Expat Advice: Culture Shock in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

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

San Jose, Costa Rica

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Expats in San Jose often find the language barrier to be a challenge due to the dominance of Spanish in Costa Rica's culture. Additionally, the structure of Costa Rican society, which puts a high level of importance on community, family, and tradition, can be unfamiliar to expats from countries with more individualistic cultures. Furthermore, expats may also find it difficult to adjust to Costa Rica's slower-paced lifestyle, particularly those who are used to larger cities with a vast array of entertainment and activities.