What You Need to Know When Scouting a Trip to Costa Rica

Prior to relocating to Costa Rica, it can be a good idea to first conduct a scouting trip. During such a trip, your primary goal is to determine which region of Costa Rica will best suit your lifestyle. While Costa Rica is relatively small, it is quite diverse and boasts a variety of climates. Additionally, each region has its own distinct lifestyle. As a result, it is certainly worth it to make the most of a scouting trip to obtain as much information as possible about your future home. Below, are some tips to help you do that.

Begin by making plans to explore as much of the country as possible. Even if you have conducted research online prior to arriving, it is still important to visit as much as possible in person. There is just simply nothing like visiting in person. Lifestyles in Costa Rica can run the gamut from sleepy beach town to vibrant towns with numerous cultural amenities and activities.

As part of your process of scouting Costa Rica, it is also a good idea to make a point to eat like a local. Remember, once you are actually living here, you may not be able to continually eat out at touristy restaurants or pay for imported goods at the supermarket. Locals tend to favor the mom and pop restaurants, known as sodas. Such restaurants usually specialize in serving simpler, but filling dishes. For around five bucks or less, you can get a heaping plate full of fresh seafood. Locals also frequently opt for less expensive domestic products. The local farmers' market is another great option for purchasing everything from dairy products to fresh fruits and vegetables. You can even find breads, herbs, eggs, chicken, seafood, and more. Overpaying once you are living here could mean that you might not have as much money to enjoy other activities.

Make sure you visit at the right time. Bear in mind that temperatures here typically do not vary throughout the year. In fact, there are really only two seasons in Costa Rica; rainy and dry. The rainy season typically runs from May through November. During this time of the year, it can rain a lot, particularly in certain regions, such as along the Pacific Coast. The good news is that it almost never rains during the dry season. During your scouting visit, make a point to visit during the rainy point to make sure you know what it is really like. Typically, you can expect it to rain at least a couple of hours in the afternoon, but it can also sometimes rain all day.

In choosing where you will stay during your scouting trip, try to avoid big hotels and resorts. Those sorts of places are fine for vacationing, but not for exploring where you will live. This will not give you a true authentic experience of what it is like to live in Costa Rica. One great option is a vacation rental condo or home. This will give you the opportunity to live in a neighborhood, practice your Spanish, interact with the locals, etc. In other words, you will get a true taste of what it is like to actually live in Costa Rica. Renting a room is another excellent option because it gives you the chance to soak up the culture in a true Tico home or with an expat. You will likely find that your hosts can serve as excellent resources. A guest home or B&B is another great choice for learning what it is like to live in a particular area.

Remember that you do not need to make arrangements for a visa when planning a scouting trip to Costa Rica. Your tourist visa will be good for a full 90 days from the time you arrive. If you find that three months is not enough time for you to explore, you can always return home and then come back at another time, at which time, you will receive another 90-day tourist visa. Bear in mind that with a travel visa, you cannot travel into the country using a one-way ticket. You must be able to demonstrate that you are going to travel out of the country within 90 days of your time of arrival. When you are ready to move full-time, you will need to consider your options for residence.