Living abroad is one of the most fulfilling decisions a person can make. But it is also real life. And real life does not pause just because you chose to live in another country.
In this deeply personal video, Patrick Jager, co-founder of Your Pura Vida, opens up about what happens when life at home demands your full attention, and how to hold onto your Costa Rica dream even when everything else feels uncertain.
Why So Many People Leave Costa Rica Within Two Years
We hear the numbers constantly. A significant percentage of people who move to Costa Rica end up returning to their home country within two years. And while every situation is different, the reasons tend to follow familiar patterns.
Many people move without the right guidance or support structure in place. They arrive with expectations shaped by vacation memories or social media, and when the reality of daily life sets in, the gap between what they imagined and what they experience can feel overwhelming. The common mistakes people make when moving to Costa Rica often come down to skipping critical planning steps.
Others underestimate the emotional weight of the transition. Language barriers, cultural differences, adapting to a new pace of life, and the sheer energy it takes to rebuild routines in a foreign country can wear people down. Some choose the wrong town, the wrong climate, or the wrong lifestyle pace. And if they cannot be flexible enough to try a different part of Costa Rica, they head home.
This is exactly why we built Your Pura Vida. After Patrick and his family and Aaron made their own moves and saw how many people struggled without proper support, we decided to help families think through every aspect of this decision before they commit. That is what scouting is for: slowing down, asking the right questions, and making sure Costa Rica is genuinely the right fit.
When Life Pulls You Back Home
But there is another group of people who leave Costa Rica, and their story is different. These are people who love it here. They have built a life, made friends, found their rhythm. And then something happens that is completely outside their control.
A parent gets sick. An adult child needs support. A spouse receives a diagnosis. Financial circumstances shift. Caregiving responsibilities grow. Life back home does not stop just because you moved thousands of miles away.
Both of these realities are valid. Choosing to leave because Costa Rica was not the right fit is valid. Needing to leave because life demands it is valid. Neither means that Costa Rica failed you or that you failed at living abroad.
Patrick’s Story
This is where the video becomes deeply personal.
Patrick has spent the past year and a half navigating between Costa Rica and the United States as his husband has undergone cancer treatment. The specific treatment his husband needed was not available in Costa Rica, which meant going back to where they previously lived for extended periods.
That illness is terminal. And as Patrick shared in the video, if you are watching it, the journey has reached its end.
On top of this, Patrick has been helping his adult son navigate grief in his mid-twenties, while also managing the care of his sister who has a disability. These are the kinds of responsibilities that do not wait. They do not care about time zones or international borders.
Patrick does not see any of this as a failure. He does not see it as the end of his life abroad. He sees it as life, and life asking him to be present for the people he loves most.
He is taking a leave of absence. Not leaving Costa Rica permanently. Stepping back from some of his day-to-day responsibilities to grieve, to be with his family, and to find clarity. He describes it as a kind of vision quest, figuring out how all the pieces of his life fit together going forward.
And that is a profoundly honest thing to share publicly. We are grateful he was willing to do it.
Living Abroad Is Not Binary
One of the most important messages in this video is that life abroad does not have to be all or nothing. We see this with our clients all the time. Some come for a season of the year. Some maintain a base in both countries. Some come for a defined chapter of life, knowing they will return home afterward.
We have had clients tell us they want two years in Costa Rica and then plan to move back. That is a completely valid approach. We have neighbors who travel between Costa Rica and the United States for medical treatment and then come home to their Costa Rican community. These are not stories of failure. They are stories of people building lives that work for their actual circumstances.
The key insight Patrick shares is this: for your life in Costa Rica to work, your life as a whole has to work. You cannot ignore aging parents, a child who needs you, a health crisis, or financial pressure and expect your life abroad to feel sustainable. The qualities that make someone successful living abroad include flexibility, self-awareness, and the willingness to adjust the plan when circumstances change.
What This Means for You
Whether you are already living in Costa Rica, actively planning a move, or still in the dreaming stage, here is what we want you to take away from Patrick’s story:
You are allowed to pause. Taking time away from Costa Rica to deal with something at home is not giving up. It is being responsible.
You are allowed to pivot. Maybe your original plan was full-time living, but now part-time makes more sense. That is not a downgrade.
You are allowed to not have it all figured out. Come to us with your uncertainty. Come with the messy, complicated version of your life. That is what we are here for.
You are allowed to come back. Costa Rica is not going anywhere. The mountains, the beaches, the communities you love will still be here when you are ready.
Our job at Your Pura Vida is to help you clarify your why, understand your realities, and build a plan that aligns with the life you actually have. Not a fantasy version of it. The real version, with all its complications and responsibilities and beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I need to move back to my home country after relocating to Costa Rica?
Moving back does not mean your time in Costa Rica was wasted or that the decision was wrong. Many people return for family reasons, health issues, or financial changes. You can maintain your residency, keep your property, and return when circumstances allow. Life abroad is not a one-way door.
Can I live in Costa Rica part-time instead of moving there permanently?
Absolutely. Many of our clients split their time between Costa Rica and their home country. Some come for the dry season, some for several months at a time, and some maintain homes in both locations. We help you design an arrangement that fits your life.
Is the healthcare system in Costa Rica good enough for serious medical conditions?
Costa Rica has an excellent healthcare system, both public (CCSS/Caja) and private. However, some specialized treatments may not be available here. It is important to understand your healthcare needs and factor them into your relocation planning. Many people maintain health coverage in both countries.
How do I handle caregiving responsibilities for family back home while living in Costa Rica?
This is one of the most common challenges for people living abroad. Direct flights to major U.S. and Canadian cities make it possible to travel back regularly. Many of our clients build their Costa Rica life with this flexibility in mind, choosing locations with good airport access and maintaining strong communication systems with family at home.
Take the Next Step
If you are thinking about moving to Costa Rica, or if you are already here and navigating something difficult, we are here to help. Come to us with your questions, your uncertainty, even your mess. We will help you think through what Costa Rica could look like for you, whether that is full-time, part-time, or just for a season of life.
Book a free scouting call with our team and let us help you build a plan that actually fits your life.