Poison Frogs in Costa Rica: Species, Toxicity and Where to See Them
Costa Rica’s poison frogs, species by species — how toxic each really is, where the toxins come from, and where to find them in the wild.
More Costa Rica Guides
More reading from CRIE about Costa Rica and life abroad. For a focused starting point, explore our residency requirements and essential guides.
Start here: Residency requirements · Frequently asked questions · Ask CRIE
Can a Felon Visit or Move to Costa Rica?
Visiting Costa Rica with a criminal record and applying for residency are two different questions. What is actually checked, what disqualifies, and what does not.
The Costa Rica Minimum Wage System: A Practical Guide
Costa Rica sets minimum wages by occupation, not one national figure. The 2026 rates, the aguinaldo obligation, and the real cost of employing household staff.
The Kissing Bug of Costa Rica: Chagas Risk, Facts and Prevention
How to recognise the kissing bug in Costa Rica, how Chagas disease is really transmitted (it is not the bite), and the practical steps that reduce the risk.
Costa Rica Emergency Numbers and Essential Contacts
Every emergency number in Costa Rica — 911, Cruz Roja, Bomberos, OIJ, poison control and INS — plus the traffic accident procedure that protects your claim.
Costa Rica’s Most Famous Crocodile and Gilberto ‘Chito’ Shedden
The true story of Chito and Pocho, the crocodile he nursed back from a gunshot wound and swam with for two decades — plus real crocodile safety in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Gun Ownership Laws: What Residents and Visitors Can Do
Firearms are legal in Costa Rica but tightly regulated. Who can own one, the three-gun limit, registration versus carry permits, and the 2019 penalties.
Dangerous Animals in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
An honest ranking of Costa Rica’s dangerous wildlife — which species genuinely pose a risk, which are wildly overstated, and what actually keeps you safe.
The Fer-de-Lance Snake in Costa Rica: Risks, Survival Tips and Safety
The terciopelo causes most snakebites in Costa Rica. Where it lives, how to recognise it, what the venom does, correct first aid, and how to avoid a bite.
Best Places to Live in Costa Rica: Compare Areas and Daily Life
Costa Rica offers a variety of expat-friendly communities that have become sought-after places to live, thanks to their exquisite landscapes, vibrant culture, and tropical paradise