Moving to Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I've ever made, but that doesn't mean I got everything right. Looking back, there are a few expensive lessons I learned the hard way that could have saved me a lot of money, stress, and frustration.
If you're thinking about making the move, here are the three biggest mistakes I made.
1. Buying the Wrong Vehicle
When I first moved to Costa Rica, I bought a Range Rover.
Big mistake.
Don't get me wrong. They're beautiful vehicles. The problem is that finding parts can be difficult, repairs are expensive, and qualified mechanics can be harder to find, especially outside the Central Valley. What might be a routine repair in Canada can turn into weeks of waiting and a surprisingly large bill.
If I were doing it again, I would stick with vehicles that are common in Costa Rica. Parts are easier to find, mechanics know how to work on them, and resale values tend to stay strong.
Three vehicles I would recommend instead:
Toyota Hilux
Reliable, capable, and you'll find parts and mechanics almost everywhere.
Toyota Prado
Comfortable, durable, and well-suited for both city driving and Guanacaste roads.
Suzuki Jimny
Affordable, fun to drive, and surprisingly capable for beach towns and rural areas.
My advice? Buy what local mechanics work on every day, not what looks best in the driveway.
2. Not Hiring a General Contractor for Our Renovation
When we renovated our home, we thought we could save money by hiring individual trades ourselves.
On paper, it sounded like a great idea.
In reality, coordinating everyone became a full-time job. Some trades did excellent work, while others didn't. There were delays, communication problems, and situations where one contractor blamed another when something went wrong.
What I learned is that a good general contractor isn't just managing the project. They're managing the people.
The best contractors already know which electricians, plumbers, tile installers, and carpenters consistently do quality work. They have relationships, accountability, and systems in place.
Could we have saved some money managing everything ourselves? Maybe.
Would we have saved time, stress, and frustration by hiring a reputable general contractor from the start? Absolutely.
3. Treating the First Year Like a Vacation
This was probably my biggest mistake.
When many people move to Costa Rica, they arrive with a vacation mindset. After all, you're surrounded by beaches, sunshine, amazing sunsets, and a much slower pace of life.
The problem is that eventually vacation ends and real life begins.
Bills still need to be paid. Businesses need attention. Homes require maintenance. Vehicles break down. Paperwork has to be completed.
I spent too much of my first year acting like I was on an extended holiday instead of building routines and systems for my new life.
Costa Rica is an incredible place to live, but it's still real life.
The people who seem happiest here long-term are the ones who find a balance. They enjoy the beaches and sunsets while also creating structure, purpose, and community.
Final Thoughts
Even with these mistakes, I wouldn't change my decision to move to Costa Rica.
Every lesson taught me something valuable. If I could go back, I would buy a more practical vehicle, hire a good general contractor, and treat my first year more like a relocation and less like a permanent vacation.
Costa Rica has given me opportunities, experiences, and a lifestyle I never expected. But like any move, the transition is much easier when you learn from the mistakes of those who have already gone through it.
Thinking about moving to Costa Rica?
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