Practical conversations with professionals and local voices about moving to and living in Costa Rica. Find an interview by topic, location or name.
Browse by topic or place. Countrywide interviews cover broader planning questions. An interview is not independent verification of a provider.
13 interviews
Newest published first. Showing 1–12 of 13.
Travel & tours
Scouting Costa Rica in rainy season: test an ordinary week before you move
Sarah Elena explains how to test everyday journeys, rentals, internet and rain on a Costa Rica scouting trip, and what a short stay cannot tell you.
Community & daily life
Moving to Costa Rica with a Dog or Cat: Check the Route Before Booking
Compare entry paperwork, airline acceptance, carrier preparation, itemized quotes and backup arrangements before moving to Costa Rica with a dog or cat.
Money & insurance · Transport & vehicles
Car insurance in Costa Rica: compare the cover, not just the price
Compare car-insurance limits, deductibles, driver eligibility and assistance conditions, with a downloadable blank worksheet.
Community & daily life
Making Spanish Part of Everyday Life in Costa Rica: How to Build a Practical Routine
Build a practical Spanish-learning routine, compare course formats and practise respectfully in everyday Costa Rican life.
Healthcare & medical travel
Preparing for a Laboratory Visit in Atenas: Questions to Ask Before You Go
Preparing for laboratory tests in Atenas: appointments, estimates, results and home sampling.
Legal & residency
Getting Your Costa Rica Residency Application in the Right Order: A Q&A with Roger Petersen
Plan documents, filing and post-approval steps, with clear distinctions between residency, work and driving permissions.
Healthcare & medical travel
Planning Hip or Knee Replacement in Costa Rica: Assessment, Rehabilitation and the Journey Home
Assessment, separate hospital charges, rehabilitation and the journey home when considering hip or knee replacement in Costa Rica.
Housing & property
Solar and Backup Power for a Costa Rican Home: A Q&A with Thomas Fees
Thomas Fees explains the bill, roof, daily power use and backup priorities to gather before requesting a solar proposal for a Costa Rican home.
Community & daily life
Planning a pet’s move to Costa Rica: check the whole journey before booking
Plan the route, airline acceptance, kennel, documents and arrival arrangements before booking your pet’s move to Costa Rica.
Transport & vehicles
Choosing a used car in Costa Rica: start with the roads you will actually drive
Check inspection scope, VIN and mileage records, transfer paperwork and the practical fit of a used car before committing.
Transport & vehicles
Buying a Used Car in Costa Rica: Choosing the Right Vehicle for Where You Live
Compare daily routes, vehicle capability, inspections and costs beyond the purchase price.
Transport & vehicles
Choosing a Used Car in Costa Rica: Start with Your Everyday Roads
Match a used car to everyday roads and separate mechanical inspections from legal checks.
How we prepare these interviews
We introduce each contributor and explain the experience they bring. Contributors review the draft for accuracy and fair representation. Costa Rica Havens develops the questions, edits the article and makes the final editorial decisions.
These conversations provide general information, not advice for your individual circumstances. Use them alongside our regional guides and relocation checklist to prepare better questions for your own research and professional consultations.
Have useful experience to share?
Suggest a professional, community organizer or local voice who could help our readers. Include their name, location, relevant experience, proposed topic and the questions you would like us to ask. We may follow up before deciding whether an interview is a fit.
Our written Q&A format is flexible, participation is free, and contributors review the draft before publication.