Costa Rica Butterfly Conservatory Video: The Interview

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:17-04:00 June 5th, 2015|Categories: Tourism|Tags: , , , , , |

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: New muffler (with labor and parts) for a scooter—$60

Do you enjoy butterflies? Do you like the idea of following a dream and starting a new life in Costa Rica? If so, you’ll love Glen Baines. A retired engineer, Glen made it his mission to regenerate an area of the rainforest  heavily deforested by cattle ranching. In doing so, he opened the largest butterfly conservatory in Costa Rica.

Watch our fascinating interview with Glen and learn what butterflies eat, why their wings are iridescent, and what it takes to keep them happy and healthy. And most importantly, what’s his favorite butterfly!

(You can read more about Arenal Volcano and Costa Rica in my latest book, The Costa Rica Escape Manual )

Costa Rican Meal by the Sea

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:17-04:00 May 1st, 2015|Categories: Cost of Living, Tourism|Tags: , , , , , |

Costa Rica RecipesCosta Rica Cost of Living Update: Fried Chicken casado by the sea— $5

We are getting near the end of the dry season, but at the moment things are nearly as dry as they can get. For locals this means two things: It will be very hot— and things will be very dirty—until the true rainy season is upon us. It’s this time of the year when unpaved roads become elongated dust trails. If you ride a scooter or take your bike to work, you’ll be inhaling a healthy dose of grit by the end of your ride. Driving in a car or SUV will not protect your nasal passages from the formation of clumpy dust bunnies either.

“Is dirt coming out of the air-conditioning vent?” I ask Rob while we’re heading out for lunch.

“No, I think it’s coming from the dashboard. Or maybe from the doors. Is there a hole in the floor?”

It’s not the strangest question. There could be a hole in the floor since there are tons of problems with our car. I think something is leaking and our transmission keeps slipping. I actually don’t mind the latter since it makes our engine sound like a Tyco Aurora slot car every time Rob steps on the accelerator. (more…)

COSTA RICA VACATIONS : THE 5 BEST GUANACASTE BEACHES

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:18-04:00 December 12th, 2014|Categories: Tourism|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

 

5 Best Guanacaste Beaches

Costa Rica Costa Of Living Update: Boogie Board—$80

Choosing your favorite beach in Costa Rica is like trying to pick which of your children you love the most. I’ve overheard heated debates on which sand is the softest, where the best snorkeling spot is located, or what surf is the easiest to boogie board without smacking your head into a rock.

Since many of you are visiting this area for the Christmas holiday—and are looking to get out of your resort and travel to different beaches—this list should help in planning your excursions. It’s best to fly into Liberia, Costa Rica since this international airport is the closest to these Guanacaste beaches. The San Jose airport is five to six hours away from this area.

I’ve compiled this “happier beach list” (my top 5 Guanacaste beaches) by using a thorough investigative team: my husband and I. We are authorities in how to waste a day away. I can sit on a beach (in the shade) for and entire day and feel like it was well spent. Give me a book and I might never come home. Rob will stare into every tide pool looking for new and interesting sea life… and he always finds something. These beach days clear my mind and help make me more appreciative of the little things. Gratitude comes easy when your toes are dipped into the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. (more…)

RAINY SEASON, POWER OUTAGES & ANTEATERS

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:19-04:00 September 22nd, 2014|Categories: Nature, Tourism, Utilities|Tags: , , |

Rainy Season In Costa RicaCosta Rica Cost of Living Update: Roll of Paper Towels — .93 cents

I love the rainy season: everything is green. Shades of Kelly and mint paint the mountaintops, making the hills look like one big vegetable garden.

There has been a drought in Costa Rica, so rain is as valuable as gold right now. On most afternoons you can all but guarantee a shower or two, and along with the rain comes deafening thunder. A sound so powerful, it rattles my windows and at times can feel like an earthquake.

There are many things I love about the rain, but a tree falling onto my utility lines is not one of them. There is nothing that one can do but call the appropriate authorities, and hope they come quickly. However, I got to hand it to the Coopeguanacaste Electrical Company: they were out in front of my house within an hour.

A couple of workers showed up and the younger of the two gentlemen used an extended chainsaw to cut away branches and free the lines… in the rain… while standing on top of their truck. The older man (and apparently wiser) was on the ground calling out instructions. I stayed inside, which I tend to do when large objects and high-power lines are crashing to the ground.

In the end, the trees didn’t actually break the lines, just bent my utility pole to about a thirty-degree angle. I sort of like it this way. Now when I go out for a walk, I quicken my pace underneath it to maximize cardiovascular benefits.

Later that afternoon I saw an anteater in a tree outside my window. I ran to get the camera, but he was gone by the time I returned. It’s the perfect example of a typical day in Costa Rica: dealing with the stress of maintaining your utilities in the jungle to ultimately end with an anteater outside your window.

Pretty cool, rainy day.

HAPPIER ROAD TRIP— VII ( THE GRANDE FINALE )

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:19-04:00 September 13th, 2014|Categories: Nature, Tourism|Tags: , , |

Playa Grande Surfing

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: One imported Florida orange — $1, One bag of Costa Rican oranges —$1

Although we love our road trips and would take them just for the fun of it, they also serve a purpose. We started our trip when our friends (the owners of the house we rent), returned to Costa Rica for their yearly family vacation. They always welcome us to stay in the downstairs level of the home, but there is no stove and only a small refrigerator. Eventually, our diet ends up consisting entirely of potato chips and Ho-Hos.

It’s one of the reasons we only pay $150 a month rent. We have to be flexible when they arrive, and take on the role of caretaker throughout the year. Some of our duties include security, home repairs, and emergencies that may arise. I will also note that we’re responsible for wasp removal, well… Rob is actually in charge of that. It’s not that I refuse to do it, more like I’m a draft dodger sneaking into Canada. This leaves Rob playing the all time classic… wasp nest piñata game. It’s the reason I do the dishes: there is less chance of succumbing to anaphylactic shock when at the kitchen sink. (more…)

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