Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes Getting utilities connected in Costa Rica can be a frustrating process That’s especially for newcomers unfamiliar with the country’s bureaucracy and service delays. Buying a property in Costa Rica is a relatively simple process. However, the challenges to getting utilities connected often begin with the language barrier, as most communication…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Did you know there are a ton of perks of living in Atenas, Costa Rica? What was a quiet little village is now one of the largest retirement destinations in Costa Rica. Don’t get scared; only a few thousand retirees live in Atenas, I’m sure you can handle that! There…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes You can avoid making mistakes by following these 11 ideas to help sell your home in Costa Rica. Selling a house can take years for different reasons. So, what can you do as a seller to sell your house as fast as possible? The short version is to clean up…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes I’m sure you already know that the Costa Rican weather is one of the country’s most attractive advantages. Nonetheless, you might not know that the weather and temperatures can change tremendously from one village or town to another. A friend sent me some very cold-looking photos of snow-covered roads, rooftops,…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Did you know you have certain legal obligations when owning a corporation in Costa Rica? Corporations are used to do business and often to hold property. For many years, lawyers have recommended that foreigners use a corporation to own property in Costa Rica for liability reasons. Money laundering laws have…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Costa Rica has never really had a well-functioning real estate MLS system. Real estate licensing is not mandatory in our beautiful country. This is why the two existing real estate boards have never been able to create one. Although, maybe it will happen soon… What is a good real estate…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes Internet service in Costa Rica has been available for many years now. It might not be what you are used to and might not be at the same cost, but it is available almost everywhere, especially with the Starlink option now. Of course, before you buy a home from us,…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Many foreign buyers make the wrong approach when looking for a property on their own in Costa Rica. This mostly happens because they want to save themselves the realtor’s commission or they don’t believe the realtor’s expertise is necessary. Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls when buying a property in a…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Do you really want to pack your dishes when moving to Costa Rica? What makes you think you want to bring your dishes? I can only imagine what else you’re going to bring with you. You must really adore your dishes, but if you insist, here is how you can…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Until recently, dogs were not part of most families in Costa Rica, nor was there any pet culture at all. Now, almost everyone has one or more pets at home. Some years ago, people were complaining that in their condominiums, dog owners wouldn’t clean up the poop their dogs leave…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes You’d say, “What is so difficult about parking your car”? It seems simple, but let me tell you a few things. It might save you from getting a ticket, having your tag taken, or getting your car scratched all over. Once you move to Costa Rica and drive your own…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes What and what not to pack when you move to Costa Rica? Probably half the stuff you plan to pack you do not need. But there are other things that you don’t see the need to bring but you might kick yourself in the head later. The title of this…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes What is Costa Rica escrow, and why should you use escrow for a real estate closing? Is it really necessary? The Costa Rican authorities don’t want you to purchase a property with a wheelbarrow full of money. For many years, cash purchases happened all the time. Worldwide, authorities want more…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes How to bring your dog to Costa Rica, just like Ticonuevo did many years ago. Ticonuevo moved to Grecia in 2012 and shared his experiences on moving here on Ivo’s blog. The fantastic thing is that in all those years, since 2013 when he wrote this, really nothing has changed…
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes We have speed bumps in Costa Rica, lots of them. And often won’t even see them until you hit them at full speed. In Spanish, they call them “muertos”. The translation of un muerto is a dead person, but it is also a speed bump. I know, it’s a strange…
Estimated reading time: 4 Minutes This picture got your attention, didn’t it? Well, that was exactly my intention. Further down the page, I posted another one for the ladies. They say that you learn basic Spanish best with a native. I can only confirm that affirmation because that’s what I did. Most people don’t pay…