Who is Travel Costa Rica Now ?

Photo Credit: Travel Costa Rica Now

I had to write about these two cool guys from Travel Costa Rica Now. A down to earth sincere touring company in the heart of Costa Rica in La Fortune owned by two Americans, Michael and D'Angelo. 

Experience in Costa Rica Living comes to mind when I watch Michael and D'Angelo showcase their videos mixed with strong advice and a flare of entertainment.

I would classify them as the Truth Serum for those interested in staying in Costa Rica for a long period of time, from a few months to possibly becoming a perpetual tourist. 

They don't sugar-coat their videos giving the frank approach to the ways of Costa Rica, which is really good to hear. But most importantly they offer cool tour packages throughout Costa Rica. 

And, what about their advice on retiring in Costa Rica? 

Photo Credit: Travel Costa Rica Now

About Retirement in Costa Rica

Retirement for baby boomers, like myself, is a big step to consider. First and foremost, can you afford to retire? 

In Canada, it's becoming increasingly more expensive to live on an average expense income around $2500 per month with the understanding YOU are debt free! For those high in debt, working along on society's treadmill, is the only way to survive. 

But let's say you have a firm hand on your finances and are ready to retire.

Heading out to a country like Costa Rica will take a lot of planning, not to mention getting use to the Culture Shock. 
Don't expect things to be the same as in Canada or United States. The process of getting things done in Costa Rica isn't the expectations we are use to in Canada, so don't get discourage if it takes longer. According to Michael, seventy-five percent of those coming to Costa Rica to retire, end up going back home within a couple months to a few years. 

Photo Credit: Tianndra Demers

What have I learned from Michael Alan and D'Angelo ?

So, what I have learned from listening to these two cool guys living in Costa Rica, is this...

There are certain Rules to follow, saving you money and heartache. 

As Michael explains: 

Rule One : Don't listen to websites who's soul purpose is to sell you real estate property in Costa Rica. 

Rule Two : Never ever buy anything in Costa Rica until you have rented for at least one year. 

After all, Michael gives fair warning, you may not like it in Costa Rica. And then what? You're going to have to sell your property for half the price you bought it. 

And who's going to buy it? 

An unexpected Gringo; that's us! English speaking naive western tourists.

Rule Three : How to Rent in Costa Rica. It's not a good idea to rent off the internet. It's best to go down to Costa Rica for a two week holiday . Catch up with Michael and D'Angelo who will give you the best places to rent from and where, including re-location tours along with touring packages to suit your lifestyle.

But there's one exception to the rule here, I noticed on one of his YouTube Videos during his interview with one of his friendly expats.* (check below for the meaning to these terms)

The rental rule is still in place, however you can join a community group who already are set-up in a co-op Eco sustainable resort. There are two of these communities, OSA Mountain Village and their sister community, Serenity Gardens Eco Village, by co-founder Jim Gale.

As their website says," The community is located in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone along the pristine Pacific Coast, where the mountains meet the ocean. "

The above gives you a good rule-of- thumb approach. To me, Travel Costa Rica Now, offers sound advice you can take to the bank. 


Michael and D'Angelo go on giving a ton of valuable information, including the cost of living in Costa Rica for around $970 (US funds)per month. This includes rent, food, internet, phone, cable and electricity. 

This is over half the cost then living in my own country! It means you can live in Costa Rica for a longer period of time with a modest retirement income.

Their interesting blog explains from the Tico* Culture to how to start-up a Bank account. 

All the Travel Costa Rica Now YouTube Videos give valuable inside information for those thinking of living in Costa Rica and fun tour package adventures for the whole family.

In conclusion, it's best to give a quote by Michael and D'Angelo,"The good the bad and the ugly of living in Costa Rica with no agenda to sell you anything. Our goal is to offer our perspective, experience and expertise of living in Costa Rica so the folks who go on our tour, by the end, will know whether relocating to Costa Rica is a good idea for them or not. 
That's it. "

Are you thinking of retiring or vacationing in Costa Rica? Then it's time to check out Travel Costa Rica Now.

By Bari Demers


Bari Demers is not affiliated or related to Travel  Costa Rica Now. He writes only about the good things in life.

If you have something good you would like to write about in regards to traveling or experience of living in another country, ask me to do a small write-up about it for a nominal fee. Included are links to your website and Facebook page. 

A Canadian freelance writer/screenwriter who is also considered a Vegas Lover with his very own Facebook page : Vegas Reviews - If he experiences a great time or adventure, expect to hear about the fun he and his wife had,"Going to Vegas since 1989..."

Bari has worked on several screenplays, such as Agent Sky, Black Angels and Missing through James Montana Scripts.

He is presently looking into doing his own short film or collaborating with film makers for his screenplays. Check out his blogs on Vegas  and more on his Travel Blog.

Glossary Terms:

Expats - An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country * http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate

Gringo - A Spanish term used to categorize foreigner visitors.


Tico - A term used for native people of Costa Rica

Perpetual Tourist - are referred to as travelers living in another country unterthered to any restrictions as say a resident would.  Overall freedom of enjoying the same as any other tourist but live in the country more than 90 days.  The only draw back, they must head across the border before their 90 days are up to be reinstated into the country again for another 90 days.