Why we moved to Costa Rica and Why We're Leaving. Pros and Cons List of living in Costa Rica.

Hell, we pay high prices here in the U.S. What about eco-villages?

If you move to Costa Rica and don't have Spanish language skills that can at least allow you to have a conversation with Costa Ricans in Spanish, I have no sympathy for you. Do you think you can just reside in a country that has a different language from your own and have residents simply accept you? That would never happen in the U.S.

More than American prices

for some reason you can't say anything negative about Costa Rica. let me tell you, spent 2 months there and its the most Overpriced underwhelming place ive ever been to. you can't even compare it to Thailand , in Thailand anywhere you go its 5 bucks Canadian Or less for amazing food anywhere you go. in Costa Rica the food is terrible, absolutely horrid and expect 25 usd on average. everything is in use there , everyone is trying to scam you, tons of Argentinans , not safe with the diablos, smells like shit everywhere. no decent plumbing systems.

on to actitivites , renting a car, anything touristy, expect ridiculousssss over priced underwhelming stuff. were ta;king 200 bucks for a scuba dive, 200-250 for a national park blah blah jungle hike.

for what Costa Rica is, it should be less than the price of Thailand but its not, its 5 times more expensive . no wonder Costa Rica tourism is declining . expect horse shit all over the beach and them running these poor horses into the ground during 32c weather.

Need to live like a Tico amd grow your own food. The way you lived and shopped are like tourists

I've been here for 5 years and I fucking hate it. I 2ish I never came to this shit country. The lands are beautiful but the people are shit, liars users, chata thieves and lazy ass people who charge us more for being white in thia shithole place

These people are the perfect example on how not to move to a foreign country. Trying to turn your life into the same one you had in the States is your biggest mistake. If you wanted to eat the same foods as back home, have all the same luxuries you had, and have pretty much the same lifestyle, what's the sense of living someplace else?

Stop calling my country a 3rd world country when it's not. It is high income and the prices are set for gringos like yourself who think they can come visit with all their money and buy from us for cheap.

We would be a 3rd world country if kept allowing foreigners to come visit and spend a fraction of nothing but want Grade A service or think you can relocate here and have the country bend to your needs because your currency is valued higher.

And lastly, that is your imported food because gringos NEED their stuff while away. When I visit my local areas we do not pay the crazy prices you have to pay because y'all expect to live on a resort for pennies on a dollar 😂.

I think it's best most foreigners that go anywhere in the world TO VISIT AND LEAVE. Unless you are brining needed resources that doesn't harm the environment and the locals then okay but most of the time foreigners are parasites 🪱.

And yes I am American and I travel the world. I respect every country I visit and I adjust instead of having it adjust to me. So thanks for coming but if you aren't willing to adjust.. just visit. Blessings to you and your family at the end of the day.

Oh.. AND EUROPE IS A GREAT IDEA 🎉

You didn’t even bother to learn Spanish?

My question is what do you do for living? How do/did work? What industry?

1 Point, Costa Rica, Surfing, 9 points Florida, everything else,

About 8 years ago I traveled from the US to CR to meet someone I had been talking to online for about a year. I reserved a rental car. They picked me up at the airport in San Jose and took me to what appeared to be a legit National Car Rental. Which weirdly appeared to be in a neighborhood. After turning down their attempts for an upsell. They told me I had to pay $2500 USD for insurance. I told them anything I charge with my credit card is covered. The rental car guy then said that's not how things work in Costa Rica. It is a "National Law" that you have to pay this fee. I didn't get angry. They put it on my credit card. When I got back into the states I explained this attempt at extortion at my local Chase Bank. I filled out some paperwork and the charge was taken off my card. Just wondered if you guys heard of something like this happening? Oh and didn't notice many street names or house numbers. So, I luckily got the business card of the best english speaking person at the National Car Rental. I asked him if I couldn't find this location? Could he or someone pickup the rental car for me at the Airport parking garage? He said yes and thank God I thought of this because for only $60 dollars the guy sent someone to pick it up for me and turn it in the next day (due to it being a night flight).

Tico here. You lost me at “third world country”.

"In most developed countries you drive" Dude, what? ever been to Europe? everything here is walkable and people also walk longer distances. Our cities and towns are not a shitty as they are in the US.

My husband went to Costa Rica back in the 90's and he compared the cost to today and it was much more affordable the many expats that have moved to Costa- Rica they just pay these high prices in a 3rd world country with 3rd world amenities they don't say anything they just roll over and say ok ill pay to dump my dirty TP next to me in a trash can.

then how are you working on tourist visa?? i dont get it. cause you ... must work. and workin on tourist visa is illegal.

Wait, you’re raising kids and you went to Jaco and Tamarindo? The two biggest party cities in Costa Rica? That’s an odd choice! 😂 Agree about the price, though. It costs almost as much as Seattle because everyone from the U.S. came there and jacked up the prices! It’s a pretty amazing place, though!

You're going to Europe for more culture You mean the culture that was stolen from Africa the cultures that were stolen from Central America from where you are right now You mean you going to go over there where they whitewashed all the culture that you should have learned while you were in Costa Rica or better yet while you were here in America or wherever you were spawned I was okay with you guys until I heard that comment wow go ahead on go get your culture watered down washed whitewashed culture in Europe go for it there's some places where you will actually find the real African cultures that were stolen texting the whole nine that was stolen that are now in museums That's all the culture you going to get over there baby Good luck do better with your child with cultural exposure

Go to the Caribbean side Limon. And he's right with his poor English grammar it's more better food on the other side which is the Caribbean side okay Central Costa Rica and boring bland and very very expensive.

What they failed to mention about Costa Rica the prices and your exchange rate, Is that it will fluctuate depending on where you are within Costa Rica. Know that Tamarinda is on the north tourist side effects; thus the higher prices. And they're telling a great deal of misinformation not everything in Costa Rica is imported What do you think the United States gets some of their fruit and vegetables from Costa Rica we don't have to import those What the heck is this man talking about it's a year ago but still it made no sense then and it makes even less sense today in 25.

Mexico >>> Costa Rica

Maybe the problem is the area you moved in to … I am costarican but been living in the US the last 20 yrs and about the toilet paper I can tell you that 20 yrs ago when I was there living with my parents we were able to flush the toilet paper in the toilet soooo … idk 🤷🏻‍♀️.
About the groceries yeah, I have been checking and they are expensive and also the rents, you are right on that cause I mean, we actually pay $1550 here for a 3 bed, 2 bath house so yeah, rents are expensive in CR

After traveling to more than 20 countries and touring retirement locations with International Living, I chose to live on the beach in Nicaragua. We are just across the border from Guasacate (Tamarindo) in CR and enjoy the same beauty at one fifth the cost. If we need the "vibe" we drive to Granada and Lake Cociboca which has hundreds of islets and two volcanoes in the middle. An hour or so away. But I understand why CR is good for those who want to be surrounded by other North Americans and lots of things to do. The people are beautiful, San Jose is a great, cool capital, Cima Hospital is JACHO approved (USA standards), and most everyone speaks English. Here we are a family of four and can afford a 3+2 condo on the sand; surfing is superior, there's a super executive golf course within meters and a PGA course a half hour away. We can afford two cars, a mountain getaway, two house keepers, gardeners, etc. all for about #3500 a month. More people are checking out Rancho Santana or Hacienda Iguana Beach and Golf Resort so close to CR.

CR is not a "third world country". But please do take your American-centric opinions and attitude and leave this beautiful country.

They're talking about how expensive and disappointing it is in comparison to the U.S., but if they had talked with any locals they would have known to stay away from the worst (gross and expensive) beach towns in the country lol. Like, everyone in CR knows this. Also, why are they expecting to eat foods only common in the U.S., cheaply? Peanut butter is so specific to the U.S., of course it's rare, imported, and expensive. No one in CR eats it. Try doing what the ticos do and learn to cook traditional CR food (gallo pinto, anyone??), and then yes, it will be affordable and healthy. And whyy are they relying on huge supermarkets instead of the classic Costa Rican street vendors like produce stands that's so missed in the U.S.? That's a MAJOR benefit to places like CR that would solve most of the problems they're talking about. Cheaper, healthier, simpler, and more local. Feels like they put zero research or effort into adjusting their lifestyle to fit their locale and unsurprisingly wound up disappointed. Typical American thinking- if only we can live the way we want, anywhere we want, and expect it to be both cheaper and healthier. How about we learn to adapt to new cultures and languages instead? They don't even know how to pronounce the towns they've lived in. Oy.

Typical American way of thinking from this family… Americans only see it the American way… open your 👀…
And by the way, 3rd world country is a term NOT used anymore, the correct term is Developing countries…

It sounds like this was an issue with poor expectations. When you said things like "its expensive like whole foods, but its not whole foods, just getting your basics" what did you expect? A huge supercenter in a beach town in central America? Of course imported goods are going to cost more, they have to travel thousands of miles to get to you.

You are in a city, in a beautiful place with amazing biodiversity on the beach with a huge demand for tourism. You want to have all your imported goods? Then pay the "markup" on the cost to get them there.

Pretty sure I met this couple at the Strawberry Hot Springs in Steam Boat. I was so intrigued and jealous about their travel adventures!

I lived in Costa Rica & i witnessed a car jacking up the street from neighbors! Then, in 2024, my grandmother was robbed by 2 young guys they punched her in the face and took her purse! Becareful by the coast stay in groups that way if you leave things on the sand while you are swimming cause people will steal your belongings unless you are waymtching your belongings

"It's a 3rd world country" terrible and completely wrong take

Good video. I've lived here 5 years. Tamarindo is so expensive. Crazy fortunate gringos making everybody pay more and opportunistic ticos taking advantage of the fatback losers like yourselves. Oh well pura vida

The prices in the US have likely tripled since you left, with the tariffs, and we are also experiencing shortages on staples like eggs, creamer, milk, meat, and seafood. You are likely going to be disappointed cost wise.

Are you the couple who was building schools busses into campers in the N. Texas area?

You find Costa Rica very expensive because you just happened to choose one of the most expensive towns in the whole country. That is a 100% tourist town. In other places you could live on half of that budget.

Tamarindo is the most expensive place in CR! Way to embrace culture with peanut butter! Go live in the sticks and walk to town like Ticos do!

Europe doesn't really need help. Pretty developed. CR needs help, especially in animal care but yeah if you are bored. I, after 3 years finally got it. It's not about chasing entertainment but finding peace within. Perfect country for that. Helping in the community, perfect country for that. Adjusted my good habits. Rarely eat cheese because of the cruelty involved in calves being dragged from their mothers.😢. I don't eat like in US nor like in Europe and I don't eat rice or beans much. We learned to cook great dishes like Spring rolls, Buddha bowl, Curries, Caribbean food. All of these items don't require those imports. For fruits I eat Soursop, Pineapple, Papaya, Passionfruit, Bananas. Buy grapes, apples and strawberries rarely. Not needed. Love chayote which is healthy, peppers, tomatoes. I think people come here and don't learn to readjust. MegaSuoer has weekly great sales on vegetables. You need to just learn to shop. In Tamarindo, there is a great French bakery which people from Paris tell me are the same prices as in France. Life is what you make it. Peanut butter at the Mundo in Liberia is the same price as in US. I stock up. Doesn't seem like you guys explored enough and got stuck in Expatville.

If you talk about high cost of living you need to keep in mind that Costa Rica has a territorial tax system, meaning you pay no taxes on foreign income as a Costa Rican tax resident(unless your a US citizen ofc). That can be a lot if your emigrate from a high tax country.

It's way too hot in both Jacó and Tamarindo. Those are tourist towns, and not a good place to live and raise a child. Move to San José or Heredia where the weather is cooler and prices are much more reasonable.

Way too expensive and too darn hot and humid. You can only take so much. It’s best for a vacation but not to live. I can afford to live in Tamarindo but not worth it.

Costa Rica IS NOT a 3rd world country. Check that. You moved to the most expensive place in CR. Why prices have gone up ? BECAUSE OF YOU GUYS. Because you have no idea of the price of money outside of the USA. Everything is cattered for YOU. Locals and some others can't afford much anymore. You are totally beside reality. You move to this country hoping to find th US in an exotic and cheap version. You have to do a serious facts and soul checking. I've been living in this country for 12 years and I see exactly what's happening. Gentrification is a plague. You laughing at the roads being bad ? About having to put your toilet paper in a bin ... Yes that's the way it is. Maybe it will change as the US keeps on colonizing the country. I'm sure you must be lovely people but don't have the beginning of a clue of how cringe for non US citizens.