[Bekah Battone]

How exciting!
I think it is a great idea to check out beach and Central Valley life.

I put together this list of contacts I have made on editorial trips… I hope you find it helpful.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kb-aZhS79jT6QssMVEr0w70P_dpYT0Ej06eVtgQvBlo/edit?usp=sharing

I suggest looking into flying to Liberia and then out of San Jose.

Do you speak Spanish. The Central Valley is very doable by bus, yet speaking Spanish would make that easier to figure out the system once you are there. That expat group in Grecia in the document is a great resource for that area.

I live in Villarreal, just 2 miles from Playa Tamarindo so let me know if you end up in the area.

-Bekah, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Costa Rica has great public transportation in the Central Valley, it is easy to get around by bus. On the coast, the schedules are more irregular so it is not as convenient.

Right now the colon is very low, it is about 495 colones for a $1 so that is quite painful. Imported items are very expensive and restaurants especially in tourist places are also expensive. Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Latin America, yet I still love Costa Rica and don’t plan on moving any time soon.

Please feel free to reach out with any specific questions as you continue with your research.

-Bekah, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

There are a lot of retirees in the Central Valley especially in the Grecia, Atenas, Escazu area. Although you need to be a resident to receive healthcare, yet private care is much more affordable in Costa Rica compared to the USA.
There are lots of meet ups for expats to get to know each other. If you decide to come to Costa Rica, reach out to me for more information.
– Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

https://internationalliving.com/author/bekah-bottone/ – read the articles in the areas you are interested

Facebook groups are very helpful to find out about community and rentals… be specific about the area, and search for groups with the town’s name, such as Tamarindo Chit Chat or Tamarindo Garage Sale.

Here are some recommendations, places I have experienced on editorial trips and had positive stays/interactions.

Guanacaste

I love this woman’s group; it’s very helpful:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3442610169117243

Areas in Guanacaste to check out:
Junquial
Negra/Avellanas
Tamarindo/Langosta – there is a weekly women’s dinner group on Tuesdays
Potrero/Surfside
Flamingo
More south– Samara / Montezuma

Southern Pacific

Uvita
Ojochal
https://livebetterabroad.internationalliving.com/p/swap-cold-winters-for-warm-beaches

Rental Airbnb in Ojochal – Aaron
l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcasariotortuga.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVEJSR3lZb3JzZll1aXhVZQEeJ-yVfNuBmY-gVKYkSb8QqdtfeKiUM2GqXc_nxEADReuOMxwE_JoS6WBjuRk_aem_Z_VwIuCM05bJtFWDhnq2Dw&h=AT1ftq2mZGcqYFtYePlKiweZYWt91jyudINeq5l6YPen3qH-YSJTgsv4C8fmikuQCbNOi5zK41tJAo_rMlmj9JjVaDqtgC18BWDHn2aY7yy6AxwKssZwWe1P7smfXwHDQUFNlT0guZfuKe8

Central Valley

Brooke Bishop – real estate and rentals in Atenas/Grecia area

Brooke Bishop

Nora Rentals Atenas Kraidman (rentals in Atenas) +1 (702) 403-2076

Atenas
A test drive of Atenas: https://internationalliving.com/a-retirement-test-drive-in-atenas-costa-rica/

This woman’s group has weekly meetups– ask on the page for details
https://www.facebook.com/groups/663758784658197?locale=he_IL

Hotel in Atenas – right downtown– walkable in the center – https://www.booking.com/hotel/cr/colinas-del-sol.en-gb.html?aid=311984&label=colinas-del-sol-JTQ9vYei8EfjP8e0zdMDrgS442509405813%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-24444033627%3Alp9196226%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm%3Appccp%3DUmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YV19IumoQ3O51m4Ge68sOW8&sid=29c1313f9d7b846be828efd6be68e624&age=14&age=14&all_sr_blocks=135080603_86194120_3_1_0&checkin=2025-10-13&checkout=2025-10-15&dest_id=-1106095&dest_type=city&dist=0&group_adults=1&group_children=2&hapos=1&highlighted_blocks=135080603_86194120_3_1_0&hpos=1&matching_block_id=135080603_86194120_3_1_0&no_rooms=1&req_adults=1&req_age=14&req_age=14&req_children=2&room1=A%2C14%2C14&sb_price_type=total&sr_order=popularity&sr_pri_blocks=135080603_86194120_3_1_0__31110&srepoch=1757011899&srpvid=94d2849b3e920574&type=total&ucfs=1&

Grecia
Glamping in Grecia- https://www.tierranuevacostarica.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574689898866&rdid=ZUD5fBV785KxSDor&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1B6pbpgsTY%2F#
Owner of this page – DON sets up weekly AMIGOS group meet-ups on Wednesdays at 12 pm at Los Jardines Vivero y Café

Check out Tres Ríos and Orosi Valley on the other side of San Jose
John Michael has a rental airbnb.ie/rooms/872388643455466471
Also check out his International Living cover story on Orosi– maybe in the May 2025 issue (around that month)

Arenal
Tronadora:
Cabinas to rent https://www.facebook.com/cabanaskoi/?locale=he_IL
Long-term rentals – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083158240797&locale=he_IL

Nuevo Arenal:
rentals
https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/40036748
https://www.toucanlane.com/

Let me know if you have any specific questions and you can also message questions to my WhatsApp +506 8962 9593.

[Bekah Battone]

Hi Virginia… I have a new contact you can send a message. He could take you around to different communites; he is an old friend of mine I was talking with today and I thought about this message.
Edgar +506 8316 0509
This is his website; he also gives surf lessons: http://www.learnimprovesurfcompany.com/

[Bekah Battone]

Hello!!!
I have using this company– Olman Cerdas is the contact I have worked with and I have had great experiences. https://www.ticotransfers.com/
I also use INTERBUS for travel within the country.
Uber is available in Liberia and I use it all the time in Tamarindo… so that might be a good option.
If you have specific areas in mind, feel free to send me a message on WhatsApp +506 8962 9593 and I can reach out to friends/contacts for recommendations.
I look forward to helping you more. Hope to hear from you soon!
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Here it is:
https://pro.internationalliving.com/p/120S45DGS-HL25/E12054BE/
https://www.ilbookstore.com/Spanish-for-Expats-and-Travelers-Program

And find more products here:
https://www.ilbookstore.com/

Buena suerte!!!

[Bekah Battone]

I will find that information and get back to you soon.
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Did you see Jen’s response?
If you haven’t received the materials that should have come when you joined, apologies. You got your login, clearly, so you’re in the system. Normally there would have been a link to your resources in your welcome letter. But if you just put your name in here and ask about your promised materials, our customer service team will get right back to you: https://internationalliving.com/contact-us/
If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me an email. bbottone@internationalliving.com
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

I commented above 🙂
I am in the US right now but will be back on Aug 13.
If you are around on Fri Aug 22, I usually an at sunset on Fridays around 4:30 pm. Send me a WhatsApp and we can meet up. +506 8962 – 9593
If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me an email. bbottone@internationalliving.com
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Hi JN… when will you be near Tamarindo? I will be in Portland Aug 29 and will return on Sept 3. Send me a WhatsApp if you want to get in touch. +506 8962 9593
If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me an email. bbottone@internationalliving.com
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

A Canadian tourist was killed in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, during a home invasion and robbery on July 11.
It is very sad and was very close to my home. This invasion happened on Los Jobos, the back road going into Tamarindo. Personally, I chose to live in a gated community surrounded by neighbors and with a 24 hour guard becuase I feel safer in this type of environment, even 11 year ago when I built my home when there were no such incidents like this occuring.
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Hello,

Here is the INS website where you can find information: https://www.grupoins.com/
I use Jorge as my INS agent in case you want contact a person.
+506 8395 6785

Here are two agents who have helped people I know:
https://bestinsurancecr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/phil.eitman/photos/insurance-for-families-with-the-help-of-my-team-over-the-last-12-yrs-we-have-pro/10227943255511118/?_rdr

[Bekah Battone]

I love to share the contact of my lawyer Rosa and her daughter Jimena at Themis Legal. https://themislegalcr.com/
I used them for my divorce and continue to use their counsil.
They sent me this recently:
“I just wanted to share with you that we are now offering the service for the FBI reports for the criminal reports people need for residency and other things here in Costa Rica.
So the person can come to our office, and we can take the fingerprints.
In addition, we are doing all of the apostilles for vital documentations in the USA and Canada; and RCMP check (equivalent to FBI) in Canada as well.”
https://client-application-portal.vercel.app/themis-legal-costa-rica/

[Bekah Battone]

Sorry for the inconvenience, sometimes tech issues are out of our control.
This is the first time there has been an issue during an event I have been a part of.
As the Costa Rica Correspondent, I am always here to help you with any questions. Send me an email if you have any specific questions about Costa Rica and I will do my best to answer them.
bbottone@internationalliving.com
-Bekah Bottone, IL’s Costa Rica Correspondent

[Author]

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