How to Be a Good Immigrant in Costa Rica (a.k.a. Don’t Be “That” Expat)

Be a Good Immigrant in Costa Rica: The Expat Guide You Actually Need

"You might call yourself an ‘expat,’ but here’s the truth: you are an immigrant and a guest. This is their house. You don’t get to rearrange the furniture — you learn where the cups go and say ‘thank you’ every time someone hands you coffee."

If you want Costa Rica to feel like home, you’ve got to do your part. Here’s how to be a good immigrant in Costa Rica— and avoid being that gringo that eevryone gossips about at the feria.

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1. Respect the Word “Pura Vida” (and Everything Behind It)

Pura Vida isn’t just a cute Instagram hashtag. It’s patience. It’s kindness. It’s knowing the bus might be late, the rain might cancel your plans, and you’re still lucky to be here.

If you can’t embrace that, the jungle will eat you alive — and not in the sexy Tarzan way.

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2. Hire Local, Pay Fair, Tip Well

You’re not just here to take in the views. Support the people who make this place what it is.

• Hire local workers (builders, gardeners, teachers, tutors, and more).

• Pay fair wages.

• Tip. Always tip.

  
  

If you can afford beachfront sunsets, you can afford to treat people with respect.

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3. Shop Local: Buy the Mango From the Lady on the Corner

Skip the imported $10 peanut butter. Buy your produce from the feria. Support local businesses, not just mega-supermarkets. That’s how you keep money in the community and get pineapples that taste like sunlight.

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4. Become a Resident and Pay Into the Caja

If you’re serious about living here, be serious about belonging here. That means getting legal residency and paying into the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS, or “Caja”) — Costa Rica’s public healthcare system.

Residency isn’t just paperwork — it’s putting your money where your life is. Your monthly Caja contributions fund the clinics, hospitals, and social programs that make this country so livable.

Becoming a resident and paying into Caja is how you go from “expat who’s passing through” to “neighbor who’s invested in the community.” And trust me — your neighbors notice.

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5. Learn Spanish (or at Least Try Your Best)

Nobody’s asking for perfect Spanish. But “hola,” “gracias,” and “pura vida” go a long way. Every word you learn opens another door — whether it’s making friends or avoiding squid when you meant rice.

Look, if I can try and I’m Deaf, which means not only learning Spanish but learning to lip read Spanish, then you can learn too.

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6. Don’t Import Your Culture and Call It “Improvement”

This is not Little Miami or Little Brooklyn. Don’t move here and complain about the food, the music, or the pace of life. If you wanted your old neighborhood, you could’ve stayed there.

Let Costa Rica be Costa Rica.

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7. Be Mindful of Housing and Gentrification

Foreign money has an impact. Rent wisely. Don’t buy up entire blocks just to Airbnb them. If you do invest, give back — in real, tangible ways that support locals.

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8. Get Involved, Give Back

Volunteer at schools, animal rescues, or environmental projects. Honestly, a lot of this stuff is REALLY fun and cool- and a greta way to meet people and make friends. Where else can you help feed monkeys, release baby sea turtles, referee a football game (sigh- soccer for you U.S. folks), or do a beach cleanup then while watching sloths?

Donate to community fundraisers. Donate your time. Use your skills to strengthen the fabric you’re now part of.

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Remember: You’re a Guest

You might live here forever, but it’s still someone else’s country. Respect the laws, the traditions, the culture. Bring your joy, not your entitlement.

Then you'll feel Costa Rica truly claim you back.

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Quick Takeaway

If you want Costa Rica to love you back, treat it like a friend’s home you deeply admire: respect the rules, appreciate the hospitality, and maybe bring wine to dinner.

The more you give, the more pura vida gives you back.

Also check out the rest of the Pura Vida Diaries Blog Series:

1. Part 1: Moving to Costa Rica: Why I Chose Here Out of Anywhere in the World

2. Part 2: Thinking of Moving to Costa Rica? Cost of Living, Rent & Reality Check

3. Part 3: Residency in Costa Rica: How to Stay Legally (Without the Border-Run Headache)

4. Part 4: How to Be a Good Immigrant in Costa Rica (a.k.a. Don’t Be “That” Expat)

5. Part 5: The Pura Vida Diet: Farmers’ Markets, Fresh Food Culture, and What to Skip at the Grocery Store in Costa Rica

6. Part 6: Pets in Paradise: Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Costa Rica — and Why You Might Adopt One Here

7. Part 7: Culture Shock in Costa Rica: Why It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me (Pura Vida, Baby)

8. Part 8: Building Your Jungle Crew in Costa Rica: How to Make Friends, Find Community, and Actually Live the Pura Vida Life

9. Part 9: Learning Spanish in Costa Rica: A Fun (and Honest) Guide for Expats Who Aren’t 22 Anymore

10. Part 10: Remote Work in Costa Rica: Jungle Wi-Fi, Time Zones, and the Digital Nomad Life

11. Part 11: Costa Rica Expat Challenges: The Hard Stuff No One Posts on Instagram

Or check out the Pura Vida Diaries YouTube series!

Basically? If you’ve ever Googled “Can I really move to Costa Rica?” …this series is your sign.

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FAQ: How to Be a Good Immigrant to Costa Rica

What does it mean to be a good immigrant in Costa Rica?

It means respecting local culture, paying into the systems that support you, hiring and paying locals fairly, learning Spanish, and giving back to the community.

How can expats support local communities in Costa Rica?

Shop at farmers’ markets, hire local services, tip fairly, volunteer, and donate to schools or community projects. And pay become a legal resident and pay into the community healthcare system.

Do I need to learn Spanish to live in Costa Rica?

Yes, at least the basics. Many locals speak English, but learning Spanish shows respect, helps you integrate, and makes daily life easier.

What should expats avoid in Costa Rica?

Avoid driving up housing prices irresponsibly, importing your culture as “improvement,” disrespecting traditions, and expecting everything to work like it did back home.

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💡 P.S. — this is just the beginning.

Every Wednesday I’ll be dropping a new article in my Pura Vida Diaries series. Think of it as your jungle survival (and thrival) guide.

We’re going to cover it all:

• 🛂 Residency + visas (aka: how not to get deported)

• 💸 Living expenses + budgets (yes, you can afford it — even with your avocado toast addiction)

• 🏥 Healthcare (Caja vs. private, and what it’s really like)

• 💻 Remote work realities (including jungle Wi-Fi myths)

• 🥑 Food, culture, & community (the farmers’ market, the friends, the pura vida)

• 🐕 Pets & rescues (because jungle dogs deserve love too)

• 🌍 How to Be a Good Immigrant (gentrification, humility, supporting locals — aka don’t be “that” expat)

Basically? If you’ve ever Googled “Can I really move to Costa Rica?” …this series is your sign.

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📲 Follow Me

Want more than just the weekly blog drop? Let’s hang out everywhere:

• 🎥 YouTube → deep-dive videos of each blog (perfect for bingeing with coffee)

• 📸 Instagram → my daily life here (sunrises, dogs, jungle sweat, and a few shirtless selfies)

• 🎬 TikTok → the fun, fast, and slightly thirsty version of this expat adventure

• 👥 Facebook → where community + conversation actually happen

• 📰 Substack → longer reflections, essays, and behind-the-scenes of this wild queer jungle life

👉 Come along — because this isn’t just me telling you my story, it’s an invite to imagine what yours could look like too.