How to Move to Costa Rica?

Here’s how you can apply for a Costa Rica visa:

1. Find a local embassy or consulate. You have to apply for a provisional (entry) visa to Costa Rica from your home country. To do this, you need to visit a Costa Rican embassy/consulate in your country, which you can find here.
2. Fill out the application form. You can find the application form on the website of the Immigration Department here. If online services are not available, you can find the form on the website of the corresponding embassy/consulate in your area.
3. Prepare the required documents. Find a more detailed list of required documents below, but usually, you need your passport, application form, police clearance certificate, and so on.
4. Obtain your visa. Once your visa is issued, you have 60 days to enter the country and use your visa to obtain your residence permit. Afterward, you will be a Costa Rican resident.

The required documents for your Costa Rican visa include the following:

• Valid passport.
• Copy of your passport.
• Passport photographs.
• Application letter stating you requesting a provisional visa.
• A police clearance certificate.
• Proof of financial means.

Please note that you may be asked to provide additional documents.

A Costa Rica visa costs $52. But this does not include the cost for any service fees or for the residence permit you have to obtain after entering the country. It’s also important to remember that the fees may change depending on your country of residence.

For your residence permit, you have to apply to the Costa Rican Department of Immigration (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería). To do this, you need to make an appointment by calling 1311 or setting up an appointment at the Bank of Costa Rica “Banco de Costa Rica”.

You will also be asked to visit the Immigration Department office in San Jose to submit your fingerprints and sign the application form for your residence permit. Once your application is processed, you will obtain your residency card ID, “Cédula de Residencia”.

Afterward, you can renew your permit online here.

During your initial stay in the country, you can use temporary accommodation such as hostels, motels, or Airbnb. But for long-term stays, you should find rental accommodation. We recommend you spend some time renting before deciding to buy anything long-term.

Some real estate websites to help you find accommodation in Costa Rica include the following:

• Costarica-realty
• Houseatcostarica
• Expatpropertiesca

To open a bank account in Costa Rica, you must provide proof of ID, proof of income, and proof of residency. The requirements may change depending on the bank.

You will need a local bank account if you’re planning on moving to the country as an investor, business owner, or real estate investor. You should keep in mind that in Costa Rica, you’ll find public and private banks, so you can choose whichever one suits you best.

Any resident and citizen in Costa Rica must sign up with the public health insurance scheme known as the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), or simply ‘Caja.’ To complete the registration process, you have to visit a local Caja office in your area and provide proof of your residency.

Caja is funded by taxes and monthly payments, where around 9% or 11% of your income goes to health insurance payments. If you’re retired, then the percentage is calculated based on the income amount you declared you had when you applied for your residence permit.

However, most expats prefer to have private health insurance as well, as it covers the gaps that the public system does not cover, and it allows them access to private hospitals and English-speaking doctors.

Generally, you can’t work in Costa Rica with a temporary residence permit, and even more so if you have a Rentista or Retiree (Pensionado) visa. To work as an employee, you need to have a work permit authorized by a Costa Rican employer or a permanent residence permit.

Here’s an estimated breakdown of how much it costs to move to Costa Rica:

• Flights— $300–$1,000 (one-way, depending on departure location)
• Shipping belongings— $2,000–$10,000 (for a full container)
• Temporary accommodation— $50–$200 per night (for hotels or Airbnb)
• Residency application fees— $250–$1,500 (plus lawyer fees if needed)
• Initial rental deposit— Usually one or two months’ rent ($500–$2,500)

Total estimated moving cost— $5,000–$15,000, depending on your lifestyle and what you bring.

The living costs for a single person in Costa Rica, on average, is around $850 per month without rent.

With rent included, your costs increase more:

• Rent— $500–$2,500/month (depends on location; cities and beach towns are pricier)
• Utilities— $50–$150/month (electricity, water, internet)
• Groceries— $300–$600/month
• Healthcare— $50–$500/month (depends on income)
• Private health insurance— $100–$300/month
• Dining out— $5–$20 per meal at a restaurant
• Transportation— $50–$200/month (public transport is cheap; gas is expensive)

A comfortable budget for an expat is $1,500–$3,000 per month, but this depends on location and lifestyle.

Knowing Spanish is not a requirement to move there, and you can get by with English in tourist areas.

That being said, learning Spanish is highly recommended for daily life. Government offices, local businesses, and medical facilities often operate primarily in Spanish, and it will help you meet new people, make friends, and integrate better in your new home.

Costa Rica is considered generally safe for foreigners, but petty crimes are still prevalent, especially in touristy areas. Pickpocketing, scams, and car break-ins are the most common crimes, particularly in busy locations like San José, Jacó, and Tamarindo.

As always, exercise caution wherever you are, pay attention to your surroundings, and keep your valuables in safe places.