Living in Costa Rica

"Come and see for yourself before you make a commitment to moving here. There is a lot of hype about Costa Rica being a paradise, a cheap place to live or retire, and a safe place because it eliminated its army in 1948. The reality is that San Jose has a high crime rate, the iron grates on all of the houses and businesses can be off-putting - as can the security guards with loaded riffles - and it isn't a cheap place to live. Food, utilities and rent in certain areas of the city are quite high especially for a developing nation. Other issues in San Jose: air pollution from cars is pretty bad; noise pollution gets on your nerves after a while; it isn't safe to walk outside in the late evening or night; the streets, sidewalks and highways are in terrible shape; and government monopolies make it near impossible to get a cell phone and makes renting cars super-expensive because of the mandatory insurance. People must visit and spend a few weeks talking to people before deciding to move here," said one expat in San Jose.

"The Costa Rican people in Atenas are kind and welcoming. There is an international group of expats, from Europe, the US, Canada, as well as from various Spanish speaking countries. I appreciate the diversity. During the dry season, the sun is strong. I am outside in the early morning and late afternoon, and inside from 10:00am-2:00pm. I choose to be car free. I am easily able to walk to shops, dentist, and other services. Atenas has a rural feel as is it a coffee growing region of Costa Rica, as well as a region for fruit and vegetables. There is a small town “vibe” with focus on church and local school activities. The pace is slow. These are some of my personal reflections," said one expat who made the move to Atenas.

"Be ready to live, love and relax. This is a beautiful country and we live in paradise," explained one expat living in Playa Hermosa de Jaco, Costa Rica.

"Have lived in Grecia for 7-1/2 yrs. It is a small city and in my opinion the best unless you insist on beach area which is too hot for me. No a/c necessary where I live. Easy to get to know people if you are friendly. I can't walk down the street without people I know honking or waving. I live happily without a car which means not using all my pension on repairs and high gas," mentioned one in Costa Rica.

"Before retiring in Costa Rica, expats should make sure to research residency options, learn about the country's healthcare and education system, and familiarize themselves with Costa Rica's culture and customs. It is important to have a working knowledge of the Spanish language. Knowing the local laws and the best ways to finance and protect assets is also essential for a smooth transition into retirement. Expats should also investigate what kind of activities and attractions are available in the region where they plan to settle. It is also a good idea to look into visa restrictions, as some retirees may need to acquire special documentation to stay in the country. Additionally, expats should be aware of the cost of living in Costa Rica and how much they need to budget for their retirement," explained one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"If you know how to play an instrument, I recommend volunteering your time with the SINEM children's orchestra, a lot of expats teach in this program all through out Costa Rica," said one expat who made the move to Montezuma.

"Escazu also has a large ex-pat English speaking population with many activities to meet others. For example, we watched the Academy Awards at the Invictus restaurant (great food) & lounge/bar just a short walk down our street Sunday night. As an aside they have all the NFL football games in the Fall," explained one expat living in Costa Rica.

"Expats can join clubs and activities such as language clubs, tennis clubs, and book clubs that focus on topics related to Costa Rica. Expats can also seek out cultural events geared towards local and foreign populations, such as open-air concerts, dance performances, and art exhibitions. Expats may also find groups that share hobbies such as surfing, SUP, or yoga. Other popular ways for expats to meet people in Costa Rica are at local festivals, farmer’s markets, English-speaking churches, volunteer organizations, and coworking spaces. Additionally, many expats find work in tourist-facing businesses such as restaurants and hotels, which allows them to socialize with other locals and visitors alike," mentioned one in Costa Rica.

"Welcome to San Ramon! Yes, lots of organized and also informal gatherings for philanthropy and recreational activities. Start by googling Community Action Alliance and check out their recent archived newsletters. Also look for Gringo Central which provides info on Central Valley groups and other useful info. And, every Thursday an expat group meets for breakfast at a local restaurant near the downtown park, come and go as you please. The Community Action Alliance has details on where. Finally, a few kilometers west of downtown past Magallanes, there’s a growing expat neighborhood with a very nice recreational center used by many expats, called El Palme (I think it’s called that, anyway). Can be found via Google," explained one expat who made the move to San Ramon.

"Family is everything as with all Latin American cultures. Ticos make very good friends and once you are introduced into their families you become part of it. They will go out of their way to help you in every way possible," said one expat who made the move to San Jose.

"MONTEZUMA, LIFE DOWNTOWN - After living in Montezuma officially for the last year I look upon it with a deeper understanding, similar to the way one stares at art with new eyes once enlightened by one or two art history classes. When i first moved here it was for six months during the high season so I was able to camp, then as i started to put my roots down i realized the camping lifestyle could only work for the dry season and i would have to move to level two; the house and all the trappings that come with that. Then the job; starting a business downtown and teaching/ studying music, slowly becoming part of the community. Thus bringing me back to seeing more now than i ever did my first month here as a tourist, innocence is lost but the luster still abounds; Montezuma changed my view and approach towards life and how I was leading it, somehow coming face to face with nature so wide, pure, and vivid revitalized me and for that I am forever indebted to this proud little coastal village. What can one say about living here? One of the first things you'll noticed is that this is a "town" in the truest sense, classically so, like the set for a play or Sesame Street or like it was back in the states 100 years ago. This is a positive tight-knit community, where it's easy to know everyone's name in one week, and yet very open and welcoming to new characters on the scene (enter me and my boyfriend, who believes he'll be mayor by the end of the year!) planning on sticking around and becoming part of something great. And then there's the dogs. A great bumper sticker idea: "Costa Rica where every house comes with two dogs" would be a as popular as beanie babies here...because it's true . They usually belong to the cabina owners but dogs here are free so they basically decide where they want to live and with who...[ for more articles on Montezuma please check out our website: paraisopublicidad.com or find us on twitter and facebook for daily updates!]," explained one expat living in Montezuma, Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica has a lot of petty crime so be careful. I even lost money in an ATM that was hacked but most are totally safe," wrote a member in Santa Ana.

"Since its transformation to a peaceful democracy, Costa Rica has seen a decline in crime and enjoys a reputation as one of the safest countries in Latin America. In comparison to other countries in the region, the reported levels of crime, gangs, drug trafficking and violence in Costa Rica are much lower. Nonetheless, petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft still occur in some of the large cities and tourist destinations," commented one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"San Jose, as the capital of the country, attracts people from all regions of the nation. So we have many people of African descent from the Caribbean coast, many Nicos (people from Nicaragua), a large Chinese population (especially in the San Pedro suburb) and expats from all over the world. While the main religion is Catholic, there are many Baptist churches, Mormons and other Christian groups. People seem to be very accepting of differences," wrote one member in San Jose.

"Folks here are very diverse, you feel like you've found you home once you arrive," remarked one expat who made the move to Montezuma.

"This school is small, less than 300 students, but the atmosphere is safe and friendly with a focus on student success. Every teacher I have met is enthusiastic and enjoys his/her job. I would also encourage any parent to be prepared to volunteer their time in support of the school because AIS depends on parent-volunteers to serve on various committees. Overall, I am very satisfied with AIS," remarked one expat living in Cariari - Heredia with children attending American International School.

"This is good academically and fairly high standards. Not good for all students if they need extra help and they can get left behind. They do IB, which is more important all the time for anywhere in the world.Price fairly high now approx $850 a month including the bus," said one expat in San Jose with children at British School.

"One of the best international and bilingual schools in Costa Rica is the Lincoln School of San José (LSSJ). It is a private, non-profit, college preparatory day school located in the capital city of San José, Costa Rica. Founded in 1962, Lincoln School is the only fully accredited Pre-K through Grade 12 school in all of Central America, offering both a comprehensive curriculum and a comprehensive program in the English language. The school is dedicated to promoting an international understanding of our world, and the school has been established with a rich tradition committed to providing the highest quality international education. The school offers students an opportunity to develop a respect for their cultural identities while studying in a multicultural environment, and the English language program promotes the mastery of the English language, while still preserving the students' native languages. The school has highly qualified faculty and staff who work closely with students to ensure they receive the best education they can, while also promoting the development of their own unique talents. Another great private, international and bilingual school in Costa Rica is Country Day School in San Jose, Costa Rica. It is an accredited, non-profit, Adventist school that has been in operation since 1990. It offers a challenging, Christ-centered curriculum for students from toddler to 12th grade. Country Day School promotes an atmosphere that is based on a responsible living environment and is fully committed to the academic success and spiritual growth of every student, which is a key factor in their educational philosophy. The school's extensive curriculum is designed to stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and global awareness. Additionally, Country Day School promotes life values, social responsibility and digital literacy in a safe environment, and the school's commitment to providing a challenging, diverse and comprehensive education is evident in the rigorous course of study and quality programs it provides," remarked one parent with kids at in .

"Depends on lifestyle. I eat all my meals in restaurants, go to coffee shops, have a big social life and go on a lot of dates, I travel every month. My expense including all this are around $3500/mo," remarked one expat living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"Depends where you live and how you live. A friend in Palmares lives on $970 a month, including rent, vehicle, food, utilities and regional travel. Others live in Escazu in the high cost areas. We live in San Ramon and get by well in a nice place on less than$2000 a month, including yard guy, and maid for 12 hours a month! Depends on you," wrote one member in Costa Rica.

"The cost of living in Costa Rica varies depending on a variety of factors such as location, lifestyle and budget. Generally speaking, it is moderate compared to North America or Europe, but the cost can be higher in certain areas or for certain items. Living expenses in popular tourist destinations like San Jose, the capital, are higher, but living costs are lower in smaller towns and rural areas. The cost of food and groceries is generally lower than in North American countries. Average rent prices depend on the size and location of the house or apartment, but can be very affordable in some areas. Transportation costs are also relatively low overall," remarked one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"We live comfortably on $2000 a month. That includes rent of a new 2 br 2 ba house with great views, all utilities, high speed internet, and even temporary car rental. Gas for the SUV is expensive, but we explore a lot and eat out a lot, so dining and food costs are higher for us too. Not in Caja yet," remarked one expat in San Ramon.

"Costa Ballena Women's club, a poker club, an airsoft group, a few local bands and music groups, surfing, etc," remarked one expat living in Ojochal.

"Recreational activities include surfing on all levels from beginning to highly advanced. Playa Jaco has no shortage of surf schools due to the outstanding conditions in the area. Hiking is common in the area. Miro Mountain is one of the most popular hiking activities as the trail wanders through jungles with a great opportunity for wildlife spotting. The Miro Trail climbs to an elevation of 1,100 feet with spectacular vistas of the Pacific. Miro Mountain Trail is also popular with mountain bike enthusiasts. The area has many mountainous trails so ATV is very popular to reach the higher elevation views and local restaurants. Yoga is popular in the area with many studios and profesional instructors. Art classes are popular in a new facility in Jaco. Golfing at a top course in Playa Herradura is just ten minutes north of Playa Jaco. Playa Herradura Los Suenos Marina boasts one of the best in the area for excellent sport fishing known world wide. Bird watching and nature loves enjoy the Carara National Park just 20 minutes north of Jaco and the Manuel Antonio National Park just one hour south of Playa Jaco," said one expat living in Playa Jaco.

"In Costa Rica, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, national parks, and outdoor activities. Costa Rica is known for its stunning beaches, which offer a variety of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. Costa Rica also has a number of national parks, which provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and bird watching. Additionally, Costa Rica is home to a variety of outdoor activities, such as zip-lining, horseback riding, and kayaking. With its diverse range of recreational facilities, Costa Rica is a great destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors," mentioned one expat inCosta Rica.

"The climate is perfect. The warmest day was 88 and the coolest was 65 so it's wonderful and so comfortable. ," mentioned one expat inSanta Ana.

"Although this area is rain forest, the weather is quite nice. It's not windy, but we get ocean breezes. The temperature is more moderate than other areas of the coast due to the high mountains located as a backdrop to Ojochal. The highest mountain ridge comes the closest to the sea at Ojochal, highest in all the Pacific. Rain is predictable during the rainy season, nearly every day in late afternoon but not during the day very often," commented one expat who moved to Ojochal, Costa Rica.

"Depends on what altitude you live at, whether beach or mountains. But expect rain EVERYWHERE May to November," remarked one expat living in Costa Rica.

"The weather in Costa Rica is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit throughout the year. The dry season runs from December to April, while the wet season runs from May to November. During the wet season, the country experiences heavy rains and thunderstorms, while the dry season is characterized by sunny days and cooler nights. Costa Rica is also known for its frequent windy days, especially in the mountainous regions," commented one expat.

"The temperatures are mild enough for nobody to have heat and nobody to need air conditioning, although a few do. 55 degrees Fahrenheit would be a cold night and 85 a hot afternoon. There is though a long rainy season, starting in May and sometimes extending into December. It's usually not bad, just fairly predicable afternoon rain, but in September and October when it's really heavy almost everybody wearies of it," said one expat living in San Jose.

"Playa Jaco boasts a wide variety of restaurants from gourmet, seafood, vegetarian, Thai, Chinese, Sushi, authentic Italian, gourmet burgers, and local restaurants featuring typical Costa Rican cuisine. Playa Jaco has many clubs for dancing and socializing. Additionally, the area is home to many local musicians that are featured in many restaurants/bar. At festival times, music, art and culture is featured in the centrally located town park.," remarked one expat living in Playa Jaco.

"One of the most popular restaurants in Costa Rica is La Casona de Laly, located in San Jose. This restaurant is known for its traditional Costa Rican cuisine, with dishes like gallo pinto, casado, and tamales. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Another favorite restaurant in Costa Rica is El Bistro, located in Manuel Antonio. This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood dishes, such as ceviche, shrimp, and fish. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Finally, La Parrilla de Marisqueria is a popular restaurant in Jaco. This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood dishes, such as grilled fish, shrimp, and lobster. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, and the staff is friendly and attentive," said one expat living in Costa Rica.

"As mentioned above, lots of restaurants and nearly every night there is an expat gathering at one of a variety of restaurants. El Castillo, Nanny's, Citrus Restaurant, Cafe Exotica and Le Bistro are all hot spots on various nights," mentioned one expat inOjochal.

"There's pretty much everything. My specific neighborhood (within walking distance) has dozens of restaurants ranging from pizza joints to Japanese cuisine, though not many if any four star restaurants. I'd have to take a taxi to get to one of those. My neighborhood also has various US chain restaurants, such as Fridays and Hooters. Nearby (a short cab ride) is a "gastronomy row" of various independently-owned creative restaurants and brew pubs that have good reputations. My neighborhood also has tons of bars, including one with live music every night and a few with occasional live music. Most of the live music is Latin, but there is jazz, blues, classic rock, and so on. Beyond my neighborhood are casinos, dance clubs, pickup bars, and so on. San Jose isn't on a par with London or New York, but it's not a backward small town either. Pretty much everything exists here.," commented one expat who moved to San Jose, Costa Rica.

"We have a great supermarket in Ojochal, Jaucaloa. We also have a gourmet shop/liquor store (greenleaf), there's a farmers market weekly and a pretty large Mennonite community close by that sells locally produced dairy products and baked goods. There's also a local seafood purveyor as well as roadside fruit and vegetable stands," said an expat in Ojochal.

"I recommend joining Price Mart which is owned by Costco. Walmart has stores and owns two big chain stores there - Max X Menos and Maxi Pali. Auto Mercado is an upscale market chain which is also very good. Amazon barely works here and its Import duties and shipping cost are OUTRAGEOUS. ," remarked one expat in Santa Ana.

"Most people shop in supermarkets similar to those the world over. Indeed, in addition to Walmart, Walmart owns two or three supermarket chains, although there are others. I have two supermarkets three blocks away and another one about six blocks away.. There are also chain office supply stores, PriceMart, chain convenience stores, McDonald's and all the rest, It's all pretty normal. Unique are the separate fruit and vegetable stores, farmers selling fruits and vegetables out of trucks on the side of the roads, and so on. Unfortunately also unique is the dearth of large department stores, even furniture stores. Specialty shopping, so to speak, can require going to a bunch of different stores and still not finding what you're looking for.," wrote one expat living in San Jose.

"People living in Costa Rica typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local supermarkets, convenience stores, and farmers markets. Many people also shop at larger chain stores such as Walmart and PriceSmart. Additionally, there are many small, independent stores and markets throughout the country that offer a variety of goods," commented one expat who moved to Costa Rica.

"Playa Jaco has two large "big box" stores Mas x Menos and Maxi Pali. These stores are affiliates of Wal=Mart Corporation. Jaco also has many carnicerias, pescaderias, panaderias, (butcher shop, fish shop, bread/pastry/cake shop) There is a feria (farmers market) in Playa Jaco on Friday morning. There is also an organic market on Wednesday at a local restaurant. A visitor or tourist will find everything needed in Playa Jaco! Other stores feature souvenirs, clothing, surfing supplies, art/crafts and larger appliances stores," said one expat.

"Tourist visas for the US and I believe most of Europe etc. are 90 days no real questions asked. They can also be renewed by a 3-day stay out of the country. As a result, many expats are "perpetual tourists" who just take short trips to Nicaragua or Panama every three months. This probably isn't good, and "perpetual tourists" can and sometimes are prevented from re-entering, but it works for tens of thousands of foreigners over many years. There are three ways to obtain legal residency (in addition to through marriage). One way is to come in as a pensioner. This only requires showing a minimum of $1000 a month income for life, as well as of course dealing with a lot of paperwork and paying fees. Those who can't or prefer not to show the $1000 a month income for life can obtain residency as either rentistas or investors. Rentista residency now requires showing $2500 a month income for a shorter period of time as well as the same fees and paperwork. . I'm not sure how to obtain residency as an investor, and I believe it depends upon the kind of investment, but some people seem to get it by just buying a house valued at either $200,000 or $250,000. Of course, people need a clean criminal record too, but otherwise it's either $1000 a month guaranteed for life or a fair amount of money in a lump sum for either rentista or investor residency," commented one expat living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"Visitors from certain countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and most countries in Europe, do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica and can stay for up to 90 days. To stay longer than 90 days, visitors must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, which can be valid for up to two years and can be renewed. To apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, applicants must provide a valid passport, proof of financial solvency, a medical certificate, and a copy of their criminal record. To obtain residency in Costa Rica, applicants must provide an application form and supporting documents such as property titles, financial information, and a copy of their visa as well as a medical certificate and a valid passport. As part of the residency application process, applicants are also expected to take a brief Spanish language test. Once all documents have been reviewed and approved, applicants receive an identification card and a cedula, the document that grants them residency in the country," remarked one expat living in Costa Rica.

"Upon entrance, tourists and visitors are generally granted a 90 day VISA. To enter Costa Rica, you must have a valid Passport. Residency is categorized into different areas of qualification. These options are Retiree (Pensionado), Legal Resident (Rentista), Business/Investor (Inversionista), Marriage/Relation (Vinculo). If you wish to become a resident, the requirements are different for each category and immigration attorney's are often used to assist you should you choose to hire one. If you plan to live in Costa Rica full time, residency is highly recommended as residents are not restricted to a 90 day VISA," said one expat living in Playa Jaco.

"Healthcare in Costa Rica is generally considered to be of a high quality and is relatively affordable compared to other countries. Health insurance is also available in Costa Rica, but it is not mandatory. The cost of health insurance depends on the type of coverage and the provider, but it is generally more affordable than in other countries," mentioned one expat inCosta Rica.

"I was paying around $100 a month for my INS policy, but crossed into the next age bracket plus filed a few claims and my premium doubled. It was still a good deal, but too much for me. The Caja tax is around $100 a month for a pensionado, unfortunately much higher for rentistas. It's set by your income, and most expats just pay according to the income requirements of their residency type. Caja services, including generic prescription meds, are 100% covered, so you never pay more than your monthly tax. Private docs are realistically $80 a visit. You hear of lower prices, but if you go to a specialist (including an internist) plan on $80. As a rule of thumb, pretty much everything else is around 1/3 the price it is in the US," commented one expat who moved to San José, Costa Rica.

"The cost of medical care is high. I have private health insurance, which allows me immediate and unrestricted access to private hospitals under the conditions that I like to have at my disposal. That guarantees me care without waiting for weeks or months, compared to public health. My private insurance is accepted in all clinics in the country, and I got it on the recommendation of an expat friend," remarked one expat living in Santa Ana.

"I had private health insurance in Costa Rica for several years prior to being a member of the socialized medicine care. It was less expensive that the states. In many cases, your private health insurance will allow you the hospital of your choice," commented one expat.

"Ditto here. Most docs (and dentists) speak great English and have been superb, & very inexpensive at least in Escazu (Hospital CIMA). Many have been trained in the US or the UK, plus the medical & dental school here are top of the line. Educational achievement (and speaking English) is a high priority to Costa Ricans. We dropped our CIGNA Global insurance learning this," said one expat living in Costa Rica.