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Hi, we’re Sarah & Thomas
We moved to Costa Rica in 2016 and never left. Costa Rica Vibes is everything we’ve learned since: the towns, the stays, the tours and the mistakes, so your trip goes better than our first one did.
Why trust our advice
Living here since 2016
We drive the roads, deal with the rainy season and know which towns have changed.
We personally vet everything
Every hotel, tour and tip is personally vetted by us before it’s published.
Updated every year
Prices, roads and openings change fast here. We review our guides every year and date every update.
Virginia, Germany, then Costa Rica
2010
How we met
We met in 2010 while volunteering in a community for adults with disabilities in Virginia.
2011
Moving to Germany
Thomas is German, so in 2011 Sarah moved to Germany. We lived there for four years.
2016
The move to Costa Rica
Thomas started applying for jobs abroad and was offered one in San José. Six weeks later, we’d moved.
Year one
Finding our feet
Sarah started freelance writing from home and built a first website about moving abroad. It didn’t last, but it taught her what not to do.
2017
Costa Rica Vibes begins
On a budget, with a borrowed car, we explored every weekend we could. Online, it was all backpacker or luxury travel, so we started sharing what we found in between.
2018
Married, and still here
We got married in 2018, and we still call Costa Rica home. We love this country.
The name
Why Costa Rica Vibes
I named the website Costa Rica Vibes because every place you go in Costa Rica has a totally different vibe, and I love that about this country.
It’s a small country, but there are so many microclimates and so many different feels. You can go from a real surfing town to a really eco town in a few hours.
Editorial standards
How we choose
We tell you what we loved and what we’d skip, include picks for every budget, clearly mark affiliate links, and personally vet everything we recommend.
Personally vetted
Every hotel and tour is personally vetted before we recommend it.
Budget, mid-range and splurge
Every town guide has a pick for each budget.
Affiliate links, clearly marked
We earn a small commission on some bookings. It never changes what we recommend.
Dated updates
Every guide shows when it was last checked.
Our other projects
Want more from us? Follow along on our Costa Rica Vibes Substack and read our Costa Rica articles on MSN. We also run two other projects.
Hello. I want to fly into san jose and stay in La Fortuna to do some things around there this coming fall (october-ish 2024). I do not have a travel group and want to be safe and be with one. I am a women age 40. Can anyone tell me how I could find 2 or 3 girls or more to travel with that live there or otherwise? Or if I shoudl not travel there now?
Thank you!! Sherie
Hi Sherie, I would check on Facebook in different Costa Rica travel groups. That is usually the best place to find likeminded travelers that are going at the same time as you.
We are traveling with friends on a birding tour that ends at the San Jose airport on 2/10/25. Four of us will be staying 3 extra nights so we’re looking for a change to relax and possibly hike, kayak, swim, or snorkel. We were thinking of staying in San Jose and doing museums, but keep being told it’s not a safe city.
Hi Marilyn, It is safe enough. We live in the city and have never had any issues. However, it really is not the nicest city ever. I think its fine for one day to explore the downtown area, but not a place you really need to spend 3 days during your trip. As an alternative, I would suggest looking into Alajuela. This city is actually closer to the airport. If you stay in the hills above the city it is actually really nice. From here you can visit Poas Volcano, take a coffee farm tour and see La Paz Waterfall. It is also a lot easier to get from Alajuela back to the airport when you depart.
Hi Sarah:
My wife and I are traveling to CR for a friend’s wedding, and we will be staying for 2 weeks. We signed up for a bus tour, and thought it would be a good way to see a lot of the country and learn some things as well. My questions are: was it a hassle to stay that long down there? At what point will they “kick you out”? Have you bought property?
Thanks,
Joel
Hi Joel, We are fortunate that my husband’s job here allows us both to get residency. But, I know several people who have been doing the perpetual tourism thing for years. So, they stay for 90 days and the leave by crossing the border into Panama or Nicaragua for a few days (or fly somewhere) and come back. But, it gets a bit nerve wracking after awhile. Also, a lot of people go the route of buying property for a residency, putting a certain amount into the bank here to get residency, giving birth to a child here for permanent residency, or using the amount they get as a pension as proof they maker enough to stay her for residency. There are TONS of options but, all are a bit stressful. If you’re thinking of moving and have specific questions feel free to email me sarah@costaricavibes.com
Hi guys. Happened upon your Nate experience and enjoyed your blog. The description of “Sarah as the planner reading a million books at once and Thomas as the practical one”, is my husband and I in a nutshell. Both American Retirees researching a limited move to Costa Rica. Not hauling “things” down there, just renting furnished digs for a while. Haven’t decided on a set location but leaning toward Heredia/Alajuela/Limon. Vacationing next year. Are you still there? would love to know how you feel about the country now.
Hi Mary,
That’s exciting that you are thinking of moving down here! Have you visited previously? We are still here. It’s been fur years now and we still absolutely love it. In fact, we are debating the opposite (moving to the US) but it is just so hard to leave the perfect weather and relaxed mindset.
Feel free to email me as you plan your trip down. sarah@costaricavibes.com I’m happy to help. It can definitely be a bit overwhelming at first when you don’t know what you are doing.