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: 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

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

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 mystery margins and vague vendor summaries has officially ended. Today's luxury property owners demand transparency that matches their business acumen—they want original invoices with tax IDs, comparable quotes for every project, and photographic evidence that work actually happened. After discovering hidden mark-ups of 30-50% buried in "bundled concierge charges," owners are revolutionizing how their Costa Rica estates are managed. The old system of trust without

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

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...

Picture this: You arrive at your Costa Rica home after months away. The garden is pristine, the pool crystal clear, utilities running...

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...