Living in Costa Rica – Guys in the Zone

Things Are Crazy Here On This One

February 7, 2023July 1, 2021 by Ben Vaughn

With the massively changing world of the year, 2020, and early 2021, many people were talking like finding a planetary option was what we needed. Ok, fine – the conclusion of this topic was universally, and without exception, the same – there just aren’t any options when it comes to planets. We’re stuck. The next … Read more

Learning Spanish: Make as Many Mistakes as You Can

March 23, 2023August 4, 2018 by

I derive perverse pleasure from enticing the reader (you) into learning Spanish by telling you how extremely hard it is to do so. Enjoy!

Understanding Real Estate in Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Zone Part 1

February 3, 2023October 15, 2017 by

I’d say that about 1/10th of my time spent with people looking to buy property in Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific zone is spent in the actual buying/selling of property. The other 9/10ths is a mix of conversations regarding what’s involved with living here, as well as discussing the business of real estate in Costa Rica. … Read more

About Bugs & Chilis

February 3, 2023January 31, 2017 by

My first three weeks in Costa Rica (1999) my legs were red and itchy from the knees down. After those three weeks, it’s been smooth sailing. My legs cleared up, and aside from the occasional bloom, bugs have not been a problem.

What to Bring When You Move to Costa Rica

February 3, 2023November 17, 2016 by

This article is a copy and paste from an e-mail with a couple that have purchased a property here in Uvita. They are moving from Canada and are going to build a primary home for their own full-time residence. Plus, they are going to build at least 3 rental cabinas that they will run as … Read more

The Magic of Costa Rica – Rainy Season versus Dry

February 3, 2023December 3, 2015 by

Before moving to Costa Rica in 1999, my family and I had lived in Colorado for the previous 20 years. We lived in the gorgeous Aspen valley. There was one busy season there at that time: winter. Aspen was known as a ski town and that was why people went there. Us locals didn’t really … Read more

A Morning in “The Zone”

February 3, 2023November 22, 2015 by

At this writing, we are in the later stages of the rainy season here in the zone. Its a bit of a paradox why the rainy season here is called the “low” season. For those of us that live here, it is one of the nicest times of the year. There are flowers out like … Read more

Vegan Lifestyle in the Zone – Question From Reader

April 10, 2021February 12, 2015 by

Towns for the Vegan Lifestyle - Ojochal Uvita or Tinamastes

Preamble: this article is my response to question I received from one of this blog’s readers. Its a bit unusual, but I see it as demonstrating a growing interest in The Zone – wellness – in its many forms. This one is specifically “vegan”, but the principles apply to all aspects of wellness. Tinamastes is mentioned … Read more

Should I Buy or Build a House in Costa Rica?

June 29, 2021August 26, 2014 by

Construction, that is to say, building a house in Costa Rica, is a project for the adventurous relocator, and for those that are looking to optimize a real estate investment strategy.

Whereas the following did not use to be true, times have changed; building a house in Costa Rica is entirely do-able, money-saving and potentially lucrative if you are a real estate investor.

There are nightmare stories out there about building a house in Costa Rica. Relative to the topic of construction I can say that times have changed. “Relative” being the keyword here. Building a house can go south quickly anywhere. But the improvement over the last few years in the building process here in Costa Rica has improved exponentially.