No matter what type of Costa Rica vacation you have in mind, over 1,000 miles of coastline sprinkled with palm trees, rocky shorelines, and soft sand beaches are sure to keep you happy for at least a couple weeks.

So you finally did it: You quit your job, sold your home and bought a one way ticket somewhere south of the U.S/Mexico border; fast forward a couple months and you're living the so-called dream life somwhere near the Equator but it's not exactly the glamerous existence you'd been anticipating.

If your idea of retirement is living a simple life in a small house far outside any major city, then yes, you can probably live on $1,000 a month. Of course, if you want to live in a nice apartment in a nice part of town in a large city, your cost of life goes up. But the truth is, it's really quite hard to answer this question because some countries are more expensive than others and some cities are pricier than others.

This is the ideal place for a romantic getaway. Weather permitting, it has probably one of the most amazing sunsets on the pacific coast. You can’t beat a cold drink accompanied by a 180 degree panoramic view from the infinity pool peering over trees, tropical plant life and exotic flowers.

Traveling by car is the best way to see a country. You can stop when you want…pop into that road side grub station if your heart or stomach desires and take any route you want.

Probably the best place to stay for the money in Costa Rica. Charm, hospitality and the quintessential “PURA VIDA”

If you’re not the type who enjoys planning bus rides, booking hotels in different cities and finding the best tours and excursions, an all-inclusive resort may be the way to go, especially if you’re just looking to relax for a a week or so. Besides, why not let someone else do all the work for [...]

People often ask me what motivated me to leave the U.S. for Colombia. Most of the time, the askers are Colombians themselves, many of whom would do pretty much anything to get a visa to the U.S. or Canada and can't understand why someone would willingly choose to move to the "disaster" (their words not mine) that is Latin America.

Inefficiency: Anyone who's ever tried applying for a business visa or gone through any other legal or immigration process in Latin America knows what I'm talking about. Person A sends you to person B who sends you back to person A who then sends you off to some remote office to talk to person C who then tells you your papers are all wrong and you'll have to start the process all over. It can be exasperating, so mentally prepare yourself for a long and arduous paperwork journey.

Over a million Americans travel abroad every year to seek medical treatment, most for elective procedures. Latin America offers patients affordable elective and non-elective medical and dental procedures, usually at one third to half the cost of the same procedure in the United States or Europe.