my “coffee time” was less about socializing and relaxation. . and more about survival and...