Q: Is Costa Rica disability friendly?

A: Yes… and no.

In some ways, yes… there are ramps, accessible parking spaces, and laws meant to support inclusion. But the reality on the ground can be uneven. Literally.

Sidewalks aren’t always flat or well maintained, and it’s not uncommon to find cones, shopping carts, or even motorcycles parked in spaces reserved for people with disabilities.

Which means if you’re the one who needs that space, you’re suddenly the one who has to get out of the car to move things… the opposite of what accessibility is meant to provide.

Access to healthcare can also be challenging. Wait times to see specialists can stretch for months, which can be especially difficult for people managing chronic or complex conditions.

For those with invisible disabilities (like myself), it can be even more difficult.

This week is National Invisible Disabilities Week in the U.S., and it’s a good reminder that what you don’t see can be just as real. In Costa Rica, as in many places, if your disability isn’t visible, people might not think to offer extra time, space, or understanding.

There’s still a way to go, but awareness grows when we keep talking about it – that’s how change begins.