Costa Rica is a captivating destination that beckons travelers from all corners of the globe with its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife. For those planning to visit this Central American paradise, there's great news on the horizon.
This scenario has repeated itself many times: I have friends visiting, and the first morning they wake up to fresh coffee, a homemade breakfast and a beautiful view from my balcony, and they say dreamily but decidedly, “I could SO live here and be an expat in Costa Rica!”
I have been living in Costa Rica for over 12 years now. Why I chose Costa Rica over other “popular” Latin American and Caribbean countries to become an expat, well the list is many. It all started when I decide to make a plan to leave the United States and become an expat moving to Costa Rica. Costa Rica was the third county destination I chose out of seven.
One year ago, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved the “Digital Nomad Law” but never got around to the regulations. Thankfully on July 4th, 2022, President Rodrigo Chaves approved the regulations of the “Digital Nomad Law” to finally start attracting digital nomads/remote workers to come to Costa Rica! The good news is, the visa process is much simpler than initially proposed.
Nestled along the northwestern coast of Costa Rica, the Papagayo region is a pristine tropical paradise that beckons travelers seeking health and wellness amidst breathtaking natural beauty. Known for its lush rainforests, golden beaches, and abundant wildlife, this region offers a myriad of opportunities to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul.
There is a strange-colored haze resting over Costa Rica’s Central Valley that didn’t use to be there. It is smog. How can that be in a country that doesn’t burn fossil fuels for energy? It’s from all the cars, trucks and busses. What’s the answer? Electric cars in Costa Rica.
What is it like to drive in Costa Rica? Exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, maybe dangerous, but never boring. At times you will feel like you are on a roller coaster; at times you will feel like you are in a video game. Driving here can be intimidating for a visitor. But it gives you the freedom that you won’t have when riding a bus.
Once you receive your official residency in Costa Rica, you become a “voluntary” member of Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS or Caja). This enables you to access the socialized medical system here in Costa Rica.
“I’m starving!” you say after a long morning playing at the beach in front of your condo in Playa del Coco. Maybe it is the sea air, or the hot sun, or all the fun activities available to you every day, but in Costa Rica you get HUNGRY. The gnawing kind. You crave a variety of freshly prepared food in great quantities, and you want it FAST. So head to a Soda for a Casado.
Costa Rican tamales are kind of like the Christmas cookies of Latin America. They are everywhere in December, and they’re a tradition worth experiencing.
