Day in the life of Ben

This is the first in a series of a day in the life of, or blog entries where we will follow a random RE/MAX We Sell Paradise employee for a full day to find out what they get up to! This will give you the insight into what it is like to help people buy and sell homes in a very unique, tropical, isolated, mysterious, and stunning location that is Southwestern Costa Rica.

We will start with a day in the life of Ben, who is one of the franchises (alongside Heather) and has been there since ‘Day 1’.

Table of Contents

4:45 AM – RUN

Ben’s usual routine involves a daily morning run, usually 1 hour long but sometimes 2 hours or more. Ben starts his run before 5:00 AM when the sun is still far below the horizon and not even the Howler Monkeys are screaming – so a flashlight and a knife (or a stun gun) are his usual accessories (Ben has seen numerous Black Panthers in the local area, so a deterrent is necessary). The run will take him down to Cinco Ventanas, along the coastal highway to Ojochal, and then right through the village and back up the mountains.

Man in the dark - day in the life of Ben. — Ben leaving for his morning run.

6:42 AM – Drive to Work

After the run, shower, a quick breakfast and, already, quite a few work related phone calls and messages it is time to head to the office. Ben’s sidekick Polka takes the front seat for the 10-minute drive down to the RE/MAX office on the coastal highway, just south of the entrance into the village of Ojochal.

Dog in car. — Polka ready for another day in the office.

Car driving through mountains. — Ben departing on the 10 minute drive down to the RE/MAX office.

6:55 AM – Straight Into the Action!

Ben arrives at the office – today there is no time for a morning coffee and catch-up with the employees; that will have to wait until later. There are three site visits and a lot of phone calls, emails and little jobs to be completed from the phone while Ben is on the go. Polka is very reluctant to be left in the office alone this early in the day, but at least she will get to play the part of a guard dog while enjoying a bowl full of food and air conditioning set at 22 degrees. Soon other employees will pop in to keep her company.

Dog in front of building. — Polka would rather stay in the car and keep Ben company.

7:12 AM – Car Wash & Coffee

After a quick cruise down the coastal highway, Ben pulled into a car wash in Uvita. With client meetings on the agenda, the car had to be spotless—inside and out. After all, a vehicle that tackles a dozen or more dirt-road kilometers daily rarely looks ready for business.

While the car got its well-earned bath and scrub, Ben crossed the street to Sibu for a much-needed coffee and bagel. A clean car and a solid breakfast—just the right start to a busy day.

Car parked outside. — Ben’s dusty Toyota ready for the beauty treatment.

restaurant patio. — A quick breakfast in Sibu, across the road from the carwash.

8:31 AM – Site Visit #1

Back at the office with a spotless car, Ben and Heather headed out to meet a client. Their mission: inspect and photograph a jungle property tucked deep in the hills. The drive was tricky. Local roads twist through thick primary forest, and the dense canopy often scrambles GPS signals. The little blue dot danced across the screen, causing plenty of confusion—just like today.

Eventually, they found the place. Ben and Heather spent about thirty minutes speaking with the tenant, reviewing property plans, and capturing photos of the lush surroundings.

Two people in car. — A few wrong turns due to the unreliable GPS…

Two people outside. — Ben and Heather visiting a client.

9:41 AM – Site Visit #2

Back at the office, Ben greets Polka and 2-2—who’s peeking out from Heather’s doorway—before heading off to meet the next homeowner. With Heather and Magaly along for the ride, the team cruises down the coastal highway, naturally taking a brief detour thanks to the usual five-minute “getting lost” ritual.

Once on site, a few snapshots, some drone footage, and a friendly chat with the owner seal the deal. Another successful showing in the books.

Dog on chair. — A quick ‘hello’ to Polka and 2-2.

Car on road. — This is not the house we are looking for – back in the car and down the street we go.

Man outside. — Ben taking drone shots of the property.

Car on highway. — On the way back to the office – through the ever-present tropical vistas.

10:57 AM – SANTA!!!

Back to the home base, and it’s time for Heather-Santa and Ben-Santa to spread some Christmas Cheer! Plenty of presents and refreshments for everyone to enjoy and a welcome little break for Ben.

11:34 AM – Property Showing

Ben hit the road again, climbing the jungle-covered hills behind Uvita to show a truly unique listing—the Teak House. The potential buyers were captivated, spending over three hours exploring every detail of the property.

Built entirely from teak panels, the house radiates a warm, natural charm. Its open design and spacious layout blend seamlessly with the lush surroundings. And the views? Absolutely breathtaking.

Man on motorcycle. — On the way to the Teak House.

Man in front of house. — Ben and the tram at the Teak House.

Man in house. — The team at the Teak House.

6:59 PM – Ending the Day with Chicharrones

After a long Teak House showing, a quick gas station stop delivered the reward—a cold Coke and crispy Chicharrones. The snacks kept Ben going as he swung by the office to grab Polka and tackle a few emails.

Not long after, he pulled into his driveway well past dark, finally ready for a hot meal and a rare moment of rest. But peace is fleeting—his phone kept buzzing, refusing to let the day end quietly. Ben’s day wasn’t quite over… but this article is.

car headlights at night. — Ben approaching his driveway.

Costa Rica is attracting remote workers as well as expats who wish to continue their career in the tropics, or perhaps try their hands at a brand-new craft . The first step is finding the right property to act as a home base launchpad for your next mission (and you WILL choose to accept it!) Visit the RE/MAX We Sell Paradise website to view the hot properties in our local area.