A directory of sources for Costa Rica information - actually useful* not paid promotions birds | docs | embassy | gov | health | hike | maps | news | public works | transport | trivia | weather Finding anything useful in the tsunami of advertising and search engine optimization garbage returned by … [Read more...]
Working in Costa Rica
One of the most common questions about relocating is "can foreigners work in Costa Rica?" Whether it's a full time job, something part time to supplement social security, or running a B&B on the side - practically and legally the concise answer is usually "No." At the same time there are … [Read more...]
Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature reserve protects semi dry tropical forest on the southern tip of the Nicoya Penisula, Costa Rica. The 2 mile long (3 km) trail crosses a ridge and drops down to Playa Banco on the tip of the Nicoya Penisula. The visitors entrance to Cabo Blanco is on the east side … [Read more...]
Today’s Weather in Costa Rica
Skip down to today's detailed weather and forecasts for each region of Costa Rica. General Costa Rica Weather Trends Costa Rica's dry season lagged a bit and the first few weeks of 2020 saw some lingering rain even in the drier regions of the Pacific. The Caribbean has had typical "tropical" … [Read more...]
Best Places to Camp in Costa Rica
The midnight solitude and tranquility of blue and green sparkles in phosphorescent waves echoing the billions of brilliant stars in the milky way above is stupefyingly beautiful. The sun at mid-day is searing but once it rained so hard I thought I might drown...standing up...on a rock. What to … [Read more...]
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Map
Choose either a larger jpg image or the more detailed and fully zoomable pdf map by clicking on the thumbnails above Free printable pocket map of the Arenal Volcano region, La Fortuna and the national park featuring hotels, resorts and lodges and hot spring spas with approximate price ranges for … [Read more...]
Manuel Antonio Map
Choose either a large Manuel Antonio map image or the more detailed and fully zoomable pdf map Free printable pocket map of the Manuel Antonio region from Quepos south to the national park featuring hotels, resorts and lodges with approximate price ranges for each. Food and entertainment … [Read more...]
Stop Animal Selfies
Late in 2019 the government agency that administers the the national parks and other natural areas, SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, National System of Conservation Areas), along with the ministry of the environment and the tourism board launched a huge social media publicity … [Read more...]
Half Million Dollar Mouse Click
It's that time again. On the 2020 map update research trip we identified 327 changes including 21 road segments that have been paved, 67 name changes, 113 places closed down, 41 new lodgings and many more. There were also 3 errors in the previous edition and we've decided to add a cool new shaded … [Read more...]
Kamikaze Expats & the Boomerang
Kamikaze expats are the ones who are convinced that to succeed they have to "believe" in themselves and "prove" it by fully committing, burning their parachute and jumping in with both feet. Boomerang Expats are the Majority A recent article in Travel and Leisure Magazine about "Boomerang … [Read more...]
Don’t Feed the Animals
Pursuant to Costa Rica's Articulo 116 de la Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre N.7317 the minimum fine for feeding crocodiles by hand is $100... if they can locate your hand as evidence to prove your guilt. birdfeeder? | wildlife rescues | birds & bees | selfies & mugshots | … [Read more...]
Tortuguero Village & Canals Photos
The community is built on the strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero Lagoon. It's only a couple of blocks wide at most and the main street stretches between guest houses, tourist shops, mini-supermarkets and restaurants. Along the lagoon side are docks where all the visitors and … [Read more...]
airbnb & VRBO Cautions
Online vacation rental platforms have revolutionized the lodging industry and most people are aware of the upsides of renting a couch, room, condo or house from someone with a spare. There are some pitfalls too. Some you can watch out for and others are just down to bad luck. stranded | nickle … [Read more...]
Tortuguero National Park
This is one of the few Costa Rican National Parks where walking quietly isn't necessarily the best way to see things. The marked trail along the beach is used mostly for observing turtle nesting, but the best way to see most of the park is from a boat. That doesn't mean you can't get a workout … [Read more...]
How Much Does Food Cost?
Obviously at popular vacation destinations you expect restaurants to have high prices just as they do at tourist beaches, ski areas and amusement parks all over the world, but food prices have gotten crazy in Costa Rica even in supermarkets in backwater ranching towns. One question that we … [Read more...]
Bird Feeder Ban
Based on a seemingly environmentally enlightened avalanche of catchphrases, Articulo 116 de la Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre N.7317 outlawed "all feeding of wild animals by hand or using feeders." Politicians determined that the appearance of "large" quantities of "unnatural" food at … [Read more...]
Navigation & Drive Time
Getting where you want to go can be challenging but these tips should help. The best advice, use a free GPS app on your phone for turn by turn directions (but don't be a lemming). Also consider a good map for the overview, and ask for help early and often (our nifty waterproof roadmap has … [Read more...]
AirBnB Prices Set to Increase up to 64% in Costa Rica
Heading into the 2020 high season there's still some uncertainty. The new 13% Value Added Tax introduced in July 2019 definitely had an impact but there are more price increases to come. Some hotel and lodge owners have expressed concerns that rental properties and room shares have an unfair … [Read more...]
Storage Units
The most important thing to know about trying to find a mini-storage or self-storage unit in Costa Rica is that they are called "mini-bodegas". Google translate will tell you that means "small winery" but don't let that confuse you. Info on prices, security, locations and potentially cheaper … [Read more...]
Guayabo National Monument
The archaeological digs at Guayabo National Monument are the largest in Costa Rica but have only uncovered an estimated 5% of the early community established by a civilization that spanned almost 2,500 years starting in 1000 BC. Discovered in the 1800's the site was mysteriously abandoned before … [Read more...]