As of Oct. 1, tourists from the USA, Canada & Western Europe can now remain in Costa Rica for up to 180 days. That's up from the longtime permission to stay 90 days. It's probably far longer than most visitors need. I think 90 days was far longer than most visitors needed.

Costa Rica has made an active push to attract so-called "digital nomads," people who can work remotely. The thinking goes, why not do it from Costa Rica? Now, such people can stay for six months instead of three. I think that group will really benefit from the extension.