Crossing the Costa Rica–Nicaragua Border With Kids: What It's Really Like Short answer: plan for anywhere from two hours to most of the day, bring USD in small bills, and let your kids soak it in — because this is not a boring border crossing. We've crossed the Peñas Blancas border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua multiple times, in both directions, on foot, with three boys in tow. It is chaotic, occasionally overwhelming, and genuinely one of the more memorable experiences of our time living in Central America. Our kids loved it. That probably tells you something about our family — and something about what kind of trip this is. Why You Need to Cross at All Most tourist visas for Costa Rica allow stays of up to 180 days, but the fine print matters. Depending on your nationality and how immigration officers are interpreting policy on any given week, you may be required to exit the country periodically to reset your status. The Nicaragua border run — crossing into Nicar...

After tons of research we have gone half hog, and opted for a 6 months on (Caribbean side, Costa Rica), 6 months off (Maine, USA) option for a variety of reasons including— simplicity of the 6 month passport stamp, ability to work for higher wages in the USA, and the simple fact that Maine island summers ain’t bad…! So, you’re thinking about packing up your life and heading to Costa Rica? Good call. With its tropical beaches, lush rainforests, and laid-back  pura vida  lifestyle, this Central American gem is a dream destination for expats, retirees, and adventurous families alike. But before you start Googling “how to move a dog internationally” or “do sloths make good pets” (spoiler: they don’t… and leave them alone!), you need to figure out  where  in Costa Rica you actually want to live. Let’s break it down, region by region, so you can find your perfect slice of paradise—without accidentally moving next door to a howler monkey that screams at 5 AM. San José &...