Munich, Germany – The vibrant hum of city life, the familiar gatherings in Westpark, barbecues by the Flaucher – for years, this was home for Gidon and Mara. Yet, the allure of the Bavarian capital eventually faded, replaced by a growing sense of disillusionment. The couple made a radical decision: to leave the Isar metropolis behind and embark on an entirely different path, a new life deep within the Costa Rican rainforest.
From Film Industry Success to Burnout: Gidon’s Turning Point
Gidon, now 46, arrived in Munich in 1999 at the age of 20, quickly establishing a successful career in the photography, film, and television industries. As a self-employed set designer, he worked globally, achieving considerable success with numerous projects. However, as he shared with our editorial team, he reached a point where he felt stagnant.
“Even my assignments as a production designer for a major German casting show in Los Angeles eventually couldn’t give me the feeling of true fulfillment,” he recounted. His career, while outwardly successful, masked an inner struggle.
The Escalating Pressure of a Demanding Career
The decision to emigrate to Costa Rica stemmed from multiple factors. “Everything became increasingly hectic; we were always running faster, the pressure grew constantly. We had to produce increasingly elaborate projects for less and less money, just to survive in the market – a race you can’t win,” Gidon recalled. He began to question: “What am I doing this for? What am I living for?”
Another catalyst was the escalating complexity of his professional life. “Before, I had complex problems. For example, I had to send an income tax declaration to the professional association so they could recalculate contributions retroactively. It involved minimum contributions, contribution assessment ceilings, loss carry-backs, and investment deductions,” he explained. This bureaucratic labyrinth made him feel increasingly constrained, and his stress levels continuously rose. “As an entrepreneur, you have to deal with all administrative duties – and if one line in the imprint isn’t correct, high penalties are immediately threatened. In the end, there’s hardly any time left for the actual work.”
Bureaucracy, Pressure, Stress: The Breaking Point
In Costa Rica, his daily life underwent a complete transformation. “I wanted to eliminate this bureaucracy from my life. Today, I don’t do any accounting at all.” Thanks to a company structure in the USA, Gidon and Mara don’t pay income tax, and many legal matters are significantly simpler. “If you slip on a banana peel, you can’t just sue your neighbor for not clearing the path. Here, everyone takes more personal responsibility” – and that’s precisely what he values.
At 40, Gidon underwent two heart surgeries, which profoundly changed his perspective. “Life is more than the daily struggle, more than the number in my bank account. It can be over far too quickly,” the 46-year-old realized at the time. “That was the point where I thought: This can’t go on.” In 2022, Gidon and his then-partner decided to quit their jobs and emigrate to Costa Rica, with plans to build a retreat.
Retreat Dreams in Costa Rica and a Shattered Vision
However, not everything went as smoothly as hoped in Central America. The investor pulled out, and with that, the entire plan collapsed. “Suddenly, I faced truly significant, existential problems,” the 46-year-old reported. The tense situation also strained his relationship at the time, eventually leading to a separation. “You could say: I fell flat on my face.” For over a year, Gidon struggled through financial difficulties. “It was hard, but eventually, I developed a new vision, reoriented myself, and rebuilt step by step.”
A New Beginning: Finding Love and Purpose in the Jungle
During a summer visit to Germany, things took a turn. Gidon met 32-year-old Mara through a dating app. “We started writing and the next day we talked on the phone for hours,” he recounted. For Mara, the great distance was no obstacle – quite the opposite. “We quickly realized that our visions perfectly matched.” Less than four weeks later, she was on a plane to San José; their first date took place at the airport in Costa Rica.
For three months now, the couple has been living together in a small rented house in the heart of the rainforest. “Around us, there are only bushes and a few banana plantations,” Gidon said. Both work remotely, coaching people and helping them to reconnect with themselves. This remains their clear path for the future. They haven’t given up on their dream of owning a retreat. “We are realizing our vision of a ‘magic garden’ – a place where we want to help people find themselves again,” the 46-year-old explained.
No Regrets, Just Adjustment: Life in the Rainforest
The couple doesn’t miss their former home, even though the move brought significant adjustments. “Many things that exist in Germany simply don’t exist here. If I need a vacuum cleaner bag in Germany, I order it on Amazon and have it in my hand a few days later,” Gidon noted. In Costa Rica, it’s completely different: many products have to be ordered from the USA, delivery times are long, and prices are significantly higher due to customs duties. “The comfort level in Germany is very high.” Mara agreed: “Missing it would still be the wrong word. It’s more of an adjustment that you get used to.” In the past three months, she has fallen in love with her new home. “It’s warm all year round, everything grows so lushly here, and the ocean is nearby,” she enthused.
“Munich, of course, remains my favorite city in Germany,” the 32-year-old affirmed. However, the couple has no plans to return permanently. “Our goal is to become firmly established here, build a permanent home, and also do something for other people,” Gidon explained. Trips to the Isar metropolis will only be for family visits in the future.
Source: Own research (ab); Interviews with Gidon and Mara.
