Moving to Costa Rica: Why I Left Everything Behind to Start Fresh in the Jungle
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I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but… I live in Costa Rica! For real.
This move wasn’t planned. At all. I originally came here on a bit of a whim after deciding to shift my travel plans from Europe. I booked a one-way ticket, told myself I’d stay up to a month max, and figured I’d see what happened.
Well, here we are, 4 months later.
Why I Ended Up Moving to Costa Rica
At the time, I was feeling pretty disconnected from myself. After everything I’d been through the past few years (caregiving, burnout, outgrowing Atlanta and moving across the country, the biggest betrayal I never imagined, and a breakup…need I go on?), I knew I needed something different. Something slower. Something that felt like peace.
I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I knew I wouldn’t find it by staying in the same place and doing the same things. So I came to Costa Rica with no real plan, just a feeling that this would heal me. And I was right (as usual, duh!).
I kicked things off with an ayahuasca retreat at Rythmia, which cracked me wide open. I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back, that was the turning point. I started coming back to myself and remembering who I am. I visited Nosara for a Spanish immersion program and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t sold on Nosara right away and was planning on heading to Santa Teresa after 12 days. It’s beautiful, yes, but on the surface it felt too polished. More curated and touristy than I expected.
Then I got a glimpse of the real Nosara. The version you only see when someone local brings you into it. The hidden trails and waterfalls, the beachside cervezas, the conversations that speak to your soul. That’s when it clicked. Beneath the perfectly branded businesses and luxury wellness studios is something deeply sacred. And I never left.
Legend says Princess Nosara will either call you in or spit you out. If you’re not meant to be here, no matter how hard you try to stay, it won’t work. But if you are, things will line up in ways you never expected. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was answering a call. And once I really saw her, Nosara welcomed me in.
What Life Looks Like Now
These days, life feels a lot more aligned. I spend my mornings walking to the beach, grabbing coffee from my favorite spot where they know my order (shoutout to Rolling Waves!), going to yoga in Nosara, or coworking with friends. And I try to make it to the beach every day for sunset, which is always incredibly breathtaking. I’ve met some amazing people here and built a community I didn’t even know could be possible.
It’s not always perfect (I mean, it kind of is but…). Overall, I feel more grounded, more inspired, and more like myself than I have in years.
This isn’t just a temporary escape. Moving to Costa Rica became a choice to build a new chapter that’s rooted in joy, alignment, and presence.
The People Make This Place
One thing that surprised me the most about moving here is how quickly I found my people. It feels like everyone I’ve met came here for a reason. Most of us showed up after a major life shift, especially breakups, so there’s this instant sense of understanding. We don’t need to explain the backstory. We just get it.
The connections here go deep, fast. I got matching tattoos with new friends two days after meeting them. Not out of impulse, but because the bond felt that real. I moved in with my friend two weeks after meeting her, and she has become one of my closest friends. We call each other yin and yang. We’re total opposites in the best ways, the perfect balance.
This isn’t small talk. This is soul-level resonance. We laugh, we cry, we grow together. There’s space for softness here, and that’s rare.
Nosara has a way of pulling in the exact people you need, right when you need them. It’s part of the magic. And the family I have created here is the most beautiful part of this journey.
Thinking About Moving to Costa Rica?
If you’ve been dreaming about moving to Costa Rica but it feels overwhelming, here’s the truth: it’s actually way easier than most people realize.
Tourists can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days with just a passport. That’s six months. No special visa or paperwork needed. And once your six months are up, all you have to do is cross the border (most people head to Nicaragua or Panama), then come back to reset the clock. I visit family at least twice a year so it’s extremely easy to maintain that.
This is super common for people who are feeling things out before applying for residency. It gives you time and space to see if this lifestyle really fits—and to be honest, it’s one of the reasons I was able to move here with such ease.
Disclaimer: Always check for the latest immigration rules and entry requirements before making the move.
I’ll share more soon about the logistics like finding a place to live, how much to budget, and what to know before you go. But for now, I just want to mark this moment.
I moved to Costa Rica!!!! And it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
January 2, 2026 @ 9:33 am
Wow! I love your story about moving to Costa Rica. It sounds very happy and exciting.
January 7, 2026 @ 10:08 am
Such an inspiring story! It takes so much courage to leave everything behind for peace and healing. Your description of Nosara’s ‘soul-level resonance’ is beautiful. So glad you found your people there! Best wishes from https://signaturefont.net/