Is Costa Rica expensive to live in?

Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, but it’s not outrageous either. Daily life costs less than in most major U.S. cities — especially if you adapt to local food and lifestyle. Where it gets pricey is rent in beach towns, imported goods, and electricity if you blast the A/C all day.

What is the average rent in Costa Rica?

Rent depends on location. In San José, a two-bedroom apartment runs $600–$1,200/month. In popular beach towns or suburbs, expect $800–$1,800/month. Rural areas can be as low as $400/month — but you’ll trade off some conveniences.

How much money do I need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?

A single person can live modestly on $1,200–$1,500/month. For more comfort (A/C, private healthcare, imported snacks), budget $2,000–$3,000/month. Couples usually spend $1,500–$2,500+ depending on lifestyle and location.

What’s the cost of food in Costa Rica?

Local produce, coffee, and seafood are affordable (think avocados for $0.50, pineapples for $1, fresh fish at local markets). Imported items, though, are expensive — a jar of peanut butter can be $8 and wine can sting your wallet. Sticking to the local diet saves money and makes you healthier.

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

Waymon Hudson
Oct 15
5 min read

Updated: Oct 16

Three friends playing under a massive waterfall in Costa Rica, smiling and throwing peace signs while standing on the rocks.

Costa Rica will give you sunsets that look like screensavers, waterfalls that could baptize your soul, and mangoes so good you’ll want to write them poetry. But the real magic? The people you meet.

If you move here and only hang out with people from your home country, you’re basically living in a gated cultural Airbnb. Don’t just rent the experience — live it. Say yes to the karaoke invite. Bring your dog to the beach. Slide into a local Facebook group and introduce yourself. That’s how your jungle crew is born.

Two friendly women smiling together at a Costa Rican farmers’ market stall, surrounded by yuca, bananas, and fresh produce.

1. The Costa Rican “Hello” Is Real

Forget the “head nod” you might be used to in the U.S. or Europe. In Costa Rica, strangers actually greet you.

Walk into a store without a “buenos días”? It’s like passig your nana on the street and ignoring her. People wave on the street. Neighbors drop off fruit with zero strings attached.

👉 The friendliness is real — but it’s a two-way street. Smile back. Ask names. Learn “pura vida” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a lifestyle.

2. Facebook Groups = Your Pre-Move Friend Factory

You don’t need to wait until you land to start making connections.

Try these groups:

🌈 LGBT Expats Costa Rica — welcoming, inclusive, and full of event invites & new friends!
🌴 Costa Rica Expats — mixed crowd, tons of info, casual meetups. But be warned- like all online groups, there are some Negative Nancys on there who like to troll. But still a helpful resource.
📍 Town-Specific Groups (“Nosara Community,” “Puerto Viejo Info”) — goldmines for local tips and hangouts. Just look up the area you're interested in on Facebook ("Costa Ballena LGBTQ" or "Jaco Costa Rica Events")
Some other notable mentions for the LGBTQ community: LGBTQ Rainbow Refuge and Gender Freedom Costa Rica. Both are full of friendly, helpful, kind, and really fun people!
And look up your iterestes too! I'm part of Gringo Gardeners in Costa Rica, surf groups, beach cleanup groups, and SO much more! Explore and find yoru crowd!

Comment on posts. Offer advice if you’ve got it. Ask questions. By the time you land, you’ll already have familiar names waiting with a “let’s grab coffee.”

A diverse group of expats and locals sharing dinner at a colorful Costa Rican restaurant, laughing and building community together.

3. Mix It Up: Multicultural Friendships Are the Goal

Yes, expat friends are great. They get the “my internet went out for three days” meltdown. But don’t stop there. The best Costa Rica life is a chaotic, colorful mix of locals and internationals.

Mine includes:

A Tico surfer who taught me that Spanish at the beach is not the same as Spanish in school.
A French couple who throw sangria-fueled dinner parties that could rival a Michelin star night.
A Canadian who swore she’d “only stay one year” … and is now on year nine.
The bartender who knows my dogs’ names better than half my family.

4. Where to Meet People in Costa Rica

Group of friends in helmets and harnesses posing before a zipline adventure in the Costa Rican jungle.

🍻 Bars & Beach Restaurants: Sit at the bar, not a table. Talk to the bartender, chat with the person next to you.
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Events: Drag shows, Pride parades, queer movie nights — yes, they exist here and yes, they’re a blast.
🏃 Sports & Activities: Surf lessons, salsa dancing, yoga on the beach. Shared hobbies = instant crew.
🌎 Community Events: School fundraisers, beach clean-ups, town fiestas. Show up, help out, meet everyone.

Waymon and his partner smiling with their four rescue dogs in Costa Rica, showing how pets are part of the pura vida lifestyle.

5. Dogs: The Ultimate Icebreaker

I’ve lost count of how many friendships started with: “What’s your dog’s name?”

Take your pup to the park, a café patio, or the beach. Conversations will happen. (Pro tip: rescues and adoptions here are huge. Adopting a local zaguate might just double your friend list overnight.)

Group of friends on a pirate ship sunset cruise in Costa Rica, holding drinks and laughing with the Pacific Ocean in the background.

6. The Effort Pays Off

Costa Rica is generous — but you get what you put in. Say yes to invitations, host a dinner, bring wine, check in on neighbors. Before long, you won’t just have friends here — you’ll have a chosen family.

Quick Takeaway

Building your community in Costa Rica isn’t hard — but it’s intentional. Pura vida isn’t just sunsets and hammocks, it’s people. Mix locals, expats, and everyone in between, and suddenly you’re not just “living abroad” — you’re home.

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

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.

FAQ: Building Community in Costa Rica

Is it hard to make friends in Costa Rica?

Not at all! Costa Rica is a warm, social culture. Greet people, join local events, and get involved — friendships will happen naturally.

How do expats build community in Costa Rica?

By mixing with both locals and expats: joining Facebook groups, attending events, learning some Spanish, and saying yes to invites.

Can LGBTQ+ people find community in Costa Rica?

Yes! The LGBTQ+ community is active, especially in urban areas and beach towns. Events, Pride celebrations, and online groups make it easy to connect.

Do locals welcome foreigners into their circles?

Yes, if you show respect and effort. Greeting people, learning Spanish basics, and engaging in community events go a long way.

What’s the best way to avoid isolation in Costa Rica?

Put yourself out there: attend beach clean-ups, support local businesses, join sports or hobby groups, and get a dog (instant icebreaker!).

📲 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