“¿Va para Heredia?” I asked the bus driver with all the confidence my beginner Spanish could manage.

He smiled.

“Sí.“

Twenty minutes later, I realized I was heading in the opposite direction.

Welcome to my first week in Costa Rica.

Before moving I genuinely thought, I had done my homework. I had watched countless YouTube videos, joined every expat Facebook group, planned my weekends, and researched almost everything I could about Costa Rica. Then I got on the wrong bus. That’s when I realized something important: Google can prepare you for visiting Costa Rica, but not for living here. During my first few months, I made almost every rookie mistake possible. Some were frustrating, some were embarrassing, and most are funny now. If you’re planning to move here, I hope these lessons save you a little confusion and maybe a few wrong bus rides.

1. I Expected Costa Rica to Work Like Home

My biggest mistake wasn’t forgetting to pack something, it was bringing too many expectations. Without realizing it, I kept comparing everything to home. Why did buses work differently? Why did paperwork seem to move so slowly? Why did some shops close earlier than I expected?

Then it hit me, I was asking all the wrong questions.

Costa Rica has its own rhythm, traditions, and pace of life. The moment I stopped comparing and started appreciating those differences, everything became easier. Soon, I found myself looking forward to Saturday ferias more than supermarkets, searching for the sweetest pineapple instead of familiar brands.

Lesson: Don’t spend your first month looking for what Costa Rica isn’t. Discover what makes it uniquely Costa Rican

2. I Thought English Would Be Enough

On my second day, I confidently walked into a local soda in Cariari and ordered what I thought was grilled chicken.

A few minutes later, a plate arrived with something I had definitely not intended to order.

The waiter smiled, I smiled.

I ate it anyway. To this day, I’m still not entirely sure what it was.

While English is common in tourist areas, everyday life happens in Spanish. Ordering food, visiting government offices, shopping at the feria, or simply asking for directions becomes much easier when you know a few basic phrases.

Learning simple expressions like Buenos días, Gracias, and ¿Cuánto cuesta? made a huge difference. Even when I made mistakes, people appreciated the effort.

My best advice? Download Google Translate and save Spanish for offline use before you arrive. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Costa Rica’s Weather Has Its Own Personality

One Saturday morning, I left Heredia wearing sunglasses, convinced I had picked the perfect day for a hike. Less than ninety minutes later, I was walking through thick mist and heavy rain, wondering why my shoes suddenly felt three times heavier.

That day taught me something every newcomer eventually learns: never trust the weather in just one part of Costa Rica. Sunshine and tropical rain can exist just a short drive apart.

These days, my backpack always carries both sunglasses and a rain jacket. If yours does too, congratulations—you’re already learning one of Costa Rica’s best survival skills.

4. Google Maps Is Optimistic

Early on I planned my weekends like a military operation. Volcano. Beach. Waterfall. Repeat. Then I discovered that Google Maps and Costa Rica don’t always agree. Google confidently says a drive will take two hours. Costa Rica politely replies, “We’ll see.”

Mountain roads, unexpected traffic, heavy rain, and scenic viewpoints have a way of changing your plans.

Ironically, my favorite weekends weren’t the ones where I squeezed in five attractions. They were the afternoons spent in cozy cafés while it rained outside or came from places I never planned to visit

Get Waze. It’s what locals actually use, and it tends to be right more often than Google is.

5. Learn Local Systems Early

One Saturday at the feria, I proudly pulled out my credit card to buy fruit. The vendor smiled and said one word.

“SINPE.”

I smiled back, pretending I knew exactly what he meant.

I didn’t.

That small moment taught me an important lesson: adapting to local life makes everything easier. Learn how people pay, carry a little cash, keep copies of important documents, and don’t expect bureaucracy to move quickly.

Patience isn’t just useful in Costa Rica—it’s essential.

6. Don’t Stay Inside the Expat Bubble

Like many newcomers, I naturally gravitated toward other expats. We shared the same questions, the same confusion, and the comfort of speaking our own language. But my favorite memories came after I stepped outside that bubble. Chatting with neighbors. Trying homemade Costa Rican food. Celebrating local festivals. Learning why Pura Vida is more than just a greeting. The more time I spent with Costa Ricans, the more I understood that happiness here isn’t about rushing through life, it’s about enjoying it.

7. Tried to Live Like a Tourist Instead of a Local

When I first moved to Costa Rica, I shopped mostly at supermarkets, bought imported products, and ate in touristy places. My budget quickly reminded me that living here isn’t the same as vacationing here

Things changed when I started living more like the locals. I discovered Saturday ferias for fresh, affordable produce, neighborhood sodas with homemade meals, and slowly found my favorite café and bakery.

That’s also when Costa Rica began to feel like home, not because I had been here longer, but because I had built simple daily routines.

The way in isn’t living like a visitor. It’s living like everyone else already does.

8. The Biggest Thing That Changed Was Me

Looking back, my biggest lesson had nothing to do with buses, weather, or paperwork. It was about me.

Moving abroad pushes you outside your comfort zone almost every day. You’ll get lost. You’ll misunderstand conversations. You’ll miss home. You’ll question your decisions. But somewhere along the way, you’ll become more adaptable, more independent, and more confident than you ever expected. Every wrong turn becomes a story. Every challenge becomes a lesson. And every mistake becomes part of the adventure.

Final Thoughts

A few weeks ago, I saw someone standing at a bus stop with the same confused. I walked over, pointed them toward the right bus, and wished them good luck. They smiled and thanked me. I smiled back and said, “Pura Vida.”

As I walked away, I thought to myself that somewhere between the rainstorms, the mystery meals, the wrong buses, and all those rookie mistakes, I had stopped feeling like a newcomer. Costa Rica hadn’t just become the country where I lived.

If you’re thinking about making the same move, don’t worry about getting everything right. You’ll probably board the wrong bus, mispronounce a few Spanish words, and get caught in the rain at least once.

But somewhere between your first plate of gallo pinto, your first rainforest hike, and your first Saturday at the feria, you’ll understand why so many people fall in love with this country.

And one day, you’ll probably find yourself helping another newcomer who’s just as lost as you once were.

Pura Vida.

About the Author

Naincy Gulati is an investment banking professional from India currently living in Heredia, Costa Rica. She writes about expat life, local culture, and everyday experiences of building a life in Costa Rica from the perspective of a young international professional. She also shares her travels and experience on Instagram at @the_fancy_naincy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cs-naincy-gulati

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