Costa Rica Insider Articles Archives

Four Reasons Costa Rica is a Top Destination for Retirees

Four Reasons Costa Rica is a Top Destination for Retirees

By |
October 7, 2014

Check any list of the world’s best retirement destinations, including International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index, and you’ll find Costa Rica near the top. And it’s not a new trend; this little Central American country sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama has attracted North American expats for more than 30 years due to many diverse factors. Here are four reasons why many retirees think it’s a great place to live. One of the biggest attractions of Costa Rica is the weather. For those seeking relief from frigid winters, the warm temperatures year-round are quite welcome.

Nosara, Costa Rica: A Beach Unlike Any in the States…

Nosara, Costa Rica: A Beach Unlike Any in the States…

By |
September 15, 2014

Jutting out into the Pacific on the country’s northwest corner, the Nicoya Peninsula is set apart geographically from mainland Costa Rica. It’s more than an hour’s drive to the nearest sizable city, Nicoya. And from the capital, San José, and the main international airport there, it will take the better part of a day and include a mix of rough dirt roads and pavement winding through forest, farmland, and mountains. One route, to the southern tip of the peninsula, even includes a ferry crossing.

A Big Question About Living Overseas

A Big Question About Living Overseas

By |
August 18, 2014

"Won't you miss your family and friends if you move overseas?" That's a question we at IL get asked a lot, and the answer is... "Of course you will." It's something my husband Dan and I have experience of. We didn't think about it too much when we moved to Ecuador back in 2001. With the exception of Dan's mother, none of our family—my parents and our siblings—lived in the same city as we did.

We Couldn’t Leave Costa Rica

We Couldn’t Leave Costa Rica

By |
August 11, 2014

Skip ahead a year and a half, and we find ourselves still gazing with eyes wide open at the land where we began. Costa Rica completely captured this whimsical family, much to our surprise, with its total package. As nature lovers, we experience an ever-present awe for our intense surroundings—the tropical birds, countless waterfalls, incredible beaches, and stunning mountain views…so much diversity in such a small country.

How Costa Rica Kept on Offering Me Opportunity

How Costa Rica Kept on Offering Me Opportunity

By |
August 11, 2014

As Corey Coates finishes his morning stroll along Jaco beach he can't help but feel grateful to have such balance and peace in his life. Every day he wakes up with the sun, meditates, enjoys Costa Rica's superb fruits and coffee for breakfast, then visits the ocean from his beachfront luxury condo. "The satisfaction I feel each day doing what I love is immeasurable. Some days are harder than others, but at the end of the day I've done exactly what I want when I want."

Feeling Good in Costa Rica

Feeling Good in Costa Rica

By |
July 28, 2014

One of my favorite surprises upon moving to Costa Rica was the open-air ferias or farmer's markets. They can be found all over the country, and offer delicious fresh fruits and vegetables at very affordable prices. For example, at my favorite market (located in the town of San Isidro de General and held every Thursday and Friday), you can buy three pineapples for $2, mangoes for less than a dollar a pound, and a head of lettuce for 50 cents.

Are You Cut Out for the Expat Life?

Are You Cut Out for the Expat Life?

By |
July 22, 2014

What makes for a happy expat? This is something I think about often, because honestly...not everyone is cut out for the expat life. The rewards are tremendous and it's a wonderful, life-changing experience, but there are challenges—and most are easy to get beyond. From my experience (and I've been an expat for 13 years now), those who thrive living overseas are those who are well prepared ahead of time. They've done lots of research and they know what they're getting into. Overall, they have positive, optimistic perspectives about most everything...