Normally, Costa Rica is not in the path of hurricanes. I think since moving in 2012, we may have had two Category 1 hurricanes and only in certain parts of the country.

That being said, we can and do get severe tropical storms. Even more so when we’re in a La Niña year (remember, in 2023/2024 we were in an El Niño year, which brought drought and hotter temps).

When a hurricane comes close like Beryl is doing this week, we will have indirect effects including a lot more rain and wind in some areas.

While I woke up this morning to picture perfect blue skies, I imagine by day’s end, it’ll be pouring buckets of rain.

The big tropical storms that I’ve witnessed have been quite frightening (remember, I’m from California and we don’t get rain like that there!). I can’t even imagine what a hurricane would be like!

But it’s also been amazing to see how people really look out for one another.

In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate hit hard and the expat community in Quepos came together to support all the local people who had lost so much. Some lost their entire household, all their belongings… furniture, appliances, clothes. We all donated what we could and purchased new items like mattresses for those in need.

This is part of living in a collective-minded society and being a responsible expat: helping those in need when we can.

I have an entire chapter just about Mother Nature in the book, Moving to Costa Rica Simplified, and if you’re living here now, be sure to check out the tips I share in the “In Case of Emergency” chapter, in order to weather these wild storms with a bit more ease.