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People love the idea of moving to Costa Rica. They picture themselves sipping coffee on a balcony, watching toucans fly by, suddenly transformed into happier, calmer versions of themselves. I wish it worked like that. It doesn’t.
Happiness doesn’t come stamped on your Costa Rican residency card. And it definitely doesn’t arrive with your luggage at Juan Santamaría.
Costa Rica can be the happiest country on earth — but only if you don’t drag your unhappiness with you.
Some people move here expecting paradise to fix their personality. Instead, they bring their anger, their complaints, and their bad habits straight into the Costa Rica expat forums on Facebook… and then wonder why life still feels miserable.
The Costa Rica Forums: Where Dreams Meet Keyboard Warriors
If you’re researching a move to Costa Rica, you’ve probably visited the forums on Facebook. Some are helpful, supportive communities. Others… well, let’s just say they’re full of people who should’ve stayed wherever they came from.
These are the folks who:
- attack newcomers for asking simple questions
- complain about everything from electricity bills to geckos to mangoes falling on their roof
- insist Costa Rica is terrible because they had one bad experience
- scare away people who genuinely want to learn
They’re not unhappy because they live in Costa Rica. They’re unhappy because they’re unhappy — everywhere.
One forum in particular, Expatriates in Costa Rica, has thousands of members. Most of them stay silent. Not because they don’t have questions, but because they’re afraid of the handful of jerks who dominate the conversation. As one of our former agents calls them, “the jerks who hold the forum hostage.”
A Story That Says It All
I fellow agent has followed Expatriates in Costa Rica for years. He never advertises there — he just observes. Recently, someone posted a simple request, here is how that went:
Robert: I’m looking for a two or three‑bedroom unfurnished rental in Grecia. Preferably within a mile of downtown.
Agent: Hi Robert, what price range are you looking for?
Robert: Does it matter? That’s a typical real estate salesman question.
Agent: Well, yes, it does matter. I have a furnished home downtown for $1,000 a month.
Robert: I respect real estate salesmen as much as cab drivers pimping for their sisters. You’re non‑essential people.
And that’s where the agent wisely stopped responding.
Let’s be honest: the $1,000 rental was probably way outside Robert’s budget. Instead of saying so, he lashed out. And this is exactly the type of person who moves to Costa Rica expecting happiness — but arrives with a suitcase full of bitterness.
You can’t make someone happy in Costa Rica if their attitude — or their budget — or their IQ – won’t allow it.
I’ve tried helping people on that forum myself, without advertising, and still got blocked by moderators. Eventually, they allowed me on again, but I stopped commenting on it altogether.
Where to Actually Get Good Information About Costa Rica
Thankfully, not all forums are like that. There is one well‑moderated community that doesn’t tolerate nastiness or misinformation. And of course, if you buy or rent through a good agency such as Coldwell Banker Santa Ana, the agents will help you find the answers you need — without the drama.
We only ask one thing:
Be a happy person in Costa Rica. If you’re a jerk, please contact our competition.
We’ll always tell you the good and the bad. Read our blogs and you’ll quickly see whether Costa Rica will be your paradise — or your personal hell.
Costa Rica is the happiest country on the planet, and we’d like to keep it that way.
If you want to understand why so many people fall in love with this country, read the beautiful love letter published in the Huffington Post. It captures exactly what makes Costa Rica special.
My Advice for Anyone Moving to Costa Rica
Lurk on the forums. Get the information you need. Then run.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, come to our Costa Rica real estate website or contact me directly at ivo@cbrealestatecr.com. And feel free to leave your comments on this blog — the happy ones, at least.
And yes, we always appreciate your referrals. When you talk about your home in Costa Rica, remember me. I’m here to help you enjoy the life you came here for.
I am Ivo Henfling, the founder of GoDutch Realty, now with Coldwell Banker, widely regarded as the leading real estate authority in Costa Rica. Did you enjoy my topic today? Then feel free to leave your comments on this blog, share it on your social media, or contact me to purchase a property. Would you like a Zoom meeting with me?
Hi Ivo!
Love your blog, and I especially liked this one. So True it seems. We attended Howard’s seminar about 5 years ago where we met you. Love Costa Rica, but the seminar was so well done that we saw reality rather than stars. In our case we decided our appreciation of Costa Rica was best done as tourists than ex-pats. We’ve been back twice since, and already have plane tickets for 2027 Febrero!
Our biggest gripe is having to hear gripers wanting Costa Rica to “be more like” the place they’re trying to escape. The way it “is” is why we love it. We know things tend to change over time, but hopefully Pura Vida is timeless!
Thanks for your note, Calvin. I appreciate it. Whatever works best for you!!! Moving to another country is not for everyone, for sure.
Hi IVO. We met previously, I believe at the ARCR seminar back in November 2024.
If I can offer one piece of advice: find a hobby and stay active. The lifestyle here is much more laid back, at least in my area, and you will need more to fill your free time than just sipping Piña Coladas or your favorite drink. I’d also minimize time on social media.
Costa Rica is a great place to be, but you need to form your own opinions rather than letting others’ experiences influence your perspective. Get out there, explore, and see the country for yourself—the good and the bad.”