Relocating to Costa Rica?

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Relocating to Costa Rica?

July 31st, 2008 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - News, Costa Rica - Nightlife, Costa Rica - Tourist Trap, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

If you are thinking about relocating or retiring in Costa Rica, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when trying to decide where to live, and I’m talking in addition to finding something that fits into your budget. Sometimes people don’t think enough about what they need out of their surroundings, and what their personal preferences are.

You may automatically think that you want to live on the beach, but the temperatures in costal Costa Rica differ greatly from those in the interior. Also, the farther you get away from the main city of San José, the farther you are from cultural activities, such as museums and the symphony, and entertainment, such as movie Read more

Enjoy the Surf in Mal Pais

July 26th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Gringo Owned Business, Costa Rica - Must See or Do, Costa Rica - Places to Eat, Costa Rica - Places to Stay | No Comments »

At the Mal Pais Surf Camp and Resort the concept of Pura Vida (Pure Life) permeates the air. Ten acres of property are filled with lush tropical gardens, and only a few minutes away you will find some of the best surf spots. Mal Pais offers a range of accommodations at reasonable rates, and fits every size budget.

This family resort has poolside houses and villas, ranches, cabinas, and even a camping area! The restaurant serves a variety of a high quality food at reasonable prices, and the bar and B.B.Q. are the perfect place to relax. If you decide to spend the day at the resort, you can work out in the gym, laze by the pool, Read more

Hiring a Driver

July 21st, 2008 | Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

If you plan to do a lot of hoping around from city to city in Costa Rica, you’ve probably thought about hiring a driver. With the cost of renting a vehicle, the price of gas, and the stress that comes from having to find your way around from place to place, this Gringo recommends using Tico drivers whenever possible.

There are two routes you can go when trying to arrange a driver. Some prefer to call ahead to the places they are staying, and explain what services they will be requiring. The hotel then arranges for a driver, usually a friend with a car, to take you to your destination.

Others prefer to use shuttle Read more

Burgers, Beer and the NFL

July 21st, 2008 | Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Costa Rica - Nightlife, Costa Rica - Places to Eat | 1 Comment »

Great music, delicious food, super cold beer and quality service are what make The Beatle Bar in Jacó Beach so successful. Hailed as the most famous bar and nightclub in Latin America, this establishment is an international hit, drawing crowds from all around the world. Open 7 days a week, The Beatle Bar has everything from burgers to seafood, and is good for lunch or dinner. If you’ve come for a drink, don’t be shy, step right up to the bar and get your guaro!

American expats are drawn to The Beatle Bar for another reason… Monday Night Football! Four plasma TV screens play the NFL Sunday and Monday games every week throughout the season. Read more

Driving Tips

July 18th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

Once you’ve landed in Costa Rica, there are a couple of ways that you can get around the country. If you wish to travel to Puerto Limon, or other distant locations, you can take a small airplane. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you could take a bus across the country, but that will be crowded and take a decent amount of time. For many, renting a car is the best way to explore the inland of Costa Rica.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when driving on Costa Rican roads. Some roads are good, particularly in the city, others are bad, and still others are very bad. Highways are not illuminated, so Read more

Fantastic Spa Deep in Costa Rican Rainforest

July 14th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Places to Eat, Costa Rica - Places to Stay | 1 Comment »

Trekking through the lush jungle of Costa Rica is exhilarating, but can also be quite tiresome. Why not plan to end your hiking, climbing, swimming and diving with a trip to the Tabacón Grand Spa & Thermal Resort, located deep in the rainforest. Starting out from San Jose, the trip to the Resort, in La Fortuna de San Carlos, takes about 3 and ½ hours by car, but it is well worth it.

The highlight of Tabacón is its natural springs, both hot and cold, that surround the private mountainside spa. An evening spent in the spa, sipping your favorite drink and watching red hot lava spew out of the active Mount Arenal Volcano, is unforgettable. Read more

Casados y Batidas in La Fortuna

July 14th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Costa Rica - Places to Eat | No Comments »

Delicious dishes and fresh fruit batidas (milkshake-like smoothies) await at Soda La Parada in La Fortuna. This small open-air restaurant is a hit with both locals and tourists because it is clean, well managed, and the food is both good and inexpensive. A laid-back atmosphere dominates at Soda La Parada. Come as you are, grab a seat and wait for someone to take your order.

The Gringo recommends you stick with the Costa Rican fair, as the foreign dishes just aren’t as good. Casados, the typical plate of the country usually consists of a mix of rice, beans, cheese, potato, salad, fried plantain, and meat and the scrumptious batidas, banana being my personal favorite, are Read more

Costa Rica Casas!

July 6th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Tourist Trap, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

If you are looking to settle down or at least have a nice vacation home in Costa Rica, there are a few things you need to do first. Even though ownership of land is protected by the law for locals and foreigners alike, it is good to contact the Costa Rican Chamber of Realtors, or AMCHA, as they have a great reputation for being honest. The Association of Residents in San Jose and a trust worthy lawyer are also great assets, as they can guide you through the process of obtaining land.

Deciding where to settle is a whole other issue. The province of San Jose is one of the most populated, with the neighborhoods of Santa Ana Read more

Zip-Line Through the Costa Rica Jungle Canopy

July 4th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Must See or Do | 2 Comments »

Don’t let the fact that zip-lining is general considered to be a “touristy” activity deter you from experiencing this thrilling sensation. While it is true that this is the kind of thing most low-key backpackers avoid like the plague, it is also an unforgettable experience that should not be missed. Flying through the jungle on a series of hooks and pulleys? Can you honestly say that doesn’t sound like a blast?

While there are many zip-line companies in Costa Rica, Monteverde’s Aventura Canopy is the best. Their 14 zip-lines reach up to 1,960 feet long, and at points sit at 260 feet above the ground. In addition to the lines, a trip with Aventura Canopy includes Read more