There’s a reason that Nosara is one of the most popular areas in Costa Rica for expats. This health-focused community has many of the comforts of home in a small jungle village with gorgeous beaches and plenty of wildlife.
JP Clover
The surf is consistent, diverse, and exciting, dozens of tours offer wilderness adventure, yoga classes are offered every hour, there are countless activities for families and kids, and delicious healthy restaurants are plentiful. But what kind of people really fall in love with this place?
Surfers
National Geographic named Nosara one of the top 20 surf towns in the entire world. Why? It has some of the most versatile surfing in all of Costa Rica, a country known for epic surf. At the shore lie perfect lines of white water for beginners.
Further out are waves for intermediates practicing. On the outside experts can find big challenging waves that are surfable all day long at any tide level. This is great news for surf lovers as many breaks can only be surfed in the morning and afternoon.
Playa Guiones is the most popular neighborhood and surfing beach, but nearby beaches offer variety for surf enthusiasts. If Playa Guiones has too much wind, Playa Pelada, a beach walk away, has a volcanic reef point break.
Playa Ostional has heavy hollow breaks while Playa Marbella has hollow but softer waves. The most challenging break in the area is the Nosara Rivermouth in Playa Nosara which is difficult and rocky with big rewards.
Most importantly the area of Nosara has a strong surf culture. Board rentals and surf camps are plentiful. Surfers are constantly in the ocean to offer inspiration. Surf videos are often being filmed. For those who truly love surfing this is a place where it is possible to live and breathe the sport with others who love it just as much as you do.
Yogis
Mihaela Vorvoreanu
One of the challenges abroad for dedicated yogis can be the lack of a yoga community. While most beach towns in Costa Rica have at least one yoga studio, the diversity in studios and options in Nosara is unrivaled in the country and likely in Central and South America as well.
In fact Nosara paved the way for much of the yoga tourism that Costa Rica is known for. The Nosara Yoga Institute in Playa Guiones put Costa Rica on the map for yoga decades ago with its reputable teacher training programs.
Today Nosara has many yoga retreat centers for yoga teacher trainings and weekly retreats for those looking to deepen their practice. The area also has several studios including the Harmony Hotel and Nosara Yoga Institute which offer drop-in classes several times a day taught by world class visiting instructors. Many special yoga events are held in Nosara and not elsewhere in the country.
Like surfing, yoga is an integral part of the culture here in Nosara. Whether you find yourself attending the drop-in classes, taking a retreat, exploring moving meditation through the unique 5 Rhythms Dance, engaging in your own practice on the beach, or discussing yogic philosophy with another enthusiast, the strong yogic focus here will inspire you to delve even deeper into your practice.
Health-Focused Individuals
The clean air, pristine ocean, and lively jungle create an excellent environment for those passionate about their health. Surfing, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, standup paddleboarding, and many other physical activities in Nosara make exercise and fitness fun and accessible. However, what makes Nosara truly unique from other parts of Costa Rica is its health food.
Playa Guiones boasts one of the only organic grocery stores in Costa Rica, and in Central America for that matter. The small grocer, Organico, sells organic fruit and vegetables, dry health foods like bee pollen and quinoa, a bulk spices and dried fruit section, and many ready-made local foods like soup, salads, and cheese.
They have a weekly farmers market as well as a Community Supported Agriculture program where you can order your organic produce and other goodies online and have your box picked up or delivered.
Many restaurants cater to health enthusiasts, particularly the raw foods cafe Naked Foods which has a large fresh pressed juice selection and raw powerfood snacks.
Families
Many expat families have already chosen to settle in Nosara which has made it a well-established place to raise children. Kid-friendly activities like surf camps, horseback riding lessons, hikes, ballet, swim lessons, kids yoga, and more ensure that your children will have plenty to do.
The two private international schools in the area offer exceptional education with small class sizes, bilingual immersion, and a focus on creativity, introspection, and environmental interest and care. Because so many families have chosen to move here it is easy to meet and make friends with other expat families.
Wildlife Lovers
Nosara consists of five undeveloped beautiful beach towns that are an absolute dream for wildlife and wilderness lovers. The area is bordered by the Ostional Widlife Refuge which is the largest Olive Ridley turtle nesting site in the world.
Here it is possible to see these stunning creatures lay their eggs and to watch the baby turtles hatch and return to the ocean. Volunteers can come and help protect the turtles from predators and other environmental conditions.
Two of the longest rivers in Costa Rica, the Nosara and the Montana, are teeming with wildlife and offer plenty of exploration as well. Kayak and stand up paddleboard tours lead adventurers down the rivers to explore the mangroves and coastline, spotting crocodiles, many species of birds, and other wildlife and nature.
Do any of these sound like you? Perhaps Nosara is a place that you would love to at least visit, if not call home.
Andrew Griffith
Have you discovered the hidden gem of El Salvador? This seldom-visited nation is working hard to rebuild its image lasting from its civil war in the 1980s.
Guess what? It’s working.
El Salvador is now emerging as a hot spot for backpackers and other El Salvador travelers who flock to its surf-breaks, beaches and oceans.
They’ve got good reason to.
The locals are warm and welcoming. Generations of international surfers testify that the breaks of El Salvador’s Pacific coast rival the best of the world. And the nation’s natural beauty — volcanoes, verdant coffee plantations, isolated beaches — is stunning.
Have you discovered El Salvador? Let us know what you love about this hidden gem in Central America.
The calm blue waters of Lake Nicaragua have made it a favorite destination for nature lovers across the world. Spanning 110 miles in length, it’s the largest freshwater lake in Central America.
In fact, the lake is so large that it actually has many ocean characteristics. The lake is tidal, and the area often experiences storms of the kind you’d find on the coast. The area around the lake is beautiful, and it’s not surprising that many expats set their heart on moving here.
If you are thinking of making Lake Nicaragua your home, you have the choice of five main areas. They are Granada, San Carlos, San Jorge, Ometepe Island and San Miguelito.
These five port towns all have a lot to offer. Around the banks of the lake you will find historical architecture, churches, markets, and nightspots waiting for you to discover them.
Which area you choose depends on your personal preference. Here is some guidance to help you make the right decision.
Granada
Granada is a very popular choice. It is a beautiful colonial city, with stunning Spanish-inspired architecture and a lot of cultural experiences to offer. As it is a comparatively wealthy area, Granada offers much more in the way of luxurious living than the other four port cities. A lot of money was spent on restoring the city in the 1990s, and the city now has amenities like:
- cable and cell phone service
- four star hotels and restaurants
- a brand new supermarket and a selection of health food stores
- libraries
- gyms
- Internet cafes
Because of this, Granada offers a high quality of life for expats. Not only does it enable you to get closer to nature and enjoy the fantastic landscapes and still waters of the surrounding area, it also lets you do it with all the comforts of a modern city! However, though the real estate in Granada still offers strong investment opportunities, it is more expensive than it is in other parts of the tropics.
San Carlos
Like Granada, San Carlos is a big city with a good selection of facilities and amenities. It is the capital of Rio San Juan, and here you’ll find doctors, lawyers, and most other professional services. The town also has its own small airport, which makes for very convenient travel.
One of the main benefits of San Carlos is that it sits right on the bank of the lake and offers beautiful views across the water. The city also has idyllic features such as a tropical atmosphere, friendly people, and a very low volume of traffic. Many of the people who live in San Carlos are fishermen by trade, which means that it’s a great place to eat!
The downside of San Carlos is that it is not as picturesque as other places in the area. The natural rainforest around the town is being threatened by slash-and-burn timber techniques, and the town’s accommodation is characterized by corrugated iron.
San Jorge
San Jorge is a small village on the western side of the lake. It’s best known for its ferry links, as it’s here that people go to to catch the boat to Ometepe Island. Though small, the village does have some popular restaurants.
This rural area is rich with vegetation and wildlife. If you’re looking for a truly rural retreat, San Jorge might be the right choice for you. If you’re looking for a new home base with a bit more life, you might want to look elsewhere.
Ometepe Island
Speaking of rural living, could island life be what you’re looking for? Ometepe Island sits right in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, measures 276 square kilometers and is home to two volcanoes. The island has fertile soil, lovely beaches, and rich biodiversity. In fact, Ometepe has long been described as a paradise.
Unlike Granada and San Carlos, Ometepe Island has little to offer in the way of facilities or luxuries. It is, however, a beautiful spot.
San Miguelito
San Miguelito is a mountainous municipality that looks out over the lake. In addition to gorgeous lake views, it is also home to two rivers and numerous waterfalls. The real beauty of this area is the sandy beaches that line the edge of the lake.
The town of San Miguelito is small but well formed. Between March 8th and 14th each year the town lights up to celebrate the traditional festival of San Miguel de Arcangel.
There are some travel links to the town, but it doesn’t have much to offer in terms of restaurants or nightlife.
Wherever you choose to live on Lake Nicaragua, you can be sure of two things; beautiful lake views and friendly locals.
Many people move to the tropics of Latin America in search of a healthier lifestyle in nature, however making this transition can be difficult.
The abundance of fried foods and sugary processed treats and lack of health food stores and gyms can in fact lead some to live less healthy than they did in the first world. So how can one be sure to live healthfully in Latin America? Here are some tips to consider.
Grow your own food or shop at the Farmer’s Markets
Kevin Krejci
Did you know that Costa Rica is one of the top users of pesticides in the world? Immersed in the jungle we may simply assume that all of our produce is fresh and local.
Unfortunately this is not always the case. In fact even coastal towns may be selling frozen fish from as far away as Asia! For this reason it’s particularly important to ensure that your food is coming from local fishermen and farmers. Many towns with expat communities have farmer’s markets and community-supported agriculture programs. Why not hop on board?
It’s a great way to connect with your community and the environment. Many locals and transplants sell farm fresh produce, dairy, homemade cheeses, whole grain unprocessed bread, even probiotic rich kombucha.
In health-conscious towns throughout Central America including Nosara and Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica and Boquete in Panama, expats have created their own markets for sharing health foods. Some sell organic produce from their own gardens and import specialty items like essential oils, spices, himalayan salt, and more.
You can also learn to grow your own food and many communities have garden shares where you can learn from others and share farming space. Your meat and fish can be purchased from local fishermen and hunters, or why not take up fishing as a hobby and catch what you need?
Find healthy hobbies
With a big transition it can be difficult to maintain your workout routine. When the sun is shining the gym may be the last place you want to be, if the town even has one. The good news is that there are tons of healthy, athletic outdoor activities you can partake in that are also plenty of fun.
If you’re on the coast take up surfing, go for runs on the beach, learn stand up paddleboarding, take hikes and connect with nature.
If you’re in the city ride your bike to get around, participate in yoga classes, and find some nearby wilderness to explore. One of the great advantages of living in Latin America is that nature is never far away, so seek it out and move your body at the same time. You will likely notice that outdoor activities are easy to integrate into your lifestyle here.
Drop the “vacation” mentality
Chi King
Feeling like you’re on a permanent vacation is great, so long as that does not become a life of unhealthy indulgence. Cocktail hour, hammock lazing, and meals out in restaurants are all treats that can make us feel relaxed and pampered.
However, in excess they can make us feel sluggish and demotivated. Can daily yoga, sunset gazing, cooking a healthy meal on a beach bonfire, and jungle exploration feel just as decadent?
Absolutely. The point of retiring and getting off of the grid is not to settle into a life of doing nothing, it’s to engage in activities that you enjoy. In fact when you participate in a motivating, active lifestyle you may find yourself craving more time outdoors connecting with others.
Plan ahead
A drastic difference between Latin America and North America is that it is often quite difficult to find healthy, ready-made foods. Forget about stopping in at Whole Foods and visiting the salad bar. For this reason planning meals ahead is especially important.
Keep your fridge well stocked in case you have difficulty accessing fresh produce, fish, meat, and dairy. Prepare salads at home for beach picnics and pack healthy snacks for hikes and trips like almonds, watermelon, hard boiled eggs, young coconut, and carrot sticks with guacamole. This prevents you from being hungry in a place where your only options may be fried chicken and empanadas… as delicious as they sometimes are!
Bring some staples from home
Adam Wyles
Latin America is still developing and for that reason it can be nearly impossible to access certain health foods and supplements. If there are specific herbs, organic nuts and seeds, and supplements you take, it’s a good idea to bring a stash with you. It’s advisable to do some research ahead of time and find out what health stores do exist and what they supply.
The opportunity to become a healthier individual and family certainly exists in Latin America, it just takes some transitioning. Find the health-centric community and you can quickly discover the many secrets for accessing health foods from home while staying active in the natural environment.
Avylze
You may have heard that Ecuador is one of the best places to retire on a budget. You may have heard that it offers reasonably-priced real estate and health care. But what about the things you pay for on a day-to-day basis?
Like food.
As it does in many Latin American countries, food costs in Ecuador can range from much less to, in some cases, slightly more than their U.S. equivalent. The main determining factors are your own individual tastes and preferences. However, on the whole, you can expect to pay about half of what you would in the U.S. for your typical trip to the grocery store.
Below is a sample list of what you might buy on a trip to the local supermarket. We’ve listed the price in Ecuador and, for comparison’s sake, the cost of the same item in the U.S. Prices can vary greatly, even from one region of the country to another, but these are some pretty good estimates based on what we’ve gathered from friends who live there.
| Item | Ecuador | U.S. | %Discount |
| 1 dozen eggs | $1.82 | $3.18 | 42% |
| Filet mignons steaks, 1 lb | $4.68 | $19.99 | 77% |
| 1 liter milk | $1.00 | $3.19 | 67% |
| Bananas, 12 | $ .60 | $2.36 | 75% |
| 3 lb. bag laundry detergent | $2.00 | $5.45 | 63% |
| Soap (1 bar) | $ .80 | $1.22 | 34% |
| Yogurt | $2.70 | $3.98 | 32% |
| Avocados, 2 | $ .50 | $ .66 | 24% |
| Rice | $ .82 | $2.82 | 42% |
| Cheese, large round(16oz.) | $2.00 | $6.99 | 71% |
| 3 heads organic lettuce | $1.50 | $5.07 | 70% |
| Dozen roses | $1.00 | $19.99 | 95% |
| Ground organic coffee (1 lb) | $4.56 | $9.32 | 51% |
| Fresh bread, 2 loaves | $2.50 | $4.18 | 41% |
| 1 rotisserie chicken, whole | $14.52 | $7.39 | -96% |
| Pork (1 lb) | $2.84 | $8.54 | 67% |
| 3.5 lb chicken breasts, frozen | $9.54 | $9.79 | 3% |
| Corvina (sea bass), 1 lb | $7.27 | $13.32 | 45% |
| Cereal, boxed | $6.00 | $4.29 | -40% |
| Total | $66.50 | $131.73 | 50% |
As you can see, food costs in Ecuador can represent a considerable savings if you shop wisely. A lot of packaged items, like cereal, can actually cost more to buy in Ecuador. However, if you’re willing to try a local brand, you can still save on those items as well. This is true for a lot of different products.
Another factor to consider is the quality of the items. Some things, like coffee and produce, don’t seem to be that much less expensive than they are in the U.S. However, many of those items are fresh, organic, and locally grown. You can’t beat ’em!
In looking at the total bill, it’s also easy to see that the quality of your meals is one thing that definitely doesn’t have to suffer if you choose to relocate to a low-cost destination like Ecuador. With some smart shopping, you can eat as well as or better than you ever have!
If you like the idea of making your retirement dollars stretch farther on all aspects of living, you might want to learn more about the opportunities available in Ecuador.
Costa Rica has enchanted yogis for years with its natural beauty and peaceful serenity. In fact, many came and decided to establish professional yoga centers to bring world-class yoga to the secluded beach towns. It’s no wonder that today Costa Rica is home to some of the best yoga centers in the world offering inspiring, often life-changing retreats.
With a plethora of yoga centers in the country, how does one choose the best place in Costa Rica for a retreat? We’ve compiled a list of the most professional studios in some of the most peaceful, beautiful places in the country.
lululemon athletica
Nosara
Nosara is undoubtedly the town that put Costa Rica on the map for yoga and wellness tourism. In fact the Nicoya Peninsula, where Nosara lies, is one of five places in the world considered a Blue Zone. Blue Zones are areas where people tend to live longer, past 100, more than anywhere else in the world. The town of Nosara is quiet and tranquil with a solid expat community, great surf, and stunningly beautiful sunsets. As the most popular place to practice yoga in Costa Rica, it hosts many yoga retreats throughout the year from a variety of centers. The two most reputable are Nosara Yoga Institute and Blue Spirit.
Nosara Yoga Institute
As one of the first yoga studios in Costa Rica, Nosara Yoga Institute paved the way for the many yoga centers throughout the country. High on a hill in the woods on the outskirts of Playa Guiones it is a very peaceful place to practice. The Nosara Yoga Institute is widely known for its exceptional yoga teacher trainings, which offer an interdisciplinary approach far beyond asana. They strive to deepen students’ inner voice and awareness and emphasize non-judgment and non-authority in their teaching to allow all students to explore their individual yogic path.
Those looking for non-teacher accredited retreats can find them at Nosara Yoga Institute, but they are offered by teachers from other institutions. The instruction and experience is consistently high quality.
Viva El Momento
Blue Spirit
Started by the same holistic physician who founded the Omega Institue in Rhinebeck, NY, Blue Spirit is one of the most famous places in the country to study yoga. The center overlooks the ocean on a long white sand beach that is a protected turtle refuge and has a lovely koi pond and salt water infinity pool. Yoga teacher trainings are done through the globally respected Yoga Works association which combines East and West philosophy in its curriculum.
They also host many retreats throughout the year covering a wide variety of topics and style including Yin and Vinyasa. The retreats are led by reputable instructors from all over the world. Teacher trainings and retreats include accommodation and three delicious vegetarian meals.
The Osa Peninsula
Those who have had the pleasure of visiting the wild Osa Peninsula understand why National Geographic called it the most biologically intense place on Earth. You immediately feel transported to another world, a world before modern development, when you enter the rainforest jungle of the Osa Peninsula. Scarlet macaws squawk over your head, monkeys swing from trees, and if you’re lucky you might see a jaguar or a tapir. Completely removed from the rest of the world, you can really disconnect from the modern world and connect deeper with yourself.
Blue Osa
With an onsite eco-resort, restaurant, and yoga studio, Blue Osa is a luxurious all-inclusive retreat center in the remote Osa Peninsula. They strive to run a completely sustainable facility with recycled waste and water, organic produce that comes directly from their own garden, environmentally friendly landscaping, and a completely self-sustaining micro grid for all of their power and sewage. In fact their center that comfortably accommodates 30 guests and 20 staff members uses the same amount of energy as a typical four-person home in the U.S.
They host teacher trainings as well as week-long retreats offering anything from shamanic journeys to life coaching in conjunction with incredible yoga offered by teachers and healers from all over the world. The founder’s intention in creating this center was to create a space that removes people from the distractions of life and awakens their innermost selves.
Mihaela Vorvoreanu
Pavones
At the very southern Pacific tip of Costa Rica lies the small, authentic surf town of Pavones. The black sand beaches with volcanic rock stretch for miles and the surf is some of the best in the world. In an untouched remote part of Costa Rica, the town of Pavones is teeming with wildlife and offers a unique view of true Costa Rican culture. The town may be small but it hosts one of the top teacher training centers in the country, the Pavones Yoga Center.
Pavones Yoga Center
Built on top of the hill overlooking the Pacific ocean and the town of Pavones, the Pavones Yoga Center is a breathtaking place to practice asana. The founder and lead instructor Indira grew up on the South Pacific of Costa Rica as a child. After studying yoga across the globe she worked as a teacher training instructor at the famous Nosara Yoga Institute before opening her own center in Pavones. The center hosts several teacher trainings a year, from one week to one month, but also hosts retreats. Their surf and yoga retreat held annually combines yoga classes with private surf lessons.
Trainings and retreats include accommodation in their beautiful center along with healthy delicious meals. The onsite spa offers a wide variety of body work as well as body wraps, scrubs, and other skin treatments.
The Yoga Farm
The Yoga Farm offers a highly affordable alternative to typical retreats. It is situated up in the hills overlooking completely deserted beaches in Pavones. The farm is covered in fruit trees and grows much of the produce that the kitchen prepares for guests. With packages starting at $260 per week for daily yoga and vegetarian meals, the Yoga Farm is a great option for those on a budget. They also have a work trade and volunteer program for those who intend to stay long term.
The South Caribbean
A different world from the rest of Costa Rica, the South Caribbean is becoming a yoga destination in its own right. With abundant wildlife, live coral reef, golden sand beaches, sparkling turquoise water, and world-renowned surf, it is an incredibly beautiful place to deepen your yoga practice. Two of the country’s most beautiful national parks sit on the Caribbean: The Cahuita National Park and The Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The beaches here are nearly deserted and consistently listed as some of the most beautiful in the world.
Culturally the Caribbean has a diverse mix of indigenous people as well as Afro Caribbean descendants who bring Calypso and Reggae music and spicy coconut-flavored cuisine. There are also plenty of international transplants from all over the world.
Samasati
The South Caribbean now hosts many yoga studios, but Samasati was the first to open and is one of the only studios offering retreats and teacher trainings. The center is high in the mountains on a secluded property with stunning views of the ocean. Samasati was built with the intention of creating a sustainable retreat center that contributes to the community. The space was built with minimal environmental impact and employs local residents exclusively. They aim to promote an alternative way of life through their practice of asana, serving local organic vegetarian meals, operating with energy efficiency, and giving back to the community.
Retreats offered cover a wide spectrum from yoga teacher trainings to wildlife adventures. Their yoga retreats are offered year round and include meditation, asana, pranayama, and daily shuttle service to the nearby Caribbean beaches of Puerto Viejo. Packages include accommodation and delicious vegetarian meals. They also offer tour packages to explore the wilderness and culture of the region.
Punta Mona
Deep in the Caribbean jungle in the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge lies Punta Mona, or Monkey Point. Animals run wild, the beaches are deserted and gorgeous, and it’s not unusual to see dolphins swimming offshore. When the sea is calm it makes for incredible snorkeling. Entirely self-sustaining and isolated, the Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education is so remote it can only be accessed by foot, small boat, or horseback. The center is most famous for its permaculture design courses but it also offers tours for day-trippers as well as retreats and yoga teacher trainings.
Retreats consist of asana practice as well as guided meditations, underwater adventures, jungle explorations, medicinal plant ceremonies, natural mud baths, and many creative hands-on activities like cooking and arts and crafts. Lodging is included at the onside eco-center as well as three organic vegetarian meals a day sourced primarily from their own land. The Punta Mona Center is unique in that it also offers retreats for children of all ages led by Cirque de Soleil veterans. These retreats incorporate yoga, music, and dance and also teach children about permaculture and sustainability.