Houses That Breathe: How to Design for Nature (and Sanity) in Costa Rica
By Andrés Cañas. Editor James Benson You came to Costa Rica for the peaceful green. But first you have to deal with the humidity, heat, and insects. During 20+ years working in my family’s architectural firm (which has been around for over half a century), I have come...
Be Accountable to Yourself: Building Habits That Lead to Happiness and Success
¡Bienvenido, April! A new month always brings a sense of renewal — a quiet invitation to reset our mindset, refocus our goals, and embrace fresh growth opportunities. April is the perfect time to pause, breathe deeply, and welcome the positive energy that comes with a...
Do Billboards Hurt Costa Rica’s Eco-Tourism Image?
Sign Pollution!! Commercial billboards have become a growing concern in parts of Costa Rica because they can visually disrupt the natural landscapes that the country is famous for. Although the country markets itself globally as an eco-tourism destination,...
How Can I Ensure I Am Shopping Authentic Costa Rican Made Fashions?
Ensuring that the bikini or clothing you buy is genuinely made in Costa Rica can be tricky because many tourist shops sell imported or relabeled items. In fact, some sellers have been known to replace original tags with “Made in Costa Rica” labels,...
Foreign Influence and Sovereignty: Costa Rica, the U.S. Drug War, and the Peace-State Question
Costa Rica has long presented itself to the world as a country defined by civilian democracy, diplomacy and peace. That identity is not just branding. Article 12 of the Constitution outlawed the permanent army, and the country has spent decades building an...
ALZHEIMER’S IN DOGS? IT’S REAL.
Understanding Canine Cognitive Dysfunction By Dr. Sharine Alice, VMD (CMVCR1117) | Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste As dogs grow older, some behavioral changes may begin to appear. A dog that once recognized every corner of the house may suddenly seem confused, sleep at...
The 21-Day Water Ceremony: A Simple Ritual for Healing Body, Mind and Spirit
Water has always been regarded as one of the most powerful natural elements for healing and renewal. Across cultures and traditions, water symbolizes life, purification, and emotional restoration. Every living organism depends on it, and the human body itself is...
Dean Bushby – Adaptive Surfer
Years ago, Dean Bushby, a computer network engineer from Leeds, United Kingdom, fell off a motorcycle he was riding in Thailand. Loss of his leg was the consequence. Over the next five years during the healing process, the former rugby enthusiast was unable to do much...
Nine-Banded Armadillo: Costa Rica’s Armoured Digging Specialist
The nine-banded armadillo is one of those animals that looks as though nature had a sense of humour and a practical engineering streak at the same time. Covered in tough, flexible armour and built low to the ground with a long snout and sharp digging claws, it is a...
What Makes a Good Surf Spot?
What makes a good surf spot? Any non-surfer might think it’s ridiculous how surfers group together fighting for the same waves despite having the entire coastline to choose from. With seemingly endless miles of breaking waves, why do surfers choose to sit within such...