Controversial, Actionable or Just Pura Vida?

Controversial, Actionable or Just Pura Vida?

Living in Paradise: When Pura Vida Means Speaking Up Living in Costa Rica feels like stepping into a postcard, but living in “paradise” also means accepting that not everything is perfect. Enjoying Pura Vida does not mean staying silent when something clearly isn’t...

Soda Tapia – A True Urban Legend

Soda Tapia – A True Urban Legend

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] Costa Rica’s capital wakes early. Boardshorts slap the pavement on the way to first light at Jacó, office workers queue for busetas, and somewhere above it all a pair of scarlet macaws argue noisily in an almendro tree....

Top 5 Reasons to Book Wishing I Was Fishing

Top 5 Reasons to Book Wishing I Was Fishing

The top 5 positives about fishing with us: Wishing I Was Fishing has the Guidance and Local Knowledge: Reputable charters provide experienced guides and captains who know the local waters thoroughly. They take you to the best fishing spots based on fish behavior,...

December in Costa Rica: Faith, Lights, Food, and Festive Streets

December in Costa Rica: Faith, Lights, Food, and Festive Streets

December in Costa Rica is pure celebration. From candlelit chapels and nativity scenes in family homes to illuminated parades and horse pageants, the month blends devotion and community fun. It’s also peak season for adventures, culture and entertainment, when...

The Children of Costa Rica

The Children of Costa Rica

By Terry Carlile Sometimes lost in the midst of the beauty of Costa Rica… overlooked by some due to denial… and brushed over because they do not fit our “paradise” narrative… the children of Costa Rica. The condition of the child population in Costa Rica reveals a mix...

TOP 10 CHALLENGES FOR COSTA RICA IN 2026

TOP 10 CHALLENGES FOR COSTA RICA IN 2026

…POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS …HOW EXPATS CAN BE AN ASSET Costa Rica faces 10 major challenges heading into 2026, spanning security, economic, environmental, social, and institutional domains. Key issues include rising violent crime, slower economic growth, climate...

December Travel Trivia and Updates

December Travel Trivia and Updates

December Travel Trivia and Updates Deaths by motorcyclists increased 135% in the last 5 years Q COSTA RICA — Motorcycle deaths in Costa Rica continued their upward trend for the fifth consecutive year. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of deaths occurring at the scene...

Solar Savings : A Powerful Incentive

Solar Savings : A Powerful Incentive

From the lush jungles to the surf-swept coasts of Costa Rica, a quiet energy revolution is quietly underway — one that spans business, real-estate developments, wildlife sanctuaries, dining destinations and eco-tourism lodges alike. If you own a home or commercial...

Celebrating the Dining Culture of Costa Rica

Celebrating the Dining Culture of Costa Rica

Expat Traditional Holiday Meals Go Tico? Expats can beautifully combine traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas foods with Costa Rican influences by blending familiar holiday dishes with local ingredients and flavors. For Thanksgiving, incorporating Costa Rican staples...

The Benefits of Gratitude

The Benefits of Gratitude

A lifestyle of gratitude and thankfulness offers multiple mental and emotional benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, boosting psychological resilience, enhancing well-being, and fostering positive social connections. Mental Benefits of...

Shattering Pura Vida

Shattering Pura Vida

Barriers to Experiencing Pura Vida The barriers to experiencing the authentic "Pura Vida" lifestyle in Costa Rica primarily stem from cultural adjustments, logistical challenges, and environmental factors. While appealing, fully embracing this relaxed and joyful way...