Here is a list of plants that will repel mosquitoes:
Citronella
Lemon Balm
Catnip
Marigolds
Basil
Lavender
Peppermint
Garlic
Pennyroyal
Rosemary
Geranium

Peppermint, cinnamon and cloves are good for deterring rodents as well. Putting door sweeps and sealing out rodents and insects and reptiles is a good idea as well. My entry doors have better seals than my refrigerator. The cost of which was less than $15.

I should comment a bit about plug in electronic bug and rodent repellents. They use ultra sonic sound. Don’t waste your money, they don’t work. Same as deer sirens on cars. Deer repellers supposedly warn deer with sound above the human range of hearing. The problem is deer have a hearing range of only 35 to 4500 hz. If you can’t hear it they sure can’t. You also have what is known as Doppler Effect working against that. Your car arrives at the same time at a distance of only 30 or so feet. Not nearly enough time to scare anything.

I have all this totally useless knowledge. If anyone can find me parts and equipment I might make some great contributions here.

There is a medication which can be prescribed 2 weeks in advance of travel that repels mosquitoes. You might look into that. Far better to prevent bites than to treat the results.

People often want to just drive down with all their possessions . Don’t do it! Fly. Meaning just bring the most important items. Once you have residency you can import tax free household items, but unless wealthy it isn’t practical. There are no jobs here. And locals work for a typical $150 a month. Spend at least two years here before making any investments. North Americans and Europeans often think Latins are uneducated and dumb. But Latins here think much the same about them . I give locals credit for being able to accomplish repairs and manufacturing without the tools or supplies we foreigners require.

A few years ago I read a book about how wonderful and cheap Costa Rica was. 262 pages in length. Last paragraph on that last page is what I should have read first. It said the husband wife authors hoped to someday visit Costa Rica. So there is both good and bad information. But in the end it all will depend on you, your goals and what you make of situations.

Someone mentioned bringing anti-venom. Well, that will require a prescription. The medicine breaks down fast with temperatures above 80 F. However, what is called a snakebite kit would be effective drawing out venom from bug bites. For most, an $8 mosquito net on the bed will be the most effective mosquito prevention. Otherwise use plenty of repellent, plenty of that available here. . Pretty much forget about blocking mosquitoes from homes. They just aren’t built for that. I have witnessed a few very foolish tourists walking downtown barefoot. I think broken glass, nails and such a much bigger problem for them than bugs or snakes

Thank you for mentioning us at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo! We operate a dive center as well and we will gladly take folks to see the endemic fishes of the lake. You can dive with people who have discovered and named the fish found only in this lake. We can be reached at http://www.gaianicaragua.org.

BUS: Santiago to santa maria 6 hours 3$ correct?
BUS: Sants maria to santa teresa: how many hours? Price?
TAXI: Santa theresa to oraya: how long? Price?
TRAIN: oraya to Aguas Calientes: how long Price?
Thanks in advance
Sandrine

It is such a large state, I would not know where to start?

I would love to venture there next year.
Thanks for your help.
Best,
Adele