May 2013
A lager beer, a bit of lime juice, and ice in a salt-rimmed glass. It's a concoction invented in Mexico, where they add tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and other ingredients as well. It's called the michelada.
Jason Holland
Off-the-Beaten Track Homes in Costa Rica…From $80,000
Of all the places I've visited in Costa Rica, the Nicoya Peninsula is the one that feels most like the frontier. It's a somewhat isolated region, with mile after mile of untouched coastline along the blue Pacific, craggy hills, vast cattle farms in the interior, and mazes of what are often dirt roads running through forests and fields. It's also one of the world's Blue Zones, where researchers have found that locals live longer on average due to a combination of diet, climate, and lifestyle.
How the Seymours Retired at 41 and 44 in Costa Rica
Opening a business, moving to a small town, changing careers, heading out on the road in an RV...they considered all these options. But once they started reading about retiring overseas, it seemed the way to go. And Costa Rica quickly rose to the top of their list of destinations because it's an easy flight back to Dallas and there's good infrastructure, healthcare, and Internet access. And the climate where they live in the Central Valley is perfect year-round.
Lifestyle Opportunities in the Easy-Going Nicoya Peninsula from $80,000
Of all the places I’ve visited in Costa Rica, the Nicoya Peninsula is the one that feels most like the frontier. It’s a somewhat isolated region, with mile after mile of untouched coastline along the blue Pacific, craggy hills, vast cattle farms in the interior, and mazes of what are often dirt roads running through forests and fields. It’s also one of the world’s Blue Zones, where researchers have found that locals live longer on average due to a combination of diet, climate, and lifestyle.
Monteverde: Small-Town Life in Costa Rica’s Cloud Forest
It’s easy to miss Monteverde, high in the Tilarán Mountains. There’s only a small sign directing you to turn right off the PanAmerican Highway and begin your slow ascent. You pass through tiny villages along the way. Dairy cows clamber on near-vertical terraced hillsides.
Savoring Life as a Café Owner in Costa Rica
When Michael Allen, 54, joined his wife Connie, 51, for a vacation on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast back in 2000, he made a startling discovery. “She had arrived there two weeks before me and had bought some land near the town of Ojochal, which is a hub of expat activity in the region,” says Michael. “I remember saying, ‘What did you do! Are you out of your mind? It’s in the middle of the jungle.’”
Perfect Weather in the Heart of the Central Valley
My wife and I were enjoying coffee on our back porch the other day when we turned to each other and said, almost simultaneously, "Can't beat this weather, huh?" And really, here at our home in the heart of the Central Valley, in the hills above the town of Grecia, I have to admit the weather is perfect. (My apologies to all those reading this up north who still have snow on the ground.)
Tasty, Filling, and Healthy: Five Foods to Try in Costa Rica
Costa Rica doesn't get much attention as a culinary destination. The national cuisine (known locally as comida tipica) hasn't extended across borders. And you won't find Costa Rican restaurants anywhere but Costa Rica. Yet, most tourists and expats find that this country is actually full of some great food. It's tasty, filling, healthy, and, in most cases, very reasonably priced.
Opportunities for Making Good Money in Costa Rica
When Costa Rica got its start as an expat haven more than three decades ago, it was all about retirees. But over the years, the great weather, stable government, and low cost of living have also attracted those too young to retire (or those who never want to). And they've found plenty of ways to support themselves—and their families—while living in a tropical paradise.
Costa Rica: The Top Wedding Destination in Latin America
There is business opportunity in overseas weddings...and Costa Rica is emerging as the new place to be. It's estimated that about 8% of U.S. weddings are held overseas, with Mexico being a perennial favorite due to its proximity and established tourist infrastructure. But Costa Rica is now rated the top destination in Latin America by wedding website TheKnot.com.