Related reading: Playa Flamingo homes for sale.
What does it actually feel like to live full-time on Costa Rica's Gold Coast? Beyond the marketing and beautiful photos, what's a realistic day look like?
I've lived here 16+ years, own 8 properties, and know what real daily life looks like. Here's an honest account.
6:00 AM - Wake Up
Sunrise is around 6:00 AM year-round (no daylight savings). Your internal clock adjusts quickly. Even if you weren't planning to wake up early, the equatorial sun has other ideas.
Coffee with a view. Most Gold Coast properties have ocean views or jungle vistas. Morning coffee is a ritual that never gets old, even after 16+ years.
Work from Home (for many)
If you're remote like many Gold Coast residents, 6:00-7:00 AM is productive work time. No meetings scheduled yet. US business hours start later. You get 1-2 hours of deep work done while enjoying your home.
7:00 AM - Breakfast
Local staple: Gallo pinto (black beans and rice), eggs, fresh fruit (papaya, mango, pineapple), fresh juice, coffee.
Gallo pinto becomes your default breakfast. It's inexpensive, nutritious, and delicious. Local restaurants serve it for $3-5. Home-cooked is even cheaper.
Cost: $2-5 per breakfast
8:00 AM - Work Day Begins
If you're remote, this is when US meetings might start (8am CR time = 6am US Pacific).
If you're retired, you might head to the beach, gym, or local coffee shop.
Internet quality has improved significantly. Most homes in established communities (Flamingo, Tamarindo, Conchal) have reliable internet. You can effectively work from Costa Rica if you need to.
10:00 AM - Mid-Morning Break
Chill out. Take a walk. Visit a neighbor. Grab a fresh juice (batido) from a local vendor.
The pace of life is different here. There's less urgency. Even if you have work to do, you have time.
12:00 PM - Lunch
The main meal of the day in Costa Rican culture is lunch. Many people take a break.
Restaurant lunch: $8-15 for a good meal (casado - traditional plate with rice, beans, salad, protein, plantains)
Home lunch: Cook or order from a local comida delivery
Social aspect: Lunch is when you run into neighbors, friends, other expats. It's a social focal point.
1:00 PM - Siesta or Work
Some people take siestas. Others power through the heat.
Many businesses actually do slow down mid-afternoon. It's the hottest part of the day.
If you're working remote, this might be when you take calls with afternoon US time zones.
3:00 PM - Afternoon Activity
Beach time (walk, swim, bodysurf) Yoga or gym class Coffee with friends Hike in the jungle Siesta if you took a break Shopping/errands
The beauty: You can choose. No one's watching the clock. Time is more flexible.
5:00 PM - Evening Settles In
The heat starts to break. Humidity is still high. Everything slows down a bit.
Many people head to the beach for sunset. It's free, beautiful, and a daily ritual.
Others use this time to work, prepare dinner, or run errands.
6:00 PM - Dinner Preparation
Home cooking: You might prepare dinner using fresh local ingredients (fish, vegetables, fruit)
Eating out: Dinner at a restaurant, happy hour with friends
Cost: Home-cooked dinner $5-10, restaurant dinner $15-25
The food scene has evolved significantly. Beyond traditional Costa Rican food, there's excellent sushi, Italian, French, farm-to-table restaurants. The diversity reflects the international expat community.
7:00 PM - Dinner & Social Time
Eating is a social activity. Often dinner becomes a 2+ hour event with friends, neighbors, or family.
In communities like Playa Flamingo, there are regular dinner groups, happy hours, and social events. You can be as social or solitary as you want.
The expat community is large enough to find your people, but small enough that you actually know people.
8:00 PM - Evening
Sunset is around 6pm year-round. By 8pm it's fully dark (tropical latitudes, no twilight).
Evening activities: - Reading - Drinks at a beach bar - Walking around town - Social gatherings - Movies/streaming at home - Early to bed (common due to early sunrise)
9:00 PM - Bed
Most people are in bed by 9-10pm. Wake time is 6am. The rhythm is different from North American schedules.
If there's a special event (full moon party, community event), you might stay out later. But daily rhythm is earlier.
Seasonality
The routine changes slightly between seasons:
Dry Season (Dec-April)
More beach time, more social events, busier community Warmer (82-85°F), sunny Tourists everywhere More dining out, more activities
Green Season (May-November)
Quieter, more local Afternoon rain (1-2 hours), refreshing Fewer tourists, lower prices More indoor/home-focused
Weekly Rhythms
Monday-Friday
Work schedule for remote workers and business owners Local routines Quieter beach time
Friday
"Viernes Loco" (Crazy Friday) - beach happy hours, social gatherings Start of weekend feeling More dining out
Saturday
Beach market (local vendors sell fresh produce, food) Family time Social lunches Community events
Sunday
Slower pace Beach day Dinner with friends Sports (soccer is huge)
What's Actually Different About Living Here
The Pace
Life is slower. People take time for lunch. Meetings aren't packed back-to-back. There's space in the day.
The Cost
Rent/own a nice house: $800-3000/month Eat well: $300-600/month Live comfortably: $2000-3500/month
You can live better on less money.
The Community
You know people. The expat community is welcoming. It's easier to meet people than in most US cities.
The Lifestyle
Beach access, yoga, hiking, outdoor living - these are daily accessible, not weekend luxuries.
The Work-Life Balance
Remote work + Costa Rica = flexibility
The Reality Checks
It's not vacation every day You still have responsibilities, work, and challenges "Pura vida" doesn't solve all problems Bureaucracy can be frustrating Internet reliability has improved but can be sporadic You miss people and things from home Expat politics are real (small communities have drama) Cost of living is lower, but luxury items are expensive
Is It Right for You?
If you: - Work remote (or are retired) - Love beaches/outdoor lifestyle - Want lower cost of living - Enjoy international community - Can adapt to a different pace
Then full-time living on the Gold Coast can be incredible.
If you: - Need constant US-style infrastructure - Have frequent family needs back home - Require specific climate (it's hot and humid) - Get homesick easily
Then extended visits (3-6 months) might suit you better than full-time.
The Bottom Line
16+ years in, I still love it. The beach is beautiful. The people are kind. The cost of living is reasonable. And the daily rhythm feels right.
Is it perfect? No. But for the right person, it's as close as you'll get.
Want to experience it yourself? Visit for a month. Stay in a rental. Live the daily routine. Then decide.
Contact Chris Spears to discuss long-term rental options or property purchases for your Gold Coast lifestyle.