Expat Guide to Living in Mal Pais

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

Culture Shock 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!

Dream vs Reality of Living in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

An expat in Costa Rica compares what she expected life in Mal Pais would be like compared to the reality. She had hoped the move would renew her marriage and it has!

More Culture Shock Reports for Mal Pais

Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats in Mal Pais handle it can be very comforting. Below are some of the responses from expats in Mal Pais:

Culture Shock in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

Submit a Culture Shock Report

Living Overseas Report

What are people's priorities in Mal Pais - 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 Mal Pais 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 Mal Pais? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats in Mal Pais? Help others moving to Mal Pais 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 Mal Pais with the school selection process. If you have expat children who attend school in Mal Pais, take a few minutes to submit a School Review.

Submit an International School Review

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Mal Pais Reports

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

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Mal Pais, 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 Mal Pais 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 Mal Pais? Help other expats who are preparing to have a baby in Mal Pais by filling out our Having a Baby Abroad Report.

Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report

Working in Mal Pais Reports

What's it like to find a job in Mal Pais? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats in Mal Pais? Below are some of the reports from expats in Mal Pais:

Working in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

Submit a Working Abroad Report

Expatriate Health Insurance

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

An Expat Shares What it's Like Retiring in San Isidro de Heredia, Costa Rica

Why retire in San Isidro de Heredia, Costa Rica? Can you live on $1,000 or $2,000 a month? How difficult is it if you aren't fluent in Spanish when you first arrive? A retiree who arrived in Costa Rica a month ago answers these and other questions.

An Expat Talks about Moving to Playa Hermosa de Jaco, Costa Rica

An expat who has lived in Costa Rica gives all kinds of great advice on living there. Cost of housing, what to bring with you, how to settle in and much more is covered in this comprehensive expat report.