Blog - Costa Rica Expat Expert

How I celebrated my 50th birthday

How did I celebrate my 50th birthday? Well, not how I thought I would. I moved. Así es la vida (such is life).… I trust and believe wildheartedly that this move is a step towards healing my broken body, fostering a deeper sense of community, and stepping into a new...

US election didn’t go as you’d hoped? Read this before moving to Costa Rica.

There’s been a huge surge in interest from people thinking about moving to Costa Rica. As a relocation counselor, you might be wondering why I’m not encouraging everyone to pack up and head to Costa Rica right after the election. Why am I not saying, “If your...

Voting while living abroad

I come from a generation where politics, religion, and sex were considered off-limits in casual conversation. But the online world has certainly shifted that perspective for many, hasn’t it? Personally, I tend to avoid discussing politics and religion because I...

FAQ: How often do you return home?

Here's a frequently asked question that my clients ask: "How often do you return home?" Well, I am home 😉 A better question would be: How often do you return to the US? ✈️ Answer: Once in the last 12 years. September 2019. Yep, you read that right. And only for 24...

Seeing a specialist at a Costa Rica public hospital

Back in March 2022, I visited a doctor at my local EBAIS (a public clinic), who assured me she would submit a referral for me to see a rheumatologist. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, the paperwork never went through. I even took a trip to San José to follow up, only...

Mother’s Day and Memories

August 15th is Mother's Day here in Costa Rica. It's associated with an event in the Catholic Church, Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It's actually a national holiday, which means that people who are working will get paid extra. As I was prepping this blog, I was...

Gentrification in Costa Rica

I recently saw a comment from a foreigner in a group, addressing gentrification. It reeked of colonialism. And honestly, it made me a little nauseous. But what really disturbed me is that a well-known person in these groups replied, praising the comment as brilliant...

¡Upe!

If you’re not yet living in Costa Rica, you may not have noticed that we really don't have doorbells here. You may find some in the larger cities, or buzzers in high-rises but overall, doorbells are quite rare. And while you could simply knock on the door, Costa...

FAQ: “What should I bring with me when I move to Costa Rica?”

Bigger items (like furniture) and sentimental items (like your grandmother's wedding ring) are a lengthier discussion but what about the everyday necessities (like food processors, backup batteries, etc) and handy "nice-to-haves," (like jumper cables and a bread...

Hurricanes in Costa Rica

Normally, Costa Rica is not in the path of hurricanes. I think since moving in 2012, we may have had two Category 1 hurricanes and only in certain parts of the country. That being said, we can and do get severe tropical storms. Even more so when we’re in a La Niña...

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