A Simple, Caring Life in Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

From her home in Trondora, Costa Rica, Vanessa Puleo can't think of anything she misses about her native New Hampshire.

“Life here is simple,” she says. “We hang out and look at the birds.”

Vanessa and her local tica wife Luisa own Cabañas Koi on the shores of beautiful Lake Arenal. They live on the property and rent out six cozy teak, fully equipped cabins, and a separate rancho (shared kitchen/dining area) for about $20 a night per person.

Vanessa and Luisa rent out log cabins on their land by Lake Arenal, Costa Rica.

I spent some time on this peaceful property, full of towering trees shading the land. It’s the perfect weekend escape from the steamy Gold Coast beaches where I live.

In this part of Costa Rica, you don't have to have an air conditioner or a heating system, which can lower your cost of living. Vanessa & Luisa's electric bill runs about $150 a month, including their home, the cabins, and Koi and Tilapia ponds.

They have a local university student living on the property who oversees the fish, the aquaponic system they developed, and the overall running of this small guesthouse.

This project fits right in for a country with an environmental conservation focus. Working on the property gives the student a hands-on education and allows Vanessa and Luisa to focus more on their guests.

Prices Around Lake Arenal

Vanessa says home and property prices are manageable in her area and various options are available once someone figures out what part of the lake they prefer.

“A friend just bought a simple three-bedroom house with a cute, private little yard for under $100,000,” she says. “It doesn't have a view of the lake or any volcanoes, yet it is perfect for them. You can buy a nice piece of land for around $120,000 if you want a view. Additionally, there are smaller lots for $50,000 without a view.”

Vanessa always supports local businesses, which has integrated her into the local community and saves her money. “I don't buy imported things,” she explains. “Which means more affordable prices.”

In her small town, two people can go out to eat at a higher-end restaurant and spend about $22. She can bring a bottle and give a couple of dollars in many places as an open fee.

Vanessa (left) and Luisa (right) enjoy the weather, nature, and cost of living around Lake Arenal.

While Vanessa likes to integrate with the local community, there is also a thriving expat scene around Lake Arenal.

“There are a lot of expats in the area,” she tells me. “Not only people from the U.S. but also many people from Germany, France, and Canada. And nowadays, there are more digital nomads and families in the area too. In Tronadora, I would say it's about 20-30% foreigners while Nuevo Arenal is closer to 70%.”

Giving Back in a New Home

Vanessa loves to give back to the people in her adopted home. In fact, she first came to Costa Rica for her nonprofit Led2Serve.

“We were looking for an international location,” she explains. “I wanted a safe spot to bring students and families, with options for adventuring and a community service component… Costa Rica ticks all those boxes. When I first arrived, we went to Nuevo Arenal to help build a playground in a local community with 15 church members in 2010, and fell in love with the Arenal area. I loved lake living… including the weather and the green landscape!"

Nuevo Arenal is a town across the lake from Tronadora, where Vanessa now lives.

She bought her first home in Nuevo Arenal right before Covid; she had mission teams running weekly all over the country. Then in 2022, she decided to look for something with the potential for job creation and a little less rain than Nuevo Arenal. Tronadora is windier but it rains about half as much as in Nuevo Arenal.

And she has never stopped giving back.

“Last year, I became a member of the board of the Lake Arenal Pickleball Association,” she says proudly. “The popularity of pickleball is growing; we decided to create an affordable pastime that benefits the community. We recently completed four courts at the Tronadora High School. I'm convinced pickleball will soon be a high school sports event here in the county.”

Asked what advice she has for potential new expats in Costa Rica, Vanessa says, “The culture moves at its own pace, which will never change. It can be challenging to remember things don't always happen in my expected timeframe. Yet, at those times, I remember I’m not here to live as I did in the U.S.”

Vanessa has started a new life in Costa Rica, where she lives and shares her passions with others daily. She inspires me and reminds me to give of myself in service and do what I love.

Perhaps she can do the same for you.

You can use Vanessa and Luisa’s cabins as a home base as you travel around and experience Lake Arenal… while also getting in a few games of pickleball.