Costa Rica: Where Pura Vida Is More Than a Saying(And Why Families Are Choosing to Stay)
A Luxury Stay at Nayara Springs, the Real Cost of Living, and What a Scouting Trip Here Actually Looks Like
There’s a reason Costa Rica keeps showing up at the top of every “best places to move abroad” list. It’s not hype. It’s the howler monkeys at sunrise. It’s the fact that a family of four can live well for under $4,500 a month. It’s the volcano views you can literally see from your bed.
It’s Pura Vida! And once you understand what that actually means, you start to wonder why you waited so long.
🌿 The Vibe
Costa Rica is the kind of place that works for almost every type of family considering a move abroad. Whether you’re drawn to the energy of a Central Valley city, the laid-back pace of a beach town, or the raw, lush beauty of the rainforest, this country has a version of itself for you.
It’s English-friendly, politically stable, and has one of the best healthcare systems in all of Latin America. It’s also one of the most accessible first moves for American families and familiar enough to ease the transition, different enough to feel like a real adventure.
The Arenal region, in particular, hits differently. Nestled in the heart of the country around an active volcano and surrounded by some of the most biodiverse rainforest on the planet, it’s where you go when you want to feel what it really means to live somewhere extraordinary.
🏨 Where to Stay: Nayara Springs, La Fortuna
When it comes to luxury in Costa Rica, Nayara Springs sits at the very top. Part of the celebrated Relais & Châteaux collection and consistently recognized as one of the world's top resorts, Nayara Springs is a collection of private villas nestled into the rainforest with sweeping views of the Arenal Volcano. The backdrop alone - jungle canopy, volcano rising through morning mist, volcanic spring water feeding private plunge pools makes it feel less like a hotel and more like a dream you forgot to wake up from!
Every villa at Nayara Springs is fully private, built with the kind of intention that makes you slow down the moment you step inside. The four-poster canopy beds open directly onto a wraparound deck with your own private pool fed by natural volcanic thermal spring water. That means no chemicals, just pure nature replenished every three days. You’re not sharing. You’re not rushing. You’re just... there.
The resort's pool experience is equally considered. The quiet pool is a long, serene infinity-style stretch framed by lush tropical plantings and vibrant orange loungers — is designed for exactly what its name promises. No noise, no crowds. Just you, the water, and the sound of the jungle.
🍽️ Dining: Mis Amores Restaurant
The on-property dining at Nayara Springs gives you no reason to leave, and that's by design. Mis Amores is the Italian-inspired restaurant on site, and the open-air design, wood-fired oven, marble bar, and dramatic black-and-white tile floors make it one of the most visually stunning dining spaces in all of Costa Rica. The menu leans into fresh, elevated flavors with local ingredients, and the wood-fired pizzas have become something of a legend among guests.
If the quiet pool is where you decompress, Cielito Lindo, which means "beautiful little sky" is where the energy lives. This expansive pool area with its signature blue-and-white striped cabanas, thatched palapa bar, and lush canopy of tropical flowers is exactly the image that comes to mind when people dream about a life lived at full color. It's the kind of place where scouting families sit poolside for a few hours and start quietly doing the math on what it would cost to never leave.
🏡 What a Scouting Trip to Costa Rica Actually Looks Like
A scouting trip isn’t just a vacation, it’s a mission. You’re testing the infrastructure, exploring neighborhoods, putting your family in the environment to see how it feels. Costa Rica is actually one of the best places to start a scouting journey because it’s so well set up for families transitioning from the U.S.
Here’s what to look at:
Central Valley (Escazú, Santa Ana, Atenas): The most popular landing zone for expat families. Strong international school options, established English-speaking communities, and good access to San José without the full urban pace.
Arenal / La Fortuna: Best for remote workers and families who want full immersion in nature. Smaller expat community but growing.
Guanacaste / Tamarindo / Nosara: Beach lifestyle, strong surf culture, popular with American and Canadian families. More tourist infrastructure, slightly higher cost.
South Pacific (Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal): Off the beaten path, more affordable, and drawing a growing wave of intentional expat families who want privacy and nature.
💰 The Real Numbers (2026)
No fluff! Here’s what families actually spend:
Rent: $700–$1,900/month for a 2–3 bedroom depending on region
Family monthly budget: $3,000–$4,500/month covers housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and private schooling
Private bilingual schools: $350–$900/month; international schools $9,000–$16,000/year
Private healthcare: $80–$200/month for insurance; doctor visits $50–$90
Utilities + internet: $80–$220/month
Couple’s baseline: A couple can live very comfortably on $2,500/month in most regions
Costa Rica operates on a territorial tax system, meaning foreign-earned income (remote work, businesses based abroad) is not taxed locally. That alone changes the financial math for a lot of families.
✈️ Ready to Scout?
If Costa Rica is on your list, it should be the first trip you plan. It’s accessible, family-friendly, and has enough variety across its regions that a 7–10 day scouting trip can give you a real sense of two or three completely different lifestyles.
I book scouting trips specifically designed for families who are serious about making a move. We don’t just travel, we evaluate. We visit neighborhoods, check out schools, meet expat communities, and leave with a real picture of what your life could look like here.
📩 Ready to plan your Costa Rica scouting trip? Let’s Talk! Message me directly in the
And if you haven’t grabbed your free Family Nomad’s Journey Map yet, it covers Costa Rica along with 30+ other countries all in one place.
Pura Vida isn’t just something people say in Costa Rica. It’s a reminder to slow down, breathe, and live the good life. You deserve to at least come see what that looks like.