Your Complete 2025 Action Plan for Moving to Costa Rica

Are you dreaming of moving to Costa Rica, where tropical beaches, lush rainforests, and eternal summer await? Whether you're a remote worker seeking paradise with reliable internet, a family researching international schools, or a retiree looking to embrace the "pura vida" lifestyle, relocating to this Central American haven requires careful planning. Many expatriates describe moving to Costa Rica as transformative, but the transition demands preparation. From navigating residency requirements to finding your ideal community, Osa Tropical Properties has created this comprehensive 2025 guide with actionable steps for anyone considering moving to Costa Rica. Let our expertise transform your relocation dreams into reality.

 

Pre-Move Planning

To get prepared for your move to Costa Rica, the first step is organizing the necessary documentation for your residency application. Becoming a legal resident is highly recommended—it won't affect your current citizenship but will allow you to live securely in Costa Rica without the hassle of leaving every 90 days to renew your tourist visa. By completing this paperwork in advance, you'll avoid emergency trips back to your home country for fingerprints or apostille certifications.

Residency & Legal

• Choose the right residency program: When moving to Costa Rica, apply for the Rentista, Inversionista, or Digital Nomad visa depending on your situation.
• Gather all required documents: When preparing your move, secure apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, police background checks, and proof of income.
• Hire a reputable immigration attorney: When dealing with Costa Rican bureaucracy, local legal assistance will save you significant time and frustration. We highly recommend Invicta Legal for all of our client legal needs, including residency applications.

 

Essential Services Setup

In Costa Rica, service quality varies significantly across providers. Many expatriates experience a period of trial and error before identifying reliable service providers that best suit their specific location and needs. This learning process, while occasionally frustrating, ultimately leads to establishing a network of dependable services that enhance your living experience.

Internet & Communication

• Best providers for remote workers: When setting up internet, choose between:
• Kolbi (ICE): Government provider with the widest coverage but only available currently along the highway and in town centers in Ojochal, Uvita, and Dominical. Their fiber cables only extend so far for now.
• Fibra En Casa: Best speeds in more remote areas, up to 300 Mbps for $200 per month in our region. Outages happen because of the aerial fiber posts in our region and because of how popular they are, repair times can sometimes be a few days' time.
• Startlink: The most reliable option as long as the position is free from obstructions. With an optimized set up, you should have a minimum of 82 Mbps for around $45 per month.
• Backup solutions: When working remotely, always have a mobile hotspot plan as backup and consider a portable WiFi device for travel, as well as battery backup in our more remote region where powerlines can be compromised at any time by tree branches or wildlife, although these days the power company, ICE, tends to be very quick to repair any outages.
• Mobile carriers: When choosing phone service, Kolbi, Movistar, and Claro all offer good coverage with varying strengths by region. Most people in this region use Kolbi but any of those options are available.

Banking & Finance

• Open a local bank account: When moving money, Banco Nacional, BAC Credomatic, and Scotiabank are expat-friendly options. New banks like Lafise are becoming increasingly popular by opening up financing options for foreigners for around 6% interest but strict conditions. Contact us to learn more about our experience with this and other private institutions.
• Tax considerations: When earning income, understand your obligations both to Costa Rica and your home country. 
• Currency management: When handling finances, maintain accounts in both colones and dollars for different purposes. Some things, like SINPE transfer service, can only be done with a colon account.

Healthcare

• Join the Caja: When establishing residency in Costa Rica, you must enroll in the public healthcare system, known locally as "CCSS" or "Caja." This program requires a monthly contribution based on a sliding scale determined by your income level. To ensure fair assessment and avoid potential overcharges that foreigners sometimes experience, it's advisable to engage a lawyer or consultant familiar with the system who can guide you through the enrollment process.
• Private insurance options: When needing faster or specialized care, INS, BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna offer quality private coverage for reasonable rates. 
• Hospital networks: When considering healthcare options in Costa Rica, Hospital CIMA, Clínica Bíblica, and Hospital La Católica stand out as premier private medical facilities, all situated in the capital city of San José. For residents of the Southern Zone, Hospital Las Americas in Pérez Zeledón/San Isidro (approximately 30 minutes east of Dominical) offers the closest high-quality medical care, featuring both public and private services. This facility attracts some of the country's finest physicians and specialists who divide their practice between San José and San Isidro, ensuring excellent care in both locations. Additional medical facilities in the region include Hospital Metropolitano in Quepos (30 minutes north of Dominical), the Urgent Care Clinic in Uvita, and Tomas Casas Hospital in Cortés.

 

Family Considerations

When relocating with school-aged children to Costa Rica, developing an appropriate educational strategy is essential to ensure they have a comprehensive and enriching experience in their new home. The country offers diverse educational pathways including homeschooling, public education, and private institutions. Even in smaller regions, the growing expatriate population has led to an expanding array of educational options, providing families with increasingly varied choices to meet their children's specific learning needs and preferences.

Education

• International schools: When enrolling children, consider:
• Journey School: International bilingual school with U.S. curriculum in Hermosa (Uvita)
• Centro Educativo Costa Ballena: Bilingual education with IB options
• Life Project Education: Alternative English-language school with a community based education for students age 3-15
• Osa Jungle Academy: English language learning community for ages 9-16
• Local schools: When wanting cultural immersion, consider high-quality public (free) or private Costa Rican schools at a fraction of international school costs.
• Enrollment timelines: When planning your move, know that most schools accept applications year-round but preferably 3-6 months before the school year starts in February.

Childcare

• Nanny services: When hiring household help, expect to pay $500-800/month for full-time assistance.
• Daycare options: When needing childcare, look for "guarderías" in your neighborhood, available from $300-600/month.

 

Transportation

When selecting a vehicle for Costa Rica, prioritize reliability—choose a model that performs well on the country's challenging terrain, including unpaved roads and steep inclines, while also ensuring parts availability should repairs become necessary. While labor costs for automotive repairs are relatively affordable in Costa Rica, replacement parts can become prohibitively expensive for specialty vehicles not commonly found in the country. This parts scarcity, combined with substantial import taxes on foreign vehicles, explains why practical, widely-available models are the more economical and convenient choice for long-term residency.

Vehicles

• Best options for families: When purchasing a vehicle:
• Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Suzuki Vitara handle both city and rough roads well and are easy to access parts
• Toyota Prado or Mitsubishi Montero for larger families also have easy to find parts
• Hyundai and Kia models offer good value with decent parts availability
• Import vs. local purchase: When deciding how to acquire a vehicle, purchasing locally avoids 50-70% import taxes, though selection is more limited. There is the option to import a vehicle tax free with a residency visa in Costa Rica however there are many catches that make it a challenge for most people to successfully pursue this option
• 4WD necessity: When living outside urban centers or traveling frequently, 4WD is critical (although less and less essential in our region), especially during the rainy season (May-November).

Public Transportation and Taxis

• Bus networks: When traveling between cities, extensive and affordable bus routes connect the entire country. You can use the Moovit App to track bus schedules.
• Ride-sharing: When needing flexibility, Uber operates in urban areas, particularly in the Central Valley.
• Taxis: These can come in anything from motorcycle transport to delivery trucks, taxis are mainly privately run in this region and best to hire based on recommendation but most also very reasonably priced.
• Uber: The ride sharing app is now available in our region of Costa Rica with just a few drivers for now but still a reliable option that people enjoy.

 

Daily Life

Daily life in Costa Rica mirrors many aspects of North American and European routines, but with distinct advantages: consistently pleasant climate, reduced traffic congestion, and extraordinary natural surroundings. Even in our coastal region, you'll discover a surprising range of services and amenities to meet your needs. What truly distinguishes the experience, however, is the exceptional warmth and friendliness of local residents you'll encounter during your everyday activities.

Shopping

• Grocery options:
• Supermercados: You'll encounter these establishments under various names, always prefaced with "supermercado" (Spanish for "supermarket"). However, they more closely resemble well-stocked convenience stores rather than full-scale supermarkets. These markets can be found in every populated area and are ideal for quick shopping trips, though they typically charge slight premiums for their convenience.
• Specialty delis: With the growing population of expats in this region, many more specialty stores and delis have opened with many foreign products from around the world. Some notable options are La Cola in Uvita, Steve’s Deli in Bahia, L’Epicerie and Tagua in Ojochal, and, of course, the original specialty store in the region, Mama Toucan’s in Dominical.
• BM: The main supermarket chain in our Southern Zone region for everyday grocery shopping with local and imported products at middle of the road prices (closest locations in Dominical, Uvita, and Palmar Norte)
• Maxi Pali: When seeking general groceries at reasonable prices (nearest location in Uvita)
• Auto Mercado: When wanting premium and imported products and willing to travel 1.5 hours to Jaco
• PriceSmart: When buying in bulk for families
• Local ferias (farmers markets): When looking for fresh produce at the best prices, visit the almost daily markets in our tri-town region
• Shopping malls: When needing retail therapy, Multiplaza (Escazú), Avenida Escazú, and City Mall (Alajuela) offer international brands in a typical shopping mall setting, but 3 hours away from our region. There are many boutique stores carrying beautiful offerings in natural fabrics in our region that are perfect for weathering the heat in style
• Online shopping: When ordering items not available locally, Amazon delivers to Costa Rica through mail forwarding services like Aeropost or Liberty Express.

Social Integration

• Expat groups: When building your network, join Facebook communities, InterNations, and local expat organizations.
• Language learning: When integrating, prioritize Spanish classes through academies like Academia Tica, Intercultura, or private tutors.
• Local involvement: When establishing roots, participate in community events, volunteer, and join sports clubs.

 

Work & Business

Since the rise of remote work and Costa Rica's introduction of the Digital Nomad visa, professionals can now relocate their workspace to this tropical paradise while maintaining their careers. This development has attracted numerous pre-retirement expatriates to the region, spurring the growth of co-working facilities and significant improvements in internet infrastructure to accommodate increasing bandwidth demands.

Remote Work Setup

• Coworking spaces: When needing professional environments, explore Spaces in Ojochal or Seas the Day in Uvita.
• Business registration: When starting a local business, understand the "sociedad anónima" (S.A.) structure and tax implications.
• Digital nomad visa: When working remotely, this new visa program offers tax advantages and simplified residency for qualifying remote workers.

Work Permits

• Legal requirements: When seeking local employment, understand that work permits are tied to specific employers and positions.
• Freelance options: When working independently, establish a local business structure for proper tax compliance.

 

Cultural Adaptation

The "pura vida" philosophy is deeply woven into Costa Rican culture and extends far beyond beach life. This relaxed approach to daily living permeates every sector and represents the authentic local lifestyle. In this region, unexpected events—from fallen trees affecting power lines to service providers facing unforeseen challenges—may occasionally disrupt schedules. It's beneficial to approach such situations with flexibility and patience, understanding that solutions might require additional time.

Communication can present unique dynamics as well. While many locals appreciate visitors who make efforts to speak Spanish, cultural and linguistic differences sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Approaching interactions with openness, respect, and clear communication helps build positive relationships within the community and enhances your overall experience in this beautiful country.

Understanding Pura Vida

• Business pace: When doing business, expect a more relaxed timeline than in North America or Europe.
• Appointment flexibility: When scheduling, build in buffer time as punctuality has different cultural interpretations.
• Relationship emphasis: When building networks, personal connections often matter more than formal credentials.

Language Strategies

• Essential Spanish: When communicating daily, even basic Spanish will significantly improve your experience.
• Translation tools: When facing language barriers, apps like Google Translate and SpanishDict help bridge gaps.

 

Practical Tips

Weather Preparedness

• Rainy season planning: When living through the green season (May-November), invest in quality rain gear and consider drainage when choosing housing.
• Microclimate awareness: When selecting your location, understand that temperatures can vary dramatically within short distances due to elevation changes.

Safety Considerations

• Secure housing: When setting up your home, invest in good locks, possibly alarm systems in urban areas.
• Personal awareness: When going about daily life, practice the same common-sense precautions you would in any country.
• Area research: When house hunting, some neighborhoods are safer than others; research and visit potential areas at different times of day.

Budget Planning

• Cost of living calculator: When financial planning, expect:
• Housing: $800-2500/month depending on location and type
• International schools: $500-1500/month per child
• Groceries: $400-800/month for a family of four
• Healthcare: $60-100/month for Caja plus optional private insurance
• Utilities: $150-300/month including internet
• Transportation: $200-400/month for fuel and maintenance

 

Long-Term Considerations

Property Ownership

• Purchase process: When buying property, work with reputable real estate attorneys to navigate the purchasing process.
• Restriction awareness: When considering beachfront property, understand the Maritime Zone restrictions.

Retirement Planning

• Pension systems: When planning long-term, understand how residency affects access to your home country benefits.
• Investment options: When building local assets, explore banking products, real estate, and business opportunities with proper legal guidance.

Return Preparation

• Home country ties: When moving abroad, maintain necessary connections to your home country (tax filing, voting, etc.).
• Educational transitions: When planning for children's future education, ensure transferability of credits and standardized testing access.

 

Resources & Further Support

Government Contacts

• Emergency services: When needing urgent help, dial 911 (functions in English and Spanish).
• Embassy registration: When establishing residency, register with your home country's embassy.

Online Communities

• Facebook groups: "Expats in Costa Rica," "Costa Rica With Kids," and location-specific groups like “Domi Crew,” “Costa Ballena Bulletin Board,” and “Ojochal Lifestyle” are just a few popular boards
• Forums: "Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)"
• Professional networks: LinkedIn groups for specific industries
• WhatsApp groups: There are dozens of WhatsApp groups for specific neighborhoods, for hobbies, buy and sell groups, and so much more

 

First-Month Checklist

□ Secure temporary housing
□ Begin residency application process
□ Open local bank account
□ Get local phone number
□ Set up internet service
□ Register with embassy
□ Visit potential schools
□ Locate nearest medical facilities
□ Find local markets and shopping options
□ Join expat and local community groups
□ Schedule language lessons
□ Explore transportation options

 

 

DISCLAIMER

The costs and suggestions in this Costa Rica relocation guide are approximations only. Individual experiences will vary based on personal circumstances, location, timing, and changing regulations. All financial figures and recommendations are estimates, not guarantees. Readers should conduct their own research and consult with relevant professionals before making relocation decisions. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.