Family Of Four Sells Everything And Relocates From The UK To Build A Thriving Hotel Business In Potrero Costa Rica

House Hunters International, Escape The Continent and The Great Escapers are just some of the shows that sell the expat dream of establishing a new life abroad. But what’s it like to really do it?

Dawn Banks is a married mom of two who has actually done it. In July 2017, Dawn, her husband Nathan and their two children, Berri and Pablo, sold everything they had, left the UK for Vancouver and drove 18,000 km to Costa Rica.

Today, the Banks family run the Libelula Lounge in Potrero, Costa Rica, a highly-rated boutique hotel.

Dawn shares her story and some tips for couples, families and entrepreneurs thinking about living and working in Costa Rica:

What is your background pre-Costa Rica?

I am from England – finally in Brighton, a seaside town on the south coast. Leaving school, I focused on the hospitality industry studying travel & tourism, hotel management and catering. I worked in various areas of this industry, including a croupier (dealer) in London casinos. I then went on and retrained in landscape architecture, opening my own business in Brighton which ran for 10 years before coming here. 

When did you move to Costa Rica? Did you always want to live abroad – what was the motivating factor for finally doing it? 

We left the UK in July 2017, sold everything, and traveled in a van from Vancouver to Costa Rica. We drove for 6 months, covering 18,000 km with our children. I have lived in many countries over the years, settled in Brighton when having kids, then wanted to take a new adventure to realign my own values and  give our children what I call a  real education – understanding different cultures, challenges & risk taking, and ability to deal with change. 

Why Costa Rica? Did you consider other places? How long did you plan your move? 

I have traveled all my life, visiting all of Europe, most of Asia, Australia and in recent years, the Americas. I wanted to experience living in a tropical environment. I thought about all continents and countries visited, and I felt Costa Rica was the best place to transition as a family, coupled with the safest ‘calculated risk’ of investing all we had into a foreign country. It took 1 year to sell all our belongings and prepare for the move. 

What were the early days after your move like? How long was it till you felt feel like Costa Rica was home? What tips do you have for people looking to make a new home here? 

Early days were tough and to a point still are.  Starting a completely new business in Costa Rica is challenging with changing laws and a business culture that is unfamiliar and at best confusing, even to locals. As a family, we are settling, our children are finally feeling more at home and this is because of their amazing school which has helped them feel grounded and become an extended family. 

My tips for others:  Connect with the community – its invaluable. In business. find good lawyers and industry experts to assist. Be prepared to ‘go with the flow’ but ask about every little detail (if don’t ask you don’t get). Be involved in every element of your construction / business. Know exactly what’s going on ALL the time. You must manage it yourself. 

What is your life like in Costa Rica? What is a typical day? What does your career look like now? 

Building and operating a hotel is well…. ‘busy!’. We start at 6am, and normally finish around 9pm, 7 days a week. The hours are filled with problem solving, operations, business development and school runs. It’s been an insane 2 years, but our first real season now has been amazing — reaching 85% occupancy. We’re Number 1 on TripAdvisor for the area and hosted some amazing events including Boruca indigenous tribe exhibitions. 

We aim to continue to grow with travel trends and give today’s travelers what they are looking for when choosing a venue: unique, personal, artistic and cultural experience. 

Did you and your husband Nathan both want to move to Costa Rica? Tips for social life in Costa Rica?

Nathan always wanted to take this journey but perhaps later on in life. But we are both adventurous and love a challenge so after a few comments of ‘Life’s too short’, Lets ‘just do it’ and ‘What could possibly go wrong?’ he was game. 

My tips for a social life:  Costa Rica is all about the outdoors and nature. It brings an environment free of distraction of the urban world. Connect with yourself, engage in your creativity that blossoms here. Enjoy the outdoors – surfing, sunsets and simplicity of life. Weirdly, it can become intense and I suggest getting a change of scenery every now and again to remind you of why you choose to live here – much like anywhere you live. 

What is it like raising kids in Costa Rica? Tips for parents? 

Our daughter Berri is 14 and son Pablo is 13. It was a huge adjustment from a busy urban city in the UK where everything is accessible — activities to accessories. Now they wait 6 months or more before they get items they need. This is a wonderful transformation of appreciation and the realisation of not needing all those things they always used to ask for — a shift in what’s truly important. Finding the right school for them was the grounding moment. They found their tribe and feel a part of life here. They are both more independent and less so — free to roam and play in the streets, yet unable to get places and rely on parents to ferry them to and from friends further afield. 

My tips for parents:  Be patient. Allow them to go through the struggles. Get them into lessons — surfing, diving, etc., where they can make friends. 

For people thinking about moving to Costa Rica, what advice would you give about how to make the move – e.g., specific steps to take, how long you should expect to plan, how much money you should save up to get started, etc.

Visit first. Live without commitment to see if you like the life. I’d say at least 6 months gives you an idea of how things work.

Make sure your papers are in order if you’re really considering buying. 

Research, visit, engage with reliable connections and resources – lawyers, schools. 

Regarding money, the more you have, the easier it will be to get that dream home. Area reflects cost of property — more infrastructure, beachfront, near to the airport, etc. increases property values. 

Setting up in Costa Rica is expensive, whether you buy new or ship down your old things. Research taxes for importation, and be prepared for limitations of ‘things’. Check out prices for new items. You can live cost effectively, so long as you don’t try to live the life you left – e.g., wanting branded foods, etc. Medical and Dental is good value and good service. 

Learn at least some Spanish. It helps, and local people appreciate this.

Come with an open mind and expect to be journeying through the unknown, but enjoy that process. Most of all, relax. Things happen at a different pace and in a different way, and that’s why we ultimately choose for the change — although it’s not always easy when we get that change.  

Since you’re a business owner, any tips specific to entrepreneurs?  Since you’re a career changer, and quite a big shift, what tips do you have for people who want to do what you did – i.e., make that big jump, start a business, move abroad?

Firstly – do it! It’s the most rewarding journey you can take yourself on. People always say ‘ get out of your comfort zone’ … this has been so far out of our comfort zone, and the learning and personal growth is incredible. I would never change my decision. 

Know it will be tough. Visualise your idea, draw it in colour, live it in the mind as if it were real, – it will change but with a strong image, you’re closest to your goal.

Identify your skills. Identify where you’ll need help – plan for this, find people who can help. Find professionals – legal and industry experts to guide you.

Be meticulous in documenting once the project begins – this is so important, without this trouble can easily arise. Take full control – manage, always in the build and development.

Connect with the community. Put aside your fears, prepare to compromise and let the idea evolve. 

Give yourself a break when you just can’t work anymore, but there is so much more to do — with 10 Number 1 priorities on your list. 

Any real estate tips? What do you recommend for people looking to buy in Costa Rica? Did you look all over the country or just in and near Potrero? How did you pick your spot for your new business and life?

We chose this area based on schools and the lives of our children. Costa Rica has over 50 different micro-climates making every area extremely different. Depending on your priorities will depend on where you choose. If business focused, consider the business year — green season in the southern area limits tourism to a few months of the year. Guanacaste (where Potrero is located) being the driest runs all but 2-3 months making it more financially viable. 

What is the most enjoyable part of life in Costa Rica? What is the most challenging? What do you miss, if anything, from the UK? 

I love being outside from the moment I wake to the moment I sleep. I love the nature, the relaxed existence.

I really miss urban culture — old architecture and the essence of an old village / town / city. And, of course, the good old British pub! Family goes without saying.

How can people learn more about you?

We really do connect with all our guests, most leave feeling like they have visited old friends. This makes an enriched holiday and an enriched experience for us as well, meeting so many wonderful people. Our venue can’t be explained because it’s about a vibe through our team and the creative space we have made. Come and say hi, or visit our website, Facebook page, or Instagram. And check out our reviews on TripAdvisor.

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Talk about going all-in! We waited till we were empty-nesters to start our travels, but Dawn and Nathan picked up and moved with two pre-teens. What they have accomplished with Libelula Lounge is impressive.

Are you thinking about making a big move, or have you made a big move? Tell us about it!