If you visit the beach in Costa Rica, it is not uncommon to see foreign retirees spending their time sunbathing or taking a stroll around town. What makes Costa Rica retirement so popular? What are the laws regarding retirees entering the country? Should you buy or rent? Will you have access to proper health care?
The laws about entering the country are quite simple. The US and many other countries are granted 90 days stay in the country without getting a visa. If this is the case, all you need to do is travel to a neighboring nation and get your passport stamped, after which you are free to stay for another 90 days. Visitors from certain Read more
Jaco is famous as Costa Rica’s wildest party beach. The beach at Jaco isn’t great for swimming – it’s too rough. The waves are big, and have called to surfers all around the world for years. Nearby Playa Hermosa has some of the best waves in the country for surfing, and a black sand beach. There is now an annual surf tournament at Playa Hermosa. When the surfers are done for the day, the party begins at night. If you’re looking for young partying surfers and backpackers, foreigners and Costa Ricans coming down from the city, then Jaco is where you want to be. Lots of celebrities choose Jaco as a vacation spot. You never know who you Read more
Costa Rica is famous for its beautiful beaches, Playa Hermosa Costa Rica is no exception. When planning your vacation to Playa Hermosa it’s important to know that there are two beaches by the name Playa Hermosa. One Playa Hermosa is in Guanacaste, the other is in Puntarenas. They are equal in beauty but the appeal of each one is quite different. Which one should you go to?
Playa Hermosa Guanacaste is a gray-yellow sand beach, perfect for walking, fishing, beginner surfing and water skiing. Accommodations are easy to find and there are lots of options ranging in prices and quality. One popular hotel for the locals is Condovac. If you live in Costa Rica you can Read more
It’s easy to find great local food here in Costa Rica. Finding good, affordable international food is not quite as easy. If you take some time and search however, you will find quite a few hidden jewels.
La Lluna de Valencia is a Mediterranean restaurant famous for their paellas and tapas. The owners Kati and Vicente first opened this legendary restaurant in Heredia around 14 years ago. In their restaurant you can immerse yourself in the ambiance and feel like you’ve been transported to a small villa in Spain. The air fills with the tempting smells of the different meals being prepared in their open kitchen, where you can observe the art of making paella. Every night Kati Read more
Some of the main questions for those considering living in Costa Rica are: Will I be able to find my favorite foods? Can I feel safe drinking the water? Where should I go if I get sick? The answers are simple and will probably put to rest any doubts about living in Costa Rica.
Will I be able to find my favorite foods?
When it comes to finding your favorite foods here in Costa Rica, it really depends on where you live. Stores like Pricesmart and Hipermas, located in the Central Valley, are very similar to Costco or Sam’s Club and sell bulk items. Other local supermarkets like MaxiBodega, Jumbo and MegaSuper, offer many popular foreign foods and goods.
If you are planning to visit or relocate to Costa Rica, you might be wondering what to expect. What are the people like? What are their customs? Costa Rica culture is easy to adjust to as they are a relaxed, friendly people. In fact in a study done in 2009 by the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica was named the happiest country in the planet. The study used life expectancy, life satisfaction and ecological footprint to measure countries overall happiness. Their culture reflects that happiness. Here are several things to keep in mind about Costa Rica culture.
Costa Rican culture, like many Latin American cultures reflects their Spanish Heritage. There are also large Jamaican and Chinese populations in Read more
La Fortuna de San Carlos in Alajuela is a beautiful town and a very popular tourist destination. The reason? Volcán Arenal, the country’s most active volcano is a must see. Every night the sky is painted with red sparks and lava spewing out the top of the volcano. A visit to this area of the country deserves a couple of days, so where should you stay? Here are two great places to consider.
Hotel La Pradera is a family owned and operated bussines. They offer two kinds of small villas, Standard room and Mountain Cabin. All rooms have hot water, A/C, cable TV and a gorgeous view of the volcano. If you want to get to know Read more
While you are here you may find that want to bring part of Costa Rica back with you. How can you do that without breaking the bank? Where should you go to find the highest quality of souvenirs from local artisans and painters? The are two places in Costa Rica that are perfect to find anything from trinkets for your friends or the perfect art piece to bring part of Costa Rica into your home.
The Mercado Central (Central Market) is literally at the heart of San Jose and it’s a perfect place to observe daily Costa Rican life. It’s located at between avenues central and 1 and Calles 6 and 8, occupying a whole block. Inside Read more
Costa Rica is famous for its beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, etc. However, if there is one place you should definitely visit in Costa Rica, it is the Central Avenue in San Jose. The Central Avenue is a pedestrian walkway that stretches through all downtown San Jose. Walking down the Central Avenue you will find many historic buildings reflecting the architecture of the late 1800′s and early 1900′s.
One of the main attractions sits across from the Central Plaza, where artists gather to sell their work, and people sit on benches to feed the many kinds of birds as the day goes by. This building is The National Theater of Costa Rica. This ornate opera Read more
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, a modern city, center of all political and commercial activity in Costa Rica. The city is painted with culture, art and architecture. However there is something else that makes this city special. At night, its people come to life and spend their time dancing or enjoying a drink with friends at one of its many lively venues.
The Jazz Cafe offers quite an experience. There are live shows every night featuring national and several international musicians. The food is great and the display of various sculptures and art pieces by local artist gives this place a wonderful ambiance. There are now two venues, the original one sits over Read more
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