Central America Trip Report
Our Central America Journey (2023 – 2024) – Our foray as American Expats into our full-time travel adventure took us to Central America, with Panama and Costa Rica as the first stops on our journey. As budget-conscious slow travelers, we’re spending weeks if not months in each location to really get a feel for what it’s like to live here, beyond just the tourist spots.
From navigating Panama City’s busy streets to escaping to the peaceful mountains of Boquete, and from exploring the lively streets of San José to experiencing the laid-back vibes of Puerto Viejo, we’re documenting every aspect of our experience.
What you can expect from our Central America journey:
- The real costs of living here (beyond what the tourist guides tell you)
- The places where locals really eat (and how much they spend)
- The neighborhoods that don’t make the guidebooks
- The frustrations and surprises of adapting to life in a new country
- The moments that make it all worthwhile
While Bocas del Toro wasn’t quite our vibe, every destination has taught us something new. Join us as we continue exploring, reflecting, and sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between on our adventure through Central America.
👋 New Here? We’re Jeff and Sandra, American expats exploring affordable places to live around the world. We share our experiences visiting destinations across the globe and the real costs, honest reviews, and practical tips for living abroad on a budget, one country at a time.
The #1 Reason Why We Think You Should visit San Jose, Costa Rica = the National Museum of Costa Rica
Our initial plan was to spend a month relaxing at the beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, but we soon realized that laying on a beach fulltime wasn’t…
Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
If you are visiting Costa Rica, especially the Caribbean side, it’s probably for the beaches and you’re probably thinking Puerto Viejo. Peaceful, quiet villages, beautiful sunny weather, black…
Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What We Learned and What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum
Since we had a few extra days in San Jose, Costa Rica, we decided to venture off the beaten path and check out a museum that doesn’t make…
San José, Costa Rica: A 3-Day Itinerary That Worked for Us (and Might for You)
We didn’t have huge expectations for San José. Let’s be honest—most people pass through on their way to beaches, volcanoes, or jungles. But we found plenty to keep…
Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
Insider Tips for Your San José Adventure (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica) The National Theater of Costa Rica, located in the heart of San José, is a must-visit…
Is San Jose Walkable? – 11 Budget-Friendly Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica on foot!
Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that’s certainly the case for us. Our Costa Rica itinerary got a little shuffled around, leaving us with some unplanned…
Please Note: We’re real people, just like you, and we’re still out here living the full-time travel life. Sometimes that means it takes us a bit longer to share all our stories and insights from each place we visit. But don’t worry, we’re working on it! Stay tuned for more as we continue our journey and bring you the inside scoop from every corner of the world.
Planning Your Trip?
Checkout these helpful resources!
👉Don’t forget to grab your Free Itinerary Checklist