Moving to Costa Rica? 5 Things You Won't Find When You Get Here
A little real talk before you pack — from someone who's lived here for years.
Moving to Costa Rica is one of the best decisions you can make. The lifestyle, the people, the pace — it's everything people hope it will be. But there are a few everyday things from back home that quietly disappear once you get here, and it's a lot easier to deal with them when you're not caught off guard.
So here's the honest list — five things you won't find when you arrive, and what to do about each one.
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1. Amazon Prime (and Two-Day Shipping)
That "order it now, have it by Thursday" reflex? Time to retire it. There's no two-day shipping here. Anything you order from the US can take weeks to arrive — and usually gets taxed on the way in. It's not that you can't get things; it's that the convenience you're used to simply isn't part of the deal. The upside: you'll be amazed how quickly you stop needing half the stuff you used to one-click.
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2. Your Favorite Specialty Groceries
Certain cheeses, specific spices, that one brand of hot sauce you can't live without — specialty groceries are hit or miss. Some you'll find, many you won't. The move here is simple: bring what you truly can't live without, and stay open to discovering local replacements for the rest. (Honestly, the local produce alone will win you over fast.)
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3. Cheap Electronics
Import duties on electronics are brutal. A laptop or phone that's reasonably priced back home can cost dramatically more once it lands here. The fix is easy but it has to happen before you move: buy your laptops, phones, and any big tech you'll need while you're still home. Show up with your devices already in hand and you'll save yourself a real chunk of money.
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4. Your Usual Beauty Products
Good news: beauty products exist here. The catch: probably not the exact brands you're loyal to. If there's a specific moisturizer, makeup line, or hair product that's part of your routine, bring a stash to tide you over while you figure out what's available locally — or find your new go-to once you're settled.
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5. Specialty Kitchen Gadgets
Remember that Williams Sonoma wine opener that somehow doubled as a Bluetooth speaker? Yeah — not going to find that here. The everyday kitchen basics are easy to come by, but the niche, hyper-specific gadgets are another story. If there's a tool you genuinely cook with all the time, pack it. The novelty gadgets? Probably a good moment to let them go.
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6. Your Exact Prescription Medications
This is the one to plan for early. The specific brands and formulations you take back home aren't always available here — sometimes it's a different brand name, a different dose, or it requires a local prescription to fill. Pharmacies in Costa Rica are genuinely good and many things are easier to get than you'd expect, but you don't want to land and discover your medication takes time to sort out. Before you move, talk to your doctor about a plan for the transition, bring enough of a supply to cover you while you get established, and once you're here, connect with a local doctor or pharmacy to figure out the long-term equivalent. A little planning here saves a lot of stress.
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The Bottom Line
None of this is a deal breaker. Not even close. It's just good to know before you pack, so the little surprises stay little. The truth is, most people find that the things they "couldn't live without" fade away fast once they're waking up to this lifestyle every day.
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Thinking About Making the Move?
If a move to Costa Rica is on your mind, the where-to-live part is the fun part — and it's what we do every day. From finding the right town to finding the right home, our local team helps people relocate here and settle in for good. Reach out anytime for an honest, no-pressure conversation about what life here could look like for you.
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See you in Costa Rica!
— Fondly, Sarah
