Have you lived in or been to Costa Rica?

Question

I have heard a lot about Costa Rica, I hear beautiful weather, great surfing, good pot, cheap housing, and that it's relatively safe compared to most other central or south american countries. I'm graduating college in a few weeks and have a plan to work for 5 years, save up all my money and move to Costa Rica and just spend the rest of my life relaxing, surfing, growing organic coffee and mangos for myself and just relaxing. I know obvoiusly at some point I should take a long trip there and see what I think of it as opposed to just what I hear but have you been there or lived there and what do you think about it?

Answer 1

If your considering buying property, talk to a real estate atty that specializes in Costa Rica- I've had friends who have lost lots of $ thinking they bought a home when in  fact the govt had rights to it.  Other then that, yeah you should consider it even of only for non-rainy months (there monsoon season is harsh) & the bugs are a problem year round.  Get used to sleeping w/mosqito net.  Plenty of "American communities" w/surprisingly good schools too.

Answer 2

Sounds like a great plan - but you will have to visit yourself to be sure it fits your lifestyle. I've been back and forth a lot and some things I like better here, and some things I prefer about the States.

Some people who move here prefer the mountain town of Monteverde ( http://www.monteverdeinfo.com ) and some would prefer a beach town like Montezuma ( http://www.anywherecostarica.com/montezu... ).

Answer 3

Hi! JBlaze!  I hope you're having a lovely afternoon.  I'm a home-base travel agent and my name is Anna R. Wells.  Yes, I've visted Costa Rica last year and it was wonderful.  What you've heard about Costa Rica is true.  The beaches, the surfing, and the food are wonderful.  When you plan your visit, please check out my website at www.shutupandtravel.biz.  Once open, click on the BOOK TRAVEL icon.  Once open, click on the flights, hotels and/or vacation icons and plan your trip accordingly.  If you need my assistance, my email address is [e-mail] and my cell number is [phone].  Let me know.  Thanks!

Much happiness and joy,

Anna R. Wells

Answer 4

Costa Rica is a wonderful place.... you need to visit it several times.

I cant quite understand how someone could decide to leave their home and to a large degree civilizaion behind to move to a third world country they have never been to before.

I love Costa Rica. I have dreamed about moving there... but I know in my heart, its just not possible.

First of all, Costa Rica is pretty expensive. You cant save up 5 years and expect to just sit back and relax the rest of your life. In order to become a permanite resident of Costa Rica, you need to have some income coming in... not including WORKING IN Costa Rica. This could be done if you have 100 grand in the bank.... and can live off of less then the $800 or so per month you might make off interest. And even still, it would be tough to live off of that.

Yes, Costa Rica is fairly safe... you have to be smart. People are marked at banks and killed for 600 bucks once they leave, or killed in other robbery attempts. But that really is not too common to be a big concern, as long as you are careful.

Land in Costa Rica is very expensive now. Anything within a short drive of the beach is unaffordable to most people.

If that is your dream, to move to Costa Rica and marry some hot Latino woman... go for it. But dont expect it to be easy, or cheap. And if you were to do that, what the h**l are you wasting you time in college for?

I love my 1-2 weeks per year I get to spend there. I love the people, the weather (dont forget it rains 4+ hours per day, every day, for half of the year), the adventure of the driving experience and the things that I can do and see there... but I dont think I could live there my whole life... unless I was really rich and I could continue to live with something close to US standards there.

Good luck! And go to www.spiritair.com, get youself a nice cheap flight, and GO THERE for a month.... you need to visit well within both wet and dry seasons.

Answer 5

Ive been a home owner and a resident for 17 years here in CR.

Check it out for yourself first. dave

Answer 6

It's a great place to live and/or work.  I spent 6 months there and loved it.  San Jose is very much like Denver except the mountains are on the wrong side of town

Answer 7

its great. the climate is good, a little muggy in some places, but the scenery is great, so is the fruit and stuff. its a beautiful country.

Answer 8

I lived there and studied there for a few months. I want to go back. I made friends with a lot of locals.  You can't summarize an experience like that in a short paragraph here on answers.  But you're welcome to email me with any questions you may have.

I say go. It is really the most beautiful and exotic place I've ever been.  True beauty.

Answer 9

hey dude, i live here in costa rica. everything is great. if you come... you gotta visit montezuma. you'll see that place is great. small town, beaches, waterfalls, people, sights... even the budget. any where you go here you would have a good time man. to be there is at least 3-4 days. especially on the weekend is lots of things you can do. there is a beach close by that is called mal pais,  the waves there are awsome and surfer go there to do their style. rent a car, or by bus is fun to enjoy costa rica.