Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Picking bananas from a tree in your backyard—free
When we first moved to Costa Rica eight years ago, we came with only a cat named Pumpkin, a dog named Clementine, and a couple battered suitcases. We rented a small guesthouse on top of a mountain in Grecia. Although there were challenges, we were happier than we had ever been before.
Rob started playing guitar and we both started working out again. During this decompression phase, I began writing about all of the funny things that were happening… and there were many. When one decides to quit their job and run away to a foreign country, you get roped into many ridiculous scenarios.
After emailing my stories to friends from an Internet cafe, I was encouraged to search for a publisher. However, all of my queries were met with the same response, “Great writing but no one is interested in a book about Costa Rica. Do you have anything about vampires?”
After the fifth rejection, my husband yelled out, “What do they know? We never needed anyone before so load it up to Amazon!” I did and then CNN picked up our story. It was a moment in my life that I will definitely never forget.
Even though we are celebrating this next phase of our life by opening a bed and breakfast, we still have the same appreciation for simplicity. Renting part of my home is way less complicated than running two chiropractic practices, dealing with ever changing healthcare, and loads of paperwork.
There are a couple things different today. I absolutely need the Internet because it links me to all of you. I have met so many wonderful people since writing Happier Than A Billionaire, that I now need a cool place for all of you to stay. Life is funny: my quest for a simpler life has led me to one. However, it looks nothing like I thought it would eight years ago.
We are happy to announce that The Happier House is up and running. It might be the perfect place for you to stay when venturing out in search of your own simpler life.
Ah How I wish I would of known that before booking my upcoming trip to Costa Rica. I only read your book after booking the trip to know more about the country, and I recently discovered this blog and website. We’ll be in Costa Rica at the end of next month, but staying close to Jaco. If we ever book another trip, we will definitely stay at your house! It looks beautiful!!!
We have been to Costa Rica and found it to be a magical place. Loved the natural beauty of it and loved the people too. Would love to get a place down there to get away to but we’d miss our family too much if we moved there full-time. I watched your video and loved it. You both seem so happy and I love how you’ve embraced the culture of Costa Rica. Much luck and happiness to you both. Will look forward to your blogs and books.
I love your story Nadine. It is one of the most beautiful story ever on the planet earth. When you want something, no looking back, friends and families will have to wait – this is my motto. I am in this venture of my life at the moment, setting myself up, and one day will invite every special one I knew to come see what I have set up. Your story will inspire lots of young people.
Thanks so much! It’s been a wonderful adventure so far.
I would love to take a trip to Costa Rico one day and would love to stay there , do you have pics
Hi Peggy, the picture is not our house, but this is. https://www.happierthanabillionaire.com/happier-house/
You can contact me from that page as well.
How hard was it to get your animals in? We r considering a move. A lot motivated by your video we watched on YouTube! Our only sticking point is the 3 cats and a dog…
Hi Becky, I have a chapter in my last book about that. It takes a lot of coordination with the airline, but it’s possible.
https://www.amazon.com/Costa-Rica-Escape-Manual-How-ebook/dp/B01BI04IIU/ref=zg_bs_159973011_50
Happier than a Billionaire is one of the funniest books I have ever read! I had similar (but way less dramatic!) experiences on my trip to Dominical a couple years ago. The horse ride to view land to buy description especially had my laughing so hard I could barely breathe! You are way more adventurous than I am. In spite of all the craziness I can’t wait to come back to Costa Rica. I will be reading this book again many times. Thank you! Sheri
I’m not sure that I’m more adventurous… I just have a husband who conveniently forgets to inform me of what we are doing next!
What area of Costa Rica are you?
I am in Brasilito, the town next to Flamingo.
For years I have lives in central Canada. I have lived on the west coast a few times and love the mountains. I have been to Mexico several times. I love snorkeling. Where I live in Canada the winters are long and very cold. The summers are very hot, humid, lots of mosquitos and no Ocean to jump into….. I’m ready for a big change.
Costa Rica will surely be a big change! If you want to do a 180 degree change with your life… move to Central America!
Do you have a sign up for notification about the opening of your B & B? Am waiting to plan my next trip so that I can stay there and explore my location options for expat living. Love all your books and your FB page!
Bonnie
We are starting to take reservations Bonnie. You can email me for further information at puravida@happierthanabillionaire (dot) com
Love love love following your journey! Brightens my every day!! And many more as I share almost every one of your posts. I have a B&B in Texas but dream and long to be in paradise. Haven’t been to Costa Rica yet, just El Salvador. Got the book too!
Hi Beverly. I hope you visit here one day. I’m sure you’ll love it. I haven’t been to Texas either, but would love to see what the state is like.
I too loved your book and still dream of being that brave.
Thanks Dawn. Sometimes I think back and wonder how I got the guts and did it. We were not close to retirement age and did not have the funds to never work again. I guess I was just at a crossroad and took the road less traveled. It was the right decision for me, that’s for sure.
Loved your book, can’t wait to come and stay at your B&B!
Thanks Beth. Building this house is full of very funny stories that I’ll include in the next book.
Thanks to you both for sharing your adventure with us. I look forward to all of your posts.
I’ll be posting many more of the house. Just putting all the finishing touches on it.
Happy to hear about your B&B! Keep us updated, cuz I’d definitely come stay! Keep smiling. And Pura Vida.
Thank you so much Jennie. This journey has definitely led me to this point, and it’s exactly where I want to be.
Hi
This is my 2nd time posting ;-?
This is a lifestyle we could do BUT….
What about GOOD HEALTHCARE???
Reaching retirement age, good advanced health care is a concern and can’t be ignored
Sure everything is a matter of adjusting to a very simple life awwwww sounds so good but you just can’t get away from needing good advanced health care.
Any advice????
Hi Jen, scroll down and I answered your comment. My book talks about the health care system, the private hospitals (CIMA is a big one) and using the CAJA system (which we have and have used). If you have serious health issues, I would speak to the doctors in San Jose to see if they can meet your needs. People of all ages live here and enjoy a wonderful quality of life.
Oh yeah…forgot to ask, what’s going on with zika virus from your perspective. It’s got many of us afraid to go out a southern back door, much less travel south.
Curious,
Wm & Mary
I don’t believe it is here yet, but no one is overly concerned about it.
Hi Nadine. First time responder. Good to hear you’ve found your place. We’ve been considering Costa Rica, Belize and Panama. We’re not bi-lingual, so that is a concern. I’ll go look for your books.
Thanks for sharing.
William and Mary
Texas
We first thought of moving to a place that spoke English, but if you take that off the table, there are so many more opportunities. In the end, this whole experience has been so much fun, more so because I had to learn a new language.
Nadine this is the first I’ve heard of you or your books or anything like that can you tell me what the names of them are? And where can I get information on what the relocation costs of moving to Costa Rica? Information on Low-cost rentals that are still in a safe neighborhood things like furnishing apartments Just the basics?
Hi Dyan, my books are Happier Than A Billionaire, Happier Than A Billionaire the sequel, and my latest updated edition of The Costa Rica Escape Manual. They should answer all your questions on living here.
http://www.amazon.com/Happier-Than-Billionaire-Quitting-Moving-ebook/dp/B0056ZWPWK/ref=pd_sim_351_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=515HaSHBq-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR105%2C160_&refRID=0SQTD7HYNH63V2BQ1SS0
http://www.amazon.com/Costa-Rica-Escape-Manual-How–ebook/dp/B01BI04IIU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455287039&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=the+costa+rica+esape+manual
We’ve done the same thing in Mexico and agree completely. Living simple teaches you how little we need to be truly happy in life. It’s a sense of happy that exists deep on one’s heart. Nothing can buy that sort of inner peace….
You got it David. It’s nice not to have a “monkey mind” anymore. Things are so much easier when your mind stops worrying about the past or present. You can appreciate all the wonderful things around you when you just scale back your life and be grateful for the moment you are in.
I thought and still think about doing this but in Belize
Nice! I wish you all the luck Carrie!
Hi , we would love to know more about moving there . I guess not the surroundings ( we know that ) but more on the , a foreigner moving to another country . The what , where and how to do it I guess .
We are not looking for the gated community but rather a nice place with really laid back people and maybe open a small shop or something on a beach to make a living . Nothing that kills ya though .
Thx Ron and Tammy
Check out my latest book, The Costa Rica Escape Manual. It will answer many of your questions, and this new edition has chapters on people who actually make a living here. It may just inspire you to try the same thing! http://www.amazon.com/Costa-Rica-Escape-Manual-How–ebook/dp/B01BI04IIU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455287039&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=the+costa+rica+esape+manual
We are a young family attempting to escape the rat race as well. Your story has given us so much hope for a simpler life. Or goal is to get down there next winter and scope things out. Would love to stay at your B&B sometime! Excited to learn more about the pura vida life.
I’m happy that my story resonates with you. It’s a big move, but so glad I did it.
I’ve visited Costa Rica five times now for a week at a time. I love this country!
It is the same for me Steve. I fell in love the very first time and I just had to live here!
My head lives here everyday but what about health care?
I write about the healthcare system in my book, The Costa Rica Escape Manual. I think it will help you understand the system here. http://www.amazon.com/Costa-Rica-Escape-Manual-How–ebook/dp/B01BI04IIU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455287039&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=the+costa+rica+esape+manual
Wonderful I can totally agree an understand all you
are telling! Good for you guys! We lI’ve Bed & Breakfast
places . I’m so happy everything is great now.
I can truly , truly appreciate hard times an fighting for
what is right an makes us happy! Would love to meet
you an visit your business, maybe someday .
Will definitely announce when we are up and running Kelli!
I’m so excited for you!! And for me! Now I know where to stay when I come visit Costa Rica! 😉
Awesome Lisa!
Nadine, Costa Rica had been on my radar for a couple of years and thanks to your three books which made me laugh out loud in public and two other authors I took the plunge and arrived in Grecia, second visit, in early Dec. to start the next phase of my life. Saw somebody imply they were to old but i’m in my early sixties and you’re never too old!!!! Look forward to exploring as much of the country as possible and am grateful for your inspiration and the laughs. Good luck on your project.
So happy for you. Grecia holds a very special place in my heart. I smile just thinking about it.
How did you get connected with Amazon in the first place? Like you, we chucked it all for a grass hut in the Caribbean and morphed into running 100-foot megayachts. We’ve written our adventures and would love to follow in your footsteps publishing our already-written story.
Google KDP for Amazon. That’s the first place to start. Good luck, it sounds like you have a bunch of crazy adventures to share!
Nadine,
I really enjoyed your first book. I’m curious what you did with your cat and dog when you had to leave Costa Rica each time after 90 days to renew your visa.
We had a friend watch them Bethany.
Just ordered your book – planning our escape now! Costa Rica is high on the list so we were so happy to hear of your adventure and find your guide. I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Sharon. After all these years, I am still hopelessly in love with this country.
I love all your books! They are so funny and truthful, I feel like we already know each other! My husband and I are working on making our Costa Rican dream come true w I thin the next year. I hope we have as much fun as you and your husband did! Thanks for writing the books, and good luck with your building! I hope our paths will cross someday!
I hope so too Jan. And good luck with following your own dream!! I’m sure you lie awake at night making all those secret plans no one yet knows about. That was my favorite time with my husband, discussing the “what ifs” in bed every night.
Where was this house in the picture? It look sos much like a house we looked at buying in Bejuco some time back… we lived in Costa Rica for some time and still yearn to return….
Love Playa Bejuco. It’s where the cover of my first book was taken!
I just finished reading your book and absolutely loved it. I wish I had the guts to pack up and do what you did. It sounds great. If I was 20 years younger I might do it. However, it was great reading it. Who knows, we might come and stay in your guest house. I was once in Costa Rica and loved it.
Thanks for enjoying my book. I often look back and think, “How did I do this?” I was brave for one moment and went for it. If I thought too much about it, I probably would never have risked it.
Good for you. I envy you should have done that too, now am entering next life’s phase and will be returning to my family for the balance. It took me 45 years to move to Arizona and have enjoyed it here, but never made it to Costa Rica-you go carry me in spirit.
LOL! I will carry you in spirit Margo!! I have a very strong back.
It’s nice make those leaps…I applaud you both.
It was a REALLY big leap, but so happy I did. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I didn’t go for it? Probably still at that job wondering what my life could have been.
Yes, sounds like someone I know Bob corson
Good morning! Buenas!!
I am currently on vacation with my husband in Pavones, and came across your book on the bookshelf here at the vacation home we are staying. I can’t put the book down! You are a very good writer & your stories are so humorous & true that I can’t stop telling my husband about the adventures you two have experienced. We fly back home to the States tomorrow, so have to say goodbye to paradise once again. Now that I know you have a blog & more books, I am excited to be able to “stay connected” in a way to learning about how to build up the courage (& reality-checking of stressful jobs) to really move down here.
Good luck with your new venture!
Pura Vida!!
Thanks so much Kristen. It’s been such a wonderful journey so far and can’t wait to see how the next phase of this goes!
Could I leave all my possessions behind to live a simpler life? Could I ever!! I tell people all the time, once both my kids have graduated, I am moving where the only things I will need are a hut and a hammock!! I have about 1330 days to get it all lined out. You are living my dream!!
The hammock will be waiting for you Toni!
I’m happy for your successful change of lifestyle. I share your love for Costa Rica and its people. A few decades ago, we had a dream similar to yours, running a small hotel in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Unfortunately, it never materialized, but we came close.
It really will be a total change for us. But I’m looking forward to the future and happy to continue on this incredible path.
I could definitely leave it all behind…except for my Mr. Coffee latte maker and books!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank Heaven for the Kindle. I don’t know what I would do without it!
I’m happy for you living your dream it helps us to try to reach ours
Hi Paula, I wish you all the best. Dreams come in many different forms, for some it may be just changing jobs or moving to another state. Sometimes its getting people out (or into) our lives.
I’m so happy I had the guts to do this, because I if thought about it for too long, I probably would have backed out.
Can’t wait for your B & B ! Van and I will be visiting soon I hope. We hope to get to visit our friends in Costa Rica before the year is up. Found a couple of great deals. Just recouping from a hm. remodel and a reception for my daughter. So we are ready for a real vacation and maybe a change. We keep looking at buying a sailboat . We just might sail to Costa Rica! Till we meet in person! Tina A.
Lots of sailboats around here! One of my favorite excursions is going on a sunset catamaran cruise. What a way to see the coast of Costa Rica. When you are that far out, it looks like Gilligan’s Island!
Hi Nadine,
My name is Yanik and I’m from Quebec, Canada. It has been my dream to visit Costa Rica for at least 20 years, but I’ve never made it a priority… till now. I’ve been reading (loving) your blog for quite some time… It’s like a virtual bridge to the dream I’ve been cherishing since college. I just wanted to tell you that I’m sending bright beams of positive thoughts and energy to you and your husband. I’m certain your B&B will be a great success! I also know, for a fact, that my family and I will be staying there, one day soon! Kind thanks for sharing your adventures!
Merci!!!
Yanik
You are wonderful Yanik! Thanks for your support. We are so excited and looking forward to what this next adventure will bring. Costa Rica has been so wonderful to me, I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
It’s funny, because since learning your journey a few months ago, my life has gone in a direction that I never thought possible. I live in Virginia and have had a successful business for the past 15 years, but my passion has waned a bit of late. It looks like I am being forced out by government regulators and could be in the position to do something, like you guys did, in a few months. Part of me wants to just do it and another part of me is terrified. How did you get over the fear of the unknown?
I think the biggest question to ask yourself, “Is it more of a risk not to do it?” I came to a point in my life where it felt more risky staying put and always wondering what my life could have looked like. Once you get to that point, you know it’s time to go.
I couldn’t be in that office for another 5 years and look back thinking what could have been.
Yes, when are you open? What was it like importing your dog into Costa Rica- vaccines, passport, quarantine etc.? Love what you guys are doing. 🙂 Dr Jenn K
We aren’t finished building yet but I will let everyone know with my blog and facebook page. In my latest book, Happier Than A Billionaire: The Escape Manual, I give you the step by step on the requirements to bring your pets into the country. Not too difficult just need some paperwork.
you guys rock!!! I wish i had your courage~but then again, i do have my children and grandchildren to consider:)
Thanks Laura! We are really excited for this next phase.
We came back to the US after one year to move our household goods, we have been in our
hotel room for four days because of the hurricane here in Columbia, SC… but we are counting
the days to get back to Costa Rica.. Would love to stay at the B&B, when are you open?
Still have a quilt to bring you.
Linda b
Are you moving your things to Costa Rica?