Ryan Cozie

Costa Rica is the most popular country in Central America, and one of the most popular in the world, among North American expats. With warm sunny weather, tons of national parks, and stunning beaches with great surf, what’s not to love? However many residents and travelers have never made their way to the Caribbean coast.

The Caribbean is easily one of the most beautiful areas in all of Costa Rica, has a unique culture, tons of wildlife, gorgeous beaches, great snorkeling, world class surfing, and is less developed, less tourist frequented, and less expensive than many other parts of the country.

Read on to discover why you should consider giving Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast a chance.

Stunning Beaches

The South Caribbean has easily the most beautiful beaches in the country. In fact the beaches in the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are consistently listed by publications like National Geographic as among the most beautiful in the entire world. The sand ranges from powdery black to soft white to coarse golden. The ocean is much warmer than the Pacific and is a turquoise green color.

The surrounding coral reef offers excellent snorkeling and diving.

All of the beaches are jungle-backed which makes you feel like you are truly in a deserted part of the world. Imagine waking up in the morning and walking down a jungle path to a completely uninhabited undeveloped beach.

The coral reef and weather changes also give the ocean a lot of versatility. It can range from stormy with enormous waves for advanced surfers to completely flat and perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

Who wouldn’t want to live on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world?

Caribbean Culture

A truly unique aspect of the Caribbean is its culture. Caribbean Islanders came about a hundred years ago and brought with them many traditional foods, art, music, and dance. Rice and beans are steamed in coconut milk, fresh lobster is stewed in curry, and plantains are fried Puerto Rican style. Reggae music plays on the streets from beachside bars and live Calypso music can be heard almost nightly.

The Caribbean vibes add the “don’t worry be happy” mentality to the “pura vida” philosophy that already exists in Costa Rica as a whole.

Most locals in the South Caribbean speak English which can bridge the gap for many expats who have just moved to Latin America.

Less Tourists

Costa Rica in general can get a bad rap for being overly touristy and developed. When choosing a place to relocate and live, a tourist-trodden place is unappealing for many people. Like some of the smaller, less-discovered towns on the Pacific, the Caribbean is still relatively remote, undeveloped, and is avoided by many tourists. This helps keep many of the beaches empty and relaxing for residents.

The tourists who do come tend to be eco-conscious individuals who are studying permaculture, wildlife, or yoga or adventure-seeking backpackers. These types of travelers tend to steer clear from expensive luxury hotels and restaurants which explains why the towns still have their rustic charm.

National Wildlife Parks

The South Caribbean has several wildlife reserves including the Cahuita National Park, the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, and the Tortuguero National Park. Cahuita is best known for its wildlife and excellent snorkeling. Manzanillo has breathtaking beaches, viewpoints, and hiking trails.

Tortuguero has stunning mangroves, rainforest, and is a popular place to watch turtles lay their eggs during laying season or watch the baby turtles make their way into the ocean. Tortuguero is much less established as an expat community compared to the towns in the South Caribbean, but exploring the national park is a great side trip.

The many animals in these national parks bring tons of wildlife to the area. It’s not uncommon on the main roads in these Caribbean towns to see sloths, monkeys, lizards, all kind of birds, and maybe even a wildcat.

Lower Cost of Living

Costa Rica is one of the more expensive countries in Central America which is difficult for some North American investors or retirees hoping to live a lower cost life abroad. The Caribbean, because it is less established among tourists and investors, tends to be much less expensive with respect to rental properties and purchasing land.

Strong Expat Community

The South Caribbean has an already established expat community which brings tons of events and support to the area. There are many expats from North America but also from all over the world; Argentina, Italy, France, and Israel just to name a few.

There is a lovely expat-run private school which ensures solid education for children. A local farming project involves the entire community in planting and creating a farm where participants will then receive farm boxes with every harvest.

There is also a weekly farmers market and an organic produce distribution program. Some expats have even begun selling their own homemade cheese, bread, and kombucha door to door to people on their email lists.

Events to involve the community like monthly organic dinners, movie nights, beach cleanups, and barbecues happen frequently.

If you are considering a move to Costa Rica, or anywhere in Central America, consider spending some time on the Caribbean Coast. Many expats have positively fallen in love with the gorgeous scenery, the lovely people, and the unique culture.