PF Chang's opens today in Costa Rica - Relocation Costa Rica

I know people would be all over my case if I said publicly that I am just a "little" happy that PF Chang's is opening in Costa Rica.  I actually like PF Chang's and their high priced cocktails! 

Our neighborhood Pf Chang's

Now, I'm not saying that all change is good change. It's not, but there is still plenty of old world Costa Rica left. I see no issue with some home town eateries showing up. It's opening in the right place too.  Escazu is an upscale city where many other "US " style restaurants are also located. I admit it, from time to time I might just want to frequent something familiar. (if I were to say this on any of the Costa Rica expat forums - I would be barraged with sneering, jeering comments like "don't come here" and "stay home"  They will warn that soon Costa Rica will be a little "America" (Ok, Ok maybe that would not be good) But here's my point. It will be nice not to have to fly 3,000 mile back home for some China Bisrto.  And anyway, neither I nor them have any say in what types of places open in Costa Rica. (And I am happy to have my own blog where I get to say whatever I want) Just Sayin! 

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month - the horse is pink

Grupo Enjoy, an investor group in Costa Rica working with 100 percent domestic capital, is preparing to unveil its latest $2.5 million investment in early November. According to finance reporter Evelyn Fernandez of business weekly El Financiero, Grupo Enjoy will welcome diners to the very first P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in Costa Rica, located in the ritzy Avenida Escazú, on November 3rd.

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The delicious taste of Watermelon, with or without the booze! - Relocation Costa Rica

I was walking through our local Whole Foods market the other day and I began to wonder about all the different kinds of fruit available in Costa Rica.  I knew there would be many new ones to try but I wondered about the availability of my favorites,  the watermelon. 
It's my go to fruit during the hot summer season. 

The Spanish word for watermelon is Sandia and the Spanish word Melon is a cantaloupe.

Costa Rican watermelons, cultivated primarily on the Central Pacific and in Guanacaste have been selling well in European and North American markets,

There is nothing more refreshing than an ice cold cocktail and this Costa Rican Watermelon Mojito will fill the bill in popsicle form. Quick to make and definitely fun to eat.

Recipe Read more

According to a recent report, the countries of Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Poland and the United States are some of the nations that import Costa Rican watermelons.

Even though Tico watermelons only make up 2.1 percent of the total U.S. watermelon market, that portion still accounts for 10.3 million kilos worth approximately $2.7 million, the ministerio said.

Holland has become the fruit's primary destination. Costa Rica shipped more than 14.2 million kilos there.

ingredients:

3/4 cup frozen coconut meat, slightly thawed

1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

1 1/2 cups frozen watermelon chunks

1/4 cup coconut water

2 tablespoons honey

salty lime sugar

1 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon flaked sea salt

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the zest of one lime

In total, Costa Rica has exported more than 37,756 tons of watermelon worth $7,417,051 in the months between January and May of this year, the ministerio said. That's a 22 percent increase from last year.

Eat it, or drink it, either way it's very refreshing fruit and good for you as well.

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

Wine in a box? Getting you "wine-on" Costa Rica style! - Retirement Abroad

I have read on numerous sites, from numerous sources, that wine is not a very popular drink in Costa Rica. Ticos seem to prefer beer or rum.

Now of course, just because they don't grow wine grapes in Costa Rica doest mean you can't get wine. Wine grapes cannot grow in hot, humid weather. That fact helps to drive up wine prices.  One way to keep prices down is to drink box wine.  Being a California girl I am not accustomed to sipping my wine from a box. So to find out what kind of wine my fellow expats drink...I took to social media and posted the question on one of the Costa Rica forums I belong to. And boy did I get answers. 
Two hundred and seventy of them to be exact!

here's what they told me-  Expats are, in fact, still enjoying wine and bottle wine is available. The most popular are from Chile, Argentina and Spain. However the cost can be double the price of wine in the U.S.  Many expats have moved to Costa Rica and are living on less money so they are not interested in spending so much of their disposable income on wine.  So they look for ways to budget,  I received loads of advice about which wines to drink and where to buy them.  One hint was to buy them at the duty free shop by the baggage claim.  There are also a few wine clubs which can help you save some money. 

One of the favorite box wine favorites is by Clos, an inexpensive Chilean box wine

A couple of commenters suggested trying a Malbec, bottle wine.  I've had Malbec before. So, later that evening we made a trip to our local Whole Foods to select a bottle of Malbec. 

While we were in the store, guess what we saw??
this brand new display!

Go figure! 

So we bought our first box wines (a mini Pinot Grigio and a mini Chardonnay).  We opened (and drank) the Chardonnay during the 49er game on Sunday (haven't checked out the Pinot yet).  I have to admit, it really wasn’t that bad (although my other half gave it a thumbs down). Certainly not anything close to that awful 2 buck chuck. I could actually drink this.  I’ve been paying a hefty penny for the Wente Brothers Rivas Ranch Chardonnay which I took a liking to after our recent visit to the Wente Vinyards.

The 500ml minis are priced @ $5.99 and the 3-liter is $23.99 @ Whole Foods

Great Wine Shouldn't Cost the Earth

About Bota Box

Premium wine in a box? You bet! Bota Box produces premium California wine in 3-liter box and 500ml Tetra Pak, both made from environmentally-friendly packaging. Bota Box 3L is packaged in 100% recyclable, unbleached, post-consumer fiber printed with soy-based inks. Using state of the art FlexTap™ technology, our wine is kept fresh for up to six weeks after opening, allowing consumers to enjoy a glass of our award-winning wine without worrying about waste or spoilage. Bota Box offers ten popular 3-liter wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Shiraz, Old Vine Zinfandel, and a red blend called RedVolution.

box wine missing the cap

But we had a little issue.  A problem with the cap. It came completely separated from the box and caused the wine to dribble down the side of the glass and onto the table. We finally had to resort to a funnel. Hopefully this was just a bad box, or possibly we removed the cap incorrectly.

box wine cap which came right out of the box

Now I dare say that I doubt the box wine they have in Costa Rica is as good as the Bota Box, but I’ll wait until I get there and can sample theirs BEFORE I make that decision. So stay tuned. 

As I was advised on the forum "don't knock it till you've tried it." 

Boomer Retirement Abroad - Some Costa Rica Facts

According to Travel Market Report, roughly 3.3 million American baby boomers claim that they intend to retire abroad.

As prices continue to rise in the US and health care costs remain a huge concern for many retirees looking to retire on the cheap, there has been an increasing number of expats relocating to countries in Central America. 

Costa Rica is still a first choice destination for many of those seeking a better life abroad. 

San Jose, Costa Rica (capital)

Costa Rica 

Costa Rica boasts 27 hurricane free micro climates, abundant and inexpensive highlands real estate up out of the tropical heat, humidity and bugs of the coastal areas, and a welcoming attitude by the Tico people. 

It's not as inexpensive as it used to be but a typical Social Security income of $2,000/month for a couple will provide enough money to live in a good house, have a part-time maid or gardener, and still have enough left over at the end of the month for a little fun.

• Jobs are not easy to find although starting a business is feasible. 

• Retirement visas can be obtained (you can file papers yourself although the process can become a bit problematic). For a more seamless process it is recommended that you seek the help of a lawyer. BEWARE - Lawyers are lawyers everywhere (some good and some not so good). Be sure to do your research before hiring one and NEVER pay their entire fee upfront.

• English is spoken more and more in Costa Rica, and you can probably get away with not speaking Spanish. However, it is recommended that you learn at least some basic Spanish. It will also help you feel more like you are a part of the community. Being able to speak some Spanish is a must outside of the capital

• Anyone in the country can legally buy and own real estate (it is advisable to rent for at least a year BEFORE buying any real estate). Do not be lured in by the hype of the many ads hawking cheap real estate. Although real estate is very affordable (beware of scams) and be sure that you know that you really want to live in Costa Rica first. Investigate the areas and get to know the culture before buying. Make 'rent before you buy' your mantra!

• Cars and other 'luxury' items are heavily tariffed

• Fruits and vegetables are inexpensive and abundant. You will pay a high cost for imported goods and your favorite foods from the US (up to twice as much

• Electricity rates are on the rise so keep that in mind when choosing a location to live. (if you want to live at the beach where it is HOT you will be spending more on electricity to run that air conditioner)

• Costa Rica boasts top notch medical facilities (with English speaking doctors trained in the US) affordable health care costs for a fraction of US costs and inexpensive medication costs

• Once again the topic of CRIME comes up. Once again, I will say, what you classify as high crime is relative. Always stay vigilant and don't make yourself a target. 

Costa Rica Travelog

ALWAYS do your HOMEWORK   I've already done a ton or research (which I will share here) and I've talked to many people who have first hand knowledge about living in Costa Rica Stay tuned for more information on moving to Costa Rica

Boomer Retirement Abroad - Secret restaurant dining in Buenos Aires

Across Buenos Aires, hidden behind nondescript front doors and in family living rooms, a host of homespun restaurants are the latest fad and a big hit. 

Have you ever heard of them? The trick is, finding them.

More and more of these closed-door restaurants, or restaurantes a puertas cerradas, have been popping in Buenos Aires and they're becoming the most sought-after tables in town. 

They are a cross between a restaurant and dinner party except they are more intimate and social than a regular restaurant.  

They give chefs more leeway to be creative and the menus change daily.

I'm looking forward to visiting the most well-known closed-door restaurant in Buenos Aires, Casa Saltshaker, which is run by Dan Perlman, author of the influential Buenos Aires restaurant review site at www.saltshaker.net. Casa Saltshaker offers a five-course tasting menu (optionally paired with wine) which changes from one day to the next. Every menu at Casa Saltshaker is themed. It seats just 12 people in the Barrio Norte apartment of Perlman - and his partner Henry Tapia.


For website and list of closed-door restaurants worldwide click here