Expats in Costa Rica: Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a favorite among expats and other people considering moving to Central America. Expats in Costa Rica have access to an amazing number of benefits - access to pristine natural wonders is just one of the most obvious examples. As with every other country, there are also some challenges that confront expats that live in Costa Rica.

To help clarify these, here are a few examples of the Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica.

Pro: Costa Rica Has Beautiful Beaches and Rainforests

One of the hugest draws for expats to Costa Rica is the stunning natural beauty. Fans of Michael Crichton will remember his passage in "Jurassic Park" that described the range of "Ecological Diversity" there:

"Only seventy-five miles wide at its narrowest point, the country was smaller than the state of Maine. Yet, within its limited space, Costa Rica had a remarkable diversity of biological habitats: seacoasts on both the Atlantic and Pacific; four separate mountain ranges, including twelve-thousand-foot peaks and active volcanoes; rain forests, cloud forests, temperate zones, swampy marshes and arid deserts."

Having access to so many impressive ecological features in such proximity to one another is all some expats need to know that Costa Rica is where they want to be.

Pro: Costa Rica Has Astonishing Biodiversity

The Wildlife of Cost Rica and its diversity is stunning.

Continuing in his description of Costa Rica in "Jurassic Park," Crichton continues:

"Costa Rica had three times as many species of birds as all of North America. More than a thousand species of orchids. More than five thousands species of insects."

Con: Expats Have Had Mixed Experiences with the Public Health Care System in Costa Rica

While you may have access to the public health care system, many expats advocate also having some form of private coverage to ensure you're covered in an acceptable way should disaster strike. Others have had great experiences with the system and then they have a bad experience, or worse.

Con: You Need to Choose Where You Live Carefully in Costa Rica

One expat in San Jose recommended if you are planning on moving to Costa Rica for whatever ex-pat experience, if possible, avoid San Jose. It is a very crowded, dense little city that is not all that interesting. Also, foreigners are more susceptible to theft here.

Pro: There are Amazing Places to Live in Costa Rica

That same expat advised, however: "That being said, get out of San Jose and live in any of the other great towns all throughout this beautiful country. True, transportation can be mediocre (if insisting on travelling budget), but it definately suffices. It's a small country and travelling from the Pacific to the Carribean can be done in one long day even on the slowest, cheapest bussed routes available."

For expat tips about the best places to live including the best beach towns in Costa Rica, read our article, 17 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica.

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Pro: Expats Have Access to Public Health Care System

In our article about 8 Important Tips about Healthcare for Expats in Costa Rica, an expat in Cortez explained, "All legal residents and citizens of Costa Rica are eligible to participate in the public healthcare system which is basically free although you have to be a member of the CAJA and pay a % based on the income level you declared when you applied for residency."

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Pro: Taxes and Other Costs of Living in Costa Rica

An expat in Playa Hermosa de Jaco wrote that "Our housing costs are lower than in the states. Taxes are very inexpensive in CR and the taxes in the states substantially higher. Private home insurance is less expensive in Costa Rica from our experience."

However, if you are also interested in spending more for higher-end housing, you do also have that option. For instance, the expat in Playa Hermosa de Jaco wrote: "Direct waterfront may cost well over $500,000 to the millions depending on amenities. However in a lower profile condo building with less amenities, you can absolutely find something at half that price. Knowing the market is really key here and return on investment must be weighed in if you plan to rent the unit, seasonally or long term."

Con: Friends and Family May Not Visit You in Costa Rica

An expat living in Quepos, Costa Rica advised expats to check their expectations for the number of visits they'll have from friends and family. She wrote, "They may not visit as much as you would like (nor as much as they would like either!) Prior to becoming an expat, consider locations that your friends and family will have affordable and easy travel to visit you. Do not be offended if you don't receive the visitors you anticipated. Remember also to pick a location that is easy for you to return to your "home" country in the event you have a family function or stateside emergency. Remember YOU have picked your perfect expat location. Your friends may not like it, not understand your move or have other priorities in their life."

Con: Costa Rican Life - and Business - Often Moves Slowly

Another expat in Playa Jaco, Costa Rica wrote that, "In Costa Rica 'Tico Time' is a reality - wherein work expected to take a few hours to complete in the states, may require twice as much time here. An employee required to show up for the job may be an hour or up to many hours late. However, they will arrive!

Con: Not All Expats In Costa Rica View The Expat Experience There the Same Way

In a discussion about One expat in Costa Rica wrote that "When someone rolls into Costa Rica with their 'I'm better because I have more money' attitude that I see every month, and clearly, by their actions, facial expressions, and general "I only want to live with other gringos" nose in the air disrespect, and show that they have no love for the local Costa Rican people who's country they are a GUEST in... "How do you think the average Costa Rican feels when you act like that? These people are very well educated and have excellent radar for that type of attitude.

Another expat wrote: "There are many wonderful, humble, grateful North Americans that have visited, spent time getting to know the locals, learned Spanish, and feel the same as I do."

Others have written that such praise should be balanced by some of the difficulties or short comings that others have cited.

One expat lamented: "Duplicity, lack of frankness, uncaring attitude, failure to confront any issue and passing off all problems as 'God's will'."

So you should be aware that you need to carefully consider how YOU will fit in among others in Costa Rica. Some expats prefer to stick with other expats, while others prefer to avoid expats to try to fully integrate into society. (It's like that in most countries!) This should drive home the importance of visiting a country as much as possible before moving there.

Lastly, do read our 10 Tips For Living in Costa Rica to help you understand what the nuts and bolts of moving and living there.