Street Dogs with Street Smarts

Street Dogs with Street Smarts

In Costa Rica, you don’t just meet dogs—you meet characters. These aren’t your average canines waiting obediently for the mailman or fetching slippers. No, these are the street dogs with swagger, the free spirits who roam the beaches, parks, and city streets with the...

How to Master the Art of Doing Nothing… Costa Rican Style

How to Master the Art of Doing Nothing… Costa Rican Style

A cheeky guide to the slowest form of productivity known to man. In Costa Rica, “doing nothing” isn’t laziness—it’s a refined skill, passed down through generations like a secret family recipe. Here, the locals have perfected the gentle art of slowing down until time...

The Joy of Saying ‘Mae’: Cracking the Code of Costa Rican Slang

The Joy of Saying ‘Mae’: Cracking the Code of Costa Rican Slang

You’ll hear it on the bus, in a shop, or shouted across a football pitch—“¡Mae, qué es esta vara?!” And if you're scratching your head, don’t worry. You're not lost—just not fluent in the fine art of Costa Rican slang. Chief among the tools of Tico expression is “mae”...

The Most Common Questions New Pet Families Ask Their Vet

The Most Common Questions New Pet Families Ask Their Vet

By: Dr. Sharine Alice, VMD (CMVCR1117)  Bringing a new dog or cat into your life is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences. Along with the joy of adoption comes a wave of questions—especially for first-time pet families. Veterinarians often see similar...

The Power of ‘Tranquilo’: Living Stress-Free, Tico-Style

The Power of ‘Tranquilo’: Living Stress-Free, Tico-Style

What does “tranquilo” really mean in Costa Rica?It’s more than “calm down” or “no worries”—it’s a philosophy. In Costa Rica, “tranquilo” is a way of life, a cultural pause button for when things get loud, fast, or simply out of hand. Whether you're stuck in traffic,...

How to Help a Dog with Joint Problems and Stiffness

How to Help a Dog with Joint Problems and Stiffness

Joint problems such as arthritis and osteoarthritis are common in dogs, especially in seniors and large breeds. These conditions can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, often leading to a decline in a dog’s overall quality of life. The good news is that early...

Tico Time is Real—And It’s Beautiful

Tico Time is Real—And It’s Beautiful

Forget your calendar, silence your alerts, and put down that planner. Welcome to Costa Rica, where time flows like a lazy river, not a bullet train. “Tico Time” isn’t just an excuse for being late—it’s a way of life, a cultural rhythm that beats to the sound of...

International Crimes, Corruption, Conspiracies, Capers.

International Crimes, Corruption, Conspiracies, Capers.

By Captain Paul Watson Let’s talk about the power of a malicious government to wage petty wars of retribution against individuals working to expose crimes and corruption. Between 2005 and 2017, I starred in a television show on Discovery Animal Planet called Whale...

Pura Vida Parenting: Raising Kids the Costa Rican Way

Pura Vida Parenting: Raising Kids the Costa Rican Way

In Costa Rica, parenting isn’t a competitive sport—it’s a shared experience steeped in sunshine, sloths, and a strong sense of community. Children here grow up barefoot, fearless, and free-range, with muddy knees and mango juice moustaches. This is not helicopter...

The Smile Reflex: How Costa Rica Teaches You to Greet Everyone

The Smile Reflex: How Costa Rica Teaches You to Greet Everyone

If Costa Rica had a national reflex, it wouldn’t be flinching from a football—it would be smiling at a stranger and saying “buenas.” Whether you’re stepping into a pulpería, passing a neighbour on a gravel road, or waving from a bus seat, the simple act of greeting in...

THE ODESSEY IS OVER, At least for now

THE ODESSEY IS OVER, At least for now

By Captain Paul Watson On July 22nd, 2025, Interpol informed me that the Red Notice against me was cancelled. I suppose I should have felt relieved, but in truth, I was simply tired. I had been on the run for thirteen years as a fugitive from Interpol, from Japan and...