Month: May 2021

Inevitably, since you moved to Playas del Coco or Playa Hermosa a few months ago you became healthier, tanner, and thinner. Or maybe you realized you did not bring enough bathing suits. Regardless of the reason, it’s time for some new clothes! But where can you shop for clothes near Playa del Coco?

Shopping for clothes in Costa Rica is easy. Mainly due to the fact that the dress code is casual, comfortable, and there are no drastic temperature changes to fret about! The average temperature is between 70’ to 90’. A t-shirt, some shorts, and a pair of flip flops is all you need.

Right in downtown Coco you will find a plethora of tourist shops filled to the brim with various colorful shirts, dresses, pants, and accessories. You can never have too many shirts that say Pura Vida or I Love Costa Rica. Feel free to bargain at these shops to get a better deal if you end up buying a few outfits. The price is always negotiable!

Also in Coco you will find numerous boutiques that have various interesting fabrics and designs bound to catch your attention. These boutiques often have clothing or accessories made by local artists. These handcrafted pieces are one of a kind and perfect for the beach climate. You can help support your local community just by shopping!

Even the majority of grocery stores (such as Megasuper, Luperon, or Automercado) in Coco will carry basic clothing essentials. Along with your groceries you can pick up a tank top or a skirt. There are also a few Costa Rica clothing store chains like Fusion or Arenas in downtown Coco. These stores will have a variety of options to choose from and often have decent sales.

Another option right in town are stores called “Ropa Americana” which are second hand clothing stores. These shops sell gently used American/name-brand clothing at a very reasonable price. This is a great way to get American quality clothing for super cheap and be eco-friendly! You never know what trendy pieces you will come across!

As you start heading towards Liberia, the clothing options are endless. Pricesmart, which is similar to Costco, has a large selection of high quality clothing for fantastic prices. From underwear to raincoats, you can cover all your bases. Another great option is Walmart, which most folks are familiar with. They have a large variety and cheap prices.

Once in Liberia, every way you turn your head you will see clothes! From chain clothing stores to street vendors to various “Ropa Americanas” it will take you a week to check them all out. There are clothing options for all sizes, all styles, and all budgets. There is even a shopping mall in Liberia!

Make the move to Costa Rica today. With so many places to shop, you don’t even need to pack a suitcase.

Want to keep up with everything that is happening here in Costa Rica? Join my email list!
Want more information about Costa Rica in general visit https://www.costarican-american-connection.com/Costa_Rica_FAQs/page_2575549.html
Interested in owning a property in Costa Rica, checkout some great options here
Have a comment or a question? Feel free to EMAIL ME

Updated: Oct 14, 2021

Covid-19 is still the talk of the town. Restrictions seem to be easing up for driving but new mandates are coming soon…  Overall, Costa Rica is still the best place to be! The sunshine, the beach, and the friendly folks, you just cant beat it! We are still following social distancing protocols, wearing masks, and washing our hands as frequently as possible to stay healthy and safe.

To enter Costa Rica, you will still need to have completed the online “Health Pass” form which can be found at https://salud.go.cr. You must continue to have proof of having obtained travel insurance if you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Starting Dec. 1 you may need to have your vaccination card for entry. The great news is that a negative Covid test is not required for entry. You also will not need to quarantine.

Many countries continue to require a Covid-19 test for return flights. Since May 14th, the SJO airport has been offering rapid antigen tests with results guaranteed within the hour. Locally, you can get a PCR test done in Playas del Coco. You can also get a rapid test done the day of your flight at the Liberia airport.

Driving Restrictions

Until the end of October:

Driving restrictions have continued, with a general nighttime ban from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Rental cars are exempt).

During the daytime hours:

• Monday: Vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 cannot circulate.
• Tuesday: Vehicles with plates ending in 3 and 4 cannot circulate.
• Wednesday: Vehicles with plates ending in 5 and 6 cannot circulate.
• Thursday: Vehicles with plates ending in 7 and 8 cannot circulate.
• Friday: Vehicles with plates ending in 9 and 0 cannot circulate.
• Weekend: Vehicles with odd or even plates alternate the days they cannot circulate.

For the month of November:

• November 15 the daytime restriction on weekends would be eliminated.
• Night restriction would start at 11 p.m.

New Mandates (Not Implemented Yet)

Mandatory QR Code

Starting December 1st, it will be mandatory to show your QR code (COVID-19 vaccination certificate) to enter the following establishments: 

1. Restaurants, sodas, cafeterias, food courts and food trucks.
2. Bars and casinos.
3. General stores, department stores and shopping centers.
4. Museums.
5. Fitness centers.
6. Hotels, cabins or hospitality establishments.
7. Spas.
8. Activities, organizations or congregations in places of worship.
9. Event rooms for business, academic or social activities.
10. Adventure tourism.
11. Theaters, cinemas, art and dance academies, and artistic activity establishments.
12. Sports activities establishments.

If you have any questions about these new restrictions or requirements please reach out to me and I will be happy to assist you. Otherwise, come on down! Enjoy a good margarita right on the beach and forget your worries. If you are renting, make reservations soon, it will be a busy high season this year! Or keep it simple and just buy your dream home getaway, here in Costa Rica. Inventory is running SUPER low, make sure to check out the available properties we have left. (https://www.costarican-american-connection.com/All_Listings_By_Map/page_2614233.html) 

Updated: May 20th, 2021

Covid-19 is still a constant in everyone’s lives all over the world. Here in Costa Rica, specifically in the Guanacaste region, we have been very lucky to have had a very mild experience. We continue following social distancing protocols, wearing masks, and washing our hands as frequently as possible to stay healthy and safe.

Last month, during the Holy Week, we had a spike in cases. Many folks from San Jose traveled to the beaches for the holidays. Thankfully, we were able to keep the Covid-19 cases under control. The Costa Rican government was quick to reinstate curfews and additional driving restrictions to keep the spread of Covid-19 down.

On May 4th, Costa Rica was close to administering almost 1 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine! This means that 1 in 6 adults has already received one vaccine dose. All regions of the country are already inoculating the 1st and 2nd groups of people, with some regions having started on the 3rd group as well. Costa Rica is actively requesting loans or donations of additional vaccines to quicken the inoculation process.

Costa Rica plans to reach herd immunity by the end of 2021! Which is great news for everyone who wants to come and visit. Costa Rica has recently been recognized among the best-perceived international destinations during the pandemic by a survey of tourism professionals in Spain. This poll considered details such as “Covid-19 security, prices and offers, nature and open spaces, connectivity/accessibility, reputational image and sustainability.”

Come on down! The green season is just beginning. The Guanacaste region is starting to turn a lush green. There is plenty of room to social distance and enjoy the incredible weather! The beaches and national parks are all open. As a tourist you have no driving restrictions to worry about. As a homeowner/resident, there is nothing better than returning to your Costa Rican paradise and taking it easy. Isn’t it time you got out of quarantine and took a dip in the ocean?

More helpful resources:

• Email me if you have any questions or comments.
• Join my email list to keep up with the latest news about Costa Rica.
• Frequently asked questions about Costa Rica
• Costa Rica property listings

Have you ever wondered what Costa Rica’s main exports are? The moment you start driving from the Liberia International Airport towards Playa del Coco or Playa Hermosa, you see fields and fields of crops growing. You often see sugar cane being harvested, cattle grazing, or melons being tended to. The statistics are quite fascinating and very impressive!

Costa Rica which translates to a rich coast also has very rich soil! A large portion of what Costa Rica exports all over the world are agricultural goods. Costa Rica is very diversified in the products that are grown throughout the country. The main agricultural exports are bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, and beef.

In 2019, Costa Rica exported $1.18 billion in bananas. That’s more than a bunch of bananas! Costa Rica is actually the 3rd largest exporter of bananas in the world and it is their 2nd most exported product. The main destination for all these bananas is the United States. Costa Rica is also the top exporter of pineapples, 44% of the world’s pineapples are grown here. That is a total of 2.13 million tons of pineapples.

Not only does Costa Rica export TONS of fruit but they also export a lot of coffee. 1,472,366 60 kg bags to be exact! Over 93,000 hectares of land are dedicated to growing this morning staple. Due to its quality and environmentally friendly production, Costa Rica coffee is generally priced at a premium. To sweeten the deal, Costa Rica grows an impressive amount of sugar cane. Coffee and sugar definitely go hand in hand. 230,000 metric tons of sugar are exported all over the world from Costa Rica. The Guanacaste region handles a large percentage of the sugar production for the country.

Shockingly enough, even with all this produce, Costa Rica still finds plenty of space for livestock. Livestock is one of the main economic activities in the rural sector of Costa Rica. As a matter of fact, pastures for livestock cover 20% of the national territory!

Not everything Costa Rica exports can be seen as you drive through the countryside. The country’s most important exports are medical instruments. In 2019, Costa Rica exported over $3 billion in medical instruments, $2 billion more than bananas. It is the 11th largest exporter of medical instruments. Costa Rica exports medical products such as therapeutic devices, medical and surgical instruments, disposables and diagnostic equipment. In 2017, medical devices overtook agricultural goods as the country’s most exported products.

Some additional interesting exports from this country are artificial body parts (prosthetics), pneumatic tires, insulated wires, medications, and fruit juice. In 2019, the total value of all the merchandise exported from Costa Rica was 11.4 billion! Costa Rica is a small but definitely mighty country.

Want to keep up with everything that is happening here in Costa Rica? Join my email list!
Want more information about Costa Rica in general visit https://www.costarican-american-connection.com/Costa_Rica_FAQs/page_2575549.html
Interested in owning a property in Costa Rica, checkout some great options here
Have a comment or a question? Feel free to EMAIL ME