Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Renowned actress and environmental advocate Alicia Silverstone has recently been spotted enjoying a serene holiday in the lush landscapes of Costa Rica. Best known for her iconic roles in films like “Clueless” and her dedication to sustainable living, Silverstone seems to have found the perfect getaway amidst Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

Silverstone, known for her passion for healthy living and eco-conscious lifestyle, has long been an advocate for environmental causes. Her choice of Costa Rica as a vacation destination aligns perfectly with her values, as the country is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and preservation of its rich biodiversity.

Silverstone, known for her passion for healthy living and eco-conscious lifestyle, has long been an advocate for environmental causes. Her choice of Costa Rica as a vacation destination aligns perfectly with her values, as the country is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and preservation of its rich biodiversity.

Costa Rica attracts our attention for many reasons. These include its magnificent nature, diverse cultures, and friendly people. This large Central American country, bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offers a variety of opportunities for anyone considering it as a place of residence. From students looking for higher education to young professionals seeking career advancement. At the same time, it is also attractive to families looking for a better place to raise their children. In Costa Rica, every demographic group will find something to attract them to stay and never leave.

Costa Rica for Students

Benefits of Studying

Many students consider Costa Rica to be an ideal place for higher education. Costa Rican universities are famous for their quality of education. Also, they cooperate with universities abroad. Thanks to the friendly environment, students can develop their skills in peace. Besides, the vibrant and colorful culture makes studying even more exciting. The incredible landscapes make them want to explore this country deeper. And to enjoy life to the fullest.

That’s why students often don’t have enough time to keep up with everything and remain successful in their academic studies. This is where specialized services come in handy. Helping to write high quality research papers and essays. Among the proven and most professional ones, Edubirdie writes essays that will meet all the requirements. Namely, they will be structured, literate, and meaningful. Professional writers of such services will always provide students with qualified assistance. Thus, students can keep up with everything they have planned and enjoy life in Costa Rica as well as studying at the universities we will discuss below.

Universidad Nacional 

It is known for its emphasis on research and science. 

Universidad de Costa Rica

 It is the largest and most prestigious in Costa Rica. It offers a wide range of programs including humanities, science and engineering.

Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje

This institute specializes in practical vocational programs, such as repair and construction. 

TEC (Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica) 

It is famous for its professional training in engineering, technology and science.

Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica

This institute specializes in computer science and technology. It also cooperates with numerous international universities.

Costa Rica for Young Professionals

Labor Market and Career Opportunities

Costa Rica is a rapidly developing country. Due to this, it offers a large number of opportunities for young professionals. 

• Costa Rica promotes business development, which attracts young entrepreneurs. 
• The country is open to foreign professionals and supports work visas for specialists. 
• The development of the environmental technology sector attracts professionals who want to work on projects aimed at preserving nature and creating a balanced environment.
• Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination. Young professionals can develop a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.
• The country also invests in education and research. 
• Costa Rica also attracts international corporations, which creates opportunities to work in large companies and develop a career in global business.

Costa Rica for Families

• It is famous for its friendly and hospitаble people. This makes it an ideal destination for families. The general atmosphere is conducive to the preservation of family values and strong familial ties. And the work environment in this country is rated as more favorable for work-life balance.

• The education and healthсare systems in the country are of a high standard. A large number of public and private schools offer quality education. Medical facilities take care of the residents’ health.

• The country is also famous for its entertainment, where families can enjoy their vacations together. 

Below we’ll talk more about entertainments. After all, they are certainly related to the country’s incredible nature.

The Natural Beauty of Costa Rica

It fascinates everyone who visits this country for the first time. Mountains, beaches, rainforests, and a huge number of natural reserves make this country an ideal place for outdoor activities and ecotourism.

Excursions to nature reserves. Here you can see majestic national parks, rainforests, volcanoes, and many other natural wonders.

Outdoor enthusiasts will discover zip-lining (skydiving on ropes), rafting, cycling, and hiking.

Water activities. A large number of rivers and lakes provide opportunities for fishing and kayaking.

Ecotourism. Іt is famous for its rich exotic flora and fauna. 

Gastronomic tourism. Costa Rica offers delicious cuisine, including traditional dishes. These are such as Gallopinto, Casado and other delicacies.

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As we wrap up our journey through Costa Rica, let’s emphasize once again that this country offers something special for every demographic. Its attraction lies in the diversity and wealth of opportunities it offers. Regardless of your age, interests or needs. From students to young professionals and families, Costa Rica impresses with its diversity and capabilities. Its natural beauty and diverse culture make it an attractive place to live and develop. Where every day is a new adventure. 

Cory Shilling

Traveler and researcher of interesting places on the planet. Author of a blog about the unique characteristics of various countries. Exploring new horizons, she describes them in her essays.

Photos: Freepik 1, 2 and 3.

If you’re a freelancer, you’ve likely had daydreams of moving to an exotic land and working under the shade of a palm tree. But that kind of setup doesn’t need to be a fantasy. In fact, millions of freelancers and digital nomads travel to places like this to make those dreams a reality.

Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in the world for freelancers, and when you know the facts, it’s easy to see why. This tropical Central American country is easy to obtain a freelance work visa for, offers a low cost of living, and is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes, shorelines, and wildlife on earth. 

But like all countries, Costa Rica comes with pros, cons, and unique opportunities. If you’re thinking about freelancing in this part of the world, read on to learn more about whether Costa Rica is the right destination for you. 

Is Costa Rica A Good Place To Live For Freelancers And Digital Nomads? 

The short answer to this question is a resounding yes. Labeled by some as the “Switzerland of the Americas”, it’s a near-ideal location for living and working remotely. So, what makes Costa Rica such a great destination for independent online contractors? Let’s go through a list.

• Great weather all year – First off, the climate is very agreeable. While peak summer seasons can be very hot, daily temperatures remain at an average of around 70 F, and frequent rain ensures that nature is consistently lush and green.
  
• Easy access to freelance visa – If you can prove you are an actively earning, self-employed freelancer, you can quite easily obtain a Costa Rican freelance visa that lasts 2 years at a time. It costs about $250.
  
• Low to mid-range cost of living – You can rent a nice two-bedroom apartment in the city center for roughly $1000 per month, including utilities. Two adults can comfortably live off of $2000 a month, which is considerably lower than other popular freelance destinations around the world.
  
• Expat-friendly community – Due to its ideal location and affordability, there are millions of expats, international freelancers, and digital nomad types living in Costa Rica. This makes it a diverse community of people that you can easily assimilate into as a newcomer. The Costa Rican people also have a reputation for being welcoming and friendly.
  
• Fast internet – Costa Rica has a fully developed fiber-optic network that allows remote workers to conduct online business as they would in any other country.
  
• Stable politics – This small country is known for its long history of stable democratic politics and progressive LGBTQ+ and environmental policies. Costa Rica is widely considered a safe, politically stable, and comfortable place to live for people from all walks of life.
  
• Internationally compatible time zone – From November to May, Costa Rica operates on GMT-6 (CST) time, which is the same time zone system that most international clients use. This makes it easy for freelancers to take international calls or video conferences. There’s no daylight savings time, so the time never changes locally, but international DST may affect the available working hours.
  
• Accessible location – Costa Rica is just a short flight or two away from North America, so if that’s your home, it won’t be hard to go back and forth as needed for work or family.
  
• Beautiful nature and wildlife to explore – Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, and some of the most fascinating wildlife. Spot various bats, monkeys, tapirs, and even jaguars in vibrant green conservations. 

All in all, Costa Rica is a beautiful, socially accommodating, and affordable place to live for locals and internationals. It’s also one of the safest places to travel in Central America, making it popular amongst younger freelancers or those with children to consider.

Are There Any Downsides To Freelancing In Costa Rica?

Every country has its ups and downs, and Costa Rica is no exception. But even so, the cons of living in this tropical country are quite manageable with the right attitude of adventure. Some cons include:

• Underdeveloped roads – Many Costa Rican roads are rural and potholed, which makes traveling around somewhat challenging. However, as a freelancer, you probably won’t have as much need for local transport as the average working individual.
  
• Slow public transportation – What little public transport services exist tends to be slow and poorly run. However, similarly to the underdeveloped roads issue, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem for freelancers who do their work remotely.
  
• Extreme weather – In the height of summer, Costa Rica reaches temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees F. In the rainy (winter) season, it buckets down for days on end.
  
• Occasional earthquakes – Mild earthquakes are common in Costa Rica, with small ones sometimes occurring daily and larger ones several times a year. However, major earthquakes only occur once every decade and when they do, damages are manageable.
  
• Pick-pocketing – Although Costa Rica is generally considered a safe country, that doesn’t mean it comes completely without risk. Tourists are frequent targets for pick-pocketers, so you’ll need to keep your wits about you when out. 

Costa Rica is a vibrant country with lots of different natural areas to explore, people to meet, and wildlife to see. But if you don’t function well in busy, sometimes unpredictable environments, the pace and excitement of Costa Rica might not be the place for you. 

Costa Rica Is A Great Destination For Freelancers – If You Feel Like An Adventure 

If you’re a freelancer looking for adventure, Costa Rica is an ideal destination. 

Home to millions of other expats, remote workers, and digital nomads, you won’t struggle to fit into the hodge-podge community of internationals. You’ll also find that the welcoming community will help you with everything, from how to make an invoice with the correct details for locally available payment methods to where to find a new charger for your laptop. Plus, the cost of living is much lower than you’ll find in most other popular freelance hotspots. However, there are some infrastructural fallibilities to consider. 

The underdeveloped roads and public transport systems can be a bother, and extreme weather patterns may be cause for discomfort if you come from Northern or European climates. 

But if you can withstand the heat, rainy seasons, and somewhat lackadaisical atmosphere, Costa Rica offers a wonderful laid back lifestyle that makes it a very rewarding destination for international freelancers.

Based on our research for this article and many writing reviews from the custom service Best Essay Education, the majority of Costa Rican writers dedicated their whole lives to fighting for human rights, women’s rights, their freedom, and a better place to live in.

Thanks to a bigger impact on different audiences, Costa Rican writers had a very important task to spread their culture and traditions all over the world via their writings, to get the world acquainted with their lifestyle, and to save these writings as a history of their nation. Further, we are going to make you familiar with the most outstanding past and current Costa Rican writers who spent their entire life spreading the word about their native land.

Carmen Lyra

Carmen Lyra, which is not the real name of this writer, has become the first worldwide known and popular writer that comes from Costa Rica. Carmen had a very challenging path to build a face in the world of literature. From an early age, she was a teacher and had the opportunity to publish some articles in local newspapers. In her native country, she couldn’t develop her knowledge and skills, so she went to England to continue her education as a teacher, growing her outlook and meeting popular writers. Carmen was writing novels and tales primarily for kids, where one of the most known books has become Cuentos de mi tía Panchita – the collection of tales and short stories for kids published in 1920.

Carlos Luis Fallas

Carlos Luis Fallas is included in the list of the most globally popular Costa Rican writers of the 20th century. The writer was a multifaceted personality who became an outstanding contributor to Costa Rican politics as well as literature. The majority of novels written and published by Carlos, among which are Mamita Yunai and Gente y gentecillas are based on his own life experience where he tells about the hardest and the most successful periods of his life.

Alda Facio

Alda Facio is a widely known public figure from Costa Rica who has been fighting for women’s rights for her entire life. She became an important person in canceling violent laws applied to women in numerous countries in the world. Her writings are surely dedicated to investigating the rights of women and humans overall and were mostly published in newspapers or thematic magazines to reach a broader audience. She wasn’t afraid to judge the Costa Rican law system and tried to do her best to change it and provide the inhabitants of Costa Rica with more freedom in different areas of life.

Quince Duncan

Quince Duncan has become the first globally popular Afro-Caribbean writer that comes from Costa Rica. Despite the challenges he met living in the east of Costa Rica, Quince was always focused on his education and personal development. He tried numerous professions like a teacher, scholar, and priest but finally decided to stop in the writing sphere. Talking about the specifics of his writings, he was keen on writing short stories mostly based on true information about the citizens of his native city, its traditions, culture, people, etc. He aimed to share the ancient history of his nation with the entire world.

Eunice Odio

Eunice Odio is a Costa Rican writer whose main specialization is poetry. Her poems describe everything that happened to her during her life. The writer has changed numerous places of living in the search of inspiration. Born in Costa Rica, she became a journalist and decided to spend several years in Guatemala and then the USA. Thanks to her connection with local newspapers, lots of her poems were published in different editions, which made her a globally popular writer. The constant change of locations and traveling was her primary inspiration to write poems and tell people the truth about the countries she used to live in.

Fabian Dobles

Fabian Dobles is a writer from Costa Rican who managed to combine different spheres of activities including writing, politics, and social movements. By using his novels, he tried to tell the wealthy politicians and people from other countries about the poverty in Costa Rica, how people suffered and what help they need from the government and the entire world. His writing was dedicated to criticizing the current government and its attitude to the simple working class.

Luis Chaves

Luis Chaves is related to the modern flow of Costa Rican art and literature. Due to numerous reviews from the writing service Trust My Paper, this Costa Rican writer is supposed to be the most successful and globally known novelist, whose writings have been spread across various countries. Luis has changed to numerous countries and continents for the purpose of looking for inspiration and sharing his art and his culture with others by translating his writing into different languages including English, German, Spanish, and others. Thus, his novels were recognized and awarded by the National Poetry Prize and Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio de Ascoli Piceno.

Carlos Salazar

Herrera Carlos Salazar Herrera is another great Costa Rican writer who had to make much effort to become a popular writer. From early childhood, he was sending lots of his novels to different publishing houses, editors, and newspapers to get the opportunity to share his art with others. Thanks to his hard work, he succeeded to develop his writing hobby into a real profession, where he became a professor of writing at a certain Costa Rican university to share his skills and knowledge with students who are keen on writing. Carlos dedicated his entire life to writing and sharpening this skill.

To end up

We tried to include the writers from the past as well as the present to show how Costa Rican literature changed and what goals the writers were following. Hope our compilation inspired you to learn more about Costa Rica and its rich culture from the great novels and poems of Costa Rican popular writers.

Written by Lafond Wanda

Overview

Costa Rica is a diminutive country in Central America. Costa Rica is bordered on the north by Nicaragua and on the south by Panama, with a population of approximately 4.9 million people. The country is known for its lush tropical rainforests, stunning beaches, and unique wildlife. Costa Rica’s economy is largely based on agriculture and tourism. The country is a popular destination for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. 

Costa Rica is also home to several major multinational companies, including Intel and Procter & Gamble. The Costa Rican insurance market is relatively small, but it has been growing in recent years. Home insurance is one of the most popular types of insurance in Costa Rica. Home insurance policies typically cover damage from natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Comparative Coverage

However, home insurance policies in Costa Rica often have high deductibles, and they may not cover all types of damage. For instance, most home insurance policies in Costa Rica do not cover damage from flooding. As a result, it is important to compare home insurance policies carefully before buying one. Be sure to read the policy carefully and understand what is and is not covered.

Costa Rican Home Insurance Types

There are two main types of home insurance in Costa Rica; fire insurance and comprehensive insurance.

• Fire insurance policies cover damage from fires, explosions, and lightning strikes. 
• Comprehensive home insurance policies cover a wider range of risks, including damage from theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Some home insurance policies in Costa Rica also provide coverage for personal belongings, such as furniture and electronics.

What to Look for in a Costa Rican Home Insurance Policy

When shopping for home insurance in Costa Rica, it is important to compare policies carefully. Be sure to pay attention to the following factors.

Coverage 

Make sure the policy you choose covers all the risks you are concerned about.

Deductible

Home insurance policies in Costa Rica typically have high deductibles, so be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket costs if you need to make a claim.

Premium

Home insurance premiums in Costa Rica can vary widely, so be sure to shop around for the best price.

Discounts

Some home insurance companies offer discounts for things like smoke detectors and security systems.

What to Do if You Need to Make a Claim

If you need to make a claim on your home insurance policy in Costa Rica, there are a few things you should do.

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Give the insurance company all the information they need, including a detailed description of the damage and any repair estimates.
• Be prepared to pay your deductible.
• Keep all receipts and documentation related to the damage and repairs.

Making a claim on your home insurance policy in Costa Rica can be a stressful experience, but if you follow these steps, it should go smoothly. A home insurance company can help you get your life back to normal after a disaster strikes.

Conclusion

Costa Rica’s home insurance landscape is diverse and ever-changing. By understanding the different types of coverage available, you can choose the right policy for your needs. With a little research, you can find an affordable home insurance policy that will give you peace of mind. In fact, home insurance is an important part of owning a home in Costa Rica. Be sure to shop around and compare policies carefully before buying one. And if you ever need to make a claim, be sure to follow the steps outlined above.

A digital nomad is defined as a professional that uses new technologies to work, and who leads a nomadic lifestyle. Digital nomads typically work remotely, rather than at a fixed workplace.

The term has gained popularity in the past years and the number of people who live by this type of lifestyle has grown exponentially after the COVID-19 pandemic, where teleworking has taken center stage in almost all companies worldwide.

The most common activities of digital nomads are usually related to new information technologies, digital marketing, the creation and dissemination of digital content, such as videographers, influencers, bloggers or youtubers, graphic and web designers, software developers, etc.

Costa Rica is just days away from implementing a visa that will help and benefit remote workers all over the world, the DNV. A digital nomad visa lasts longer than a tourist visa (90 days) and it’s designed only for people who work for foreign companies. The digital nomad visa lasts up to 1 year and has the possibility to renew it for another year, if the digital nomad worker has stayed in Costa Rica for 180 consecutive days, so you can eliminate the perpetual tourist status.

The digital nomad monthly income must be at least US$3,000 for an independent person and US$4,000 for families.

As for the requirements, anyone who works as a freelancer doing remote work can apply for this visa. The person’s country of origin does not matter, as long as they don’t work for a Costa Rican owned company.

Even though the digital nomad visa is not available yet, some of the basic requirements known are:

• Application letter digitally signed by the applicant.
• Application form you can get at the “Migration and Foreign Affairs Office” or the Costa Rican Embassy.
• Proof that you are a digital nomad.
• Proof of stable monthly income.
• Proof of health insurance (lasting the whole duration of stay in CR)
• Government filling tax of US$100.00 (personal) or the equivalent in another currency.
• Copy of the applicant’s passport.
• Additional documents required by the General Law of Migration and Foreigners.

According to the General Law of Immigration, digital nomad visa owners will not be required to pay income taxes. In addition, digital nomads will be exempt from paying taxes on all imported essentials tools they use for work, such as computers, telecommunication devices, or any other equipment necessary to provide remote services.

They will also have access to local banking and can use their country of origin driver’s license.

The General Migration and Immigration No 10008 “Law to Attract Workers and Remote Providers of International Services,” legislation was developed and approved around July 2021, but has not been officially launched for implementation yet. Nevertheless, Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves signed off on the legislation this week, following the inclusion of modifications to make it more accessible and easier to apply.

Costa Rica is one of the favorite countries for the remote workers all over the world. Because it’s known for being tourist friendly, it’s one of the safest countries in Latin America, it has access to a large supply of short- and long-term housing, hotels, and weekend rental options, almost anywhere in the country, healthcare service is excellent, is surrounded by beaches anywhere you go and has an amazing wildlife!

So what do you think of remote work in paradise?

Written by: Fabiola Andrew Cardoso

The Covid-19 pandemic caused unprecedented and seismic shifts in society, most notably in the way we work, interact, and live with each other. Whether you’re a realtor specializing in Texas land for sale , a teacher, or any number of other professional careers, the way you perform the duties of your job is very likely different than it was before the pandemic turned the world upside-down. One way that workers are adapting to this new way to live and work is through co-working spaces, a more flexible shared workspace that can be utilized by different companies and workers.  

What is Coworking?

Co-working is a progressive and flexible form of renting out professional real estate, wherein numerous companies can share the same building or location. This provides many benefits, such as lower rent costs, greater flexibility on leases, and increased social cohesion and collaboration. Co-working has seen a rise in modern times due to the ability of companies to use technology to get more work done in smaller spaces, and an increase in operating costs necessitating a downsizing of the traditional corporate landscape.  

There are several different types of co-working environments, ranging from less structured “open workspace” to “private workspaces”, which can feature more dividers or private rooms. Additionally, there are “Industry-specific” co-working spaces, in which workers or companies from a particular kind of workplace can collaborate. Co-working has been shown to increase employee morale by providing a stronger sense of community, greater availability of tools needed to work and other perks, higher levels of socialization and special events, a higher degree of flexibility, and often a more convenient location.  

Social Distancing and Other Changes

Like most other areas of our lives, co-working spaces have experienced some major changes in the way they function since the pandemic happened, although they were perhaps better suited for them than a traditional office setup. Many employers found co-working to be a nice middle ground or balance between the full office setup and complete remote work, as a space where workers could still meet up and collaborate.

Some of the changes that were made in co-working spaces are increased social distancing and other forms of partitioning, such as plastic barriers or other forms of dividing rooms. In addition, like most stores, many co-working spaces implemented a mask mandate. Some of the other changes that may have occurred are:

• Covid-19 vaccination or testing requirements to ensure either protection or a negative test result before working.

• Increased access to sanitation services, such as hand-washing stations or hand sanitizer is available. 

• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting routines to ensure high-touch surfaces remain clean.

• Increased ventilation in the space to make sure that air is recycled and moved efficiently.

• Contact tracing and other alerts to inform those who may have had contact with an individual who tested positive for Covid-19

Although many workplaces are returning to a sense of normality, co-working spaces will continue to rise in popularity as the world continues to grow and change, as they offer many tangible benefits for employers, such as decreased overhead and greater flexibility to respond to threats such as the pandemic. In this way, co-working spaces will lead to a happier, safer, and more productive world for us all.  

Costa Rica biggest Surf Town Jaco Beach is located in Garabito, the youngest county in Costa Rica, it is a black volcanic sand beach.

If you thinking about visiting Jaco let me fill you in with some local knowledge; first of all know your level of surfing!

The beach of Jaco is 4 kilometers long and has three mayor surfing spots:

– South of Jaco is a very well-knowing area for learning how to surf, this part of the beach is where the majority of surf schools go to. This area presents approximately a 19° – 22° angle from the beach to the shore break, providing long easy right and left hand breaks. So if you are in the beginner stage or use a long board or boogie board, I highly recommend this area (this spot extends from Madrigal’s street to Hidalgo’s street). Given that this area of the beach has the easiest waves and safer spot for kids on their first steps as surfers. Prime time to surf 2 hours before high tide.

– Center of Jaco, this area extends from Hidalgo’s street to Bohio’s street. This part of the beach has two river mouths; Corey river and Quebrada Seca river and presents a 22°-30° angle from the beach to the shore break, this combination of steeper beach angle and two river mouths running into the ocean makes it a more challenging wave for intermediate to advanced surfers. It’s common to see some of the professional surfers as well as the Costa Rican champions training on this area of the beach. This is the closest area of all town amenities such restaurants, surf shops, stores, medical services, banks, bars and much more, making it a convenience spot after surf sessions. Prime time to surf 2.5 hours before high tide.

– North of Jaco, this part of the beach runs from the Bohio’s street to Estero’s street this area presents a 30°-40° angle from the beach to the shore break, this area is the most expose part of the beach to the swells directions and also a very steep beach angle produces a faster more aggressive wave. This spot is where the biggest surf competitions were held such; ISA World Championship 2016 / Central America Championship 2016 / National Costa Rica Championship Circuit 2015 & 2016 / ALAS Pro Latin Tour 2014. If you like fishing, on the north corner on this spot there are some schools showing up at the shore during; September, October and November. Prime time to surf 2.5 hours before high tide.

The north area it has been growing faster over the last 2 years with important developments such Croc’s Casino and Resort recently awarded as the finest build construction, you can also find nice accommodations at Bahía Encantada Condominiums, Aqua Residence and Best Western Jaco Beach which is the first beach Hotel in Costa Rica since 1976.

Come and surf with us and don’t forget to say Pura Vida!

Alvaro Solano,
Properties in Costa Rica Team

While moving to Costa Rica may be a dream come true, some aspects of the process can be unexpectedly daunting. You may be thinking, how am I going to get my dog or cat all the way to Costa Rica? The process is actually quite simple when broken down.

The first step to bringing your pet to Costa Rica is completing the correct documentation and vaccinations. This includes:

1. Up-to-date vaccinations against rabies and leptospirosis certified by your veterinarian.
2. An health examination and signed Federal APHIS Form 7001 by a USDA accredited veterinarian. Fees for this step can range anywhere from $40- $120 per pet. *Note that this certificate is only valid for 10 days once completed.
3. If you have decided to transport your pet by cargo (on a flight different than your own) you will need a special permit.

The next step is to find an airline. American Airlines, United, and Delta all transport animals from the US to Costa Rica. Make sure to check the specific pricing and guidelines for each airline before booking.

An alternative option, known as pet movers, is available for those who want to effortlessly transport their pets. For a price, these companies will prepare your certificates, pick up your pet, pay airline cargo charges, deal with customs, and drop them off at your new home.

Don’t have a furry friend to bring along? Consider adopting one locally! Costa Rica is notorious its beach and street dogs. Its typical to go to the beach for the day only to have a new friend follow you home. Before just adopting the dog as your own, be sure to ask around the neighborhood, as many dogs with homes roam around freely. Haven’t found any dogs in your neighborhood or just looking to visit a puppy paradise? Check out Territorio de Zaguates (Land of the Strays) in Alajuela. This dog sanctuary is home to over 900 animals so you are sure to find the perfect one, unlike any other.

Ask almost any non-Costa Rican who is living in Samara why they’ve stayed, and you can bet that nine times out of ten, the answer will have something to do with the lifestyle. Whether you’re considering buying a vacation property in Samara, Costa Rica, or are thinking of visiting the beach town, you can bet that once you arrive, you’ll find yourself quickly falling in love with the lifestyle, too.

Every year, more North Americans and Europeans find refuge from the noise, appointments and endless responsibilities of home in the laid-back town of Samara. Here, the pace slows to a tempo that provides time and space for appreciating the small things: Conversation with friends, watching a sunset, an impromptu game of soccer on the beach, feeling Pacific waves crash against your body.

What’s an average day like in Samara? It might go something like this:

6:00 am

The calls of howler monkeys in the distance awaken your senses. As your eyes open, you register a glorious sunrise peaking over the tops of the tree covered hills outside out windows, and you hear the songs of a dozen species of birds enter your room with a cool breeze from the sea.

6:30 am

A hot cup of incredible Costa Rican coffee is ready for consumption in the kitchen. You throw on a pair of shorts, and maybe a shirt, plus the nearest pair of sandals and wander out the door, coffee in hand.

6:35 am

Your short stroll down the road leads you to Playa Samara (Samara beach). In five quick minutes, you’ve wished a good morning to no less than four people you recognize as friends or acquaintances, who return the greeting with a smile.

7:15 am

You’ve walked a glorious mile or so along Playa Samara. It’s still a little cool out as the sun rises higher, but the day is heating up. Along the walk, you stopped to chat with a few more friends, watched dogs play in the sand, saw surfers catch the first few waves of the day. You’ve finished your coffee and maybe stopped for a second at Locanda or another cafe right along the beachfront. On your short walk back home, you stop in at the little grocery market to pick up breakfast: a fresh papaya, pineapple and mango, some local cheese and a couple of plantains.

7:30 am

Back at home, you cut up the fresh fruit and grill the cheese and plantains, and sit down for a supremely healthy and delicious breakfast on your patio with the company of your wife or husband and kids. Everyone eats slowly, enjoying every bite and chat about yesterday’s events, about friends, about nature, about whatever. You realize that you’ve never felt closer to your family than this. The kids fight less, no one’s stressed and life in general is rather wonderful.

8:45 am

After a shower, the family hops in the car for a morning kayak and snorkeling tour to explore the beautiful and white sanded beach in Isla Chora, just a few minutes from paddling off Samara. Kids are stocked to find and interact with all kinds of colorful fish in the clear waters of the island or take a slow stroll along the shoreline where the water laps at the sand with your husband or wife, and try to imagine what your friends back home are up to right now.

11:30 am

Excited after the experience you just had, what better than stopping by the Samara Guide office to say hi to the guys who recommended you such an unique experience, get a super refreshing and healthy 100% organic cold pressed juice made out of local fruits/vegetables and reserve your tour for the next day… Maybe half-day fishing tour, surfing lessons or even an exiting canopy tour!

12:00 pm

Lunch time rolls around. Maybe today the family picks up a “casado” from the local soda (restaurant) and eats in the shade beside a handful of other families, both Costa Rican and from abroad.

Or if you are looking for vegetarian and/or vegan options you can check out LuvBurger… Can’t go wrong!

1:15 pm

It’s coming close to the hottest part of the day, which means it’s siesta time. Everyone heads back to the car for the brief drive home and has a nap in the shade or under the comfort of the air conditioner.

3:30 pm

With the family well-rested and refreshed, you all head out the door again for the short journey into town and check out a few of the cute boutique shops along the main street of Samara. The kids find funny hand-crafted toys and your spouse picks out an original T-shirt that looks like it will stay cool during those hot Costa Rican days.

5:00 pm

It’s happy hour! Most of Samara’s bars and restaurants have happy hour specials toward the end of the day to encourage locals and visitors to come out for a drink or two at sunset. Don’t worry, the kids are allowed in and they pick out iced tea, while you and your significant other decide on mojitos or beers.

5:15 pm

The whole family sits at the beach, enjoying the cool drinks, among dozens of others doing the same. You pick a prime location with uninterrupted views for the approaching sunset. Surfers navigate the crashing waves just a few yards away and the locals pass by, waving hello, with bikes, dogs and friends in tow. A vendor stops to offer a fresh, cool coconut – it’s full of refreshing coconut water, packed with electrolytes. The temperature is very comfortable and you snap a few pictures of the kids and the changing colors of the sky, sitting next to the one you love.

6:00 pm

The sun makes its descent beyond the horizon. The sky is illuminated in a stunning palette of hues: reds, pinks, purples, blues, corals and indigoes. You realize you’d never see something like this back home, or wouldn’t have the time to truly enjoy it like you do here. You make a personal resolution to never miss another sunset.

6:05 pm

Dinner time. Maybe the family stops in at one of the beachfront restaurants for some fresh seafood, salads, grilled meat and seasonal fruits, or you stop at the grocery market once again to pick up pasta and locally grown beef, avocadoes, or whatever you’re in the mood for.

8:00 pm

Dinner was better than any dinner back at home. Not just the fresher food, but you notice that the kids are better behaved and your spouse seems to listen better than ever. The saying Pura Vida you hear so often around here (pure life), begins to resonate.

8:30 pm

You decide it’s game time. With the kids, you play charades or a board game, or maybe a makeshift water polo match in the pool. You realize that back home, the TV would be on and no one would talk to each other, but the kids haven’t even mentioned turning on the TV. This is what life is all about: Quality time spent with the people you love the most, creating experiences and memories for your kids to grow up with.

10:00 pm

The kids are beat and so are you. Everyone heads to bed with the sound of crickets reverberating outside the house as a kind of white noise that guides you to the most restful sleep you can remember in years. In a few hours, the sun will rise again, and the pattern will repeat and you’ll realize, this is how life was meant to be lived.

If you are interested in knowing more about the area or looking at property while here, talk to the people at the Samara Guide/Properties in Costa Rica office, they’ll be happy to help you and guide you in the right direction!