Yes, like every other country in the world Costa Rica does have cockroaches. Unfortunately the worst kind are two-legged variety. Because of Costa Rica popularity as a destination for tourists, and retirement and relocation haven all types of foreigners are attracted to the place. With growing popularity as Latin America’s prime retirement spot scores of gringo opportunists have flooded the country. This was especially during the real estate gold rush that lasted up to 2009. During the boom there were scores of tourists from North America working in real estate offices and selling property illegally . You also had quite a few fly-by-night developers buying land, cutting up hillsides, lacking proper funding and selling lots without permits. Unfortunately, a many investors were left holding the bag. but the current crisis has weeded out most of the illegal agents and developers.

There are other types of cockroaches operating here too. Many foreigners who have only lived here for a short time become overnight experts and start doling out erroneous advice about living and investing here. They basically do it by putting up websites where they make claims about their expertise and or by writing books about living and investing in Costa Rica. Many of these people also expound on the various Costa Rica chat groups, also.

Be aware that it takes ten or more years to get your feet wet here. You also have to speak the language to understand how things really work. I would not deal with anyone who doesn’t have these credentials, no matter what they says about themselves. Even if they have lived here for a long time, it doesn’t hurt to do your due diligence by making a complete background check of the person with whom you are going to do business. Above all, And don’t believe everything you read. The many opportunities the country now offers have brought all sorts of creature out of the woodwork. Even if you are going on a tour make sure the company has insurance and is licensed by the ICT (the country’s tourism Institute) for your own protection.

The purpose of this blog is not to put down any one group or foreigners but to try and help potential residents locate the correct information, so that if they do decide to move here the process will be as smooth as possible.