Humidity

Moving to paradise has its perks—lush green landscapes, fresh fruit from the trees, and peaceful birdsong at sunrise. But let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side: humidity. It’s one of the most persistent challenges we face when relocating to the tropics, and if not managed well, it can quickly take a toll on your electronics, clothes, furniture, and even your health.

After more than 12 years of living in the Costa Rican jungle, I’ve seen firsthand how moisture creeps into every corner of life—from moldy pillows to malfunctioning laptops. This blog is meant to share real-world, practical tips to help you keep your home dry, your stuff safe, and your lungs happy. Whether you're building your dream home from scratch or maintaining an already-built house, this guide is for you.

If you’re still in the planning or construction phase of your home in Costa Rica, here’s what you can do to keep humidity out. These tips are focused on moisture management—another day I might share ideas for tackling heat or bugs!

Avoid porous materials like untreated wood, drywall (gypsum), or unsealed cement, which tend to absorb and release moisture into your home. Instead, go for:

Sealed concrete or concrete panels, treated hardwood, high-quality, mold-resistant paints and coatings

These options will help your home resist humidity from the start.

Make sure your land drains well. If your house sits in water, the moisture will travel up into your walls and floors. Here’s how to prevent that:

Add drainage canals or gravel beds, raise the foundation, use strategic landscaping (slopes, swales, retaining walls) and build with large roof overhangs to keep rainwater further from the base of your home

In the tropics, airflow is everything. Plan for:

Plenty of windows on opposite walls for cross-ventilation, ceiling fans in every room, AC units in offices or bedrooms and add exhaust fans over the stove and in the showers to quickly get rid of hot, steamy air before it spreads moisture through the house

Build at least one dry, climate-controlled room for storing things that really dislike humidity: blankets, books, electronics, camera gear, documents, etc. Use doors that seal the dry room and avoid windows. This dry room will be your best fried! If your office has AC, your appliances should be fine as ACs also dehumidify

Put a Dehumidifier in your dry room and choose one that can connect to a hose and drain it directly to the outside (through the wall or floor), so you don’t need to empty the bucket daily. Use a timer for energy efficiency

Even if your house is already built, there’s plenty you can do to minimize moisture and mold. Clean regularity and implement these small habits that make a big difference over time.

Keep ceiling fans on as much as possible—even when you're not home. Leave interior doors open to let air move freely through your space. The goal is to never let the air sit still. Open doors and windows to cross ventilate only when outdoor humidity is low, not during rain or fog, as you invite more water into your home.

Run dehumidifiers in walk-in closets, bedrooms, and your dry room. In this case, close the doors.
Use air conditioners in "sensitive" rooms like offices, bedrooms, or spaces with electronics, as they cool and dehumidify.

Fabrics attract mold quickly. Try these habits:

Hang your clothes instead of folding and stacking them. Rotate linens regularly. Avoid leather furniture and accessories, which are among the first to mold. If you use leather, clean it once a week with a mixture of vinegar and essential oils. 

The sun is your ally against humidity:

Dry pillows, cushions, and clothes in direct sunlight whenever possible. Wash and sun-dry blankets often to keep them fresh

I know we all love having trees close to the house—but if you want to fight mold, you’ll need to give your home some breathing room. Keep at least 9 feet of clearance around the perimeter (also helps against bugs, scorpions etc.). This helps to improve airflow around your home, let the sun reach your walls and foundation and reduces the moisture that trees release into your immediate environment

Final Thoughts

Living in Costa Rica is a dream come true—but even dreams need maintenance! With a smart approach to construction and daily living, you can stay one step ahead of the humidity and enjoy a fresh, healthy, and mold-free home.

These tips are based on years of trial, error, and learning by doing. I hope they save you from musty closets, ruined electronics, moldy walls.

Thanks for reading, and happy rainy season to you all 🙂

Pura vida,
Florian Kuster
Maderal Properties