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Lifestyle & Daily Life

Adapting to life in Costa Rica means embracing a new pace, culture, and community. This section covers the day-to-day realities of expat life, from adjusting to “Tico time” and navigating local markets to learning Spanish and building a social network. We share honest perspectives on the joys and challenges of living abroad, helping you set realistic expectations for your transition. Whether you are joining local clubs, finding volunteer opportunities, or simply learning how to handle daily errands, these guides offer practical advice for settling in comfortably.

Moving to Costa Rica with a Dog or Cat: Check the Route Before Booking

A conversation with Javier Chinchilla, Pet Relocation Specialist, Pets to Home CR A pet’s journey needs its own plan. Entry documents, airline acceptance and the animal’s ability to cope with the route are separate checks. Javier Chinchilla of Pets to Home CR explains how owners can coordinate them before committing to a move. Javier Chinchilla

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Making Spanish Part of Everyday Life in Costa Rica: How to Build a Practical Routine

A conversation with Lorena Najarro Morales, Administrative Director of CPI Spanish Immersion School. Spanish study can help newcomers take part in everyday conversations, but choosing a course also means finding a pace that fits their routine. Lorena Najarro Morales explains how CPI connects classroom work with practical situations and how adult learners can practise respectfully

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Planning a pet’s move to Costa Rica: check the whole journey before booking

An interview with Karina Fay, Co-Founder and International Pet Relocation Coordinator at Planet Pet Relocation. Before booking your own flight, check whether the proposed journey works for your dog or cat. A pet’s measurements, the operating airline, connections and document deadlines can change the plan. Planet Pet Relocation explains how it coordinates those moving parts

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Choosing a used car in Costa Rica: start with the roads you will actually drive

A car that looks economical on paper may be a poor fit for the route to your future home. Álvaro Williams, founder of Williams Motors Costa Rica, explains how the planning begins before choosing a vehicle: understand the buyer’s lifestyle, budget and roads, then consider the search, inspection and ongoing automotive support. His services include

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Buying a Used Car in Costa Rica: Choosing the Right Vehicle for Where You Live

Courtesy WheelsCR.com. The vehicle that suits a city routine may be different from the one you need for a steep rural access road. Russ Martin, a business owner at WheelsCR.com, explains how location, daily needs and the total ownership budget shape a used-car decision in Costa Rica. 1. What should someone assess about the area

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Ruben, The CR Car Guy, holding a clipboard beside vehicles with their hoods open

Choosing a Used Car in Costa Rica: Start with Your Everyday Roads

Courtesy of The CR Car Guy. With Ruben, The CR Car Guy, pre-purchase vehicle inspection specialist in Costa Rica A used car can be mechanically sound and still be a poor match for its owner. Before comparing listings, Ruben recommends looking at the roads, passengers, parking and maintenance needs that will shape everyday driving. In

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