Costa Rica Story
Down and out in Paradise
Life is a tropical Paradise is not always perfect, we still have to deal with the problems life sometimes throw at us. We don’t have to let the problems derail us, but we must acknowledge that they exist in order to overcome the,. A little stress, depression and anxiety is not uncommon.
Grumpy Old Gringo Syndrome (noun) (GRUM-pee old GRING-goh SIN-drome) Abbr: G.O.G.S.
1. A behavioral condition characterized by chronic intolerance, intellectual rigidity, and a profound sense of misplaced superiority, frequently observed in long-term foreign transplants residing in Costa Rica.
2. A psychological defense mechanism wherein an individual weaponizes their duration of residency—typically prefaced by the phrase, “I have been living here for 25+ years”—to gatekeep existence here, belittle new arrivals, and project an image of authority to mask personal insecurity.
3. A social disposition defined by a compulsive need to assert dominance through condescension and the rejection of newcomers, standing in direct opposition to the Pura Vida ethos.
The new Epidemic in Latin America, Grumpy Old Gringo syndrome. Do you know someone suffering from G.O.G.S? It is more of an affliction involving ego and character than a real disease, but if you are traveling to Costa Rica you may very well encounter examples of this.
#CostaRicaExpat #LivingInCostaRica, #movingtocostarica
Five years living in Costa Rica – 11 reason I love my life here. Five years. It is hard to believe that five years ago, I quit my job, sold my house and my stuff ,packed a couple of suitcases, hopped on a plane, and moved to Costa Rica. When you make a leap that big, you might think you have an idea of what to expect. But the truth is, living here will change you in ways you never saw coming.
First, let’s look at the big picture. The exchange rate out here fluctuates daily, but right now, the colón is sitting in a fascinating spot.
As June 2026, One US Dollar gets you roughly 460 colones, one Euro gets you around 535 colones, and one Canadian Dollar gets you about 330 colones.
Now, the currency has strengthened quite a bit over the last couple of years, making it incredibly important to know the current math so you aren’t surprised by prices.
A quick tip for my North American and European travelers: while US dollars are widely accepted almost everywhere in Costa Rica, Euros and Canadian dollars are not. If you’re coming from Canada or Europe, local shops won’t take your physical cash. You’ll definitely want to use a travel credit card, pull colones directly from a local ATM, or exchange your currency at a bank when you land.”
The US dollar has taken a beating against the Costa Rican Colone in the last 3 years, so it is time for a new video to talk about the value of the Colone vs the US dollar, Euro and Canadian dollar.
USD vs CRC
💰💲We look at the Costa Rica Colon CRC 💴 💵 💷 and compare its value vs the US dollar USD $ Canadian Dollar CAD and the European Euro € . Is it better to exchange dollars for Colones in the us, at a bank or ATM? What does Costa Rican money look like? 💴 💵 💷
Experience rural tourism accompanied by a cup of coffee, harvested and prepared by hand by Don Emilio and his family. Coffee tours and the best coffee I ever tasted!
