The Downsides of Living in Costa Rica & Why I Left

The Downsides of Living in Costa Rica & Why I Left with Rebecca Anderson
In this weeks episode of travel, relocation, inspiration and living in Costa Rica Adam has a chat with Rebecca who lived in Costa Rica for 7 years between 2011 & 2018 before she moved back to the US.
The beach town of Samara was her home whilst she lived in Costa Rica. She has traveled all over the country and is still a travel consultant planning vacations to Costa Rica, now from Denver , Colorado.
We find what it was that pushed her to go back to the us and leave Costa Rica, from the small town, to dating in Costa Rica and limited culture, it all had an impact.
To learn more about living in Costa Rica click here: bit.ly/trial-cr-ep05
If you are looking to move to Costa Rica SUBSCRIBE here for Weekly TRIAL Costa Rica videos: bit.ly/1mfIdw9
Reach out to Rebecca directly here:[e-mail]
01:20 Where are you located these days?
02:10 What brought you to Costa Rica in the first place?
03:55 Which beach did you move to in Costa Rica?
04:20 What was living in Costa Rica like for you being by the beach?
05:15 Were there many ex-pats living in Samara?
06:25 Which other Costa Rica towns would you compare Samara too?
07:15 What was daily life like for you?
08:00 What is the best place to eat out? (Shout out to Mama Gui's!)
09:00 What was your cost of living in Samara?
12:10 How safe was it living in Samara, Costa Rica?
13:15 What advice you would give someone looking to relocate?
15:40 How does it compare to 'home'?
16:35 Why did you leave Costa Rica!?
18:40 Was it a quick decision?
20:10 Did you have a big local group of friends as well as expats?
20:50 Was there any one thing that made you want to move? Dating in Costa Rica?
21:40 Had you thought about moving to other areas of Costa Rica before leaving?
24:00 What other downsides are there to living in Costa Rica?
27:10 What do you miss from Costa Rica?
28:10 What do you wish you could have told yourself 10 years ago before you moved to Costa Rica?
29:35 How often do you travel back to Costa Rica, and will you move back?
Presented by Adam Baker
Produced by Tempest Pictures

[@ritachinchilla-novo8863]

We also have galleries, museums, theaters, authors, artists, a myriad of cultural events, Costa Ricans by nature, are very intellectually inquisitive.

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Its very true Rita, mainly in the central valley around San Jose can you find some great museums and theaters. Plus Liberia has an interesting cultural heritage that is worth visiting!

[@mschrag8234]

Absolutely true. We have a condo in Escazu and really enjoy all the culture that San Jose has to offer. Complaining about lack of culture in CR (while living in a small beach town) is like living in the middle of Kansas and saying the US has no culture. Also, we have never had any issues with water. Occasionally, the power goes out but that also happens here in Colorado where I live. The BIGGEST thing I do not like about Colorado is going to the local King Soopers to shop for groceries and then finding out later that day I just missed being in a mass shooting that killed 10 people. In that respect, I feel much safer in San Jose.

[@surfsiren1026]

I think a lot of the down and upsides depends on where you are coming from. I live in Southern California, so what I love most about Costa Rica is the rain, but I prefer living and surfing here. After visiting 17 times since 1998, I don't desire to live there anymore, but it will always hold a place in my heart. I loved it when it was truly cheap to visit/live, people thought it was a dangerous island (ha-ha), and only a handful of budget-traveling surfers were going. So grateful I got to see it then.

[@michaelmorabrenes8566]

Becca it was great hearing all your perspectives on your experience living in Costa Rica. You kept everything super real and honest without falling into any negativity. I’m happy that you had the opportunity to live in my country. This is your second home and you will always be welcomed here. Good luck with all your future endeavors. ¡Pura Vida!

[@dlvox5222]

This is why Tamarindo is best. 90 min to Liberia and a flight to Houston where you can get anywhere in the world in a day.

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Exactly! Great point

[@syfaSkyl]

I moved to Costa Rica from Miami in 2010, bought some land in the Caribbean south coast, I didn't want to be a part of the American colony in costa rica. Why move from America to go somewhere else and create the same thing, everywhere that American lives in costa rica is super expensive. Gringo pricing. The main reason why you moved to costa rica is to assimilate into another culture, instead you go there and create a colony.

[@johngarbarzyk5549]

In what cities in Costa Rica are the American colonies?

[@nelidarubio1474]

I don’t miss the traffic and the motorcycles and she’s right, Samara is the best!!!

[@homeincostarica914]

Nice conversation. Samara is beautiful, and the Italian store is amazing! ;-)

[@melz266]

Rebecca we're in Colorado and want to move to Costa Rica. Do you have a website?

[@6789axe]

🇨🇷No regrets . is very special from you Rebecca.🇨🇷

[@directrue1742]

San Juanillo Beach is a really beautiful place as well❤🇨🇷🇨🇷💖💖🦥🦥⛰️⛰️🏔🌊🌊🌊🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🌎🌎🌎

[@schudasama]

Hi Adam, Great thought to do this video. I am from Canada. Last year I trialed Panama, next month I am coming to trial Liberia in Costa Rica. Do you have some points to differentiate with Panama since you are in CR?

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

Costa-Rica is more expensive than Panama : taxis, restaurants, groceries but people in Costa-Rica are friendlier.

[@roseinharlem8152]

I read so deeply into her statement about how Costa Rica has “changed”

[@robertdavis5692]

Not always an easy trip from USA to Costa Rica like they say. In the U.S., I live near Las Vegas, Nevada. First must fly to either Miami, then wait then change planes or fly to Texas then change planes to get to San Jose. Then if your destination is a beach town, you definitely don't want to drive at night, so must stay in hotel in San Jose, then travel to beach the following day,. Basically, it's a 2-day trip each way from Las Vegas to any beach town, and I even go to the closet beach town, Jaco.

[@towaritch]

Don't bother drive to Santa Barbara

[@ninaxoxo2555]

why dont drive at night? the roads? or what

[@donalbershardt9290]

WHY?? United goes from Vegas to Houston and then Costa Rica 8 to 10. hrs

[@PEMFpuravida]

Hi Adam, my husband and I along with our 3 young boys are planning to move to Samara next year. We are commuting to work an hour each way from Hamilton to Toronto, it’s expensive here, we are heavily taxed and Canada is not the country it used to be sadly and we are craving a huge change and holistic lifestyle and better upbringing for our boys. We don’t really know where to begin and have heard we won’t be allowed to work in Costa Rica until being there for 3 years. Do you know if this is true? We would like to put our boys in private school there which will cost 25k a year alone so we will definitely have to generate income somehow. Thanks for your help!

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Hey Amanda! Great questions for sure. I am not sure about being here for 3 years before working legally. I have not heard that before. What kind of Visa would you be entering the country for that option? Here in Costa Rica you can get residency by investing in land or property with $150K US. Once you have residency you can work in CR legally in the country or work from here with an international business. I would suggest looking into these options and certainly scouting the area around Samara before hand so you some experience of the place before you make the big move!

[@TimMaloneyNMactor]

Amanda , 'Wanda the Traveling Dutchie' has info on the Digital Nomad lifestyle she can help you get started . also 'Traveling with Tristin' has info too . both on youtube . Good Luck .

[@hetch6103]

Sarah Elena also has a great relocation business. I have heard from several Canadians here in Calgary who have talked to her and like her service.

[@nicolerogersgeisinger7456]

@@CostaRicanVacations the difference is in temporary vs permanent residency, which can take 3-7 years. Only those on work-sponsored residencies or arraigo (child, spouse) can work libre condición faster. I am a citizen thru marriage.

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

Canada is still a great country to live in , but Hamilton city is NOT representative of Canada ; have you been to Vancouver ISLAND ( Victoria ) or White Rock in B.C. ?

[@johnathangreene1947]

When's the last time you two came here? They don't give you the automatic 90 day pass due to covid and as long as I have been coming here, I've never seen an ice cream truck riding around. What part of costa rica are you from?

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Hey Johnathan, Well I live in San Jose, to the west of La Sabana park. All these shows are conducted in my home studio. The last time Rebecca was here was a few months ago! Upon arriving into Costa Rica you may well be asked to show proof of your departing flight or onward journey. As long as it is within or on the 90th day, that may well be how long your tourist visa is stamped for. It also depends on the person you get at immigration on the day. The ice cream guy is always passing outside once or twice a week, especially on sunny mornings! Adam @TheCRVteam

[@fluffy5534]

Are there lots of bugs and mosquitos in Costa Rica? How do you get rid of them? Prevent them from getting in your house?

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Hey Fluffy, You will only find many bugs in the rain forest and on the trails. It's rare to spot a big selection in homes or the hotels. The mosquitos tend to come out at lower levels and again in the rain forests or during the transition months between dry and wet weather so around May and Nov. At the higher grounds they are not much of an issue. Many people will take insect repellent to keep them at bay! In our house they are hardly ever an issue in San Jose! I hope this helps! Adam @The CRV team

[@ritachinchilla-novo8863]

Mixed emotions. Expecting video with sadness… 🇨🇷 😍 🦋 🙍‍♀️but also with open ears.

[@rachpalomo]

The American culture of dinning out doesn't translate everywhere, not even in the USA. I live in New England and well it's not like every town has lots of restaurants when you go to more rural areas. To give more perspective to the ones who don't know Costa Rica, Samara is a town more than 4 hours away from the city. Just keep expectations realistic.

[@johnathangreene1947]

Really nice today in Denver? Tell me that in 6 months. Tops!!

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Hahaha at which point a trip to Costa Rica should be on the cards!

[@melz266]

Colorado weather is so bipolar.

[@directrue1742]

😂

[@jayhizzle5765]

Things in Samara have definitely changed for the worst. There is now a shooting pretty much every week. So sad.

[@jonwyrick3186]

Alaska 2 The Top Oh yea Baby 50 plus years in a row.

[@matthewmorris8070]

?

[@brianhill2324]

How is the wildlife in Costa Rica..?

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Truly amazing! 5% of the worlds bio-diversity in this tiny country! We made a video in it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m56slpJ9hJWbmZo

[@TEN-perez]

Costa Rica is only a 0,03 percent of the land in the world but it has a 6-7% world's bio-diversity and we take conservation veryyy seriously here, and also just as a fact a 99% of the electricity that is produced here comes by natural methods like from the wind, water and volcanoes 😉 you're more than welcome to come any information you may need just let me know

[@towaritch]

@@TEN-perez I saw ticos/as throwing their plastic goblets in the ditches along the roads

[@TEN-perez]

@@towaritch sure we are far of being perfect just please don't follow those examples, getting a trash can is not that hard and nature will appreciate it, love from Costa Rica 🇨🇷

[@koralblue]

Wild 😂!!!

[@Lucysil1970]

I just visited Costa Rica for the first time and I really didn’t like it. My kids didn’t like it either.

[@angeebb3080]

I liked Costa Rica for what it was worth. It was too expensive for my taste and the heat was a killer but we made the most of our stay. The insects ate us up and we didn't like seeing iguana crawling all over the place even inside cracks of buildings..just too creepy for me. We did enjoy looking out at the Pacific Ocean every morning where we stayed. I didn't like it enough to revisit. I prefer Belize.

[@emilbertbc1]

Often Costa Rica considers itself the Switzerland of the Latin America. It has A LOT to do to look like Switzerland in my opinion, starting from the burocracy. I build a house, the permission took longer time than building the house. I'm not joking 😔

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

Tell us more !

[@nicksap3467]

It’s my understanding that in Costa Rica they steal anything not bolted down.

[@towaritch]

I had passport and credit card stolen at a soda bar terrace in central SJ.

[@robbiePlanetaSano]

Even a Costa Rican will tell you that petty theft is the national sport .☺️

[@dianagenusgolding4143]

Nick petty thief’s are every where so you need to use common sense and be alert

[@kd8199]

I keep everything here nailed down. Live in Dallas, TX in a good area.

[@matthewmorris8070]

@@robbiePlanetaSano That's f#cking hilarious!

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

I guess the world is BIG and Costa-Rica is a very small part of it; so people want to visit OTHER countries in Europe, in Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

[@sandydegener6436]

"Coasta Rica"

[@macpony2571780]

I've been living in San Jose Costa Rica for the past eight years and the thought of moving anywhere in the US depresses me and I think the Costa Rican people are beautiful on the outside and the inside and American women couldn't compete with Costa Rican women so I can see why she had a hard time dating in Costa Rica.

[@waterairfire]

Take a look at yourself in the mirror and don't worry about her.

[@macpony2571780]

@@waterairfire I like what I see when I look in the mirror after marring my Costa Rican wife twent years ago and moving here ten years ago and she was no ones baby mama; can you say that about yourself; or are you just another woman in the US looking for a stepfather?

[@janiek1374]

so rude.. and needlessly. who cares who you married she must have been desperate to wanna ive with you

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

HOW would you describe a Costa-Rican woman compared to an American woman ? How does an American male go about dating a Costa-Rican woman ?

[@costaprivateloans]

She said "rent for a month". I disagree. Rent for 2 years!

[@CostaRicanVacations]

Pura Vida!

[@victorcosta9590]

THE ONLY REAL NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN COSTA RICA IS YOU DON'T SEE ANY SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOONS FOR 9 MONTHS OF THE YEAR. IT ALSO RAINS HEAVILY FOR 7 TO 10 MONTHS OF THE YEAR IN COSTA RICA DEPENDING WHAT PART OF COSTA RICA YOU LIVE IN. IVE LIVED IN CENTRAL AMERICA FOR 31 YEARS. THE LAST 18 YEARS IN COSTA RICA. 15 YEARS IN THE PEREZ ZELEDON AREA OF COSTA RICA. I WOULDN'T LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE.

[@towaritch]

....that and the thugs and groups of men bellowing " Pura Vida" in your face and extortionate poor quality real estate and sweltering green season no thanks

[@Pioneer1PGF]

Hi, I’m currently visiting CR from Colorado, in hopes to live here permanently. I’m hoping to find an affordable rental on a hillside yet 30 minutes from beach. I reviewed a few videos on San Isidro/Pérez Zeledon area (where you mentioned you live). I’m hoping to have a happy median between beach & hill views. Do you have any thought or suggestions? I’ll have rental car to check out areas for the weekend.

[@matthewmorris8070]

Sounds good to me!

[@om-organicmedia]

Like Seattle 😂and lots of stream trails in Seattle and tribe land and waterfalls but Costa Rica 🇨🇷 is great for our yoga industry but it’s over populated if not on isolated retreats ❤

[@brianhill2324]

Also snakes..?

[@towaritch]

Snake oil vendors, definitely.

[@Bill-dj9hv]

There are snakes but crocodiles eat them.

[@ackomanah6486]

I advise against it. Place is VERY overpriced. If you do go then keep your money at home. Most simple things require an attorney, They tax a business which has zero income! They put on massive fines for a mistake. You won't go to jail but you lose a lot of money.

[@davidr4523]

The interviewer was very good asking the right questions. I got annoyed with the Rebecca Andersons cackling laugh.