Costa Rica Forum

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.

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.

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 talks about being retired in Escazu, Costa Rica. She appreciates leaving the rat race behind, meeting others through expat groups and volunteering, that buying a property is much easier than selling one, the need for private health insurance in Costa Rica and more.

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.