MOJITOS IN THE SUN

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Daypass to Hacienda Pinilla’s fancy shmancy beach club- $20

Yesterday we decided to get out of the house to celebrate the book launch and my new occult following. I wanted to live it up and go somewhere super snazzy. A place with jasmine scented soap in the ladies room and cool travertine under my feet.  A place with the best chance of making an idiot out of myself.

The Beach Club at Hacienda Pinilla fit the bill. Situated right on the sand, you can swim in their infinity pool while watching the surfers ride the waves. Another incentive was that the $20 fee was credited  towards your food and drink. And since I was celebrating, I ordered a Mojito—Ernest Hemingway’s favorite beverage.

I have since learned that I can’t drink in the heat.  I know this because I started reenacting Spanish infomercials in the pool with mint leaves stuck to my front teeth. It wasn’t my proudest moment. Especially after all the adults and children ran out faster than a scene from Jaws.

Next time I will stick to iced tea. 

A man’s got to take a lot of punishment to write a really funny book~Ernest Hemingway

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:38-04:00 July 21st, 2011|Categories: Tourism|Tags: , |10 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

10 Comments

  1. Carson Treybig August 12, 2011 at 9:01 am - Reply

    I’ve visited Costa Rica a couple of times and would love to pull up my roots and move there. What advice can you give? How had was it to find a place to live and what is the house you rent like? I have savings etc, but is there posibility of employment for expats there? Carson

    • admin August 12, 2011 at 2:12 pm - Reply

      The law here is that you cannot take a job away from a Costa Rican, but you can open up a business. I know people who give kayak tours, cut hair, etc. They used their talents from the states, or, just decided to open a business that was suited to their interest. The kayak guy just loves to kayak, so why not take tourist out on the water while you do it.

      When you first start out, you will probably be paying more for rent. But once you look around, you can find houses for rent for $350 and up. I’ve always been very aggresive when looking for a place to find the best deal. We got this place because a couple needed someone to watch over their house. You didn’t have to ask me twice….rent is $150 a month.

      I would start out an hour or so outside San Jose. That way you can buy a car, look into residency, and all those things that make it easier when you are close to amenities. Then take trips around the country until you can find exactly what you are looking for.

  2. Tobias July 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm - Reply

    Had quite a laugh 🙂 Thx..but I still prefer the Mojito..;-)

    • admin July 26, 2011 at 7:37 am - Reply

      Really liked the drink. The mint was very refreshing while sitting in the sun.

      I will try not to scare small children next time I entertain people in the pool.

  3. Nadine July 21, 2011 at 7:23 pm - Reply

    My name is Nadine too so I automatically love your blog now. I would like to see reenactments of Spanish infomercials!

    • admin July 21, 2011 at 7:48 pm - Reply

      I am going to start a club for Nadines. Just Nadine’s. I will ask for identification first, preferably two forms (no xeroxed copies), and then we talk about the other Nadines when they leave the room.

      • Nadine July 28, 2011 at 7:37 pm - Reply

        There’s this girl, Nadyne with a Y… she is just plain trash. I can’t deal with her.

        • admin July 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm - Reply

          What? With a Y? No, absolutely no way, that’s a bastardized version of our fine upstanding name. She CANNOT be in the Nadine club. It’s part of the bylaws, which I am currently writing.

  4. Tom Duffy July 21, 2011 at 5:35 pm - Reply

    Hola Nadine,
    I just finished reading your book. Finished it in record time for me( about 2 days). I loved it. It was funny, sarcastic, insightful and downright good!! Can’t wait for the next one. I guess that one will focus on your new adventures at the beach.
    My wife and I are coming down to CR in November to take a relocation tour in the central valley . We will then rent a car a drive to the Arenel area and then over to stay with our friends Andy and Fran Browne ( Boomers Offshore website) . We are plotting our itenerary right now. Don’t know if your up to meeting some fun loving, adventourous baby boomers, but we would enjoy doing lunch with you and Rob, by the way I was born in the Bronx and raised in NYC. As a bonus my wife is Sicilian!! Can’t beat that combo for a come on LOL.

    • admin July 21, 2011 at 7:51 pm - Reply

      Can’t wait to meet up!! I shall sign your Kindle.

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