01 · Before you arrive
Choosing where to live
Costa Rica’s microclimates and communities differ enormously within short distances. Choose for your daily life — then let the Southern Zone earn its place.
In this chapter
List your non-negotiables before looking at views: reliable internet for work, proximity to a school, medical access, walkability, a community of fellow expats or full immersion, tolerance for heat versus preference for cooler elevation. The right area is the one that serves your weekdays.
Visit candidate areas in both seasons if you can. A breezy dry-season ridge can be a cloud-forest in October; a lively beach town can be very quiet in the green season — which you may or may not love.
- Climate: hot coast, temperate mountains, or something between?
- Community: established expat networks or primarily local town life?
- Access: paved road and 2WD, or are you willing to need a 4x4?
- Services: how far to groceries, pharmacy, clinic, hardware?
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