From Death’s Door to Thriving in Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

New Yorker Nic Xenophontos moved to Costa Rica to enjoy his last days because the doctors said he only had 18 months left, and he wanted to enjoy them.

That was back in 2018, and today Nic is still going strong—happier and healthier than ever.

He was struggling with an infection in his leg that stumped the medical staff, even at the Mayo Clinic. The doctors only gave the choice to amputate his leg, and Nic decided against that.

“Since I was told I only had about 18 months, I wanted to spend my last 18 months somewhere where I could just relax,” he says. “I checked out Costa Rica because of International Living and fell in love with Arenal; it wasn’t too touristy, everyone was super friendly (especially the ticos), and no one was trying to sell me anything. It just felt like home.”

Moving to Costa Rica didn’t just change Nic’s life—it may have saved it.

Nic took his first trip to Costa Rica for 10 days in March 2018. He and his husband Bill moved to Nuevo Arenal in September that same year.

“Once I moved, I met someone who offered ozone therapy in this area, which gave me what I needed to heal,” he says. “They infused my body with ozone in Tilaran; the infection was undetectable after three weeks. When I returned to the U.S. for a visit, doctors in the USA couldn’t believe my infection was gone.”

Whatever the cause of his returned health, Nic, who spent 27 years as a paramedic in New York, appreciates the access to excellent healthcare in Costa Rica.

There are two clinics in the town of La Fortuna, about an hour’s drive from Nuevo Arenal, and a hospital in Ciudad Quesada, about two hours away.

Nuevo Arenal is about 90 minutes from private and public medical in Liberia, home to the country’s second airport (LIR). And it’s about 3.5 hours from the capital city, San Jose.

Nic drives through La Fortuna to San Jose because it is a more scenic road with delicious sodas (typical restaurants) along the way.

Nuevo Arenal is the main expat hub town of the Lake Arenal area, a popular destination for retirees and one of the most picturesque in all of Costa Rica.

The town’s status as a hub means it’s convenient for whatever you want to do.

“Nuevo Arenal is a good central point if you want to do tourist things,” Nic says. “You can plan day trips, have a place to come home, and relax by the lake with toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds flying around. I always recommend visiting the Arenal Observatory since it has a little bit of everything: a volcano view, hiking trails, hanging bridges, and a waterfall — an economical choice for families looking to stick to a budget. We also recommend the Baldi Springs day pass and love to visit the orchid, hummingbird, and butterfly gardens in Monteverde.”

He also enjoys how people still do things with a personal touch in Costa Rica.

“People stop by to say hello or sell something,” he says. “I have people who bring me a kilo of tilapia for under $4, a kilo of ground beef for under $9, and a kilo of potatoes for about $1.50, which costs $2 more at the supermarket. I buy 30 eggs for about $5.50 and a kilo of strawberries for that price too. It’s always good quality stuff, right off the farms.”

Nic shares that gasoline and electricity are his two highest costs. “I think electricity is so high because more than 90% comes from renewable sources, which is good. We spend less than $200 monthly eating out. Prices depend on the restaurant, but meals cost between $7.50 and $15.”

He and Bill bought their dream house right on the lake, and love renting out parts of it on Airbnb.

“I have a great host rating,” he smiles. “Airbnb even sent a photographer to take pictures of my property to share on their site.”

Nic and his husband Bill operate their Lake Arenal dream home as a guesthouse on Airbnb.

They bought the house for a low price because at the time it was damaged and in need of repair. They remodeled it for $40,000 and a real estate agent recently told Nic he could put the place on the market for $575,000.

But aside from its status as a good investment, Nic’s new home gives him a life he loves.

“I have four dogs, all street dogs I took in,” he tells me proudly. “On a typical day, I get up in the morning, start coffee, and make breakfast for whoever’s in the house, be it guests or Bill and Roy.”

Roy is an Airbnb guest turned family—who has been with them for over three years. It’s common for people to rent a room and stay for much longer than expected. For example, one woman booked one night and stayed five months!

“Then I feed the dogs and take them for a walk. Whether it’s raining or not, we go down to the lake, and they can run around, jump, play, and go in the water. After that, I come back and clean, and after I sit out front to feel the wind on my face, with one dog in my lap and the other three by my side.”

Nic is grateful to have found a new life around Lake Arenal.

“I was walking through town the other day, and a handful of ticos [locals] stopped me to say hi and check on me, ensuring I was alright. They are so caring and genuine; after over five years, it just feels like home.”

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