Expat Guide to Living in Tamarindo

Whether you're already living in Tamarindo or preparing to move to Tamarindo, our Expat Guide to Living in Costa Rica offers articles and reports submitted by expats about expat life in Tamarindo. For answers to specific questions, visit our Costa Rica Forum to talk with expats in Tamarindo.

Expat Health Insurance and Healthcare in Tamarindo

An expat in Tamarindo, Costa Rica recommends private health insurance for a sufficient safety net. The private hospital is a 45 minute drive and a public hospital is a 90 minute drive. If you need an MRI, it's a 5 hour drive to San Jose. And, most non-narcotic drugs are available without a prescription.

Culture Shock Report

Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats in Tamarindo handle it can be very comforting. Help others preparing to move to Tamarindo by filling out our Culture Shock Report.

Submit a Culture Shock Report

Living Overseas Report

What are people's priorities in Tamarindo - work? family? socializing? What are the best ways to meet other expats? Are people accepting of racial, cultural and religious differences? Help other expats and people moving to Tamarindo by filling out our Living Overseas Report.

Submit a Living Overseas Report

Moving Overseas Report

What should you take with you when you move to Tamarindo? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats in Tamarindo? Help others moving to Tamarindo by filling out our Moving Overseas Report.

Submit a Moving Overseas Report

International School Report

Parents are invited to answer questions about the schools that their kids attend (Pre-K through High School) in hopes of helping others moving to Tamarindo with the school selection process. If you have expat children who attend school in Tamarindo, take a few minutes to submit a School Review.

Submit an International School Review

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Tamarindo Reports

Most expats have have "dreams" (and fears) about the expatriate experience before they moved to Tamarindo. If you are already living in Tamarindo, share how those "dreams" have been fulfilled, and how they have not. Below are some of the reports from expats in Tamarindo:

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Submit a Dream vs. Reality Report

Overseas Retirement Report

Retiring abroad can be a great option for retirees seeking their dream lifestyle at an affordable price. Help other retirees, who are thinking about retiring in Tamarindo by filling out our Overseas Retirement report.

Submit a Retire Abroad Report

Having a Baby Abroad Report

How did expats choose their doctors, midwives, hospitals? What is childbirth like in Tamarindo? Help other expats who are preparing to have a baby in Tamarindo by filling out our Having a Baby Abroad Report.

Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report

Working Abroad Report

What's it like to find a job in Tamarindo? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats in Tamarindo? Help others following in your footsteps by filling out our Working Abroad Report.

Submit a Working Abroad Report

Expatriate Health Insurance

Get a quote for expat health insurance in Costa Rica from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote

An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

An expat in Mal Pais, Costa Rica provides a detailed culture shock report that offers a great example of someone who has learned to roll with the punches that come with expat life in a somewhat remote location. Covers everything from mosquitoes, to finding products from the local grocer, to getting your laptop repaired. And don't for get about the fruit bats and monkey poop!

An Expat Discusses Living in Matapalo, Costa Rica

An expat in Matapalo, Costa Rica talks about living in this laid back beach town on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. He advises other newcomers to be prepared to blend in and slow down.

An expat in Matapalo, Costa Rica talks about living in this laid back beach town on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. He advises other newcomers to be prepared to blend in and slow down. ...

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

Should you wear jeans and a t-shirt in San Jose? Did you know that one place may have twice the rain and be windy compared to another place 10km away? Read our 10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica for insights from expats who have been there and done that.

7 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a relatively safe, eco-friendly, expat-friendly destination with gorgeous beaches and friendly locals. Many expats say that housing and food prices in Costa Rica are high. We've gathered information submitted by expats about Tamarindo, Dominical, Ojochal, Atenas, Escazu, Grecia and others popular towns.

5 Tips For Living in San Jose, Costa Rica

The majority of expats in San Jose, actually choose to live not in the city, but outside of it. There are great options in the surrounding area, including places that are closer to the coast than San Jose.

Top 5 Reasons Expats Move to Central America

From lower cost of living to affordable healthcare and beachfront living, expats discuss the top reasons they moved to Central America.

From lower cost of living to affordable healthcare and beachfront living, expats discuss the top reasons they moved to Central America....

10 Expats Talk About What It's Like Living in Costa Rica

Expats living in Costa Rica talk about Pura Vida, deciding where to live in Costa Rica, meeting people and more.

Expats living in Costa Rica talk about Pura Vida, deciding where to live in Costa Rica, meeting people and more....