Things will go wrong when you move to Costa Rica. Not might. Will.
That is not meant to scare you. It is meant to prepare you. Whether you are in the middle of a scouting trip, freshly relocated, or settling into your first year, something will not go according to plan. The Airbnb you booked might not have windows (yes, that actually happened to one of our clients). Your rental car might break down on a road Waze has never heard of. You might arrive in a town you were excited about and immediately feel like it is not the right fit.
The good news? Every single one of those problems is solvable. And the way you respond to them will tell you more about your readiness for life in Costa Rica than any amount of research ever could.
It Is Not a Matter of If, It Is When
At Your Pura Vida, we work with families at every stage of the relocation process. At any given time, we might have five or six families on the ground scouting, a couple in the middle of active relocations, and others who moved months ago and are still finding their rhythm. Across all of them, one truth remains constant: unexpected challenges are part of the experience.
Here is a sampling of real situations our clients have faced:
- Booked the wrong dates on an Airbnb
- Arrived at an Airbnb that had no windows
- Rental car broke down in an unfamiliar area
- Could not figure out how to use Waze on Costa Rican roads
- Received a parking ticket with no idea how to pay it
- Wi-Fi stopped working in the middle of a remote workday
- Visited a town on the scouting itinerary and felt unsafe
None of these are catastrophic. But in the moment, when you are thousands of miles from everything familiar, they can feel overwhelming. That is completely normal. What matters is what you do next.
Step 1: Stop and Breathe
This is the advice we give every single client, and it is the same advice we needed when we first moved here ourselves. When something goes wrong, the instinct is to panic, to try to fix everything immediately, to spiral into worst-case scenarios.
Do not do that.
Pull over. Step out of the car. Walk around the block. Sit on a bench. Take five minutes to just breathe and remind yourself that this is going to be okay. Aaron has pulled into random parking lots in Costa Rica more times than he can count, simply to calm down and reset before getting back on the road. There is no shame in pressing pause.
One of the beautiful things about Costa Rica is that the pace of life here supports this. Nothing moves so fast that you cannot afford to take a moment. Use that to your advantage.
Step 2: Remember That Nothing Is Permanent
Just because you booked an Airbnb does not mean you have to stay there. Just because your scouting trip itinerary says you are visiting four towns does not mean those are the only towns you can visit. The process is meant to be exploratory, and plans are meant to be adjusted.
This applies well beyond the scouting phase. Even after you have relocated, you are still exploring. People who live in the same town often experience it in completely different ways. They shop at different stores, eat at different restaurants, and build different routines. You will find your version of your town over time.
The key mindset shift is this: adaptability is not a sign of failure. It is how life works here. Costa Rica has a way of teaching you to let go of rigid expectations. Lean into that instead of fighting it.
Step 3: Reach Out for Help
If you are working with Your Pura Vida, this is exactly what we are here for. Whether it is rerouting your scouting itinerary because a town did not feel right, helping you navigate a flat tire situation, or simply talking you through a moment of doubt, that is our job.
We built this company specifically because we did not have this kind of support when we moved to Costa Rica. Aaron moved here without a safety net. Patrick was figuring things out alone. We know what it feels like to be in a foreign country with a problem and no one to call. That is why we exist: so that you do not have to do this by yourself.
A WhatsApp message or an email to hola@yourpuravida.com is all it takes. We will listen, help you problem-solve, and get you back on track.
Step 4: Look for the Helpers
Beyond your support team, there are people all around you who can help. This is something many newcomers to Costa Rica underestimate. Ticos are genuinely, remarkably helpful.
Aaron tells a story about getting a flat tire at the beach early in his time here. He could not find the jack, had no idea how to change the tire, and was starting to stress. A group of Ticos pulled up, hopped out of their truck, basically moved Aaron aside, changed the tire, and drove off like it was nothing. That kind of thing happens here regularly.
Your Airbnb host is a resource. Your neighbors are resources. The person working at the local hardware store is a resource. When something breaks or goes wrong, walk into a local shop, explain your problem (even with limited Spanish), and watch how willing people are to help you find a solution.
Being a little vulnerable and asking for help is not weakness. It is one of the fastest ways to start building the kind of community connections that will make Costa Rica feel like home.
Step 5: Be Resourceful
We have a word for this: MacGyver it. Life in Costa Rica requires a certain amount of creative problem-solving. Things do not always work the way they do back home. Parts are not always readily available. Processes take longer. Systems are different.
The people who thrive here are the ones who can look at a problem, take stock of what they have available, and figure out a workable solution. It does not have to be perfect. It just has to work.
This is actually one of the reasons we encourage our scouting clients to stay in Airbnbs rather than hotels. At a hotel, you call the front desk and someone fixes your problem. In an Airbnb, you have to figure it out yourself. That is the litmus test. If you cannot problem-solve during a scouting trip, daily life after relocating will feel much harder.
Step 6: Ask the Right People
When you need advice, make sure you are asking people who have actually been through what you are facing. Not people who visited Costa Rica once on vacation. Not people who read about it online. Not people back home who have never lived abroad. Ask the people who have done it before you.
One of our clients relocated to a community with an active WhatsApp group. In his first weeks, he was messaging us four or five times a day with questions and concerns. Gradually, he found his footing. He started asking neighbors. He joined the WhatsApp group. He got comfortable going to the big hardware store in town and asking staff for help. Now he barely contacts us, because he has built his own local support system. That is exactly how it should work.
This is why community matters so much. The people around you who have already navigated the common mistakes and found their rhythm have practical knowledge that no blog post or YouTube video can fully replace.
Why We Actually Want Some Things to Go Wrong
This might sound counterintuitive, but we genuinely hope you encounter a few problems during your scouting trip. Not big problems. Not dangerous ones. But the small, manageable challenges that force you to figure things out.
Your something-or-other does not work anymore? Great. Now you get to go to a store and figure out how to fix it. You lost a key? Wonderful. Go find a locksmith and get a copy made. These are the moments that build confidence and prove to yourself that you can actually do this.
The entire point of a scouting trip is to test whether this life works for you. If everything goes perfectly, you have not really tested anything. The small hiccups are where the real learning happens, and each one you navigate successfully is another data point telling you that yes, you can build a life here.
Building Your Support Network Early
One of the best things you can do, whether you are scouting or newly relocated, is start building your local network from day one. Join neighborhood WhatsApp groups. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Find the local shops where people know your face.
This is not just about having people to call when things go wrong. It is about creating the foundation for a life that feels connected and supported. Costa Rica rewards people who engage with their communities. The more you put yourself out there, the more the country gives back.
If you are considering a move and want to talk through what this process actually looks like, we would love to hear from you. Book a free call and let us walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common problems people face when moving to Costa Rica?
The most common challenges include housing surprises (Airbnbs or rentals that do not match expectations), transportation issues (car trouble, navigation confusion, parking tickets), connectivity problems (unreliable Wi-Fi), and the emotional challenge of adapting to a different pace and culture. None of these are insurmountable, but they do require patience and flexibility.
How do I handle an emergency during a scouting trip in Costa Rica?
First, stay calm and assess the situation. If it is a true emergency, dial 911 (it works in Costa Rica). For non-emergencies like car trouble or housing issues, contact your relocation support team, your Airbnb host, or local neighbors. Ticos are incredibly helpful, and most problems can be solved by simply asking someone nearby for assistance.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed after moving to Costa Rica?
Absolutely. Feeling overwhelmed is a completely normal part of the relocation process. Even people who have planned extensively and done thorough scouting trips experience moments of doubt. The key is to give yourself grace, lean on your support network, and remember that the discomfort is temporary. Most people find their rhythm within the first few months.
What should I do if the town I chose does not feel right?
Explore other options. Nothing is permanent. If you are on a scouting trip, adjust your itinerary. If you have already relocated, remember that Costa Rica offers many different living environments across the Central Valley, beach towns, and mountain communities. Many people move to a second or even third town before finding the place that truly fits.
How can I build a support network in Costa Rica?
Start by connecting with your immediate neighbors and your Airbnb host or landlord. Join local WhatsApp groups for your community. Visit the same shops and restaurants regularly so people get to know you. Work with a relocation service like Your Pura Vida that provides ongoing support. Over time, these connections become the foundation of your life here.
Take the First Step
If you are considering a move to Costa Rica and want honest, hands-on guidance from people who have been through it themselves, book a free scouting call with Your Pura Vida. We will help you plan your scouting trip, navigate the unexpected, and figure out if Costa Rica is the right fit for your life.