If you’re thinking about moving to Costa Rica, the best first step you can take is a scouting trip. It’s your chance to test-drive everyday life before making a major relocation decision. But let’s be clear: this isn’t a vacation. It’s a reality check — one designed to help you understand whether living in Costa Rica is truly a good fit for you.
At Your Pura Vida, we’ve guided hundreds of people through the process of exploring, retiring, and relocating to Costa Rica. One thing is always true: not everyone thrives on a scouting trip — and that’s okay. Discovering that Costa Rica isn’t right for you is just as valuable as confirming that it is.
Whether you’re dreaming about retiring in Costa Rica, raising a family abroad, or simply seeking a lifestyle change, this article will help you assess how well you’re likely to handle the unique challenges of a Costa Rica relocation.
Who Thrives on a Costa Rica Scouting Trip
Some people come alive in new places. They embrace the unknown, adapt easily, and are curious about how life works in different cultures. Those are the individuals who tend to thrive on a scouting trip to Costa Rica.
If this sounds like you, you’re likely to have a rewarding and eye-opening experience:
- You’re flexible and adaptable. You understand that things won’t always go as planned — and you’re fine with that. Detours and delays don’t ruin your day.
- You stay calm under pressure. You don’t get flustered by last-minute changes, bad weather, or a wrong turn on a dirt road.
- You’re comfortable driving in foreign countries. Costa Rica’s roads can be narrow, winding, and unpredictable. If you’re okay navigating new terrain, you’ll do well.
- You’re curious about differences, not frustrated by them. You don’t expect Costa Rica to work like your home country — and that’s part of the appeal.
- You’re willing to try speaking Spanish. You don’t need to be fluent to enjoy life here, but being open to trying — or using a translation app — goes a long way.
- You want a real picture of everyday life. You’re interested in things like grocery stores, WiFi speeds, pharmacies, and infrastructure — not just beaches and cocktails.
This mindset is critical if you’re seriously considering living as an expat in Costa Rica.
Who Might Struggle — And Why It Matters
There’s no shame in acknowledging that a relocation to Costa Rica might be more difficult for some than others. Knowing your limits — and being honest with yourself — can save you time, money, and stress.
You might find a scouting trip overwhelming if:
- You need things to feel familiar. If it bothers you when service is slower, roads are bumpier, or systems work differently, adapting could be hard.
- You’re uncomfortable with language barriers. If you don’t feel confident speaking with locals, and don’t want to use a translation app or gesture your way through, simple tasks can become sources of anxiety.
- You’re a picky eater. Costa Rica has delicious local cuisine, but options can be limited in smaller towns. If you need your favorite brands or have strict dietary preferences, that may be a challenge.
- You’re anxious in new environments. Fear of driving, uncertainty in navigating, or general discomfort with the unknown can make a scouting trip feel stressful.
- You prefer guided or all-inclusive travel. If you’re used to being catered to and don’t enjoy the logistics of getting around yourself, you may find the experience frustrating — especially if you’re researching a permanent move.
Why the Scouting Trip Experience Matters
You can’t know whether moving to Costa Rica is right for you from an all-inclusive resort or a packaged real estate tour. Those experiences are polished, curated, and often bear little resemblance to actual daily life.
If you want to retire, work, or raise a family here, you need to see what it really takes to build a life. That means driving unfamiliar roads. Ordering lunch in Spanish. Dealing with a power outage. Visiting a pharmacy or meeting with an immigration attorney. These aren’t inconveniences — they’re exactly the kind of situations that reveal whether Costa Rica is right for you.
Three Outcomes of a Scouting Trip to Costa Rica (All of Them Are a Win)
At Your Pura Vida, we believe every successful scouting trip ends with one of these three realizations:
- ✅ “Costa Rica is right for me — and I’ve found the region that fits my lifestyle.”
- 🤔 “Costa Rica might be right, but I haven’t found my place yet.”
- ❌ “Costa Rica is not the right fit for me.”
All three are wins.
Because the goal of a scouting trip to Costa Rica isn’t to convince yourself of something. It’s to gather the information you need to make a decision with clarity and confidence.
Final Thoughts on Moving to Costa Rica
A Costa Rica scouting trip isn’t about comfort. It’s about clarity. It’s about discovering whether you can not only love being here — but also live here.
If you come with the right mindset, your scouting trip will give you insights no video, article, or tour could provide. And whether you leave ready to plan your relocation, or simply with a deeper understanding of what life abroad requires, you’ll be better prepared for whatever comes next.
Ready to Plan Your Scouting Trip?
Your Pura Vida helps individuals, couples, and families explore life in Costa Rica the right way — through thoughtful, supported, and realistic scouting experiences. If you’re ready to find out if Costa Rica is your next home, reach out to us and let’s start planning your scouting trip to Costa Rica.