Discover the Fusion of Culture, Art, and Entertainment in Costa Rica
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Harry Bodaan, accused of a gruesome murder, asserts his innocence in new book
It was a crime that shocked a nation — a top Costa Rican anesthesiologist viciously raped and murdered while staying at La Mansion Inn in Manuel Antonio, accompanied only by a little dog. Adding to the shock was the arrest of the hotel owner, the 69-year-old...
Tico Karaoke: The National Sport You Didn’t Know Existed
Where emotions go full throttle, and off-key is part of the charm. When night falls in Costa Rica, and the last spoonful of gallo pinto has long been digested, something magical happens in corner bars, beach joints, and neon-lit cantinas. No, it’s not fútbol. It’s...
Puppets, Pageantry, and Pure Weirdness: Costa Rica’s Traveling Theatre Scene
You’re sitting in a plaza munching on a tamal when—wait, is that a pirate dueling a chicken with a broomstick? Welcome to the delightfully absurd, surprisingly profound, and occasionally head-scratching world of Costa Rica’s travelling theatre scene. It’s where...
The Magic of Machetes: More Than a Tool, It’s a Way of Life
In Costa Rica, you’ll spot it strapped to a belt, slung over a shoulder, or leaned against a banana tree. The machete isn’t just a tool here—it’s practically family. Passed from grandpa to grandson, sharpened daily, and spoken of with the same reverence usually...
Voices of the Volcano: Spoken Word from the Slopes
What is “Voices of the Volcano”? “Voices of the Volcano” is a raw, underground poetry movement erupting near Costa Rica’s mighty volcanoes, where poets trade stages for steam vents and microphones for mist. In these intimate gatherings around Arenal and Poás, locals...
July’s Festival of Maíz: Corn Gets Its Crown
What is the Festival of Maíz in Costa Rica? The Festival of Maíz is Costa Rica’s annual celebration of corn, the sacred grain that has fed generations and shaped culture across the country. Every July, rural towns come alive with the smells of masa, the rhythms of...
Monkey Myths and Jungle Legends from Costa Rica’s Wild Side
There’s something off-kilter about the Nicoya Peninsula. Not bad, just… different. The air feels thicker, like it’s carrying more than just heat and humidity. The trees lean in a little too close. The howler monkeys don’t just call—they sound like they’re screaming in...
Big Mountain Drops a Fresh Reggae Anthem: “One Light, One Love”
Big Mountain is back with a powerful new single that reggae lovers won’t want to miss. “One Light, One Love”—now streaming on all major platforms—is a heartfelt collaboration between frontman Quino, E.N. Young, and Maxi Vargas. The track fuses warm island rhythms with...
How Costa Rica’s Coffee Fuels Art, Writing, and Everyday Inspiration
It’s 6:45 a.m. in the Central Valley. A painter in Palmares unwraps a canvas as golden light cuts through the mist. The smell of freshly brewed coffee—organic, rich, and earthy—drifts through the hills. That aroma? It's likely from Torunes Farm, an artisanal coffee...
“Coffee and Creativity” – How the Country’s Caffeine Culture Inspires Artists and Writers
It’s 6:45am in the Central Valley. A painter unwraps a canvas under the early morning sun while the scent of locally roasted beans brews through the air like a quiet overture. Across town, a poet stirs her cafecito, notebook open, chasing metaphors like butterflies....
What’s with the weird names in Costa Rica?
“What’s in a Name?” – The Origins of Costa Rica’s Funniest and Most Unusual Town Names If you’ve ever looked at a map of Costa Rica and done a double take at town names like Zapote, Palo Seco, or Veinticinco de Abril, you’re not alone. While many countries have their...
The Beginners Costa Rican Survival Guide
Essential local hacks for navigating everything from currency exchange to ordering a beer You’ve landed in Costa Rica, stepped off the plane with “pura vida” echoing in your head, only to realise you’ve no clue how to ask for the loo, your pockets are jingling with...
The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Lake Arenal and volcano Arenal
San José After Dark: A Guide to the Capital’s Hidden Nightlife
Where the Capital Comes Alive San José may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of nightlife in Costa Rica, but the capital has a thriving after-dark scene just waiting to be explored. Beyond the usual tourist spots, San José hides an eclectic mix...
The Art of Boruca Masks: Tradition, Meaning, and Modern Adaptations
Costa Rica’s indigenous communities hold some of the most remarkable artistic traditions in Central America, and among them, the Boruca people stand out with their intricate, hand-carved masks. These masks, bursting with vivid colors and striking animal designs, are...
The Mystery and Myths Behind Semana Santa in Costa Rica
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of Costa Rica’s most sacred and culturally rich celebrations, blending religious traditions with folklore and superstitions that have been passed down through generations. While the week is best...
The Mystery and Myths Behind Semana Santa in Costa Rica
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of Costa Rica’s most sacred and culturally rich celebrations, blending religious traditions with folklore and superstitions that have been passed down through generations. While the week is best...
The Animal Art of amy pink
The animal joy series of art captures the animal's light, spirit, and energy. Animal joy was born through Amy Pink's world travels after it became very clear that animals were attracted to her in all kinds of crazy ways that positively delighted her. When not...
Bob’s Caffeinated Adventure: Finding Liquid Gold and Magic Honey in Palmares
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Bob’s love for adventure is only rivaled by his love for a good cup of coffee. So when he heard about Torunes Coffee Plantation in the hills of...
Los Mojados: Jaco’s Most Astonishing Band
Jaco Beach, Costa Rica – One thing for sure is Los Mojados needs a bigger stage! What started as a brother-and-sister guitar-duo 21-years-ago has evolved full circle into a musical journey few other bands ever experience. Sheer determination, guts and a vision for...
EXpat writer britt nelson
Britt Nelson, 75, came to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida. He is a retired, multi-award winning photo journalist, reporter and news editor for the New York Times Company. He has been published thousands of times on the front pages of American newspapers. He is...