An Expat Talks about Living in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Puerto Viejo

Describe how you "dreamed" expat life would be before you moved overseas. Please provide as much detail as possible.

We dreamed that the Caribbean side of Costa Rica would be something like this: Wake up to fresh fruit picked from our fruit trees. Walk down to the beach with our surf boards.

Dance to the local reggae and mingle with the friendly locals. Enjoy the Caribbean culture and food. Explore the sea life and jungles filled with amazing wild life.

Fix up our small, humble bungalow into a sustainably built bungalow.

Replant more fruit trees to attract local animals.

Enjoy a quiet, safe "Tranquillo" life style. Come to understand what "Pura Vida" is all about.

How has your expat experience met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

The plant and wild life experiences surpassed our expectations. Waking up to see Howler monkeys in our mango trees. Witnessing morpho butterflies flying through our yard... I could go on.

Some of the people were amazing. Some were very helpful and friendly. Some of the expats were helpful and some added wonderful things to the community.

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How has your expat experience NOT met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

We didn't expect to get robbed as much. Even with bars on our window, triple pad locks on all our doors and a large wall (which at first we were horrified and embarrassed about) but came to appreciate. Our neighbors telling us we needed to up our security with shards of glass on top of the wall or barbed wire. Instead of people bragging about their gardens, they would brag about the level of security on their homes. They found barbed wire and other measures something to brag about. (yikes) The over all lack of police help or presence. The drug problems that have become rampant all over Costa Rica but especially along the Caribbean side. Local teens walking around in a crack induced haze that usually turned to anger and violence. We never expected to find it more dangerous than our own country. We have never been robbed nor harassed like we were in the towns of Limon and Puerto Viejo. Never expected to see the level of complacency among the locals and expats about the trash, the poverty, the genuine disrespect for their homes, and other people.

AGS Worldwide Movers
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Relocating abroad soon? Make your move with AGS! AGS Worldwide Movers is a leader in the international moving industry. Our experience and expertise allows us to guarantee our clients the best quality moving services.

AGS Worldwide Movers

Relocating abroad soon? Make your move with AGS! AGS Worldwide Movers is a leader in the international moving industry. Our experience and expertise allows us to guarantee our clients the best quality moving services.
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