Thanks to its beautiful weather, proximity to the ocean, and stable government, Costa Rica seems like a dream location for many people.
However, as with any other location, Costa Rica has pros and cons for anyone thinking about living there to consider.
Key Takeaways
- Costa Rica offers gorgeous scenery, many beaches, and abundant wildlife.
- Although the weather is mostly mild, a rainy season and hot summers can be uncomfortable.
- Costa Rica is known for its democratic government and political stability.
- Most people in Costa Rica enjoy a healthy lifestyle, and life expectancy is high.
- Living in Costa Rica is inexpensive, and healthcare is affordable.
- It can be difficult to gain residency in Costa Rica unless you make a certain amount from investments or pension plans.
- Road conditions are poor.
- Wait times for services, healthcare, and mail can be much longer than in the U.S.
Landscapes and Wildlife
Costa Rica is nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and the country itself is long and narrow.
This means that much of Costa Rica is located not far from a beach, and the landscape is gorgeous.
Anyone who lives in Costa Rica can enjoy walking on or viewing the beach, swimming in warm waters, and enjoying the lush, tropical landscape.
Costa Rica is also home to an abundance of plants and animals. People can often spot toucans, ocelots, whales, hummingbirds, monkeys, orchids, coconut palms, heliconias, and water hyacinths.
Weather and Natural Disasters
For most of the year, Costa Rica is warm and humid. Temperatures generally hover around 80 degrees throughout much of the country. Coastal areas are slightly warmer than the interior of the country.
From December through April, there is little rain and most days are beautiful.
From May through November, however, temperatures can be hot, reaching up to 90 degrees in some regions. Paired with high humidity, this can make being outdoors quite uncomfortable.
Costa Rica also has a rainy season in September and October, and rain can fall all day for many days in a row during these months.
In total, the country gets about 100 inches of rainfall each year, and, during the rainy season, about 15 inches of rainfall.
Costa Rica is also prone to earthquakes. Although most earthquakes are mild, some areas experience frequent earthquakes, and the country experiences about 10,000 earthquakes each year in total.
These earthquakes are usually simply annoying, but they can occasionally be dangerous, and larger earthquakes can cause tsunamis.
25 Top places to see in Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano: One of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes, located in Arenal Volcano National Park, offering hiking, hot springs, and stunning views.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: A unique ecosystem with misty forests, abundant wildlife, and thrilling activities like canopy tours and hanging bridges.
Manuel Antonio National Park: Known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife, including monkeys and sloths.
Tortuguero National Park: Famous for its turtle nesting sites, this park features canals, lagoons, and rich biodiversity.
Corcovado National Park: Located on the Osa Peninsula, this park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, offering incredible wildlife viewing.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park: Home to the active Rincón de la Vieja volcano, the park offers hiking, hot springs, and mud pots.
Tamarindo: A popular beach town known for its great surfing, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches.
Poás Volcano: An active volcano with one of the largest craters in the world, located in Poás Volcano National Park.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens: A private nature reserve featuring waterfalls, a butterfly observatory, and a wildlife sanctuary.
Guanacaste: A region known for its stunning Pacific coast beaches, dry tropical forests, and adventure activities.
Jaco: A lively beach town offering surfing, nightlife, and proximity to national parks and adventure tours.
Osa Peninsula: A remote region with pristine rainforests, incredible biodiversity, and excellent opportunities for ecotourism.
Santa Teresa: A laid-back beach town known for its great surf breaks, yoga retreats, and stunning sunsets.
San José: The capital city, offering cultural attractions such as museums, theaters, and historic buildings.
Carara National Park: Located near Jaco, this park is famous for its scarlet macaws and diverse bird species.
Cahuita National Park: A coastal park known for its coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and lush rainforests.
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens: A beautiful attraction featuring butterfly exhibits, a medicinal plant garden, and a reptile exhibit.
Playa Conchal: A stunning beach on the Pacific coast known for its unique white sand made from crushed shells.
Nicoya Peninsula: A beautiful region with beaches, wildlife reserves, and charming towns like Nosara and Montezuma.
Arenal Hanging Bridges: A network of suspension bridges in the rainforest, offering spectacular views and wildlife sightings.
Pacuare River: One of the best white-water rafting destinations in the world, offering thrilling rapids and beautiful scenery.
Celeste River (Río Celeste): Known for its striking turquoise-blue waters, located in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Palo Verde National Park: A birdwatcher’s paradise with wetlands, mangroves, and abundant wildlife.
Dominical: A coastal village known for its surfing beaches, lush rainforests, and laid-back atmosphere.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: A Caribbean beach town with beautiful beaches, Afro-Caribbean culture, and vibrant nightlife.
Political Stability
For decades, Costa Rica has been recognized as a beacon of political stability.
The Costa Rican government is elected through fair voting, and the government utilizes strong checks and balances, similar to the United States government, to ensure that no one branch or person retains too much power.
Costa Rica’s government often advocates for human and environmental rights, and the country is so committed to peace that there is no standing army.
Because the country isn’t paying for an army, the national budget is healthy, and excess money that would otherwise have gone into maintaining a military instead goes towards social services for Costa Ricans.
Lifestyle
Costa Ricans tend to enjoy healthy lifestyles. The main food staples are healthy fruits and vegetables, plus plenty of seafood.
Because there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy, from walking along the beach to mountain biking, people are generally active. This leads to a long life expectancy.
The life expectancy in the United States is about 77 years old, which is five to six years higher than in some other developed countries.
In Costa Rica, the average life expectancy is 79 years old, and that number has been steadily drawing closer to 80.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Costa Rica is relatively low, especially compared with the United States. Most people living in Costa Rica can expect to spend between about $1,400 and $4,000 per month.
Most people will only spend between $1,000 and $2,000 per month, and this includes housing. In the U.S., the average cost of living is about $5,000 per month, per person.
Housing is also extremely affordable in Costa Rica. If you want a big apartment in one of Costa Rica’s cities, you can usually find one for $1,000 or less per month, and a house can cost as little as $100,000.
A large home with up to four bedrooms can cost as little as $300,000 and usually averages about $350,000.
Healthcare
Healthcare isn’t free in Costa Rica, but it is very affordable. The Costa Rican National Insurance Institute covers about 80% of all healthcare costs, which keeps healthcare below $250 per month for most people.
Most people will spend much less than this on healthcare, and many will only spend about $60 per month.
Immigration and Residency
Gaining residency and immigration status in Costa Rica can be tricky. Most people will spend about two years gaining residency in the country.
They will also need to prove that they have made $2,500 per month or more for the last two years, or they’ll need to deposit at least $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank.
These people must own their own company or freelance and cannot work as employees.
People looking to gain residency can also become investors in Costa Rican businesses, but they must invest at least $200,000.
Other people with a first-degree relative who is a Costa Rican may have an easier time gaining residency.
The easiest way for U.S. citizens to immigrate to Costa Rica is through the Pensionado plan.
This plan is designed for retirees who make $600 or more per month from their pension or retirement fund or anyone who makes $1,000 or more per month from investment income.
This process still takes about two years, however.
Road Conditions
Although Costa Rica is a clean, safe country, its road conditions are often very poor. Some people may find that their car has become damaged simply from driving over Costa Rica’s roads.
Many native Costa Ricans also drive quickly and with little regard for road rules. Accidents are common, and this type of driving can make it hazardous for pedestrians.
Long Wait Times for Services and Mail
Costa Ricans often have a relaxed schedule, so if you call for any type of maintenance, you may find that the wait time is long.
Mail also takes a long time to move to and around Costa Rica, and wait times for healthcare can also be lengthy.