How to Move to Costa Rica: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you wondering how to move to Costa Rica from the US? Or maybe even retiring there?
From the pura vida lifestyle to the relaxed Tico culture and stunning natural beauty, there are good reasons why over 100,000 US expats have already made the move.
In this article, we’ll discuss visa options, cost of living, and other practical realities of how to move to Costa Rica.
¡Vamos!
Are You Ready to Move Abroad?
Choose the answer to each question that best describes you or your current situation, and learn how ready you are to start a life abroad.
Are You Ready to Move Abroad?
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You’re an adventurer!
You have an adventurous spirit but you may need to prepare a bit more to ensure a smooth transition abroad. Consider researching more about the cultural, legal, and financial aspects of living overseas. Check out our guide 25 Thing Every Expat Should Know
You’re on track!
You’re on the right track. You’ve started to think about what life abroad will entail. Keep building on your preparations to avoid any surprises once you’ve moved. Check out our guide 25 Thing Every Expat Should Know
You’re ready!
You’re ready to move abroad! You seem well-prepared and have done your homework! You’re ready to embrace the expat life with confidence. Check out our guide 25 Thing Every Expat Should Know
Explore Visa and Residency Options
Navigating the legal aspects of a move can be a headache. How long can you stay? Are you allowed to work? What are the rules?
For now, here are your basic options. Unless you have a particularly in-demand skillset or are willing to take low pay to teach English, work visas are hard to come by. Most expats start as tourists or digital nomads, and then get long-term permission to stay with a pensionado, rentista, or inversionista visa.
| Visa | Key Requirements | Permission to Work?** | Residence Permit Required?** | Length |
| Tourist | No application required, border security may ask for proof of a return ticket | No | No | 180 days, reset by exiting and reentering the country |
| Digital Nomad | Earn $3000/month or $4000/month if moving with a spouse or dependent | Remotely for a foreign company | No | Valid for one year and can be renewed once |
| Cuenta Propia (self employment) | Professional training, certification, and proof of financial self-sufficiency (amount unspecified) | As a business owner or freelancer, but not an employee. | Yes | Valid for one year and can be renewed indefinitely |
| Pensionado (retiree) | Evidence of at least $1000/month permanent income | As a business owner or freelancer, but not an employee | Yes | Valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely |
| Rentista (person of independent means) | Show $60,000 in any bank account, or proof of $2500/month passive income | As a business owner or freelancer, but not an employee. This income doesn’t count toward $2500/month requirement. | Yes | Valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely |
| Inversionista (investor) | Invest $150,000 into Costa Rican real estate or business venture | As a business owner or freelancer, but not an employee | Yes | Valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely |
| Spousal | Marry a Costa Rican citizen | Yes | Yes | Valid for one year and can be renewed twice |
| Work | Be hired and sponsored by a Costa Rican company | Yes | Yes | Valid for one year and can be renewed indefinitely |
Visas that require residence permits can be upgraded to long-term after three years. Foreigners with long-term permits have unrestricted permission to work and may apply for citizenship after a cumulative seven years of residency.
The tourist visa is automatic; you can get a digital nomad visa relatively quickly (1-2 months). However, it’s a good idea to consult a lawyer if you need another type of visa or residence permit; the process takes a year or more, and applicants regularly report difficulties.
To apply, visit Costa Rica’s online immigration portal. From there, you can research requirements, submit documents, and sign up for your in-person appointment at either a Consulate in the US or an immigration office in Costa Rica.
Consider Cost of Living: A Real Life Expat Perspective
Costa Rica is known for being an affordable place to live, but it’s probably more expensive than most Americans expect. Most say rent is a bit cheaper, but food is surprisingly costly.
Per-capita income was ~$14,000 in 2024. Locals get by on humble salaries, but their lifestyles are more modest than Americans are used to. If you genuinely wanted to live on a similar income, expect to live somewhere remote in a simple home with no AC, without a car, and without many of the foods you’re used to.
To get some perspective, let’s look at a real-life example. Kima and Nicholas Hopper relocated from Houston to Nicoya, a town of 50,000, where they live in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house alongside their dog and two children.
| Hopper Family Monthly Budget (2024) | |
| Food | $1200 |
| Rent and utilities | $628 |
| Discretionary | $330 |
| Children’s tuition | $284 |
| Phone | $223 |
| Insurance (health, life, car) | $99 |
| Subscriptions | $78 |
| Gas | $67 |
| Total | $2909 |
Notably, public health insurance is pretty affordable. Kima recovered from Cancer and was surprised by the quality of care in Costa Rica. Additionally, they have a small house and live in a small town, so their rent is accordingly modest. But if you wanted to live in a coastal or tourist-oriented town/village, you can expect prices of $1500/month or more.
The Hoppers could save money on food by cooking local staples, like rice, beans, and chicken, at home. However, they prefer to eat out and pay the premiums associated with imported foods, like peanut butter and cottage cheese, that Americans are accustomed to.
Nevertheless, they still need $3000/month to get by. That’s pretty good by US standards, but probably more than some “relocation consultants” advertise.
Want to know more about what it costs to live in Costa Rica? Read our article on Cost of Living & Taxes for Expats in Costa Rica.
Other Practical Realities to Consider
Living abroad involves more than visas and budgets. Even if the paperwork is in order and the numbers add up, life abroad can come with surprises.
- How’s your Spanish? You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing the basics will help you navigate everyday life. Plus, being fluent is a must if you want to make friends outside of expat communities.
- Opening a bank account is a hassle. Most places accept American credit cards, but having a local bank helps you get local currency and avoids international transaction fees. However, you’ll need residency papers or a local sponsor to open an account, and it’ll likely take multiple visits.
- Public healthcare is slow. Unless you’re having an emergency, expect long wait times for care. Expats usually use a combination of public and private insurance to mitigate this.
- Bringing pets? They’ll need to have vaccines and valid health certificates. In addition, some dog breeds are restricted.
- What about your “stuff” from home? Costa Rica charges high import and duty fees. Most people start fresh once they get there and even buy cars locally.
- Driving can be frustrating. Road conditions are often rough, especially in rural areas. You might be better off relying on buses or Uber.
Don’t Forget About Taxes
Costa Rica only taxes income earned within the country, but the US operates a worldwide tax regime. No matter where you live, you have to file with the IRS.
Luckily, after taking advantage of applicable credits and deductions, most expats don’t end up owing any money to the IRS. Learn more in our US Tax Guide for Expats in Costa Rica.
Interested in exploring other Central American countries? Read our guide on Tax Differences Between Costa Rica and Panama.
Decide if Costa Rica Is Right for You
Depending on who you ask, expats in Costa Rica tell one of two stories about life there:
- I love it here. People actually know their neighbors, and the culture is more community-oriented than back home. Healthcare is affordable, I wake up to birds every morning, and I spend more time in nature than ever. I’ve had to give up things I took for granted in the US, but the trade-offs are worth it.
- Reality didn’t match my expectations. Life moves slower here, including simple things like opening a bank account and important things like filing government paperwork. The power or water goes out at least once a month, and everything is more expensive than I expected. I’ll definitely visit again, but this isn’t my forever home.
No matter how much you prepare, knowing which story you’ll tell is tough. Our best advice is to put your US belongings in storage and try it out for a year.
Visitors can rent like any local, just show your landlord a passport and you’re good to go. If you have remote income, you can get a digital nomad visa pretty quickly. And if not, you can reset your tourist visa indefinitely; just make a quick border run, and the 180-day limit resets. After you’ve lived there for a year, you’ll know if it suits you.
Do you want to stretch your savings and retire abroad, but haven’t decided where? Read our guide: Top 10 Tax-Free Retirement Countries for Americans.
Ready to Move?
Costa Rica is expat-friendly and, for most Americans, cheaper than living in the USA. Short-term visa options include tourist and digital nomad visas, while the most common long-term options are Pensionado, Rentista, and Investor visas.
It’s important to remember that Americans still have to file taxes, even when living abroad. If you’re considering a move to Costa Rica, talk to a Greenback tax expert today.
Dreading the last minute scramble of pulling together your tax documents? Despair no more!
