Do you celebrate your Costa Rica expat anniversary?
I'll never forget the conversation that made me realize how real the expat struggle is. My 13-year-old daughter, Taya, had been living in Costa Rica for just over six months, and I could tell something was wrong. She was struggling to make friends—not just with the local kids due to the language barrier, but even with the English-speaking expat children.
One night, I finally asked her what was going on. Her response broke my heart.
"No matter how hard I try to make friends, all the kids say the same thing," she said, rolling her eyes with that signature teen attitude. Using air quotes, she mimicked them: "Come back and talk to us after you've been here for two years! You'll understand if your family makes it that long!"
We expected challenges when we moved from the US to Costa Rica. Culture shock, language barriers, bureaucratic nightmares—sure. But being rejected by our own peers? That one caught us off guard.
Looking back now, I understand why people put up those walls. So many expat families leave within the first year that investing in new friendships can feel pointless. But that night, through tears and girl talk, Taya and I made a pact: if we hit the one-year, two-year, and five-year marks, we'd celebrate them. And we'd never make anyone feel excluded based on how long they'd lived here.
Little did I know just how significant those milestones would become.
Why the One-Year Mark Matters
If you're reading this and you've made it through your first year as a Costa Rica expat, stop right now and celebrate. Seriously. Pop some champagne, treat yourself to a nice dinner, do something special—because you've accomplished something most people don't.
About 50% of new expats leave within the first year.
By now, you've survived Costa Rica's dry season, green season, and rainy season. You've experienced the unique challenges each one brings. You've probably given up on people showing up on time (or even on the right day). And if you're anything like me, you've lost all sense of what day of the week it is.
Let me walk you through what that first year really looks like.
Understanding Costa Rica's Seasons
The seasons vary depending on which side of the continental divide you're on. Costa Rica also has microclimates, meaning the weather can change drastically within just a few miles. We've spent our time on the Pacific side in a small village called Marbella, so I'll use that as my reference point.
The Dry Season: February to April
In February and March, powerful winds descend from Lake Nicaragua, affecting beaches, cities, and mountains across the country. No matter where I traveled, it felt like the wind followed me. Getting sandblasted on a Costa Rica beach? Not exactly my idea of paradise.
My surfer friends, however, live for this time of year. The winds create perfect conditions for big waves.
April brings scorching heat—often in the high 90s, sometimes over 100°F—but at least the winds die down, making beach days and pool afternoons more enjoyable.
Here's the catch: running your AC constantly to escape the heat can drain your budget fast. I've seen utility bills exceed $600 during this season. It's enough to send people packing.
If you've made it through the dry season without blowing your budget or losing your mind, congratulations. You've earned that celebratory drink.
The Green Season: May to Early June
One morning, you wake up and notice the air feels different—thick with humidity. The flowers and trees burst into life practically overnight. What you thought was already green explodes into a jungle of vibrant color. There are so many shades of green you couldn't count them if you tried.
If you've acclimated to the dry season heat, this cooler, damper weather might actually make you cold. Our family starts pulling out flannels and fuzzy socks during this time.
This year, our property was filled with millions of fireflies. At night, the jungle would light up like a magical forest. We'd spend hours lying in hammocks, watching them dance through the darkness. Every morning brought new plant and animal life. You could literally sit on the porch and watch the trees bud before your eyes.
My husband, Steve, says this is his favorite time of year—it reminds him of spring back in the US.
Living in a New World (and Dealing with the Bugs)
But with every fairytale comes a reality check. For me, it was the bugs.
Millipedes, beetles, tarantulas, scorpions, black ants—they all come out during the green season. And they don't just stay outside. They move in like unwanted houseguests. This has been one of my biggest adjustments, especially since Marbella has more bugs than Langosta or Tamarindo.
By the six-month mark, many expats start to feel homesick. The "vacation feeling" wears off, and reality sets in. You miss your family. You miss familiar comforts. The culture shock hits harder.
I hit my lowest point around this time. Missing my parents and kids felt unbearable. I kept a journal where I wrote down the good and the bad—for every negative, I had to find two positives. I also kept my bucket list close as a reminder of why I'd moved here in the first place. Video calls with family and friends back home helped too.
Tip: As the rains begin, mosquitoes arrive in full force. Costa Rican mosquitoes can carry Chikungunya and Dengue, so stock up on bug spray. Deep Woods Off is my go-to. Bring it from the US—it's expensive here. Pack it in Ziploc bags to prevent leaks.
Note: TSA allows travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less in carry-on bags. Check the Department of Homeland Security website for current regulations.
The Rainy Season: June to October
This is my favorite time of year. I look forward to it during those scorching dry months.
But let me be clear: these rains are not for the faint of heart.
The rainy season ramps up in June and July. By August, flooding becomes common. September and October bring the heaviest downpours—torrential rains that can last for weeks. Muddy roads turn into rivers within minutes.
We lose many expat friends during this season. Some can't handle the relentless rain. Others struggle with the isolation. For me, it was the mold that nearly broke me. No matter how much you clean, it grows on everything—clothes, walls, furniture, books.
**Tip:** Here's a game-changer: Pledge wood cleaner. You can find it at almost any store in Costa Rica, and it actually helps prevent mold on furniture and wooden surfaces. Stock up and use it regularly during rainy season—it's been a lifesaver for us.
**Tip:** Pack a lightweight, packable rain jacket that fits into its own pocket. Keep it in your backpack or beach bag at all times.
Reflecting on Five Years
As I write this, I'm sitting in the dark. The power went out at 3 a.m. when lightning struck during a thunderstorm. The thunder shook the walls, the lightning lit up the room like daylight, and then—pitch black. Just the beeping of our emergency battery backup.
I looked at my phone: 3:00 a.m.
Five years ago, at this exact time, I was scrubbing the bathroom of our family home—the house we'd owned for 17 years, the house where our kids had grown up. In less than 24 hours, we'd close on the sale, board a plane, and move 3,500 miles away to a country I'd never even visited.
I was terrified.
I'd never spent more than 14 days outside my birth country. My anxiety was through the roof. As I scrubbed that bathroom floor, I remember thinking, "Have we completely lost my mind? What am I doing??"
If I could go back and talk to that scared version of myself, here's what I'd say:
"Anything worth doing should scare you—or you're not dreaming big enough. You've got this. Take it one day at a time. Be open to change. If life throws you crap, it's okay to adjust the dream. Just check in with yourself to make sure you're not running away from it. And girl? Your dreams are big, but you're capable of even more. Dream bigger."
Celebrate Your Milestones
When you hit your milestones—one year, two years, five years—celebrate them. Even if others don't understand why. This is your journey, not theirs.
Today, I'm checking off a major item on my bucket list. The Cut the Crap house is celebrating our five-year anniversary all week long.
To everyone who's been part of our journey—thank you. Your messages, words of encouragement, late-night calls, and shoulders to cry on have meant everything. I couldn't have done this without you.
To my parents and children: thank you for trying to understand why I needed to leave.
To Steve, the love of my life, who risked it all for his "crazy wife"—I'm eternally grateful. The ride has been wild, but our adventures have been amazing. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.
Pura Vida.
What's Next?
Stay tuned to learn how many expats make it past the two-year and five-year marks. Spoiler: the numbers might surprise you.
We're partnering with our favorite local businesses to offer exclusive discounts and FREE gifts to celebrate our milestones. Join our mailing list and follow us on social media so you don't miss out.
Want to share your expat story? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear where you are in your journey.
