https://internationalliving.com/events/fast-track-costa-rica-2025/ You can call to register.

The hydroelectric project at Lake Arenal produces between 10 to 12% of the total electricity of the country. You can read more about what I wrote here: https://internationalliving.com/is-costa-rica-the-most-eco-friendly-country-on-our-beat/ Google "hydro power and lake arenal" to find more info.

I love the views in Grecia and the cooler temps, yet I was not a fan of the steep, winding roads. Yet the higher you go, the cooler it gests. This is pretty much the case all over the Central Valley. Highs can be in the 80s and nights can drop to the 60s-70s, depending on where you are. I stayed here in Grecia (https://www.tierranuevacostarica.com/) and absolutey LOVED the esperience. The food at the restaurant was so delicious and the owner personable and able to share a lot of info. There is also a weekly expat meet up on Wednesdays at 12 pm at Los Jardines Vivero y Café (https://www.facebook.com/losjardinesgreciacr/?locale=es_LA) -- I would just call to confirm with the restaruant in case the day/time changes. I stayed here in Atenas (https://hotelcolinasdelsol.com/). It was fine yet a plus was its central location. There is a woman's group in Atenas who has a weekly meet up (https://www.facebook.com/groups/663758784658197?locale=es_LA) and I think the husbands also have a men's meet up. I consider Atenas and Grecia more expat hubs. I never stayed in Heredia, yet I seem to always drive through it. I find Facebook groups very helpful when I need to learn more about an area. You also might want to ask questions in these groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/128010388878472 https://www.facebook.com/groups/425764764900687 https://www.facebook.com/groups/620448778305789 https://www.facebook.com/groups/517401048358283 I suggest joining us at the CR conference in May this year. It is held in Escazu and contains a wealth of information. And then you could explore the other areas a few days before or after. I find that visiting and meeting people is the best option. Almost everyone I meet who has relocated tells me that they just knew when they visited a certain area that is would be home. Good luck and how exciting! Costa Rica is paradise for many. Come see what you think about it for yourself!

I do think the rain is better than snow. I LOVE rainy season. So green and lush. You can find transfers on this page. I often use this company. https://tamarindoshuttle.com/ I also use Cristan for transfers... you can send him a message on WhatsApp: +506 8318 3226 You can also rent a car from the airport. The prices really depend on the season... Oct/start of Nov usually have the btetter prices.

It won't attach here. If you want me to send you a list of clinic phone numbers, send me an email here - bbottone@internationalliving.com

Hi Mike, Since you would have done some research, may I know how is the housing market and how much it would cost with per month with the taxes and utilities on average. TIA Abid

You can also look at Vrbo. This has retnals-- but I think more long term options: https://www.point2homes.com/ As for Facebook Groups, I would look for specific smaller groups in regions, like these: https://www.facebook.com/groups/puertoviejovacationrentals https://www.facebook.com/groups/756500642604738 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1990512857886393 To be honest, for short notice, a few days short term rentals, I would use Airbnb and Booking. Are you heading over to the Tamarindo area? Feel free to send me a message on WhatsApp if you are +506 8962 9593 and we can meet up for a sunset.

Tronadora

I just wanted to share what my lawyers at Themis Legal (https://themislegalcr.com/) sent me when I shared your question: "Yes, it has been reviewed by the Legislative Assembly and it is still been analyzed, yet it has not yet been approved." -Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

Thanks Mike - I'll add that Panama's Copa Airlines also offers free long layovers if anyone who's passing through wants to stay a couple days and explore, see their website for info. Copa.com Best, IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

It is nice to meet you! I just got back from a trip to the Central Valley last month. I use Facebook Groups to answer my questions and give advice when I am visiting a new place. I find them very helpful and my top resource. On my recent editorial trip to Grecia, Costa Rica, I wandered into Los Jardines Vivero y Café. A kaleidoscope of colors welcomed me—flowers in every shade, vintage VWs adding charm, captivating art, and a Koi Pond. The Nuevos Amigos Group in Grecia weekly gathering was in full swing. Although expats started the group, it's a place where anyone interested in building new relationships can join on Wednesdays at noon. And in Atenas, a weekly women's group gets together on Thursdays from 10 am - 12 pm. Every month they choose a new restaurant to visit. Their Facebook Group is informative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/663758784658197/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1144736216560449 Additionally, there was so much interest in Atenas that another group started meeting on Tuesday mornings, too. I met a wonderful woman in Grecia, who specializes in real estate in these areas. I suggest contacting her on WhatsApp: Brooke Bishop +506 8311 5336 In the Central Valley, you will find the country's biggest cities and many bigger towns. That doesn't mean it's all urban. There are plenty of quiet countryside locations, little mountain villages, bustling market towns — you can also get away from it all in the Central Valley. I suggest checking out some other areas, maybe Escazu, Alajuela, Santa Ana, Pavas, Tres Rios, and Cartago. If you stay in San Jose, you might want to stay at the Grano de Oro or the Gran Hilton Hotel. And we hold our yearly conference at the InterContinental Escazu. Let me know if other questions come up. Bekah Bottone, IL's Costa Rica Correspondent

Hi Bekah, Thanks so much for the valuable insights. Will definitely get in touch with the attorney you highly recommended. Be happy and healthy! Joan

I just wanted to add that Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a very busy time (big vacation time for Ticos) on the beaches and one of the most expensive times too. You may see prices increase during that time. If you have trouble finding something that week or notice prices are super high, it may be a good time to visit some places inland and then return back to the beach after Easter. Just an idea. Have you thought about which beach area you prefer? Choose from the following: Guancaste, Nicoya, the Central Pacific coast, the South Pacific coast, or the Carribbean coast. Guanacaste is the dryest area and the South Pacific and Carribbean are the wetest ones. Yet March and April are the end of the dry seaon in Costa Rica.

Your response was so helpful - thank you very much!

Just wanted to give a bit more info about costs... I have a colonoscopy schedueld for this weekend and it will cost $360 and a mamogram is about $70. A general office visit costs around $45 and I just bought an additional insurance for about $16 a month from INS (Instituto de Seguro Nacional) which should help reduce some out of pocket costs on some procedures. It is much more affordable to pay out of pocket in Costa Rica.

No, Costa Rica is not in the United States. It is located in Central America and borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Canadian Passport holders can travel to Costa Rica as tourists for up to a maximum 180 days, no visa is required. You can find a lot more information on our Visa and Residency in Costa Rica page on the website: https://internationalliving.com/countries/costa-rica/visa/

Hi Matt, No immunizations are required when entering Costa Rica from the US or Canada. However, there are some recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following recommendations, classed as “routine vaccines”: Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles Personally, I don’t get the flu vaccine, and having received the others when I was young don’t need to worry about those. Other recommended vaccines by the CDC are: COVID-19 Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Malaria Measles Rabies Typhoid Yellow Fever I got a couple of Covid-19 shots, but I am not continuing with them; the only other two I have gotten are Hepatitis A and B. I don’t know anyone who has ever taken Malaria medicine before traveling to Costa Rica. However, if you plan to spend time in very rural parts of the country, you may want to play it safe and get everything. Also, if you plan to travel to other Latin American countries from Costa Rica, be aware that some vaccines such as yellow fever and typhoid may be required. For everything else you need to know about moving to Costa Rica, check out the dedicated page on our newly redesigned website.

This depends a lot on the part of Costa Rica you wish to spend time in. Recently, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network has been working on environmental and social responsibility projects related to making the country more accessible. But some places are seeing more impact from this than others. In San José, the capital, city buses are wheelchair-accessible, and most taxis can put a folding wheelchair in their trunk. The national airline, Sansa, can take passengers using a folding wheelchair; however, they require everyone to be able to board and deplane by themselves. Roads and sidewalks in other parts of the country could prove challenging, as many are in poor repair. Some expats laud Tamarindo as a good place for people with mobility issues and seniors because of its easy access to the beach and town, plus the prevalence of sidewalks. Its central location is great for seniors, however, in my opinion, there are not many sidewalks that are wheelchair friendly. Speaking of beaches, the first beach that was made accessible in Jan 2021 was Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. This beach has a 52-meter retractable walkway to the sea, a couple of amphibious chairs, and other facilities. In June 2022, Playa Herradura, just north of Jacó, became the13th accessible beach in Costa Rica. So you can see that there has been a recent push to expand access even though there is still work to be done. In general, I would suggest staying closer to San José, perhaps somewhere in the Central Valley. One thing is for sure: it is easier to get around with disabilities in the US and Europe than in Costa Rica. I would contact the hotels and activities in the area I plan to visit to confirm accessibility before booking a trip. Options to hire personal caregivers in Costa Rica are plentiful. And I have had some friends hire live-in help for their parents. The most important thing to consider is hiring from a reputable source to verify certificates and get recommendations. You can find the list of minimum salary amounts in Costa Rica here. A personal home caregiver in the Central Valley has a monthly salary of about $700, much lower than U.S. prices. I hope this has been of some help! You can get much more detail about life in Costa Rica in our Escape to Costa Rica guidebook.