IL Magazine: Discover the Best Retirement Haven + 24 More SUBSCRIBE NOW AND SAVE 35% about subscribing to International Living Magazine 
The fishing boats pulled up on the pebbles of Sámara Bay are about your only option if you want to head south from here. This Pacific beach town is at the end of the road, whether you’ve arrived from the north via Route 150, or from Nosara to the west...
One simple sentence from Brian Gough to his wife, Stephanie, changed the course of their lives forever: "I think we should do it." They were drawn to Costa Rica because it allows foreigners to own businesses and land outright; holding just a passport.
One of the main reasons tourists and expats alike enjoy the town of Tamarindo, in the Guanacaste province on Costa Rica’s northwestern Pacific coast, is for the abundance of international cuisine. Over 100 dining options within walking distance of downtown Tamarindo make this small beach community a foodie’s dream...
In a country advertised as the place to see sloths, go ziplining, and surfing—cuisine is typically overlooked when considering Costa Rica as a destination. Sure, this magically diverse country is known for its world-class coffee, yet many people cannot even recall a dish for which Costa Rica is famous...
When I mention to people I meet I live in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, the typical response I receive falls someplace between “I want your life” and “What the heck do you do all day?” Just like a day in your life, my time varies depending on projects, social events, whether guests are visiting, etc.
Avellanas (which means hazelnut in Spanish) is a virtual paradise tucked away 30-minutes south of the bustle of Tamarindo, on the Nicoya Peninsula. Ask any surfer in the province of Guanacaste if they know of Playa Avellanas and you will get a resounding, “Por supuesto” (of course). But ask the multitude of tourists in the region and you might see mostly head scratches...
Back in 2011, Sally Rice’s life was much different from today. Then, she was 55 years old, single, and living a chaotic lifestyle in Los Angeles. She’d spent 23 years as a costume designer in the movie industry, which sounds glamorous, but as she says, “Working 17 to 20 hours is stressful, and leaves little time for anything else”...
Playa Negra’s town (officially the pueblo of Los Pargos—but hardly anyone calls it that) on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast is not typically on most people’s radar when they make plans to explore Costa Rica. It barely shows up as a dot on a map, and the journey along rutted dirt roads keeps away some of the less ambitious travelers...
Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, on the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma has an off-the-beaten-path feel. Visitors and locals enjoy its quiet beaches, proximity to wildlife, and unique laidback artistic vibe. Though it has a small population--roughly 500 people--Montezuma has a vibrant arts...
We often receive queries about safety in Costa Rica. Since it is a worldwide issue, I would like to dispel some of those rumors and arm you with a little information to make your experiences of traveling and living in Costa Rica a bit more stress-free. Is it Safe to Live in Costa Rica? Overall, Read more...: Safety in Costa Rica