Are you planning to move to Costa Rica? Here are some real disadvantages of living in Costa Rica. Where is Costa Rica located? Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country mainly located in the Central American region of North America. Why is the flow of people more toward Costa Rica? The main reason behind the relocation of people to Costa Rica is affordable living. The country is popularly known for its incredible national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like rafting, cave tubing, canyoning, and zip lining. It is also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some interesting wildlife like sea turtles, macaws, and adorable sloths. Let’s have a look at the disadvantages of living in Costa Rica.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Living In Costa Rica?
There are several disadvantages of living in Costa Rica but many people know only a few of them. Let’s check out all the cons of living in Costa Rica.
- Undeveloped Roads
- Long Health And Government waiting Lines
- Dangerous Local Driving
- Rainy Season
- Slow Business Service
- Earthquakes
- Slow Shipping
- High Temperature On Some Days
- Slow Public Transportation
- High Crime Rate
Disadvantages Of Living In Costa Rica
While knowing the advantages and disadvantages of living in Costa Rica, firstly we will look at the disadvantages and then move to the advantages.
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Undeveloped Roads
One of the dangers of living in Costa Rica is its undeveloped roads. And this causes many accidents and also makes driving complicated. Many of the roads in the country do not have lights, signs, or guardrails. They also may not have safety signs such as ones that tell you where animals or pedestrians would cross.
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Long Health And Government waiting Lines
One of the common reasons not to retire in Costa Rica is the long lines in front of hospitals and government offices. Sometimes, you have to wait months to receive specialty care, such as surgery. Waiting times for a general physical vary. In Costa Rica, if you want to visit doctors, then make sure you schedule all appointments in advance to receive a checkup or treatment before your problem worsens.
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Dangerous Local Driving
Due to undeveloped roads, you may find it dangerous to drive in Costa Rica. Some of the local driving dangers occur because of poor road conditions. However, you also need to watch out because motorists will not always look out for you.
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Rainy Season
Living in Costa Rica for a month during the rainy season will be frustrating for you. In September and October, you might experience all-day rainfall and 17 days of rain total on average during those months. The average number of inches during this time is about 13 to 17 inches and 100 inches per year overall.
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Slow Business Service
The citizens of Costa Rica do not seem to care as much about punctuality as people in America might. For example, you might have a plumbing accident right before a party. However, your plumber might not show up until well after your guests have arrived too late to avoid embarrassment to you and discomfort to your guests.
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Earthquakes
Is Costa Rica safe? As Costa Rica is prone to earthquakes, the country is considered one of the unsafe countries to live in. Because more than 190 people since 1950 have lost their lives through activities directly involving earthquakes.
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Slow Shipping
Who hates slow shipping? If you are among them, then Costa Rica is not for you because shipping here is so slow. Possible causes of poor shipment systems in the country include customs cyber attacks, poor road conditions, and relaxed culture.
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High Temperature On Some Days
In the country, temperatures have reached as high as about 109 degrees C and this was in February. It’s not uncommon to experience scorching heat at 90 to 100 degrees for several days in a row. So, to live in Costa Rica, prepare yourself with hydration, sun protection, and cooling sources.
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Slow Public Transportation
One of the main reasons behind slow public transportation in Costa Rica is the undeveloped roads in the country. Bus routes are often long and uncomfortable, and you will only find a handful of existing commuter trains.
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High Crime Rate
In a study performed in 2011, the murder rate in Costa Rica was 11.5 per 100,000 people. And the same rate will reach 11.9% in 2019. Violent crime involving tourists is rare in Costa Rica but it is a serious and rapidly growing problem for residents.
Let’s know some benefits of living in Costa Rica.
Advantages Of Living In Costa Rica
The advantages of living in Costa Rica are,
- Lower cost of living
- Cheap flights
- Affordable healthcare
- Local business opportunities
- Proximity to the United States
- Retiree Immigration program
- Plenty of beaches
- Drinkable tap water
- Healthy political climate
- Health lifestyle encouraged
- Diverse wildlife
Now, you know what are the pros and cons of retiring in Costa Rica in detail.
Everything has its disadvantages on Disadvantagess you will get to know more.
FAQ
How Much Money Do You Need To Live Comfortably In Costa Rica?
While it is possible to live on $1,000 per month in Costa Rica, you will enjoy life more by expanding your budget and allowing for extra activities and events. A baseline of $1,400 a month is reasonable for a nice life in many desirable areas of the country.
Is Moving To Costa Rica A Good Idea?
Costa Rica is a great place to live for many reasons. It’s popular with retirees, students, digital nomads and families looking for a beautiful, safe and peaceful place to live. The Central American country is home to a large and inviting expat community, making it easy to meet new friends and make connections
Can I Collect Social Security And Live In Costa Rica?
So, the answer to the question is yes; a person can retire on social security in Costa Rica. But unless they are financially “comfortable,” they may need to be prepared to change their lifestyle.
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Do You Pay US Taxes If You Live In Costa Rica?
All US citizens are required to file a US tax return regardless of where they live in the world.
Can Foreigners Live In Costa Rica?
It is easy because foreigners have all the same rights as local residents when it comes to renting or buying a house. The difficulty comes from competing with all the other expats for your perfect tropical home. There is no limit to the type of house non-residents can rent or buy in Costa Rica.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned the pros and cons of living in Costa Rica in detail. Living in Costa Rica as an American will be very frustrating for you because here you will not get all the service that you got in the United States. All regions in Costa Rica are not similar therefore, you may feel different at different places in the country. Other than the disadvantages, Costa Rica is a beautiful country to visit as you now know all about the disadvantages of living in Costa Rica.
What are the cons of living in Costa Rica
What are the cons of living in Costa Rica?