Estimated Reading Time: The culture of Costa Rica is one of the most fascinating in the world because it combines warmth, diversity, history, and a deep respect for nature into everyday life. Though it is a relatively small country, Costa Rica has developed a rich national identity that feels both traditional and refreshingly modern. Don’t…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes Do you know what a MacGyver in Costa Rica means? When moving to Costa Rica, keep in mind that you should embrace an iterative, action-oriented mindset where “done is better than perfect.” Substitute ideal solutions by prioritizing speed, implementing “good enough” plans immediately, and iterating based on feedback. Maintain momentum…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes If you live in Seattle, WA, and you have a household mold problem, you can just call a specialist to eradicate it. If you live in Costa Rica and you have a household mold problem, you’re in trouble. The reason is that there are no household mold specialists in Costa Rica.…
Estimated Reading Time: 9 Minutos Depending on where you want to live in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, traffic jams and infrastructure might very well be a problem for you. Of course, there are still plenty of easy-going places to live, depending on the services you need. In the Central Valley, road maintenance and infrastructure…
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes I published this blog about a severe water problem during the dry season in Atenas in June 2017, and I decided to rewrite it entirely. The reason was that the town of Atenas had water problems that began in 2014 and worsened in 2017. The town’s water is supplied by…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes How easy do you think it is to get your belongings to Costa Rica? Moving everything you own after all of the garage sales and donations are completed can still be tricky. Especially, if you: 1) Plan to rent in Costa Rica before you decide to make it your permanent…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes The phrase “Ugly Americans” in Costa Rica is usually not about appearance or nationality itself, but about certain behaviors some foreigners—often Americans, but not only Americans—are perceived to display abroad. It’s a long-standing expression used worldwide, including in Costa Rica. It’s really easy to be an ugly American in Costa…
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes What to pack when moving to Costa Rica? I bet you don’t know! Bringing the right things (and leaving the wrong ones behind) will save you money, stress, and storage headaches. There is stuff you love, and there is stuff you think is important. When you’re wondering what to pack…
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes Would you like to learn how to handle culture shock when you move to Costa Rica? What is culture shock anyway? It is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. Depending on how you have travelled, how…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes Christmas traditions in Costa Rica are probably not what you are used to. You can prevent culture shock by learning what Ticos do during the Christmas holidays, where they go, and participating. Christmas Eve in Spanish is Nochebuena. This country is definitely not boring during Christmas time; there is plenty…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Traditional Costa Rican Christmas food is probably much different than what you used to eat during the Christmas holidays when you grew up. Getting used to local food in Costa Rica might be more complicated than you think, as Tico’s taste buds are very different from yours (and mine). The…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Have you tried tamales made in Costa Rica yet? Unfortunately, we’re no longer making tamales for Christmas; my wife is on a diet. And tamales make her fat, she says. So, I guess I’ll have to buy a couple of factory-made tamales in the grocery store. For many years, during…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Beware of the brush fire during the dry season! If you own property in Costa Rica, especially in the warmer areas of the country, you should pay attention to the windy months of December, January, and part of February. A brush fire is easily started and can pose a danger…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes “Are you serious? You mean the homicide was right here? And you want me to live here?” This could be the reproach from a serious buyer who is shopping for a house with his realtor in Costa Rica. This is not from a suspense novel, written by a client. During…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes I’d like to share 8 Grocery shopping secrets with you. That’s because shopping in another country, like Costa Rica, is a science. In today’s blog, I’d like to give you a hand with your grocery shopping in Costa Rica. You know how to get started and what to look for. Costa Rica…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes It’s been more than 10 years since my wife and I bought a house in Costa Rica, thanks to the incredible GoDutch Realty team. Yet beneath the beauty lies a simple truth familiar to expats and locals alike: things don’t always go as planned. Whether it’s a leaky pipe, a…