It happens more often than anyone new to Costa Rica can imagine. Many who flamed the dude have since gone on to find themselves in similar (or worse) situations with chica(s) down here. Every guy thinks their chica is different, even after they have been screwed over.
Guys who seem as if they are hard as nails have been melted by the affections and stories of the chicas in Costa Rica. Some have married the chicas (and/or had Ch*ldren) only to see her turn on them much worse than any gringa has ever done. I've seen these same guys wallow in the drama she brings to their life and while they know it's destructive, they are unable to break free. I've seen this with guys living in Costa Rica who can easily find a replacement chica, or 2 or 3. Also, guys who have previously abandoned their Ch*ldren in the US to an ex-wife, suddenly have a Ch*ld with a chica in Costa Rica and get wrapped up in a whirlwind of daily drama of accusations, lying, cheating, stealing, family bullshit and physical assault.
Having personally been there, done that, bought the "P" shirt, I feel that we should all be rather humble knowing that at any time we can become enthralled in the same mess. Since I've seen me do it before, I know that I might do it again...but my chica was different.....right.