About NomaVida

Moving to Costa Rica Should Feel Exciting — Not Overwhelming

NomaVida was created from a simple idea: you deserve real, practical, trustworthy guidance for daily life — not scattered advice from Facebook groups and random blogs.

Our Story

NomaVida was born from the experience of a longtime expat who moved to Costa Rica in the late 1990s with her children, and from a small group of locals who saw the same gap: people arriving in Costa Rica needed more than generic relocation advice — they needed real, practical, trustworthy guidance for daily life.

Over the years, friends, family, and fellow newcomers kept asking the same questions: Where should I shop? How do rentals work? What do I need to know about healthcare, schools, shipping, or hiring help? Who can I trust?

After spending more than 30 years helping others settle in, navigate the system, and figure out where to go for the things that actually matter, we realized this knowledge shouldn't live only in private conversations and scattered recommendations. It should be accessible, organized, and built for the people who need it most.

So we created NomaVida.

What Sets Us Apart

Decades of lived experience, local insight, and a genuine desire to make the transition easier for others.

Born from Experience

Founded by a longtime expat who made Costa Rica home in the late 1990s with her children, alongside locals who recognized a real need.

Deeply Local

Over 30 years of hands-on knowledge — from grocery stores and pharmacies to rental norms, labor laws, and Caja enrollment.

Built for Real People

We help expats, remote workers, retirees, and families navigate the real logistics of life in Costa Rica.

Trusted & Practical

Not generic advice — real, tested, hard-earned guidance that can only come from actually living it.

We Help Demystify the Things That Surprise Newcomers

Beyond recommendations, we help people understand the systems behind everyday life here — the countless details that can make a new country either confusing or empowering.

Why long-term rental contracts follow a 3-year legal framework

Why many rentals don't include línea blanca (stove, fridge, washer, dryer)

How to negotiate fairly with landlords

What hiring household help means for you as an employer under Costa Rican labor law

What requires a prescription at local pharmacies — and what doesn't

How public and private education options differ

How to source goods and services without wasting time, money, or energy

Your Guide to the Practical Side of Living in Costa Rica

We're not just listing places. We're sharing decades of lived experience, local insight, and trusted recommendations so you can spend less time guessing and more time enjoying the life you came here to build.

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