Costa Rica Digital Nomad Package
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Package
Ensure a smooth landing in Costa Rica. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
We've been featured in...
Pura Vida, Made Easy
When you think about moving to Costa Rica, you imagine working from the beach, surfing in the morning, listening to the birds, hiking in the rainforest.
What you don’t imagine? Bureaucracy and expense.
Finding a rental, a good quality car, getting your visa – to do it affordably and without mistakes requires knowledge of local systems, Spanish, and connections.
When you move to Costa Rica, you want to enjoy your new home, unburdened by bureaucratic processes and confusing new rules.
Get it right the first time. We specialize in all of the key components of your Costa Rica move, so you don’t have to.
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
Digital Nomad Visa
Rental Search
Car
Airport Pickup
Trusted Expert Network
4 Coaching Calls
Transparent &
Affordable Pricing
Get peace of mind without breaking the bank.
Digital Nomad Package
$2695
+ $315 per dependent
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Long-term rental in Costa Rica
- Car purchase service
- Airport pickup on arrival
- Dedicated relocation specialist to support you throughout the move process
- Four 1:1 coaching calls on move topics of your choice
- Connections to vetted accountants and health insurance brokers
- Access to client Whatsapp line for 30 days after your move
- Tailored pre-arrival checklist
Price does not include cost of procuring documents, apostille, or government application fees
Let's break it down in more detail...
Digital Nomad Visa
- Application submission on your behalf to the Costa Rican government
- Official translation of all required documents
- Certified income statement from accredited Costa Rica accountant
- Guidance on assembling required documentation + the apostille process
- In-person submission of government fees
- In-person accompaniment to your final visa appointment in Costa Rica (San Jose area only)
*not included: government fees and taxes
Rental Search
- Up to 25 listings that meet your criteria
- In-person or video walkthroughs of 3 rentals
- Negotiation with landlord on your behalf
- Lease review and translation
- Personal attention and support
- On-call customer service
Optional add-ons:
- Additional lease reviews & translations
- Additional in-person or video walkthroughs
Car Purchase
- 30 minute initial call to preview purchase process, discuss budget, and make recommendations
- Up to 40 listings pulled that meet your desired criteria
- Coordination of 4 in-person car inspections with a trusted mechanic
- Price negotiation on your behalf with the seller
- Connection to a vetted attorney to complete the car transfer process, plus guidance through closing
Coaching Calls
- In-depth written guides on every topic
- Choose the topics that make sense for you
- Popular topics:
- Choosing Your Ideal Location in Costa Rica
- Schooling & Childcare
- Shipping (What to Bring & What to Buy)
- Tax 101 for Costa Rica Expats
- Bringing Pets to Costa Rica
About the Digital Nomad Visa
Who is a Digital Nomad Visa for?
Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa is ideal for anyone seeking to work from Costa Rica for 1-2 years, including those who want to test out living in Costa Rica before investing in residency.
How to Qualify
Applicants must prove minimum monthly income of $3000 USD for the 12 months preceding submission of the application. When applying with dependents, that rises to $4000 USD per month. Income must come from a company registered outside of Costa Rica.
Benefits
- No taxation on income earned outside of Costa Rica
- Quick and affordable: you can get your digital nomad visa in just a few months and for a significantly lower cost than residency
- Include dependents/familiy members
- Duty-free imports of work materials
- Eliminate international “visa runs” and risk of border issues
Experience the StartAbroad Difference
1.
Your move is personal. Work with people who care.
We get to know everyone we work with personally. You are making a huge life change when you move to a new country. We get it, we’ve been there. You deserve to work with someone who cares about your move success.
2.
The best customer service in the industry
Every StartAbroad client gets their own dedicated relocation specialist. We are available to you over email and phone and responsive to your needs.
3.
Transparent, affordable pricing
We don’t believe in hidden fees, added VAT tax, recurring annual subscriptions, or charging extra for translations. What you see is what you get, and it’s all you need to pay to get you there.
4.
We’re local
We're your boots on the ground in Costa Rica. We live here, own property here, and have children here ourselves. We understand what it means to make the move to Costa Rica because we've done it too.
Want to talk it through with us?
FAQs
Do I qualify for a Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa?
To qualify for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa you must show income of at least $3000 per month for the past 12 months, earned from a source outside of Costa Rica. If you want to bring any dependents the requirement is $4000 per month.
Questions? Please sign up for a consultation here.
When should I book your services?
We recommend starting our service at least 2 months before you want to move and up to 8 months before your target move date. It usually takes at least 2 months to find a rental you love and organize the car buying process for your arrival in country.
It usually takes 6-12 weeks from receiving your paperwork for us to receive your Step 3 visa approval, at which point you should come to Costa Rica for your final in-person appointment. Many applicants may also arrive in Costa Rica before the Step 3 approval on a tourist visa, although this will depend on your passport country.
I don’t know what to do about my children’s school - where do I start?
You have options. Depending on where you want to move there may be public options, private options, and international schools to consider. Once you sign on as a client we can use a coaching call to orient you to the public vs private vs international systems and help you identify an initial shortlist of schools that may work for you.
Can I include a family member in my application? Who qualifies as a dependent?
Main applicants can sponsor a spouse, children under 25, adult children with disabilities, and seniors who live with them. You will need to submit separate applications (including application fees) for each dependent, and procure specific documentation that proves familial connection.
How can I find a place to live that’s safe and affordable?
Finding a home in a new country can be daunting. You might hear about affordable rentals but not know where to look, or you might need to be sure your rental meets the requirements for your visa. We can help. We know the best towns and neighborhoods and can help you find a place that fits your needs and budget. Our rental search includes a deep-dive on location, full lease review and translation, and can be done either in-person or remotely.
What do I need to start my Digital Nomad Visa application?
You will need:
a valid passport
color passport photos
proof of payment of the $100 application fee
an application form
an entry stamp in your passport if you are already in Costa Rica
bank statements for the 12 months prior to submitting your application
a certified income statement
official translations of any documents that are not already in Spanish
apostilled marriage or birth certificates for dependents issued within the last six months
StartAbroad can help procure all relevant documents, including translations and a certified income statement from an accredited Costa Rican accountant.
Can I apply if I'm already in Costa Rica?
Yes! You can apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa from inside the country, provided you are on a legal tourist visa or other visa. Americans, Canadians, and many other nationalities can get a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in Costa Rica.
My pets don't fly well and I don't know how to travel with them.
We get it. As pet owners ourselves we understand how important it is to get your pets to your new home safely and calmly. We know all of the options and can walk you through what is best for you and your pet, whether it’s in-cabin or a private flight. Ask us about using a coaching call to discuss this topic. We’ll share our Costa Rica pet relocation checklist and walk you through every step, including all required paperwork. If you need to book a professional pet relocation service, we have recommendations.
Should I ship my things or buy new when I arrive?
Deciding what to do with your possessions is a very personal decision, but it’s one that we have a lot of experience discussing with our clients. We can help you understand your options, understand the costs, and make the decision that is right for you.
Can I meet you in person?
Maybe! As our business is for expats, by expats, we are location independent and we travel often between our countries of operation. We do meet our clients in person from time to time if they are moving to our home bases in Costa Rica and Portugal or passing through.
