This Week in Costa Rica - Expats Living, Working, and Traveling in Costa Rica

On today’s program, Corey welcomes author and publisher Shannon Enete into studio. Shannon is an international resident from San Diego, currently residing in Costa Rica. Her first career of 10 years was spent serving San Diego & Kansas City as a paramedic. Shannon had visited 27 countries by the age of 30, before a back injury shifted her path. She quickly chose Costa Rica as her first international destination. In addition to writing, Shannon owns Enete Enterprises, LLC a video and print publication company that specializes in travel guidebooks and the creation of marketing videos for tourism, hospitality, and real estate sectors. To learn more about Costa Rica, and how to become an expat in a variety of countries visit www.BecominganExpat.com.

David Karr of Visit Jaco Costa Rica kicks off the program with Corey to talk about Semana Santa in Costa Rica, happenings around the Central Pacific, and a little inside track into what you need to know about Jaco Beach and the surrounding area as a visitor and a resident.

Dan Stevens of The Costa Rican Times calls in from Escazú to speak on the job cuts at Intel and Bank of America, the new border crossing fee for travelers exiting Costa Rica to Nicaragua, and the outcome of the court ruling on shark finning in Costa Rica.

For more information about this program, or to become a guest or sponsor, please feel free to write in at [email protected].

This week Corey calls Rafael Valverde of Outlier Legal Services to get definitive answers to the driving regulations for residents, foreign visitors, and perpetual tourists. Mr. Valverde speaks on validation of your status during the residency process, how to validate your foreign driver’s license, and how to make application for a license under the sole provision of being over the age of 18.

Mr. Valverde also speaks about the issues of opening and using bank accounts in Costa Rica as a foreign resident. In many situations, banks will not open accounts or allow transactions on a passport alone. Further to this, many bank’s online systems will not allow for interbank transfers without a DIMEX number. Mr. Valverde addresses that this may be deny basic rights to foreigners and how to start taking the steps to change this.

Dan Stevens of the Costa Rican times joins Corey to look at the new Nicaragua border crossing, a potential TB outbreak, and the annual beer festival in Costa Rica.

For more information about this show, or to become a guest or sponsor, simply write us at [email protected].

This week Corey covers the all-too-confusing legalities of driving in Costa Rica as a tourist while waiting for your residency to finalize.  A great article by Daniel Woodall of American Expatriate Costa Rica clears some of the fog.

Dan Stevens of the Costa Rican time chimes in for Segment 2 to talk about World Horse Welfare, Bitcoin ATMs coming to Costa Rica, and a recent dog fighting bust.

Spanish Lesson #2 with Marco Bolaños of the Amistad Institute brings you some much needed slang practice!  Find the complete lesson at www.thisweekincostarica.com/lessons.

For the final segment, This Week in Costa Rica proudly brings you a great interview with Shannon Enete conducted by fellow radio and podcast host, Jason Hartman.  Shannon Enete is an international resident from San Diego, currently residing in Costa Rica. Her first career of 10 years was spent serving San Diego & Kansas City as a paramedic. Shannon visited over 27 countries by the age of 30. Enete is the author of new release, Becoming an Expat: Costa Rica and Teeth Not Tears: Smiles Through the Rubble. She freelances for the Costa Rican Star, Jaco Journal, International Living, A.M. Costa Rica, Global Living Magazine, Pink Pangea, and the Costa Rican Sun. She is a columnist for Expat Focus and Voz de Guanacaste. In addition to writing, Shannon owns Enete Enterprises, LLC a video and print publication company that specializes in travel guidebooks and the creation of marketing videos for tourism, hospitality, and real estate sectors.

For more information about this program, or to become a guest or sponsor, simply email us at[email protected].

Dan Stevens of the Costa Rican Times opens up the program today with some talk on the current shark finning trial, court decisions to keep Costa Rica zoos open for another 10 years, the Patron Saint of Costa rica La Negrita to be enthroned in the Vatican, and the smooth process of US Passport replacement.

This week, Corey focuses on the Oceans Medical Care in Jacó Beach, Costa Rica.   They are general doctors, as well as being supported clinically by medical specialists as needed. The mandate of the center is; to provide high quality medical care to the community of Jacó, its surroundings and visitors from all around the world, as well as promoting medical tourism.

One of their main goals is to promote health, prevent illnesses and encourage our patients to have a healthy lifestyle, facilitating appropriate specialty care, according to the needs encountered in each individual.

This week, Corey speaks with Dr. Orlando Quesada from Oceans Medical about the center at its services in addition to special guest, Brad Sanson.  Mr. Sanson has found himself in the services of the doctors at Oceans Medical in the past, but shares a remarkable story of how these doctors went above and beyond what you’d expect of a small town clinic to provide care and attention that very well may have saved his life.

For more details on Mr. Sanson’s story, visit the write up in AM Costa Rica.  For more information on Oceans Medical Care, visit their website at www.jacodoctor.com.

Visit  This Week in Costa Rica radio show blog for details about more shows.

This week, Corey opens the show with a brief rundown of his new private health insurance policy.  When having CAJA coverage is simply not enough, signing up for a plan that covers your medical needs both in Costa Rica and abroad is considered a must.  (Follow Corey on Twitter at @ThisWeekinCR)

Segment two brings Dan Stevens from the Costa Rican Times to discuss Johnny Araya bowing out of the presidential campaign, Solis’ talk of not hitting the carbon neutral goals set by the previous administration, Forbes opening offices in Costa Rica, and the national lacrosse team making their way to the world championships.  (Follow Dan on Twitter at @CostaRicanTimes)

For the second half of the program, Corey calls PanAm Post columnist and former Global TESOL director, Andrew Woodbury.  Andrew shares his continuing travels in ESL beyond Costa Rica with and overview of his new position teaching English in Toronto, Canada.  For many who receive certification to teach English abroad, the consideration for making it a career option at home is often overlooked.  Andrew shares his initial experiences teaching at home to foreign learners.  (Follow Andrew on Twitter at @A_W10)

Finally, Corey welcomes the new director and lead instructor at Global TESOL, Elizabeth Farrar.  Ms. Farrar hails from Springfield, Illinois and holds an MA in TESOL and degree in linguistics.  She shares some of her experiences as both and ESL teacher worldwide, as well as her thoughts on taking a new position training teachers in Jacó beach, Costa Rica.  (Follow Elizabeth on Twitter @GofarRar)

For more information on this program, or to become and guest or sponsor, email us at [email protected].

On this week’s edition of This Week in Costa Rica, Corey addresses some listener feedback and brings the live audience a brief explanation of what a podcast is and how they can enjoy this show every week if they can’t tune in live.

Dan Stevens of the Costa Rican times speaks with Corey about some recent woes having his vehicle and identification stolen, and some smart tips on how to cope with these unfortunate situations.  Additionally, Dan shares a great story from the Panamanian border. The La Esperanza Public School has 15 students and an interesting set of instructors. Since there has been a delay in finding a teacher who is willing to accept the transfer to this poor and remote area, the border police have stepped up to help.

For the second half of the program, Corey welcomes Marco Bolaños from the Amistad Institute into studio.  Marco shares some information about the Spanish school and volunteer programs available both in Heredia and Jacó beach.  In addition, Marco presents the first of a series of Spanish lessons here on the radio program.  Lesson notes and more can be found on the website at www.thisweekincostarica.com/lessons.

Thank you for tuning in or downloading the program.  If you have any questions, or would like to feature your business or story on the show, contact us at [email protected].

This week Corey starts off with a preamble on some of the growing frustrations that expats can feel in Costa Rica after nearly 8 years.   Though likely a phase, often times foreign residents can feel the 7-year itch and long for broader horizons.  Is this Corey’s last year in Pura Vida?

Dan Stevens from The Costa Rican Times joins the program to speak about the Olympic hockey finals, the recent Envision Festival in Costa Rica, and a private school in Belen offering scholarships to students in exchange for community service.

The second half of today’s program, Corey welcomes James Richie of the Anti Aging and Wellness Center in Costa Rica.  The Anti Aging and Wellness Clinic is your number 1 choice for anti-aging and medical tourism in beautiful Costa Rica. They cater to high net worth tourist from all over the world, with a large percentage of our patients coming from North America. If you are coming from Los Angeles California, Chicago Illinois, New York City NYC, or are traveling within Costa Rica, contact them and set up an appointment. They have the best procedures to keep you fit, young and full of vitality.  http://www.antiagecr.com/

For more information about the program, or to become a guest or sponsor, contact us at [email protected]

This week, Corey brings a short program with Dan Stevens from the Costa Rican Times.  Topics covered include new accountability proposals put forth in the judicial system, a travel company in Costa Rica accepting Bitcoin, and some insider tips on living in the Central Pacific towns of Jacó and Hermosa.

For more information about this or any of the weekly broadcasts, feel free to write the show at[email protected].

This week, Corey opens with some loose commentary about CCSS increases, and the local Internet community reactions.  Social services fees have risen for expats in Costa Rica, and Corey addresses his findings.  Also, there is some confusion as to the gap many in residency process find themselves regarding holding a Costa Rica driver’s license.  Corey directs listeners to recent blog postings on both matters by Rafael Valverde of Outlier Legal Services.

Next up, Dan Stevens of the Costa Rican Times weighs in on the CAJA rates, a new green report from Yale University, and the increased crime rates in Costa Rica.

Corey’s special in-studio guests this week are Yeison Kim and Samantha Wei from travel blogMyTanFeet.com.  This couple have been traveling and documenting their experiences in Costa Rica with a lighthearted, honest approach that many readers are finding refreshing.  Yeison and Sam share their thoughts on the business and have an open dialogue about what it takes to make it as a travel writer in this crowded space.

For more info on the show, or to become a guest or sponsor, contact us a [email protected].

This week, Corey brings you some information about private health insurance in Costa Rica and abroad.  Though the CAJA (Costarricense de Seguro Social) is a great, and often required, first step in having health care in Costa Rica, a second tier is strongly recommended. Private health companies provide more affordable access to private hospitals in the country such as CIMA and Clinica Biblica.  In addition, many of the health plans available offer worldwide coverage to insure you while you travel abroad.

Corey calls insurance agent Robert Clark, a 38-year veteran in the industry, to discuss options and plans for expats, travelers, and groups alike.  Robert can be reached at +506 8392-7520, or via his website, http://robertclarkinsurance.homestead.com/.  If you are interested in plans you can simply visit our health insurance page and fill out the contact form via This Week in Costa Rica.

Corey makes his weekly call to Dan Stevens from the Costa Rican Times to talk about the new Orotina International Airport being slated for 2025, traffic in San Jose, and some sports news throughout the region.

For more information on this program, or to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected].