For a long time, Costa Rica had been high on our bucket list. Actually it was high on our consideration list back in winter 2024, but ended up going to Texas, US (Psst Check out our video from that roadtrip). The idea of jungles, incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle felt like exactly what we have always been looking for. Now was the time for that experience!

Why We Came to Costa Rica

For a long time, Costa Rica had been high on our bucket list. Actually it was high on our consideration list back in winter 2024, but ended up going to Texas, US (Psst Check out our video from that roadtrip). The idea of jungles, incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle felt like exactly what we have always been looking for. Now was the time for that experience!

After spending months planning and dreaming about it, we finally made the move and decided to live our lives in Costa Rica for over 3 months. Enough time to actually settle down a bit and get into the Pura Vida vibe and rhythm. We came here expecting a tropical paradise filled with nature, adventure, and simplicity.

Now, after more than two months of living here, we can honestly say: some things were exactly as we imagined — others surprised us more than we expected.

If you’re specifically looking for beach recommendations, we’ve also written a full guide to the best beaches in Costa Rica we visited, based on our experience exploring both coasts.

***Disclaimer, this blog is based on our experience in Costa Rica and from visiting and living in the south of Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula (Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay), Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Cocles.

Things We Wish We Knew Before Coming to Costa Rica

Looking back, there are a few things we wish we had known in advance:

• Costa Rica is more expensive than expected
• The humidity can be intense
• Weather varies significantly (a lot) between regions and times a year
• Wildlife is amazing — but not necessarily guaranteed everywhere and also changes a lot depending on region
• The ocean is not always calm or ideal for snorkeling or swimming – and might not be the tropical beach you are hoping for! Maybe better, maybe not.

Knowing these things beforehand would have helped us prepare even better — but they are also part of what makes the experience real and unique, and honestly we wouldn’t have liked it more any other way!

Cost of Living – More Expensive Than Expected?

One of the biggest surprises has been the cost of living in Costa Rica.

Before arriving, we had the impression that Costa Rica would be relatively affordable compared to many Western countries, of course more expensive than other American countries, but still. While that can be true in some areas, the reality is more nuanced in our opinion.

Groceries and supermarkets

Supermarket prices are generally higher than expected. Imported goods are especially expensive, and even basic items can add up quickly. Eating like you would at home in Europe or North America can become costly. 

Fruit prices

This was one of the most surprising things. In a country known for its tropical fruit, we expected fruit to be very cheap. While local fruit can be affordable in some places, such as Papaya fruit as an example, prices were often much higher than we had imagined (some higher than in Denmark). Check out our YouTube Vlog from Week 4 for more info about the prices.

Eating out

Restaurants vary a lot. Local “sodas” can be reasonably priced, while more tourist-focused restaurants are significantly more expensive. The price range is somewhat about what we expect in Denmark (Which often is considered a fairly expensive country to visit).

Activities and tours

Many experiences – especially guided tours and national parks – come at a higher price point than expected. The tour that surprised us the most was a guided tour to Corcovado National Park from Puerto Jiménez, which quickly cost more than 145 dollars for a group day tour. Not saying it isn’t necessarily worth it, but still a higher price than we had expected. 

Overall, Costa Rica is not a typical budget destination. It’s closer to European price levels in many aspects.

Weather – Tropical Paradise… But Also Extreme

Costa Rica’s weather is beautiful — but also more intense and way more unpredictable than we had ever expected. Don’t look at the forecast, just go and look towards the sky. At times, have a plan A and a plan B depending on the weather! We always have some sort of waterproof bag for our phones/camera when bringing them with us. Just in case. Weather can change quickly — and out of nowhere.

Caribbean side

On the Caribbean side, we experienced extremely high humidity and frequent rain for the first 3 weeks we were there in february. Even on days without heavy rainfall and with plenty of sun, the air feels constantly moist, and clothes and towels take a long time to dry. Look out for your clothes and gear and do what you can to dry it and keep it from molding away, if you are there for a longer period. Free flowing air is key! Keep the fan on, windows and doors open as much as possible. And lay something on top of your bags and clothes (like a pillow case, sheet or something like that).

Pacific side

On the Pacific side – especially around Puerto Jiménez — it was the opposite in some ways: very hot, strong sun, and intense heat during the day. Remember sunscreen as the UV index typically will be 13+ between 10:30 and 15:30. Speaking from experience. 😉  

Rain reality

Rain in Costa Rica is not always light and gentle. It often comes as sudden, heavy tropical downpours. It can be refreshing — but also something you have to plan around.

The tropical climate is part of what makes Costa Rica special and such a lush paradise, but it’s definitely something to be prepared for. Also, can’t mention enough, but don’t look at forecasts as they mean next to nothing here. Costa Rica has 12 different climates and the weather can change in a blink of an eye. Best to just go, look up and see what the weather is actually like.

Wildlife – Even Better Than Expected

If there is one area where Costa Rica exceeded our expectations, it’s wildlife!

We hoped to see animals, and a lot of them — but we didn’t expect to see this many…

Monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, lizards, and other wildlife have been a regular part of our daily life while being here. Literally daily. Some places offer incredible opportunities to see animals without even trying too hard. As an example you have Puerto Jiménez where you have to walk with closed eyes and ear plugs to avoid hearing AND seeing 20 Macaws in an hour. The place is filled with them! Sloths on the other hand, you just gotta go to Puerto Viejo/Cocles area to spot. We managed to spot no less than 23 in just 2 hours while not even actively looking for them!

At the same time, it’s worth noting that wildlife still sometimes requires patience. Not every location guarantees sightings, but when it happens, it feels truly special. Such as spotting the Great Green Macaws in Cocles. Only about 300 left in Costa Rica in the wild (there’s only about 1000 left worldwide, and Costa Rica is the only place in the world where you can see them in the wild.) — If you wanna know a little secret spot of ours, where you have a good chance of seeing them, you should watch this YouTube Vlog from our time in Costa Rica. Also, Ara Project in Manzanillo will almost guarantee you sightings of them, they are doing a large Great Green Macaw Reintroduction Project through breeding and supplemental feeding. 

For anyone interested in nature and animals, Costa Rica is an incredible destination.

The Ocean – Not Always Calm

Before coming to Costa Rica, we imagined calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

The reality is a bit different. At least some of the time…

The ocean is often more powerful and rougher than expected. The biggest surprise to us was on the Caribbean side, where we had bigger expectations of calmer waters. Maybe it was due to the season and wind? But, waves can be strong, and currents can make swimming more challenging and we saw many red flags on the beaches. Also diving on the Pacific side near Caño Island involved some very strong currents, which we talk a bit more about in our Week 5 Vlog.

This means that the overall snorkeling opportunities were more limited to us than we had anticipated even though we had expected Cahuita to be filled with snorkeling, but waves were simply too big for us to be going out.

That said, the beaches themselves are still stunning — wild, raw, and beautiful in a different way than we had ever imagined. Check out some of our pictures from some of the beaches we were at. If you’re curious about where we actually found the best beaches, we’ve put together a full guide to the best beaches in Costa Rica we visited, including both the Pacific and Caribbean coast, what to expect, and which ones are actually worth your time.

A Place That Surprised Us – Puerto Jiménez

One of the absolute biggest highlights of our time in Costa Rica has been Puerto Jiménez.

We ended up staying there for three weeks, even though we were actually only supposed to be there for 2 days — and it completely exceeded our expectations. Interested in knowing more about the change of plans? Watch our Vlog from week 2 or read or Diary input from day 8 here. 

What stood out the most in Puerto Jiménez:

• Incredible access to a variety of wildlife
• Very few tourists
• A relaxed and authentic atmosphere
• Extremely friendly and welcoming locals
• Lots of opportunity for guided tours if wanted (we didn’t feel the need for it)

This was our very first real encounter with a large variety of wildlife! The red Macaws were especially on the top of our list for our time in Puerto Jiménez. But this is also the first time we saw sloths outside a national park, countless toucans, and we even managed to see all 4 types of monkey species Costa Rica has (pretty up close too). Phenomenal…

It felt like a place where you truly experienced the real Costa Rica. People greet each other when walking, driving or riding their bike, they say good morning, afternoon, evening and take their time. Often all the words needed are Hola, Buenas, Pura Vida. And of course a smile!

For us, this became one of the most memorable places we’ve visited so far.

If you’re interested in beaches around this area, some of our absolute favorites were also located near Puerto Jiménez, which we’ve covered in our Costa Rica beach guide.

Things We Didn’t Expect

There were several smaller things that surprised us along the way:

Humidity

The constant humidity — especially on the Caribbean side — was more intense than expected.

Bugs and insects

Mosquitoes, ants, and other insects are part of daily life. It’s not overwhelming, but definitely noticeable. Also, spiders.. Lots of spiders. Of course we expected there to be bugs and insects, but not them being so big and many different types.

Infrastructure

Roads can be rough, and travel times are often longer than expected, even for short distances. Best worst case, we took a bus from San José to Cahuita, which was supposed to take 4-4,5 hours — ended up taking over 6,5 hours. It happens, so make sure to put that into your schedule as well. But, we must say that overall road conditions are actually pretty decent.

Internet and connectivity

Some places have great WiFi (Such as our WorkAway place Treevana), while others are more unreliable — something to consider if you work online or are in constant need for WiFi connection. And then there are the power outs. They happen. Often the power is quickly back on, but in bad weather it can take several hours for it to be back. (Pro tip, unplug your stuff if power goes out as the first power back can be ‘bad’ and higher risk of damaging your stuff.)

Friendliness of Locals

One of the most positive aspects of Costa Rica has been the people.

In many places — especially outside the main tourist areas — locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Simple things like greeting each other, smiling, and being open to conversation make a big difference. Especially if you either speak Spanish or feel like wanting to learn the language as we did.

In places like Puerto Jiménez, this stood out even more. There’s a genuine sense of community and warmth that adds a lot to the overall experience.

Final Thoughts – Is Costa Rica Worth It?

After two months of living in Costa Rica, the answer is clear: YES — but with realistic expectations.

Costa Rica is not the cheapest destination, and it’s not always the easy, picture-perfect paradise you might imagine. The weather can be intense, and daily life can be different from what you’re used to. 

But at the same time, it offers something truly special:

• Incredible biodiversity
• Unique wildlife experiences (seriously!!!)
• Beautiful and raw nature
• A relaxed and welcoming culture

For us, the positives clearly outweigh the few surprises we had.

Costa Rica has not only met many of our expectations, it has by far exceeded most of them! — it has also challenged them in ways that made the experience even more memorable.

We would by all chances recommend Costa Rica to everybody who enjoys wildlife, slow living and amazing nature. 

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Hi there! We are Ditte & Benjamin, a couple going for our dream. We have said goodbye to our known life in Denmark, and hello to an unknown life abroad.

Tag along on our adventure as we explore the wide world, tell stories, embrace the journey and create a life where every horizon is just the beginning. Sharing raw, authentic, and breathtaking moments from a life without limits.