Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 4 brand new, Chinese engineered tires—$600
Holy Toledo! I’ve been reviewed in the March issue of The Howler Magazine (page eleven for all you inquiring minds). I can’t tell you how happy this makes me, because The Howler Magazine is one cheerful periodical.
The Howler gives you precisely the right amount of current affairs one requires while living in Costa Rica. Who needs to know about the Republican Primaries when the best frozen daiquiris are being served at Chillerz in Tamarindo? Or that high tide is 9:08 tomorrow morning, a perfect time to get out that boogie board and get some exercise?
I remember reading an issue before I moved here and thinking, it would be so awesome to live like this. Now I’ve been reviewed in one, next to an advertisement for Las Brasas Steak and Pasta Restaurant (closed Tuesday, reservations preferred).
I feel like I made it. I think I’ll celebrate with a frozen daiquiri.
If Obama is re-elected I and my other half are seriously considering Costa Rica. We are both retired, but in good health (not perfect) What is your suggestion ?
Have you looked at the Central Plateau area? You would be closer to hospitals and medical attention in that part of the country. But it depends what you are looking for, living in the mountains or at the beach. I couple trips down here and exploring the country could quickly answer that question.
Que loco! As I am reading this, I JUST had dinner at Las Brasas last night! I am studying at Intercultura in Samara, and I have to say your book inspired me to choose Costa Rica for Spanish immersion. This weekend I went to Arenal and Monteverde for the weekend and it was such a great experience. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Candace. I love Arenal! And Monteverde is spectacular as well, it sounds like you had an amazing time. Samara and the neighboring beaches are some of the prettiest I’ve seen in Costa Rica and so glad you went there to study Spanish. Keep living that Pura Vida life.
My husband, two sons ages 13 and 15 just returned fro
M a blissful week in Costa Rica. With so little time we decided to hit three touristic hot spots: Arenal, Monteverde and Noara. Unread your book through our travels and it added so much to our experience. We would find ourselves crammed on one bed or hanging out on the terrace taking in a magnificent sunset while I wascreadinp part of a chatter out loud to everyone. We would all giggle and smile at each other when we got to parts that felt familiarly amusing.
Your decision and stories are inspirational and, at times, laugh out loud funny. We are a family that likes to travel and explore and rarely visit the same place twice. But Costa Rica is one of the places that we could see returning to again and again.
Thanks for helping to keep the pura vida attitude alive for those of us back in the states.
Thanks for such kind words. I’m sure you could relate to some of the stories, especially about the roads. It sounds like you had an amazing time. Costa Rica is like that, you don’t mind coming back and seeing the same place. It is so lush with wildlife, it’s like a new experience every time you are there.
Thanks for reading my stories and sharing them with your family. It was a risk selling it all and moving here, but I’ve never looked back. I keep an open heart to my experience and try to look at everything with the freshness of a child.
I’ve been here for over 4 years and it hasn’t gotten stale. I wake up each day so excited, I’m sure you felt the same when you heard those howler monkeys every morning. Just incredible way to begin the day.
That’s awesome news!
You’ve hit the big time 😀
Thanks so much Nadine. It felt great holding the magazine in my hands.
I bought your book a few days ago after a break up and am nearly finished with it. I studied abroad in Costa Rica last summer, so reading your book has been a great way to re-live the adventures I had there, and to cheer up during this not-so-great week. The thieving raccoons in Manuel Antonio cracked me up; I had the exact same experience. Your writerly voice keeps me giggling to myself as I read, which is rare when it comes to literature.
I hope to go back to Costa Rica this summer, and your book is only lighting the fire. I can’t wait for the next to come out.
Here are some suggestions for places you should visit if you haven’t already:
Montezuma – lo-key, hippie town with amazing waterfalls. If you hike to the top of the waterfalls, you will find a swimming hole at each one. If you pay a local, they can show you how to get there once, and I guarantee you’ll keep going back many times.
Puerto Viejo – I know you mentioned you want to Limón. As I did most all of my traveling with fellow college students, I’m not too sure of the dividing lines between them, but again, this place is a mellow place with a Rastifarian vibe and some awesome restaurants.
Good luck on all your crazy adventures!
Hi Kate. I am so looking forward to Montezuma, we plan to go this year. I heard such amazing things about the place. I’ve been to Puerto Viejo, but enjoy Punta Uva a lot more. It’s only 10 minutes further south but so much less populated. I tend to always gravitate where there is less people.
I’m glad you could relate to the thieving raccoon story. So many people think I make these stories up. I respond by asking them to talk with other people who have lived or visited Costa Rica. It seems we all have these nutty things that occur, one more ridiculous than the next. I hope you come back and continue your adventures. I am sure you want to be around when those raccoons plan their next heist!
Hi, to a fellow expat. We built our hilltop home near the border with Panama, and our only income is Social Security. We return to the USA during the rainy season to visit our 13 grandkids. The round-trip flight between SJO and Detroit DTW is under $500. I wouldn’t recommend that a young person come here to look for work, but instead find a job in the USA that can be done on a laptop (like yours). We live much more simply than you do. We don’t have a car, the bus is so much more fun. We buy fruits veggies, fresh eggs, fresh cheese, etc. from our neighbors who bring them to us. We hire a local young man who helps with things older folks shouldn’t do. I haven’t read your whole blog or book, but I hope you touched on the things you can do without a standing military, like excellent healt care, education and social programs. In the USA, I am asked if I am a missionary. I say “Yes, when I come back here!” Pura vida!
Thanks for commenting. I agree with your assessment of Costa Rica. You can live without a lot here, I have plenty of friends who don’t own a car as well. I really wanted one since we live here permanently and do not go back to the states often. It makes things a lot easier, but if you live near a bus stop, you can easily get around and do your errands.
So far I’ve been very pleased with the health care. I know everyone has their own opinion, but it has worked out well for us.
Congrats! You are an amazing writer. I gave your book to my chiropractor for Christmas. He just read it while on a trip to Mexico and now his wheels are really turning…. He loved the book too.
Miss you!
Thanks DeAnna! Always laughing about our many adventures together!
Excellent!!! I am very happy for you. But I think you made it a long time ago when you decided to take the leap of faith and move to Costa Rica.
You do need to celebrate with a frozen daiquiri but do it at Las Brasas Steak and Pasta Restaurant, just not on Tuesday ☺
Thanks! I believe you are right, it was that one decision I made in my life that just happened to be the best decision I made in my life.
AWESOME!! Wonderful News! The most FABULOUS READ. Can’t wait for more of the adventure.
Thanks so much Sue. It’s a was a great review and really made my day, as you can see, by the big smile on my face.