Real estate and life in Guanacaste
Find your place in Costa Rica
I'm Mary Ellen Kolb, a US expat living in Playas del Coco. Here I share homes, local know-how and honest guides for anyone thinking about a move to Guanacaste.
EmeyInCostaRica
¡Costa Rica is always a great idea!
What you'll find here
Everything for your move, in one place
Start with the free guide, read the journal, and reach out when you are ready to look at homes.
The Starter Guide
A free, Guanacaste-focused guide to planning your move, from choosing a town to your first weeks here.
The journal
Local know-how on towns, renting, buying and everyday life on the Gold Coast.
Homes
New listings sent straight to your inbox, so you see them first. Soon
Free download
The Moving to Costa Rica Starter Guide
Written from Playas del Coco for people looking at Guanacaste. It covers:
- Choosing a town that fits how you want to live
- What to plan before you pack
- Renting first, and what to ask before you sign
- Settling in during your first weeks
Where should I send it?
The journal
Notes from Guanacaste
Getting started
Rent first, then buy
Why a season or two of renting in Guanacaste makes for a better purchase later.
Towns
Coco, Ocotal or Hermosa?
Three neighbouring beach towns, and the kind of day to day each one offers.
Buying
How buying property works here
The steps, the people involved and the questions to ask before you sign.
[Headshot of Mary Ellen]
About
Hi, I'm Mary Ellen
Most people here call me Emey. I moved to Playas del Coco from the US, and I walk these beaches and hills most mornings. I help people find homes in Guanacaste and share what I've learned about living here.
My approach is simple: take your time, ask good questions, and let the pura vida pace work for you, not against you.
Your next chapter
Thinking about a move?
Start with the free guide, then tell me what you are looking for.