The Chisme Café: Why Gossip Is Practically a National Sport
What does “chisme” mean in Costa Rica? In Costa Rica, chisme means gossip—but not the malicious, behind-your-back kind. It’s more like social glue, a warm cup of verbal espresso that connects neighbours, relatives, and strangers in the queue at the pulpería. “Chisme”...
Tico Proverbs You’ll Use: Forget Your Tourist Phrasebook—Here’s What Locals Say
Why should you learn Tico proverbs? Tico proverbs are the key to sounding local, getting smiles, and sometimes even better prices or service. Speaking Spanish is one thing. Speaking Tico Spanish is another level entirely. If you’ve ever been in a sodita and wondered...
The Lost Art of Hammock Living: A Humorous Ode to the Hammock Life
Why do hammocks still matter in the modern world? Hammocks are more than just beach décor—they're horizontal sanctuaries for serious napping, lazy reflection, and expert-level loafing. While the world races ahead with smart homes and AI-generated calendars, Costa...
July Swells and Secret Breaks
Where Experienced Surfers Go in Costa Rica During the Mini Summer to Escape Crowds and Chase Monster Sets Where are the best waves in Costa Rica during the mini summer? During Costa Rica’s short dry spell in July, known as the veranillo de San Juan, the Pacific coast...
Why Ticos Love July (and You Should Too): The Cultural Magic of Costa Rica’s Mini Summer
What is the “Veranillo” and why does it matter in Costa Rica? The Veranillo de San Juan is a short dry spell in July that breaks up Costa Rica’s rainy season, giving locals and travellers a burst of sunshine. This unexpected patch of blue skies and golden sun is more...
Crypto in the Jungle: Who’s Accepting Bitcoin in Costa Rica—And Is It Sustainable or Just Hype?
Who in Costa Rica is accepting Bitcoin? A growing number of businesses in Costa Rica are now accepting Bitcoin, but the reality is that usage remains highly localised and mostly tied to tourism. In places like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Nosara, and Puerto Viejo, you’ll...
What Locals Think of the Real Estate Boom in Costa Rica
A Tico perspective on rising prices, land scarcity, and the influx of international buyers Why are locals concerned about the real estate boom? The real estate boom is pushing land and home prices beyond what many Costa Ricans can afford. While foreigners see Costa...
The F Word’s Rise from Taboo to Triumph: How the Most Notorious Word in English Took Over Our Daily Lives
There was a time—not too far in the past—when uttering the F word would’ve gotten you kicked out of class, scolded at the dinner table, or labeled a degenerate. It was the linguistic equivalent of chewing with your mouth open in church. Now? It’s in bestselling books,...
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...
The Rise of Jungle Casitas: Why Smaller, Nature-Immersed Homes Are Stealing the Spotlight
Why are jungle casitas gaining popularity in Costa Rica? Jungle casitas are winning hearts by offering what many large villas and gated communities can't—authentic connection to nature and a simpler, more sustainable way of living. They speak to a growing desire for...