Expat Diaries - Costa Rica Edition

Part 2 of this powerful and emotional episode, Jules McLachlan shares her dramatic journey of escaping Canada with her three daughters in search of safety, freedom, and a fresh start in Costa Rica. Jules opens up about the challenges she faced, including dealing with relentless exes, navigating legal battles, securing restraining orders, and even hiring security to protect her family.

Despite these obstacles, Jules found re...

In this powerful and emotional episode, Jules McLachlan shares her dramatic journey of escaping Canada with her three daughters in search of safety, freedom, and a fresh start in Costa Rica. Jules opens up about the challenges she faced, including dealing with relentless exes, navigating legal battles, securing restraining orders, and even hiring security to protect her family.

Despite these obstacles, Jules found resilienc...

Part 2. We pick up from where we left off with Luba, whose journey in Costa Rica began in 2015 during a 10-month teacher training trip. Years later, on a celibacy quest, she met Jonah—her future husband—and together they’ve built a beautiful life filled with love, challenges, and adventure.

Luba shares her experiences of birthing children in Costa Rica, including the cultural differences and joys of raising a family abroad....

In this heartwarming episode, we meet Luba, whose journey in Costa Rica began in 2015 during a 10-month teacher training trip. Years later, on a celibacy quest, she met Jonah—her future husband—and together they’ve built a beautiful life filled with love, challenges, and adventure.

Luba shares her experiences of birthing children in Costa Rica, including the cultural differences and joys of raising a family abroad. After a ...

Part 2. We continue our chat with Ashley Ihemelu, a dynamic mother of two who made the bold decision to leave Dallas and embrace a new life in Costa Rica. Frustrated by the high costs of private Spanish immersion schooling in Texas, Ashley and her husband realized they could provide the same opportunities for their children by moving abroad.

Their journey to Costa Rica wasn’t a straight line, but a pivotal meeting with a lo...

In this episode, we chat with Ashley Ihemelu, a dynamic mother of two who made the bold decision to leave Dallas and embrace a new life in Costa Rica. Frustrated by the high costs of private Spanish immersion schooling in Texas, Ashley and her husband realized they could provide the same opportunities for their children by moving abroad.

Their journey to Costa Rica wasn’t a straight line, but a pivotal meeting with a local ...

In this episode, we sit down with Cathy Tallone, a transformational life coach who made the life-changing decision to move to Costa Rica with her family during the pandemic. Originally from the New Hampshire Seacoast, Cathy, her husband Michael, and their two sons, aged 8 and 14 at the time, embarked on their Costa Rican adventure in November 2020, completing the move in June 2021.

Cathy shares how their first visit to Cost...

Meet Marie Vincent, a retired medical professional from California who turned her fluency in Spanish into an exciting new chapter in Costa Rica. After deciding that a Spanish-speaking country was the ideal fit for her retirement dreams, Marie traveled to Costa Rica and quickly found her niche as a pet and house sitter.

Marie’s journey is more than just a retirement story – it’s a tale of building trust, community, and an in...

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Enns, the visionary behind Eco Builders of Costa Rica. Originally from the Vancouver/Seattle area, Darren’s extensive background in industrial and commercial building took a new direction when he fell in love with Costa Rica’s Southern Zone. Drawn to the Uvita area, Darren’s passion for sustainability and responsible building inspired him to launch Eco Builders, a company dedicated ...

In this episode, we meet Robin Jackson, a dedicated animal lover and doggy daycare owner from South Carolina, who’s currently on a 6-month journey to discover if Costa Rica could be her forever home. Bringing along her three beloved dogs, Robin chose the charming town of Santa Lucia as her base after several visits to explore Costa Rica’s beautiful landscapes and warm communities.

As Robin settles into the rhythm of Costa R...

In this episode, we sit down with Mike McGinnis, a true Costa Rican expat pioneer who first arrived in Costa Rica as a young surfer in 1991. Drawn to the waves and the lifestyle, Mike quickly decided to make Costa Rica his permanent home. From the vibrant coastlines of Dominical to the serene hills of Tinamaste, he’s spent over 30 years immersing himself in the Tico way of life.

Mike shares insights on the pros and cons of ...

Join us as we dive into the incredible journey of Benoit Saumier, a former IT professional for the Canadian Government, who left it all behind for a new life in Costa Rica. During the pandemic, Benoit and his wife took a stand by supporting the Canadian trucker convoys, distributing cannabis to truckers as a form of protest. This act of defiance, coupled with their growing disillusionment with government policies, led them...

In this episode, we chat with an inspiring couple who made the adventurous move from East Africa to Costa Rica, determined to help others navigate the complexities of relocating to a new country. They landed in Costa Rica in February 2021 with a clear mission: to start a relocation company that eases the process for others taking the leap. From handling paperwork to dealing with the minutia like buying a vehicle, they’re h...

In this riveting episode, we sit down with Teri Nehring, a psycho-therapist who, along with her husband Paul, bought a property in Costa Rica over a Zoom call during the height of the pandemic. What they didn’t expect was to find their new home covered in mold upon arrival. With their belongings already en route in a shipping container, Teri and Paul had no choice but to dig in and make the best of the situation.

But this s...

In this heartwarming episode, we chat with Kat Bustamante, whose roots in Costa Rica led her on an incredible journey of love, resilience, and adventure. During a visit to her extended family in Costa Rica, Kat formed a deep connection with Fermin, who would later become her husband. After a life-changing motorcycle accident, the couple decided not to wait any longer, getting married and moving to New Jersey to start their...

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Sally Pederson, a fearless world traveler and Canadian expat whose adventurous spirit led her to buy a home in Costa Rica after just three days in the country! Initially intended as a retirement retreat, life events and global changes expedited her move to the Tamarindo area in 2011, where she began a new chapter with her daughter and dog.

Sally shares her remarkable journey of ...

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Forrest of Oregon, a seeker of healing and personal growth who has found his sanctuary in Costa Rica’s Diamonte Valley. Originally from Oregon, Forrest has prioritized his mental and physical health, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that has led him to the lush, serene landscapes of Tinamaste, Costa Rica.

Forrest shares his love for the cool climate, the close-knit psyched...

Tune in to Episode #29 as we chat with Monique Claudio, a personal trainer and wellbeing advocate who arrived in Costa Rica before the 2020 lockdown and decided to stay. Currently based in Ojochal, Monique shares her journey of integrating into the local community, offering online fitness coaching, and volunteering. She also talks about her love for dog sitting and staying active, and how the 'Pura Vida' mindset has helped...

🎙️ Episode #X: Inside EMBODY Costa Rica - Music, Wellness, and Transformation with DTO 🎶🌿.   In this captivating episode, we dive into the world of music production and holistic wellness with DTO, an award-winning producer and the visionary behind the professional recording studio at EMBODY Costa Rica. Nestled in the serene town of Atenas, this retreat center offers a unique environment where artists can create and reco...