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Listen, don’t get me wrong – I love Costa Rica. The dense, lush jungles, the relaxed attitude, and some papayas all year long make me think that living here really was a good life decision. But I won’t lie to you, there is also a dark side to living in Costa Rica. So if you think of moving here, let me give you the lowdown on what’s good and not-so-good about it…
The Dark Side of Living in Costa Rica (From Someone Who Actually Lives Here)
Most people light up when they hear that I live in Costa Rica. Really! They would say something like, “Wow, you’re so lucky.” They picture me lounging in a hammock while drinking coconut water and sloths hang around. Sometimes it can be true, but behind the sundown views and jungle feels, there is life here that doesn’t necessarily make it on the reel. So for those of you aspiring to move to this beautiful country, let us have serious talk – no sugarcoating – just everything you wish someone had told you before jumping.
Costa Rica is not a cheap country
Everyone knows that Costa Rica is the “Switzerland of Central America”, and this is more about the prices. It is not cheap and I will not lie to you that it is different. Groceries (especially imported ones), cars, electronics, and even some local services are surprisingly expensive. The “cheap beach life” you dreamed of may come with a bigger bill than you expected – unless you’re fine with living on rice and beans (which, is also not a bad life). Either way, bring lots of Colones with you.
Bureaucracy Moves Like Molasses
Welcome to the land of patience. Need to open a bank account? Get a residency card? Transfer a car title? Bring a snack and maybe a tent. Things here take time, and the paperwork process can feel like a slow-motion obstacle course. I’ve had forms rejected because they were signed in blue ink instead of black. No joke. If you’re not naturally zen, you will be. This is the real dark side of living in Costa Rica…
Rainy Season Is… a Mood
You hear the words ‘green season’ and think ‘how poetic’. And that’s how it is for the first week. But then it starts to rain. A lot. Sometimes for days on end. Sometimes sideways. The washing hung outside for two weeks in a row and was still wetter than when I had hung it up. If you need sunshine to function, the rainy season can test your mettle. I could also add that clothes start to mold when they are hanging in the wardrobe, but I don’t want to scare you too much…
Bugs, Bats & Other Jungle Surprises
Living close to nature is beautiful… until you find a tarantula in your shower. Or a scorpion in your shoe. Or a bat in your kitchen (true story). I’ve learned to double-check everything before touching it. You’ll develop a sixth sense for spotting creepy crawlies in places they shouldn’t be.
Or maybe you left a few boards outside for some project. Or pots in which you intend to plant some nice little plants, but you haven’t had time yet. I bet a dollar that when you return to them, they will already be inhabited by a snake. If you are lucky, it may be a harmless ‘Ojigata’, but if luck is not on your side, it could be a deadly ‘Terciopelo’. Will you take the risk?
Dark Side of Living in Costa Rica – “Tico Time” Is Real
Don’t know what ‘tico time’ is? Let me explain. A 9 a.m. appointment could mean anywhere from 9:30 or 11:30, or they might come tomorrow. It’s just the way things are done here, and this is not to be taken personally as disrespect. After some time, perhaps you might just learn to accept it. If you are a stickler for punctuality, however, this casualness will drive you crazy. So, get ready to have two new companions: patience and a flexible schedule! By the way, “ahorita” does not mean what Google Translate tells you. It means more or less “in the not too distant future”. So don’t expect it to be done right away…
Healthcare: Mixed Bag
Costa Rica’s public healthcare system (la Caja) is actually pretty solid for the basics — and it’s affordable. But if you need a specialist, you might wait. And wait. Private care is faster but can get expensive quickly. I personally mix both. It works, but if you have specific medical needs, definitely research ahead. And by the way, don’t think you can just sign up for the public health service. You have to be a resident or citizen, and that’s a whole other story… and this is another dark side of living in Costa Rica.
Making Local Friends Takes Time
Ticos are warm, kind, and incredibly polite — but building close friendships can take longer than you think. You might find yourself socializing mostly with other expats, which is fine, but it can feel like you’re on the outside of the real local culture for a while. Learning Spanish helps a ton, by the way (and no, Duolingo alone won’t cut it).
Dark Side of Living in Costa Rica – damn power outages!
One thing I didn’t expect when I moved to Costa Rica? How often I’d be sitting in the dark, wondering if I should finally buy that headlamp. Power outages here are part of life — sometimes it’s a quick flicker, other times it’s hours of no electricity with zero explanation. A strong rain, a gust of wind, or just a random Tuesday… and poof, lights out. You learn to keep your phone charged, a candle or two nearby, and to laugh it off while sweating in front of a useless fan.
Driving Is an Adventure
Let’s just say Google Maps doesn’t always know what it’s doing here. Roads can turn from pavement to pothole-ridden mud paths without warning. And don’t get me started on the motorcyclists weaving through traffic or the “creative” parking jobs. I’ve driven through rivers, dodged cows, and once reversed three kilometers because the road suddenly disappeared.
And now I apologize to all my Costa Rican friends, but the fact is undeniable. You guys don’t know how to drive… There are no mandatory driving lessons, and the driving tests are a joke. Why do you think that anyone who comes to Europe with a Costa Rican driving license has to take additional tests?
You Will Miss Stuff From Home
Good cheddar cheese. Reliable Wi-Fi. Efficient customer service. Seasons that aren’t just “dry” or “wet.” Living in paradise means you sometimes miss the little things from wherever you’re from. Amazon doesn’t deliver here, and your favorite snack might just be a memory. But hey — you gain fresh mangoes and howler monkeys. Fair trade?
The Dark Side of Living in Costa Rica
Absolutely. But it’s not all sunsets and smoothies. There’s a learning curve, a lot of adjusting, and sometimes you’ll just want to scream into a palm tree. But if you can roll with the punches (and maybe keep a raincoat in your backpack), Costa Rica rewards you in a million quiet, wild, beautiful ways.
Just please don’t think that what you see on YouTube is real life, because the dark side of living in Costa Rica can be darker than what you know.
