Latest Guides
Expert advice for life in Costa Rica
GuideVisa Runs and Perpetual Tourism in Costa Rica (2026)
What the 180-day rule actually says, why officers can grant as little as 15 days, the pending reform bill, and why visa runs fail long-term.
GuideSetting Up Utilities in Costa Rica (2026)
Who provides electricity and water where you live, why bills spike, what an ASADA is, and the connections that need a DIMEX before you can hold them.
GuideCosta Rica Rainy Season by Region (2026)
When it actually rains where, why the Caribbean runs opposite to the Pacific, and what green season means if you live here rather than visit.
GuideLearning Spanish as an Expat in Costa Rica (2026)
Why Costa Rican Spanish is easier than you expect, the tiquismos nobody teaches you, how to avoid the expat bubble, and what actually works.
GuideSafety in Costa Rica: The Honest Picture (2026)
What the real risks are, what they are not, why every house has bars on the windows, and the hazard that injures more visitors than crime does.
GuideDriving in Costa Rica: Licence Conversion (2026)
How long your foreign licence is valid, the homologation process with no driving exam, the document list, and what owning a vehicle involves.
GuideInternational Schools in Costa Rica (2026)
Curricula, realistic costs, the calendar mismatch, and admissions timelines for families relocating to Costa Rica with school-age children.
GuideInternet in Costa Rica: Connectivity by Town (2026)
Where the fibre actually reaches, where Starlink is the real answer, and how to verify a connection before you sign a lease as a remote worker.
GuideBringing Pets to Costa Rica: The SENASA Process (2026)
Exact SENASA requirements for bringing a dog or cat to Costa Rica: vaccination timing, the 14-day certificate window, USDA endorsement, and arrival.
GuideThe DIMEX Card: Costa Rica's Resident ID (2026)
Everything about the DIMEX: what it unlocks, the CAJA prerequisite, real costs and timelines, the renewal document list, and what derails renewals.
GuidePacific vs Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica (2026)
Costa Rica's two coasts run opposite weather patterns and different cultures. Compare climate, cost, infrastructure and expat life on each.
GuideCentral Valley vs Coast: Where to Live in Costa Rica (2026)
Mountains or beach? Compare climate, real costs, healthcare access, and daily life between Costa Rica's Central Valley and its coastal towns.
GuideCosta Rica vs Panama for Expats (2026)
Both tax foreign income at zero, but Costa Rica and Panama differ sharply on currency, climate, healthcare, and residency. An honest comparison.
GuideCosta Rica vs Mexico for Expats (2026)
Mexico taxes residents on worldwide income; Costa Rica does not. Compare taxes, property rules, healthcare, safety and costs before choosing.
GuideRenting vs Buying in Costa Rica (2026)
Costa Rican leases run three years by law and USD rents cannot rise. Why renting first wins, the real break-even math, and when buying makes sense.
GuideBuying Property in Costa Rica: The Central Valley Process (2026)
The full process for buying Central Valley property: due diligence, closing costs, title checks, and the failures that cost foreign buyers most.
GuideCosta Rica Taxes for Expats (2026)
Costa Rica taxes only local income, so US pensions and investments are exempt. What you still owe here, what the US wants, and why no treaty matters.
GuideCosta Rica Corporations: S.A. vs SRL (2026)
S.A. or SRL for your Costa Rican property or business? 2026 formation costs, the annual compliance calendar, and the RTBF digital signature trap.
GuideCosta Rica Healthcare: CAJA vs Private (2026)
How healthcare works in Costa Rica for expats: CAJA public system, private care, real costs, wait times, and the dual-system most expats use.
GuideSan Jose: Real Estate, Lifestyle & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in San José, Costa Rica. Explore Sabana real estate, Barrio Escalante dining, Rohrmoser, and true urban costs.
Atenas: Real Estate, Retirees & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Atenas, Costa Rica. Explore retiree infrastructure, mountain real estate, climate, and actual living costs.
GuideNosara: Real Estate, Wellness & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Nosara, Costa Rica. Explore Playa Guiones real estate, Del Mar Academy, Blue Zone wellness, and living costs.
GuideJaco: Real Estate, Lifestyle & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Jaco, Costa Rica. Explore beachfront condos, Los Sueños luxury real estate, nomad life, and living costs.
GuideTamarindo: Real Estate, Nomads & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Explore Langosta real estate, digital nomad infrastructure, LIR access, and costs.
GuideSanta Ana: Real Estate, Lifestyle & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. Explore Lindora real estate, international schools, country clubs, and expat life.
GuideEscazú: Real Estate, Expat Life & Costs
The 2026 briefing on living in Escazú, Costa Rica. Real estate, international schools, Hospital CIMA, traffic realities, and true monthly costs.
GuideCosta Rica 2-Week Itinerary: The 2026 Classic Route
The perfect 14-day Costa Rica itinerary for 2026. Explore Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Includes drive times and car rental hacks.
GuideShipping Household Goods to Costa Rica (2026 Expat Guide)
The 2026 guide to shipping household goods to Costa Rica. Navigate customs, Port Limón logistics, container costs, and Law 9996 tax exemptions.
GuideOpening a Bank Account in Costa Rica: 2026 Foreigner Guide
The 2026 protocol for opening a Costa Rican bank account. Navigate SUGEF KYC laws, get SINPE Móvil, and bypass tourist restrictions.
GuideCosta Rica Healthcare 2026: Public CAJA vs. Private
Navigate Costa Rica healthcare as an expat. Compare mandatory CAJA premiums, wait times, and top private hospitals like CIMA & Clinica Biblica.
GuideBuying a Car in Costa Rica: 2026 Taxes, Dekra & Traps
The 2026 guide to buying a car in Costa Rica. Avoid the 80% import tax trap, navigate Dekra and Marchamo, and execute legal title transfers.
GuidePensionado vs. Rentista Visas: Costa Rica 2026 Requirements
Compare Costa Rica Pensionado and Rentista residency visas. Discover 2026 income requirements, CAJA strategies, and required documentation.
GuideCosta Rica Digital Nomad Visa (2026 Setup Guide)
The complete 2026 guide to the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa. Discover income thresholds, tax exemptions, and how to apply for legal residency.
GuideWhere to Live in Costa Rica: Best Expat Towns (2026 Guide)
Discover the best expat towns in Costa Rica for 2026. Compare real estate, lifestyle, and infrastructure in Escazú, Tamarindo, Nosara, and Atenas.
GuideMoving to Costa Rica with Kids & Pets: The 2026 Expat Guide
The unfiltered guide to moving to Costa Rica with family. Discover top international schools, USDA pet import rules, and family visa logistics.
Guide2026 Costa Rica Moving Checklist & Timeline
The exact 6-month timeline and checklist for moving to Costa Rica. Navigate visas, shipping, USDA pet regulations, and Central Valley real estate.
GuideCost of Living in Costa Rica (2026 Reality)
Stop reading outdated blogs. Discover the true 2026 cost of living in Costa Rica, including Escazú rent, CAJA healthcare, groceries, and import taxes.
GuideThe Ultimate Guide to Moving to Costa Rica (2026: Visas, Costs & Logistics)
The unfiltered 2026 guide to moving to Costa Rica. Real costs, digital nomad visas, pet relocation, and Central Valley real estate secrets.