The Village Archive.
Explore all our stories, updates, and perspectives from the life at ESM.
Taxes in Costa Rica: A Friendly Guide to the Basics
From foreign pensions to property ownership and renting out a casita, taxes in Costa Rica raise different questions for every household. This friendly guide introduces the basics of income tax, property tax, and IVA, with practical examples for families at Ecovilla San Mateo. Understanding how these pieces fit together can make your next conversation with an accountant clearer and a little less daunting.
Crime in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s reputation for peace faces growing pressure from organized crime and drug trafficking.
Dollar Nears ₡450: What It Means for Residents
The dollar has slipped back toward ₡450, reducing how many colones residents receive when exchanging dollars.
Former Simón Bolívar Zoo Opens for a Free International Coffee Day
Costa Rica’s Former Simón Bolívar Zoo Opens for Coffee Day.
In Good Company: Costa Rica's Artists and Our New Art Workshop
Our new weekly art workshop has kids and parents alike rediscovering the joy of making something with no rules and no grade. To celebrate, we're meeting the Costa Rican artists who came before us, from the painters of the campo to the oxcart makers of Sarchí and the mask carvers of Boruca. Their stories, plus a few ideas to borrow for our own tables, remind us we're in good company.
Border Runs from Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
"Crossing the border does not automatically 'renew' a tourist stay.” This latest guide walks through what a border run actually requires: the right documents, the right crossing, and enough buffer time before your stay runs out.
When the Pacific Turns Rainy, Head to the Caribbean
October may be Costa Rica's wettest month on the Pacific side, but the Caribbean coast is often having one of its best stretches of the year. This week's piece breaks down the country's two rainfall patterns and makes the case for a quick trip to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, from the Cahuita coastal trail to a cacao tour, next time the rain settles in over San Mateo.
Where Wood Becomes Art: Exploring the Furniture Makers of Grecia and Sarchí
In the hills of Alajuela, generations of craftspeople have turned local wood into furniture, art, and a lasting expression of Costa Rican identity. Around Grecia and Sarchí, small workshops carry on techniques passed down through families — turning out dining tables, rocking chairs, and cabinets rather than mass-produced pieces. For Ecovilla San Mateo residents furnishing a new home, it's a chance to meet the hands behind the craft, not just shop for it.
September 15: Honoring the Country We Call Home
English:
Each September, a flame carrying the story of Central American independence passes hand to hand through San Mateo and Orotina, and this year Real World School students are joining the relay. Part of our ongoing coverage of local traditions and the community's place within them.
En Español:
Cada septiembre, una llama que lleva consigo la historia de la independencia centroamericana pasa de mano en mano por San Mateo y Orotina, y este año los estudiantes de Real World School se unen al recorrido. Parte de nuestra cobertura continua de las tradiciones locales y el lugar de la comunidad dentro de ellas.
San Mateo: The Saint Behind Our Town's Name
Every September, the name San Mateo takes on special meaning here. It connects our corner of Costa Rica to a story nearly two thousand years old, about someone who walked away from a familiar life to build a different one. A look at the saint behind our town's name, and why the story might feel more familiar to those of us in the ecovilla than we'd expect.
San Mateo Day: A Celebration at the Heart of Our Canton
San Mateo Day is coming — and it's a reminder our village is part of a bigger story. A look at the celebration behind September 21, and why leaving the gates to join in matters. 🎉 ¡Feliz Día de San Mateo!
Real World School Joins Costa Rica’s Independence Torch Tradition: El Recorrido de la Antorcha
Real World School students carry Costa Rica's Independence Torch through San Mateo and Orotina on September 14, joining a tradition dating to 1964.