Traveling to Costa Rica?

Bring the Repellent!

Despite truly heroic efforts by the government of Costa Rica and specifically the Health Ministry, Dengue Fever is rampant here right now with the number of reported cases up a stagering 311% percent this year. The daily rains have certainly exacerbated the problem. As I discuss in the sections on Disease in Costa Rica and the ever popular “Things Your Travel Agent Forgot to Tell You“, Dengue is caused by a daytime only biting mosquito. Dengue is very easily avoided by simply using an good insect repellent, so if you are planning a visit to Costa Rica, don’t panic! Simply bring a supply of bug spray with you or plan to buy some here when you arrive. All popular brands are available here. As of today, 23,000 Ticos have or are now infected with dengue and 36 have been diagnosed with the more serious hemorrhagic type. (Source: La Nacion)

Costa Rica’s New Immigration Law

Costa Rica’s New Immigration Law will have a profound affect on those wishing to live in paradise. Continue reading »

We now have Hooters in Costa Rica

Well I guess we always had them…. but now… It appears that Costa Rica has truly entered the mainstream with the opening of a Hooters Restaurant near San José. With Walmart coming soon… what else can I say but hurry and visit before we become Miami. Sadly, the one chain I WISH would get here (Home Depot) apparently has no interest in this small country. Sniff.

Yum! Gallo Pinto!

Costa Rica is not known for it’s fine cuisine. In general, this is probably a deserved reputation as it tends to be centered around rice, beans, chicken, pork, and beef (tongue especially is very popular here). However, how the above items are combined is within the realm of the cook and that makes all the difference. I find a lot of the cooking here to be really good! Generally, beef here is terrible. I think this is due in part to the lack of vast grazing lands. Also, the concept of aging a steak is not yet part of the Costa Rican culture. Continue reading »

Nicaragua Wants Guanacaste

Costa Rica has been disputing Nicaragua’s refusal to allow Costa Rica police patrol boats to carry weapons on the San Juan river that separates Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I guess they are fearful that our staunch Fuerza Publica will cross the river and attack their country. Continue reading »

Learning Spanish

I get an enormous amount of email asking about how best to learn Spanish, what book to buy, what Spanish course to purchase, what language school is best, and so on. With that in mind, I just added a page outlining just how I was able to finally speak the language with some skill. Interested? Read This.