Costa Rica living & real estate investment experts - 2,000+ articles and videos about retirement and properties for sale.
Home | Costa Rica Living Forum | Tell a Friend | Text Size | Search | VIP Member Only Area
 Join Our Family
For a limited time, join our family for free! Get instant access to 2,000+ informative articles about Costa Rica, photo's, 75+ FREE online videos and our very popular Costa Rica Living Discussion Forum. Click here for more details...
 About this Site
 About this Site
 Register Today - FREE
 Help-U-Search
 Free Insider's Guide
 Site Map
 DEPARTMENTS
 Living & Retirement
 Properties of the Week
 Costa Rica Condos
 Costa Rica Realtors
 Products For Sale
 Homes For Sale
 Farms & Land For Sale
 Real Estate Investing
 For Sale By Owner FSBO
 Build Your Own Home
 Long/Short Term Rentals

 Other
 Our Guarantee
 Privacy Policy
 Terms of Use
Costa Rica Living and Real Estate Investment Experts
Stop worrying and start living! Costa Rica Living!

If you want to feel younger, look better and live longer with a more affordable lifestyle, a healthier diet and a lot less stress then you might have just found your new home overflowing with stunning scenery, sunshine and smiles - Costa Rica!

Are you curious about living in Costa Rica, about starting a new life in a gorgeous setting where it feels like Spring all year round? Or investing in Costa Rica real estate - which remains stable while many other markets are crumbling?

We'll give you the vital information you need to help you decide if living in Costa Rica is right for you and, we'll make buying a home or investing in Costa Rica real estate simple for you....

Inside you will find 2,200+ articles and see how many of our 16,000 VIP Members have created satisfying new lives for themselves in Costa Rica. You'll discover how to avoid pitfalls and mistakes from people who've already made the jump. This kind of insider knowledge is rare and literally priceless if you are at all serious about living and/or retiring in Costa Rica.

"At the airport, there should be a giant red banner with a warning sentence to all prospective buyers:
Do Not Buy Real Estate In Costa Rica
Before Reading Scott's Book!
"
Yolande Citro, Miami's Celebrity Realtor.

Who is Scott Oliver? VIP Member Michael Fitzgerald in NY says: "Scott Oliver is 100% authentic, he's a brutally honest, hard-hitting, no BS kind of a guy who cares about people and this shines through on the WeLoveCostaRica.com site."

Our extensive research over the past ten years and, the countrywide connections we've established will give you the expert and objective information you want about living and retiring in Costa Rica and before you ask... No! We do not have our own real estate development that we'll try and sell you!

Join now and you'll get immediate access to our 18 page Tips & Traps Report about living & retirement in Costa Rica which you can download in seconds.

Click here to join - It's simple, fast and free!

Banks in Costa Rica - The US Patriot Act making things even worse...
Scott Oliver - July 2009
Banks in Costa Rica - The US Patriot Act making things even worse... The other, more important reason not to carry your firearm into a Costa Rica bank which was not given was that you might be sorely tempted to use it while inside the bank! . . . Keep reading
Costa Rica Scams - US Judge orders the extradition of Gerald Joseph Latulippe to face fraud charges.
Scott Oliver - Updated July 2009
Costa Rica Scams - US Judge orders the extradition of Gerald Joseph Latulippe to face fraud charges. Forrest told me that his partner would supposedly use investor's money to buy companies in trouble, rebuild them and then sell them for a handsome profit. Not being a shy wall flower type of person, I pointed out ... . . . Keep reading
Land For Sale By Owner - San Pedro de Poas for only $78,500
Land For Sale By Owner - San Pedro de Poas for only $78,500 The views are outstanding and the land contains beautiful trees as well as many mature coffee plants - maybe brew your own in the morning :-) The terrain is very buildable and with over 7,347M2 (1.81 acres) on this lot there are many different building sites to choose from where you would enjoy truly majestic views of the Central Valley. . . . Keep reading
Costa Rica Property Taxes - The new tax on luxury homes finally approved.
Costa Rica Tax Expert - Randall Zamora
Costa Rica Property Taxes - The new tax on luxury homes finally approved. The new tax on luxury homes has become law. Since our first article about this new tax back in November 2008 which was officially published in La Gaceta, there have been no changes to the original bill approved by the congress, so let's recap... . . . Keep reading
Costa Rica Rental Three Bedroom/Two Bath House for Rent in Grecia - Central Valley. Lovely home for only US$900 per month.
Costa Rica Rental Three Bedroom/Two Bath House for Rent in Grecia - Central Valley. Lovely home for only US$900 per month. If you are considering Costa Rica as a retirement destination, this location will allow you to experience the rural Central Valley at its best. Daytime highs rarely hit 80 degrees F; nighttime lows reach about 60. . . . Keep reading
Costa Rica Real Estate's Abandoned Projects - But the salesman said...
Costa Rica Realtor - David Treadway in Esterillos
Costa Rica Real Estate's Abandoned Projects - But the salesman said... If you have read features and comments on this web site for any period of time you will have no doubt read Scott Oliver's mantra that he only recommends, "experienced developers with a proven track record of building quality real estate". . . . Keep reading
Free Spanish Lesson #13 - Spanish Music is flamenco (Spain) not mariachi (Mexico) bien!
Jonathan Irish
Free Spanish Lesson #13 - Spanish Music is flamenco (Spain) not mariachi (Mexico) bien! What kinds of music are you going to hear when you arrive in Spain? ¡Mucho! But just because Enrique Iglesias is from Spain, not Mexico, does not mean that you are listening to real Spanish music. . . . Keep reading
Ocean View Two Bedroom Home For Sale By Owner - Central Pacific location one block from the beach for only US$265,000
Ocean View Two Bedroom Home For Sale By Owner - Central Pacific location one block from the beach for only US$265,000 Sit back and relax with your loved one in the two person Jacuzzi and enjoy the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves rolling up the beach only one block away... . . . Keep reading
Retirement in Costa Rica - Good times on the social scene.
VIP Member Sheelagh Richards
Retirement in Costa Rica - Good times on the social scene. It was great to welcome them back ~ having made the decision to move to this lovely part of the country, they arrived, made an offer on a farm way up a spectacular valley south of San Isidro, had it accepted and have now returned to the UK to embark on the great escape plan. . . . Keep reading
Build Your Own Vacation or Retirement Home Part XXV. 25 weeks and US$75,713.18 invested in construction so far.
Scott Oliver - June 2009
Build Your Own Vacation or Retirement Home Part XXV. 25 weeks and US$75,713.18 invested in construction so far. The weather has continued to be remarkably wet which has prevented us from doing any more work in the garden and has also made the access road to the property very, very muddy. . . . Keep reading
More HeadlinesMore Headlines   

 Costa Rica Tip of the Week
 RESOURCES
Article Index
Contact Us
Download Library
Help
Text Size
Writer's Guidelines
Your Account
 Discussion Forum
Recent Forum Posts
• Costa Rica moves forward with Cuba
• want to visit Nica while here in CR
• Using ATMs in Costa Rica
• Sourcing materials for roof joists and truses
• Banking
• Currently interviewing for expat job in CR
• Vineyards & Wineries?
• US dogs in Costa Rica
• Not relo but 1 month trip
• So called coup in Honduras
• Asphalt on the Costanera Sur
• CCCBR-Costa Rica Camara Corredores Bienes Raices
• Business Lawyer
• Building a big driveway
• Need HOA lawyer recommendation
Search Discussion

 TESTIMONIALS
Here's what a few of our VIP Members are saying ...

"I just want to say thank you for your website, video and book. I appreciate your honesty in disclosing the pitfalls one can run into when dealing with real estate in Costa Rica. Having been a widow for a number of years now, I have come to understand the value of having reliable, honest people to deal with. This network of good, dependable business and professional people you have developed makes a great comfort zone within which to operate in a foreign country. The knowledge you have provided me with has given me the courage to pursue a dream, that I may not have pursued otherwise."

Cheryl DuPlessis. Greenville Junction, Maine

"Hola Scott! It was some time ago when I asked you for a reference to legal counsel for a particularly ornery situation with MINAE. Well, we FINALLY got the last permit to complete the construction of our vacation villa in Manuel Antonio. Your recommendation led us to an environmental law specialist, Lic. Mauricio Salas. Thanks to Sr. Salas, we have prevailed in every instance over the MINAE follies. We are very pleased and have you to thank for the introduction(s) that led us to the right guy who got the job done. Saludos y muchisimas gracias."

Coleman Alderson, Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica.

"I have known Scott Oliver for over 20 years now, since our days of commuting together on the train into New York City. As a plain talking Brit, he may be a bit too direct for some people but know this: Scott Oliver is 100% authentic, he's a brutally honest, hard-hitting, no BS kind of a guy who cares about people and this shines through on the WeLoveCostaRica.com site."

Michael Fitzgerald, NY

"I have been a VIP member for a while on your site + you are a wealth of information for me. You recommended John McGee to me months ago for health insurance and I got my girlfriend and myself excellent coverage and John is really a nice person to deal with. I have also used 2 different lawyers from your site for title searches and they too were very professional and efficient. Thanks for any help and I appreciate everything that you have done for us already. I bought your book a long time ago and it was the most informative book on Costa Rica I have ever read and definitely the Bible for buying real estate in Costa Rica. This will be my second property here thanks to this book and the information that I gained from not only reading but applying what I read."

Lewis Alongis.

"I enjoy your weekly news letter. It is very informative, I always learn something new :)"

Jazmin Sanchez Solano, San Jose. Costa Rica

"I have to write and say that I think your site is the best site in internet history. No really. I go into withdrawals if I don't receive your emails. This may sound selfish but I will be leaving FL in 4 years and retiring in CR. I hope nothing happens to you between now and then because I just don't know what I will do with out your articles keeping me up to date and informing me of the latest deals and all the other misc. great stuff about CR. This information tells me how the economy is going in CR and how I should be planning my retirement. Take care of yourself and always wear your seat belt."

Mary in FL, USA

"I have researched countless numbers of websites and have found yours to be the most comprehensive, informative and helpful website regarding Costa Rica. I especially enjoy the forums and have a healthy appreciation for your responses as well as those of your regular contributors. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into increasing the CORRECT information and helping to support a country we all love!"

Heather Dopson in Costa Rica

"Of course this has all become a reality due to WeLoveCostaRica.com - the most exciting, colourful, informative and professional website anyone could wish for. Thank you Scott to the power of n.

Angela & Malcolm Wright. Yorkshire. UK

"You will never know how much your education your website and books served me well when I was in Costa Rica. Truthfully I can say that the time spent on your website helped me make the judgment I needed to recognize a great opportunity with a great deal confidence. I know that your education contributed much to my understanding about what is fact and what is fiction about retiring to Costa Rica."

Tom in Portland. Oregon.

"I have to give Scott and "WeLoveCostaRica" mucho kudos'. Without it, I wouldn't have met so many professionals that are wonderful people too. Thanks Scott."

Grizzly.

"We are a great fan of your newsletter, we own some property in Costa Rica and you keep us very informed on what is going on in Costa Rica."

Jonina K. Winter. LaPorte, TX.

"Thanks Scott, I found your book inspirational about Costa Rica, with just the kind of practical information we were looking for."

Jerry Brown.

"Your web site is incredible and has already proven to be very helpful to us."

Frannie & Gabe Volinsky in Texas, USA

"I have to say your web site is by far the best prepared and most informative that I have seen."

Nick Constantin.

"I would just like to say thank you! Your website is phenomenal. What a wealth of information."

Bob Bodey. USA.

"Scott. Eve and I want to express our gratitude for your bold statements about the US equity markets. We took your advice and sold us equities at the 13,800 Dow level. We are so glad you saved us over $100,000 in losses so far. Enough to make a sizeable down payment on a piece of paradise in Costa Rica. Thanks!"

Steve and Eve. Charlotte, NC. USA

"I received my Costa Rica Fair Trade coffee yesterday and had my first cup this morning. It was as wonderful as I remembered. I was missing the view of the Costa Rica coffee bushes across the mountain hills, but it did bring back the memories of sunshine, butterflies, bright flowers and the gorgeous view. Pretty amazing that a cup of coffee can do all this!"

Lisa. USA

"I would like to take a moment to appreciate Scott and applaud what I think is a fabulous discussion board with a wide variety of opinions. It is obviously the best place on the net to exchange opinions about CR and to catch up on important issues."

Diego Vega, USA & Costa Rica.

"My husband and I just returned from Costa Rica. Scott Oliver is everything he says he is and more. We highly recommend him, his web site, his book, map and advice, and more. We really appreciate everything he puts into this venture-it has made life so much easier for those of us considering Costa Rica as our retirement home."

Amelia and Philip Lewis. Alabama, USA.

"I believe anyone considering Costa Rica owes you a debt of gratitude for putting your time into this site - it is wonderful. And you make it abundantly clear why you have taken your stance with various developers... Your integrity shows throughout. What your forum has done for me is to reiterate again how important it is to keep a very close watch on the progress of these developments. Thanks again for your work."

Christophe B. USA

"I just wanted to say that I have been enjoying your website very much and it is thought provoking and informative. I find the site to be the best of all sites as to learning about Costa Rica, you should be very proud of your accomplishment sir, My wife and I applaud your efforts to deliver such valuable information especially to people like us who are relocating in the next two years. We have made friends on the site also which we would not have had the oppty. if not for you so thanks again :) We wish you continued success."

Artie & Luz Giordano. USA

"I am a subscriber to your wonderful newsletter. It has given me enormous amounts of information. Please don't ever stop."

Your amigo Buster Wolvert, USA.

"Scott, thank you so much for the great Costa Rica coffee. My wife bought some Starbucks "Costa Rican" blend and it was terrible. Now she can finally taste the real deal that I have bragging about for three years now."

Robert Pearce, USA. USA

"I bought the Costa Rica map you recommended, the package was nicely done and the delivery was very prompt too. Very nice. I give it five stars."

Rahul Thacker, USA. USA

"Scott, just wanted to say that the site looks very good, is run very well and is a very useful tool as well provides for quite an interesting read. It is clear that it was conceived and is run by a very intelligent, insightful person. The site is easy to navigate, has decent graphics. By far, it is the most professional-looking site related to CR that I have encountered and one is compelled to feel that the info on the site comes from a trustworthy, dependable source. That's saying a lot when dealing with matters related to CR because gosh knows how much sensationalism normally surrounds the topic! Thanks and keep up the great work!"

Chuck Crider, Orlando, FL. USA

"I just wanted to tell you how effective and helpful your site is. I have researched living in Costa Rica, searched for real estate, rented a car, purchased top-quality products, and talked to others about CR in your forum. All conveniently available from your wonderful website. My heartfelt thanks for the terrific organization you have created and for all the great information you dissiminate regularly and so cheerfully. It is a real pleasure "doing business" with you."

Fred Jackson. USA

"Scott, I have been visiting Costa Rica for 7 years now. I have been a VIP Member for about 5 years and have done a tremendous amount of independent research on any and all aspects of living in Costa Rica. I can honestly say that I can not refute with confidence anything you have said in your forums, or represented on your website. You do more for Costa Rica than any ambassador could ever hope for. You're one of about three people I completely trust in Costa Rica when it comes to any recommendation. You tell it like it is. Any profit you make on your book is well deserved. Thank you for providing this invaluable service."

Robert Pearce, USA.

"You are the best! I love supporting people that make a difference in this world and I love that you are so accessible and down to earth and have been a wonderful help. We've had six serious buyers in three days contact us already from the FSBO section of WeLoveCostaRica.com."

Pamela Bain. Interior Designer. USA

"I've been a member for over a year and a half and never checked out the forums much until last week. What was I thinking? The entertainment value alone is worth it..."

Al Loria. USA

"WeLoveCostaRica.com is the best website for real estate investment in Costa Rica.

Cesar Londono, NY. USA

The WeLoveCostaRica.com forum has been more useful to me & my desire to learn about Costa Rica than all of the books put together!"

Debbie Bloom, USA

"I've tasted coffee around the world and think Bv?ho Sabio (from WeLoveCostaRica.com) is right up there if not THE best."

Coleman Alderson, USA

"I love your newsletter. I'm looking for property in Costa Rica and I've found that the information you provide is invaluable."

Joe Kovalik, USA

"At the airport, there should be a giant red banner with a warning sentence to all prospective Buyers: "DO NOT BUY REAL ESTATE IN COSTA RICA BEFORE READING SCOTT'S BOOK."

Yolande Citro, Miami's Celebrity Realtor.

"Just want to let you know that the information you have in your newsletters is awesome."

David Olmo, USA

"Thank you for tracking down the DVD & CDs of Costa Rica. I play mine in the car everyday & it makes the waiting to come back much more bearable. The DVD is fantastic & has some places I did not know about."

Robert Hellebuyck, USA

"Your book is the best I have read on Costa Rican real estate and so much more... Great work."

Roger Wyer

"Just looked at your tip of the week plus related items of interest. It's obviously the best of anything coming out of Costa Rica - by a long way."

David Rushton

"The weekly email reports are a must read for me Scott, and I really appreciate all the work you put into it."

Shawn Phillips

"I wanted to thank you Mayra Claveria for all your help in looking for a property. The time you spent with us, your excellent ability to communicate with developers and your warmth made our journey very worthwhile!."

Kristina Bonfield

"I just wanted to tell you THANKS for giving Costa Rica a good name just through your site! We love Costa Rica too!"

Kesia Tosi (A Costa Rican), living in Tampa, Florida

"I'm really pleased to say that I sold my Jeep through your classified ad section. I appreciate this great service...Most everyone else charges and for all the ones I've ever paid for I never once sold anything. Here I use your free service and I sell my Jeep, I love it! Great site!"

Ernie Tetreault, Costa Rica

"For us to visit Costa Rica and get the expert information that we've been able to find at WeLoveCostaRica.com would require about six weeks... Costing US$3,000 to US$7,000."

Jeff Billo, USA

"Thanks for a terrific newsletter! I can't believe the fantastic content."

Laurice Albert, Canada, USA

"BTW, your book is excellent. I will be recommending it to my investment networking group."

Kristina Bonfield

"WeLoveCostaRica is unique because most info sites are only skin deep, by comparison..."

William Brown, USA

"I have learned more about Costa Rica in two weeks with your website than I have learned doing my own research over the past three years."

Roy Scruggs, , Texas. USA

"I find your service to be priceless. Not only has it helped me to line up job interviews prior to my arrival, it has also provided valuable information on what to expect once I arrive."

Sean Johnson, USA

"The time and money I'm saving is immeasurable."

John Herbert, USA

"The quality of the articles posted on your website is truly outstanding.

Ron Brewer, USA

"Without a doubt WeLoveCostaRica is the best! You won't find the depth and accuracy of content anywhere else."

Kevin Myers, Albuquerque, NM USA

"I can honestly say that your website and newsletters have been the single greatest resource and widest knowledge base I have been able to locate."

Suzanne Carpenter, USA

"I wanted to write to you to thank you, and let you know that the attorney whom you recommended at WeLoveCostaRica.com was just awesome!"

Kim Moore,, Oregon. USA

"I have friends that live in Costa Rica that have not been able to provide me info that you have."

Frank Grimm,, USMC

"Just wanted to tell you the newsletter really is exceptional and is a source of information I am using for our business, frankly I am learning from it!"

Craig B. Hawe,, Playa Tambor, Costa Rica

"Incidentally, your website is truly magnificent."

Jodi O'Shea-Walker,, OK, USA

"Since discovering WeLoveCostaRica.com, I don't even bother looking anywhere else."

John Rubida,, Costa Rica

"I got your "Tips and Traps" report and thought it was great! Your site is a great resource."

Rich Hellner,, USA

"I think your '76 Tips' are fantastic. I've spent almost 1 yr in Costa Rica on vacations & never heard of about 70 of your tips"

Tom Bosserman,, Costa Rica

"If you were running for public office, I'd vote for you! You care about "real" people, not just the rich and famous who want to live in Costa Rica.

Jann,, ND, USA