The Pros and Cons of Expat Life in Costa Rica 
By Kathleen Evans

A Slower Pace

In 2013, when my husband Steve and I made the decision to make an international move, I was longing for a slower pace of life. My sales career in corporate America had beaten me up for two-and-a-half decades. I was longing to slow my life down with a leap from the roller coaster—for my sanity and my health. Costa Rica offered that chance to stop and smell the roses.

Costa Rica is picture-perfect, but that doesn't mean life there is all smooth sailing.

I love long walks on the beach and the "tranquilo pura vida" (calm, pure life) attitude. Here, life is primary and work is secondary, which is wonderful…until I am waiting for a friend to show up for lunch or that cable guy who was supposed to be here yesterday, or two days ago, but never told me. Things move slower here. And for a North American from the corporate world, occasionally this pro can be a con. 

Good, Affordable Medical Care

There are many healthcare options in Costa Rica—first is the universal medicine program, called the Caja. Once residency is acquired, you simply pay monthly into the program and your medical care is covered. The payment is typically 7% to 11% of your reported income, so for most, it is quite affordable.

There are also well-known international private healthcare policies available, which are much more affordable than a similar policy in the U.S. The private healthcare sector is top-notch. Some expats choose to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses, especially those in excellent health.

Paying directly for treatments in Costa Rica can save you 40% to 80% of what the same procedure costs in the U.S. For example, a doctor's visit typically costs around $50 and a specialist, $80. There are both public and private medical centers throughout the country, with the best of them being around San José, the Costa Rican capital.

Rain

This is a con that is also a pro. Sometimes in the height of rainy season (September to October) it gets pretty darn soggy. You might have to put on galoshes to walk around your property. The dog needs mud rinsed off after every walk. You have to drive out of your way to get somewhere because the river crossing is now too dangerous. 

But the rain is also glorious. It keeps dust down and turns the forests into awe-inspiring rich shades of green. It gets whitewater rivers cranking and supplies drought-ridden areas with necessary refreshment. Many expats even come to embrace the rain for a change of pace after all that sunshine, and the rain rarely lasts the day.

Healthier Lifestyle

There is no doubt that the majority of retirees and expats here report living a healthier lifestyle than they did in their home country. The weather is warm to temperate. It encourages you to get outside. There is no six-month winter hibernation. It is an active country with so many options to get you moving, from salsa dancing, to jungle hiking, beach walks to golf, and surfing to mountain climbing.

There is also an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and fresh seafood available. In many smaller communities, fast food is nonexistent and processed foods are minimal. With a change in diet and more activity, it is typical you will start seeing a positive transformation in Costa Rica.

Driving

Somehow Costa Rica went from the best road system in Central America over half a century ago to, in my opinion, one of the worst. Of course, the major "highways" are paved, as are most primary roads. But you get into the secondary roads of Guanacaste, the Southern Zone, and the Caribbean side and you will find unpaved roads with potholes, exacerbated by rainy season which turns the thoroughfares into mud pits or small rivers.

The lack of signage, street names, and an insufficient number of drivers with any proper training will urge any motorist to think twice about getting behind the wheel in Costa Rica. That said, I drive here. Cautiously.

Peace, Safety, and Family

Costa Rica abolished their military in 1948 and pledged that budget to education and healthcare. It is overall a peace-loving nation and is often referred to as the "Switzerland of Central America." I feel safer here than I do back in the U.S. The Costa Ricans (Ticos) are respectful of other cultures, family comes first, and they work to live, not live to work.

Shipping

It is improving. Slowly. But if you are an Amazon junkie, you will either have to go on the wagon or pay some pretty hefty prices to ship to many parts of Costa Rica. There are places in the country even UPS does not service. The lack of addresses makes receiving postal items hit or miss; and the possibility of finding your items hung up in customs indefinitely is a reality.

Flight Choices

Although just the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has two major international airports with daily flights on every North American airline from major gateway cities. Between these airports, it is easy to get to the country's most popular destinations within an hour or two. Depending on the season and route, you can find flights as low as $400 round-trip. With that ease of travel, it is convenient to get back home for special occasions or easily receive visitors.

A Lower Cost of Living

You will not find "screaming" deals in Costa Rica. That ship has sailed. However, you can definitely find a way to spend a lot less money here compared to living in the U.S. For example, if you were to take our well-appointed, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom condo with a partial ocean view and compare it to downtown living in San Diego, Austin, or Boston, our place would easily cost three to four times more were it in the U.S.

Our annual real estate taxes are just 0.25% of our registered value. In those savings, we can pay six months of our bills. We also save on food costs when we buy at the local farmers' market (feria). And living in a tiny community, there is little temptation to buy designer items. In fact, very few people have the "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality here. It is really quite refreshing.