My Movable Office Costa Rica Recap
After 2 months of catching up and new work I thought I would do a recap on my time in Costa Rica. In my 22 days I was able to learn more Spanish than I thought possible as well as line up new projects for when I returned. I noticed a small decline in our cash flow in January but only because I did not have access to our accounts receivable until I returned in mid February. I did a good job of lining up work before the trip so I was still actually able to bill more hours than usual (to make up for the office hours I missed because I was away). The great thing was that our business development was not hurt whatsoever by the 3 week trip. We generated as much new business in the time I was away as we had any other month of the year.
I thought I would give you a rundown of the expenses (outside of my typical company expenses) so you can see if working remotely might be a good fit for you some day.
Cost of Flight: $376 Roundtrip from BWI to Liberia, Costa Rica
Cost of Apartment *: $575
Cash taken down: $450
Volcano & Hotsprings Tour: $160
Money Spent on Food, Travel, and Souvenirs: $170
Cash Remaining on Return: $120
Total Necessary Expenses: $1121 (for 22 days….maybe $1200 for the full month)
* 1 Month, included utilities even basic cable and dedicated high-speed internet
I only went out to eat for a couple meals but the numbers speak for themselves. It is very feasible to live and work remotely on a reasonable budget. I spent about the same amount of money on food (maybe less) as I would have back home in the States. Since I rode my bicycle (provided in my apartment) I didn’t have the gas costs I usually do in my commutes to the Harrisburg office (usually $175/month). I still had to pay my rent in the Lehigh Valley but when you think that $1121 can get you 22 days of vacation (while still working at your leisure) in one of the most gorgeous places on earth and no cares in the world it’s not a bad plan.
The popular phrase used by all of the Tico’s in Costa Rica is Pura Vida. It means a handful of things but I like to think that it reflects their laid back culture and lifestyle meaning “This is living!”. Not once when I was done there did I see someone rushing about or screaming into their cellphone or moving at anything faster than a casual walk. It was nice to get away to a lifestyle that is basically opposite from what we are used to in the States. I think I scheduled a few phone calls when I know I would be in the room but outside of that I had no set times for anything. I would wake up around 9, write a few emails, and then head to the beach for a few hours to snorkel or read. I would return for a late lunch and then get a few hours of work done. Great lifestyle to get used to.
All this being I said I would 100% return to Costa Rica in the future. It was cheap to get there and cheap to stay as well as most places having internet included. Now the fun part is trying to find out where My Movable Office will take me in 2010. I have been throwing around the idea of Honduras or Peru but I am still looking. If any of you have any suggestions on destinations I would love to know. Stay tuned for updates in the next few weeks.
Blogging about my experiences working from wherever I can find an Internet connection.