A Walk in the Woods

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:16-04:00 October 21st, 2015|Categories: Nature|Tags: , , , , |

Costa Rica Ocelot

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: 10 lb Bag of Cat Litter— $6

There are many things one expects to find while walking through the woods: birds chirping, leaf ants gallantly marching in line, or lizards scouring under fallen leaves. However, this is Costa Rica and when you are strolling through the forest in this country, be prepared to come across animals that may, or may not, be happy to see you.

In my first book, I wrote about my husband’s unexpected encounter with a wild ocelot. This is a true story. And although people insist we staged this photo, I have to ask these non believers, do I sound like a person who risks being clawed to death by a wild cat? If so, than I applaud you for your confidence in my intrepid constitution. Internally, I believe I’m this kind of bad ass, and not the one that cries when she stubs her toe on the corner of the couch.

Please enjoy this free chapter from Happier Than A Billionaire in which my parents visit Costa Rica for the first time. I attempt to impress by taking them to see Arenal Volcano where the infamous cat encounter occurred.  (more…)

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 )

Secrets of Costa Rica Weather

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

Tamarindo Costa Rica Vacation

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: 2015 Marchamo on a 15 year old SUV (yearly Car registration and insurance combined)—$220

It’s six in the morning and I’m watching a flock of parrots land in one of the many almond trees outside my house. They disappear behind thick leaves, squawking their way through the branches.

I just moved into our new rental: one rich with dense landscaping and vegetation. Even though it’s only ten minutes from our previous home, it’s remarkably cooler. The almond trees battle back the sun’s rays allowing only a few to pass onto my terrace. When I open all the sliding glass doors, a breeze sweeps through the house carrying the smell of tropical flowers and fruit trees into my living room.

Costa Rica FlowerThis brings me to Costa Rica weather which can vary greatly. You can experience an extreme example of this when driving up into the mountains. The temperature can drop as much as thirty degrees the higher you go. Trees begin to change as well: palms turn into evergreens, tropical flowers turn into thick shrubs. When my husband and I lived in Grecia, we frequently went on scooter rides to the tippy-tip of the mountain just to see the different plants. (more…)

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