Living in Costa Rica

"hmmmmmm...take a vacation here first, spend a few months and get a feel for the scene here. Also, online research is an option too," explained one expat living in Montezuma, 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.

"Be ready to live, love and relax. This is a beautiful country and we live in paradise," said one expat who made the move to Playa Hermosa de Jaco.

"My wife and I lived in Tamarindo for 5 years. (We now live in southern Nicaragua near our daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters.) When we first visited Tamarindo, it felt like driving into a California beach town from the 1960's. We liked the beach front road and string of beach restaurants. But it is also very popular for tourists, so the town is often packed with tourists, which can get a bit annoying. However, there are also low tourist seasons when the town is very pleasant. We liked that we could easily walk to many restaurants in town, And we owned a nice condo with a great view of the bay," explained one expat living in Tamarindo, 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," 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," wrote one member in San Ramon.

"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," remarked one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"There are many Yahoo! list serves available that help expats get to know where others meet and socialize. Also, Costa Rica AM (www.costaricaam.com) is an English-language e-newspaper that provides a lot of good information," explained one expat living in San Jose, 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 in 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," said one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Costa Rica has a lot of appeal. There is a vibrant culture and a welcoming attitude towards newcomers, making for a supportive and engaging atmosphere. Nature spots are abundant, and the vibrant and diverse landscape provides many opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Costa Rica's transportation infrastructure is relatively good for a Latin American country, making it easy to travel within and around the country. The cost of living is generally lower than in most first-world countries and there are a variety of international restaurants and grocery stores. A combination of low taxes and tax incentives makes Costa Rica an attractive place to live and work. The combination of warm weather and modern amenities make it a great place to call home for digital nomads and expats alike," commented one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"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!]," remarked one expat living in Montezuma, Costa Rica.

"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.

"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," remarked one expat living in Santa Ana, 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.

"If your expat package does not cover the cost of a school- Take advantage of the language and culture and try to get your children to benefit from it by experiencing it. Avoid over paying at the other schools- this school is for kindergarten to high school," commented one expat when asked about New Hope in Santa Barbara de Heredia.

"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 living in 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.

"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 who made the move to San Jose.

"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.

"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," wrote one expat living in Costa Rica.

"Costa Ballena Women's club, a poker club, an airsoft group, a few local bands and music groups, surfing, etc," commented one expat who moved to Ojochal.

"Soccer is hands down the most popular recreational activity, but adults seem to prefer watching the games on TV than playing. A fair number of people are bicycling these days. Almost everybody likes going to the mountains or the beach, but these are more weekend excursions than daily activities. My neighborhood has several gyms for those who work out. People do play tennis and swim in pools, but this seems to involve finding and paying for access to the courts or the pools. Foreigners often like to play golf, and there are courses, but none near me. You have to go to the golf courses. Basically mine is an urban setting where sports-like recreational facilities aren't widely available to the general public, but people who like various sports and recreational activities find the venues. Some even take day trips to the ocean beaches--a couple are close enough--but that's ambitious. Most people would want those trips as well as those into the mountains to be overnight excursions, but they can be done in a day," said one expat.

"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," commented one expat living in Playa Jaco, Costa Rica.

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

"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," said one expat.

"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 living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"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.

"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," said an expat in 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," remarked one expat in Playa Jaco.

"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. ," wrote one expat living in Santa Ana.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Ojochal.

"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.," 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," said one expat living in San Jose.

"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," mentioned one expat inCosta 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," commented one expat who moved to Playa Jaco, Costa 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," remarked one expat in San José.

"Amazingly inexpensive. My personal experience with costs without insurance include a colonoscopy that was quoted at $3300 in the states that was done in Costa Rica for $300. I have a number of crowns in my mouth that I paid $300 to $400 including the root canal and crown," wrote one expat living in Cortez.

"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," commented one expat who moved to 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," said one expat.