It's all connected
There is truly a wealth of information on the internet about Costa Rica.
Here are some links to local sites we are aware of.
If you would like to add to our links, send the info to our Editor.
If you would like to add to our links, send the info to our Editor.
Updated 8/18/2022
Websites with news and info about Costa Rica
Tico Times, https://ticotimes.net/
English language on line newspaper.
English language on line newspaper.
QCosta Rica news and more, English language. https://qcostarica.com/
The Costa Rican Times, https://costaricantimes.com
English language Costa Rican news source.
ElPais.CR, Nacionales – Diario Digital Nuestro País
Spanish language Costa Rican news source.
A.M. Costa Rica, https://amcostarica.com
English language Costa Rican news source.
English language Costa Rican news source.
ElPais.CR, Nacionales – Diario Digital Nuestro País
Spanish language Costa Rican news source.
A.M. Costa Rica, https://amcostarica.com
English language Costa Rican news source.
The Costa Rica Star, www.news.co.cr
English language Costa Rican news source.
English language Costa Rican news source.
Guide to Buying a Property in Costa Rica This online resource originates in Tamarindo but we found it had some really good general advice about buying property here. http://www.coldwellbankertamarindo.com/buying-property-in-costa-rica.html
Traffic Laws GREAT article with links to APPS to make living in Costa Rica more comfortable. Thanks to Ivo and Brooke for putting together this great info!
GAM Cultural keeps track of cultural events happening in San Jose. Their site is in Spanish but it's pretty easy to navigate - film, theatre, dance, exhibits, workshops - events are listed with locations and cost of event. A GREAT resource!! http://www.gamcultural.com
Daily weather forecast including tide info and a host of other useful info can be found (in Spanish) at Weather outlook
The most important rules when hiring domestic help in Costa Rica:
Excel spreadsheet for calculating employee Christmas bonuses:
Official Costa Rican rules for paying vacation days and holidays:
The Association of Residents of Costa Rica, www.arcr.net
Membership organization assisting those living or retiring in Costa Rica, as well as those considering moving to Costa Rica.
WeLoveCostaRica.com, https://welovecostarica.com
Online magazine devoted to retirement living in Costa Rica; discussion forum.
Membership organization assisting those living or retiring in Costa Rica, as well as those considering moving to Costa Rica.
WeLoveCostaRica.com, https://welovecostarica.com
Online magazine devoted to retirement living in Costa Rica; discussion forum.
Gringo Central San Ramon, http://gringocentral.org
Provides opportunities to its members (Gringos, Ticos, and visitors from all over the world) to attend events, join in activities, etc.
www.costaricaretireonss.com
George Lundquist's tours for the "not so rich" considering retirement in Costa Rica.
George Lundquist's tours for the "not so rich" considering retirement in Costa Rica.
If you own a corporation in Costa Rica, you can view taxes owed on your corporation on the web site of the National Registry, http://rnpdigital.com.
Expat Focus.com - for those thinking of relocating.
Links to key official Costa Rica business Facebook pages
Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) https://www.facebook.com/BancoBCR
Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica (Fire Department) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benemerito-Cuerpo-de-Bomberos-de-Costa-Rica/100524590030186
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR)
Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Social Security Administration)
Cruz Roja Costarricense (Red Cross and Ambulance Service)
Direccion General de Migracion y ExtranjerÌa Costa Rica (Immigration)
https://www.facebook.com/migracioncostarica
https://www.facebook.com/migracioncostarica
Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/INSTITUTO-NACIONAL-DE-APRENDIZAJE-INA/374620729455
(Post-secondary technical education)
Instituto Nacional de la Juventud (MIDES-INJU) https://www.facebook.com/midesinju
Part of the ministry of social development is the
institute of youth development.
Instituto Nacional de Seguros (National Insurance Administration) https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoNacionaldeSeguros
Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (Labor Ministry) https://www.facebook.com/TrabajoCR
Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Organismo-de-Investigacion-Judicial/162025663834408
Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) https://www.facebook.com/PatronatoNacionaldelaInfancia
(national children's trust)
DefensorÌa de los Habitantes (ombudsman) https://www.facebook.com/defensoriacr
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Foreign Services Post in Costa Rica is located at the US Embassy in San Jose. This office is best known as Federal Benefits Unit, as it also provides services for other agencies such as the Veterans Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. If this is your closet point of contact for these agencies, please find below a detail of contact information. The embassy now operates on an appointment only system, you can find details on their site.
Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) U.S. Embassy San Jose
Phone number (506) 2519-2228
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m.
Email address: FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov to set up an appointment.
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m.
Email address: FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov to set up an appointment.
Qué Pasa Subscriber Websites
Grecia Real Estate - Chris Schoo
Ivo's blog is a blog-site that will help you understand the intricacies of living Costa Rica. Topics like adjusting to a new culture and language, taxes, health and medical services, how to get a bank account and residency issues are part of the due diligence before moving to Costa Rica are published on Ivo’s blog every Sunday. You will love TicoNuevo guest blogger’s articles, too.
Easy Times The Easy Times publishes every Tuesday and is a real estate oriented blog by the American European Real Estate Group with over 30 affiliate agents from coast to coast. On this blog, you will not only find articles about the different communities in Costa Rica but also about golf courses, beaches, moving to Costa Rica related blogs, residency issues, banking issues as well as living in Costa Rica related blogs. https://american-european.net/blog.html
Paul & Gloria Yeatman have a website that has been active for more than five years and has a lot of useful information about retiring in Costa Rica. Note that they have now moved on from this project and this site will at some point be taken down. Here is a link: http://retireforlessincostarica.com/
Judith Bliss has a website to assist street dogs and poorer pet owners in Rosario, which is near Sarchi and Naranjo. https://zaguatesrosario.com
Laurel's Originals - Laurel Anderson's website for hand painted custom art for interior decor. Rugs, canvas bags and a lot more. Incredible, original work! https://laurelsoriginals.com
Facebook Pages & Groups of Interest to ExPats
Blaxit Radio.
Through radio excellence we will create a unique community resource designed specifically for the needs of the Blaxit community, one that promotes connections, fosters a sense of belonging and provides a diverse array of programming.
Streaming on the internet from Costa Rica:www.blaxitradio.com
Costa Rica Crime Watch page. Sharing crime facts with an eye to making CR a safer place to live.
Sarchi Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/places/Things-to-do-in-Sarchi-Alajuela-Costa-Rica/106464066055064/ and https://www.facebook.com/sarchiysugente/
Atenas Costa Rica Info https://facebook.com/groups/AtenasCostaRicaInfo
Expatriates in Costa Rica https://facebook.com/groups/127573880603797
Blooms Costa Rica
Where to Buy in Costa Rica/Donde comprar en Costa Rica https://www.facebook.com/groups/459901040692513/
Periódico Mi Tierra - newspaper of Grecia https://www.facebook.com/periodicomitierra
Costa Rica Uncensored
Pura Vida
North Americans Living in Costa Rica https://www.facebook.com/groups/139594309424287/
North Americans in Costa Rica - Free your Mind
Costa Rica Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/mikeyanddiana/
Gringo Expats in Costa Rica
Buy/Sell Costa Rica Expats, English Only. https://www.facebook.com/groups/338713766289196/
Irina and Jim Just's personal and very subjective occasional blog about life, fun and interesting experiences living in el Cajón de Grecia, Costa Rica - Just Costa Rica | Living la pura vida
This resource provides information for anyone interested in undertaking an online cooking course to improve their basic cooking abilities, through to gaining full-on professional kitchen experience. http://www.onlinecoursesreview.org/culinary_arts/.