If you’re thinking about making an escape from the rat-race, whether for political or mental and physical health reasons, or all of the above, The Definitive Guide to Costa Rica Expat Living – 2nd Edition was written just for you!
It’s the 28th of March, year 2020. The whole world has been attacked by a virus known as SARS-CoV-2. We’ve all (meaning humans everywhere) been instructed, and in some cases demanded, to stay home and not venture out, other than for essentials (FYI: having beers with the buds has not been deemed essential). So, I figured, what the hell, time for a 2nd Edition of the Definitive Guide to Costa Rica Expat Living!
I’m writing this 2nd edition, certainly as a way to alleviate my own boredom in this quarantined state of affairs, but also because a lot has changed since I wrote the first edition, which was self-published on Amazon in September of 2016. Most of it good, some of it frustrating, and all of it useful for you to be informed about.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy this new edition. It is structured much like its predecessor, but I’ve gone through each chapter and changed what needed to be changed and added what I felt should be added. I also added a new whole section on Costa Rica’s southern zone. I know I’m biased, but I really feel it has pretty much the best of what Costa Rica has to offer. And that is, gorgeous green mountains, beautiful beaches, and the friendliest people on the planet.
I’ve also added informative links and other info that I believe will help make your Costa Rica expat transition a smooth one. Let’s face it, nothing’s easy about moving from one’s home country to some strange and exotic land, where even the concept of time takes on a whole new meaning (we call it “tico-time”), not to mention those pesky language issues…
This book was written to help you make that transition. I hope you find it a useful and enjoyable read.
Customer Review…
I read this book because I am considering buying a home in the Pacific area of Costa Rica and have been trying to get a feel for what it’s like there – the local culture, the expat communities, the real estate market, etc. This book has been a terrific resource. The author provides a wealth of useful information, and also sets out a framework to help you organize and analyze your own values and priorities so you can determine which area(s) are right for you. I found the book very well organized, easy to follow and extremely informative.
I have read many books on this topic, and I have noticed that some of them seem to have been haphazardly thrown together, while others seem more like a reference book- too many details and not much fun to read. In contrast, this book felt like a comfortable conversation with a fellow American expat who really knows his stuff and is giving you the honest lowdown.
I loved reading this on my Kindle app because he provides links throughout the book to all the sources he references, so you have a TON of information literally at your fingertips! Anyone considering investing in, or moving to, Costa Rica should read this book. It is intelligent, entertaining and immensely informative. I read it in a weekend and was actually a little sad when it ended!
Lena Agree