Costa Rica how to move
Costa Rica Country Guide
Everything you need to know about moving to Costa Rica
How to Move to Costa Rica
Moving to Costa Rica can change your life. Make sure to do it the right way.
Moving anywhere is challenging. But Costa Rica is worth it. With its breathtaking landscapes, warm climate, and abundant biodiversity, this country provides the perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation. Costa Rica’s stable political environment, quality healthcare system, and solid education options make it an appealing choice for retirees, families, professionals, and Digital Nomads. In this guide, we break down how to make the move to Costa Rica go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
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StartAbroad's High-level Relocation Checklist
At StartAbroad, we provide our clients detailed, tailored checklists that cover every aspect of their move. By clicking the link below, you can download a high-level relocation checklist that covers the basics of your move abroad. While it is not exhaustive, this checklist is designed to help you get started with planning your move to Costa Rica.
How to Move to Costa Rica as a Retiree
Why Retire to Costa Rica?
Safe and stable, having abolished its military in 1948
Excellent visa options, specifically the Pensionado
Affordable, high-quality healthcare
Ranked #2 place to retire in 2022
Vibrant, active expat communities
Lower cost of living than the US or Canada
15th happiest country in 2021
How can you retire to Costa Rica?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Costa Rica. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Define your goals for your life in Costa RicaÂ
- Set your retirement budget
- Decide on your relocation timeline
- Visit the country at least once on a scouting trip
- Decide your residency route, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Choose where to live in the country
- Decide if you’ll buy or rent
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Create a medical plan, including health insurance, access to medications, access to specialists, and an emergency care plan
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Costa Rica!
Not sure where to start?
Speak with an international relocation specialist for free
How to Move to Costa Rica as a Family
Why move your family to Costa Rica?
Safe and stable, having abolished its military in 1948
Diverse, highly rated school options
Affordable, high-quality healthcare
Accessibly priced real estate
Excellent visa options, including the Rentista and Inversionista
Lower cost of living than the US or Canada
15th happiest country in 2021
How can you move your family to Costa Rica?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Costa Rica for families. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Start with schools, and work your way out from there
- Set your budget
- Decide on your relocation timeline
- Visit the country at least once on a scouting trip
- Decide your residency route, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Choose where to live in the country
- Decide if you’ll buy or rent
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Understand the medical landscape, make sure that your families needs are covered
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Identify childcare if necessary
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Costa Rica!
How to Become a Digital Nomad in Costa Rica
Why become a digital nomad in Costa Rica?
Safe and stable, having abolished its military in 1948
Excellent visa options, including the Digital Nomad Visa
Vibrant, active, like-minded community
US time-zones make remote work easier
Excellent internet speeds
Lower cost of living than the US and Canada
Access to incredible nature
15th happiest country in 2021
How can you become a digital nomad in Costa Rica?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Costa Rica for digital nomads. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Define your goals + length of stay
- Set your budget
- Speak with your employer or work with an employer of record
- Get started on your Digital Nomad Visa
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Decide where your home base will be
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Ensure that you’ll have fast enough internet where you’re staying
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Costa Rica!
How to Move to Costa Rica as a Professional
Why move to Costa Rica as a professional?
Safe and stable, having abolished its military in 1948
Excellent visa options, including the Digital Nomad Visa, Rentista, and Inversionista
Significant tax benefits after the first year
Excellent internet speeds
US time-zones make remote work easier
Accessibly priced real estate
Lower cost of living than the US and Canada
How can you move to Costa Rica as a professional?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Costa Rica for professionals. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Confirm that your employer has Ok’d the move, and understands the tax implications
- Define your goals + length of stay
- Set your budget
- Decide were in the country you will live
- Decide your residency route, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Decide where your home base will be
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Ensure that you’ll have fast enough internet where you’re staying
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Costa Rica!
Helpful resources
U.S. Passport for a Child Born Abroad: Registering a Birth in Costa Rica with the U.S. Embassy
April 22, 2024
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Costa Rica client reviews
We would highly recommend using StartAbroad for your relocation needs… [Their relocation] program is very comprehensive and they anticipated our every needs to make sure that our move went smoothly.
We would have made many mistakes on our own… [StartAbroad was] worth every penny and now looking back we can’t imagine having made this move without their assistance.
Clay & Sarah (& Sam)
Costa Rica Concierge Clients
5/5
It was an ultimate pleasure working with StartAboard, from start to finish they took care of every minor detail. Their service took loads of pressure off my hands as you can imagine all the small details and variables you have to consider when moving to a different country.
I would highly recommend StartAboard if you are looking to relocate.
Reggie W.
Costa Rica Concierge Client
5/5
[The team at] StartAbroad were absolutely fantastic…Â These guys saved our family so much time – it’s quite difficult to quantify the value of their service. One thing for sure, for the small amount that they charged us for facilitating our digital nomad visas – in comparison to the huge amount of time we saved, is substantial!
Very pleasant to work with, very professional, clearly they care very much about what they are doing and their work reflects this.Â
Mateo
Digital Nomad Visa Support
5/5
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