Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements, Benefits & How to Apply

We moved to Costa Rica in 2016, long before the digital nomad visa existed, and we’ve watched the remote work scene here grow a lot over the years. When the Costa Rica digital nomad visa launched in 2022, it changed the game for people who wanted to move here temporarily with a clear legal framework in place.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Costa Rica digital nomad visa in 2026. I’m talking about the requirements, the fees, how to actually apply, what’s included, and our take on the best places to base yourself.

We’ve updated this post with the latest information available, but immigration rules can change, so always confirm current requirements with the official Costa Rica immigration authority before applying.

What Is the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa?

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is a special residency category that allows remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to live and work legally in Costa Rica for up to one year, with the option to renew for a second year.

Before it existed, a lot of digital nomads were living on tourist visas 90 days at a time, with border runs to reset the clock. The digital nomad visa created a proper legal pathway with benefits attached.

Requirements for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

The following are the official requirements as set out by the General Directorate of Immigration (DGME):

• Signed application form: Available through the Trámite Ya platform for online applications, or as a physical form at DGME central or regional offices.
• Proof of income: 12 months of bank statements accompanied by a signed affidavit confirming the statements were obtained from your financial institution, showing a minimum of $3,000 USD/month (individual) or $4,000 USD/month (family) from sources outside Costa Rica. Alternatively: a certification from a public accountant or notary public (if completed in Costa Rica), or by the equivalent professional abroad. This certification must be apostilled or consularly legalized.
• Proof of remote work: Employment contract with a foreign company, freelance contracts with foreign clients, or proof of business registration abroad.
• Health insurance: A medical services policy covering you (and any dependents) for the full duration of your authorized stay. Must include coverage of at least $50,000 USD for medical expenses from illness in Costa Rica. Travel insurance is not accepted. It must be a long-term residency policy. Can be from an insurer authorized by Costa Rica’s Office of the Superintendent General of Insurance, or an international policy with equivalent coverage. Personally, I don’t know too much about it, but this Facebook thread might be helpful to you.
• Valid passport: A valid passport with photograph and biographical information. If you’re already in Costa Rica, include the page with your entry stamp. I suggest getting your passport renewed if it will expire in the next 2 years. This will save you the hassle of dealing with it once in Costa Rica.
• Application fee: $100 USD deposited into account no. 001-0242480-0 at Banco de Costa Rica (IBAN: CR15015201001024248003), paid in colones at the Central Bank reference rate. Keep your receipt. Note: if paying by international bank transfer, factor in the $15 receiving fee charged by Banco de Costa Rica. The Ministry of Finance must receive the full $100 net.
• Spanish translations: All documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation.

Note: You cannot work for a Costa Rican company or earn income from Costa Rican clients while on this visa. All income must originate outside the country.

Bringing Family (Dependents)

Spouses or common-law partners, children under 25, children of any age with disabilities, and seniors living with the applicant may all apply as dependents. The income threshold increases to $4,000 USD/month when including dependents.

Dependents must submit the same requirements as the main applicant (application form, income proof, health insurance, passport), plus documentation proving the family connection:

• Spouse/partner: Marriage certificate or civil union declaration.
• Children under 25: Copy of birth certificate.
• Children with disabilities: Medical opinion identifying the condition.
• Accompanying seniors: Affidavit demonstrating family link or cohabitation with the main applicant.

Applications for minor children or children with disabilities of any age must be signed by the parent who is applying or whose application has already been approved.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Pay the $100 application fee. Deposit in colones (at the Central Bank reference rate) to Banco de Costa Rica account no. 001-0242480-0. Keep your receipt. If paying by international wire, account for the $15 receiving fee.
2. Gather your documents. Bank statements, income affidavit or accountant certification (apostilled), employment/freelance proof, health insurance policy, passport copy, Spanish translations of all foreign-language documents, and any family documents if applicable.
3. Submit your application. Online via Tramiteya or in person at a DGME regional office in Costa Rica. Applications submitted by a representative require a power of attorney.
4. Wait for approval. Processing typically takes around 15 calendar days (which…for Costa Rica is so fast!).
5. Book your immigration appointment. Once approved, you have 3 months to complete immigration meeting. Call the Immigration Call Center at 1311 or Banco de Costa Rica at 800-227-2482 to book an appointment.
6. Attend your appointment. Bring your passport, payment receipts (including the $90 accreditation fee and a guarantee deposit for non-residents), and your health insurance policy. Biometrics will be taken. If you don’t complete accreditation within 3 months, your immigration status may be cancelled. In other words, it is best to be ready for the move before you apply.

The application fee is $100 and the accreditation fee is $90, plus health insurance, document translation, and potentially a lawyer. Budget $750–$1,300 for a self-managed application, or more if using legal assistance.

What’s Included With the Visa

• Up to 12 months legal stay: Extendable for a second year if you still meet requirements.
• Foreign income tax exemption: You are exempt from Costa Rican income taxes and formal tax reporting duties on income earned abroad. You’ll still be responsible for taxes in your home country.
• Import tax exemption on work equipment: Laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, and audio/recording devices can be imported duty-free via the EXONET program under Law 10008.
• Costa Rican bank account: You’re eligible to open a local bank account if you choose.
• Home country driver’s license: Valid for the full duration of your stay.
• Renewal option: Renewable once for another 12 months.

Renewing the Visa

You can renew the digital nomad visa for one additional year. To be eligible, you must have been present in Costa Rica for a minimum of 80 days during your first year.

Renewal requirements (as per Article 10 of the Regulation):

• Application form: Submitted via the Trámite Ya platform.
• Proof of income: 12 months of bank statements (or accountant certification) showing the same minimums ($3,000/month individual or $4,000/month with dependents). Certification must be apostilled or consularly legalized.
• Payment receipt: In the amount indicated in your approval resolution
• Renewal fee: $90 USD for the legal stay document and Special Social Immigration Fund fees.
• Valid passport: The same passport used to initiate your original application must be provided as proof of identity. If expired, bring it alongside your current valid travel document.
• Health insurance: A valid medical services policy covering the full renewal period.

Finding Accommodation

Your accommodation strategy depends on whether you want to stay in one place for the year or move around. We’d recommend moving around. Costa Rica has so much variety that staying in one place for 12 months means missing most of what makes the country special.

Staying in one place:

• Encuentra24 and Mercado Libre for long-term rentals.
• Drive the neighborhood you want to live in and look for “Alquiler” signs (rent in Spanish). It sounds old-fashioned but works. Many rentals are only listed with a sign and a phone number. This is how we found our first two homes.
• Facebook Groups for expats in your target area are excellent for finding rentals that never get posted publicly. Search “Costa Rica rental” and a bunch of groups will come up. Just be cautious. Some of them can be a bit scammy. Don’t transfer anyone money until you see a place in person and can confirm they are the owner/ the place is legit.

Moving around:

• VRBO and Airbnb are great many owners offer monthly discounts for longer stays.
• Contact hotels and hostels directly to ask about long-term digital nomad rates. More and more places are offering these.

Getting Around

Renting a car for the full 12 months isn’t practical because it would be extremely expensive. Here’s what actually makes sense:

• Shuttles: The most practical option for getting between towns. Bookaway has the most comprehensive network we’ve found. Use code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
• Short-term car rental: Rent a car for a few days when you arrive somewhere and want to explore the surrounding area. We recommend Adobe Rent-a-Car. We have 10% off plus free second driver and 0% liability deductible for you! Yay to savings! Book your rental car
• Long-term car rental: If you’re planning to stay in one place for a month or more, Adobe Rent-a-Car offers our readers an even better rate than the standard 10% discount for longer rentals. Just fill in the contact form and an Adobe team member will be in touch with a custom quote.
• Public buses: Very cheap and cover most of the country. Slower, but a real Costa Rican experience.
• ATVs: Work well in certain towns such as Santa Teresa, Nosara, and Tamarindo.

Best Towns for Digital Nomads: A 12-Month Itinerary

We designed this rough itinerary around decent internet, favorable weather for each month, ease of travel between stops, and places with enough to do on non-working days.

January — Osa Peninsula (Puerto Jiménez)

Small, relaxed, near Corcovado National Park. Visit in January before rainy season makes the local roads harder to navigate because some involve river crossings. Wi-fi is decent in downtown Puerto Jimenez, but I would avoid more remote areas such as Drake Bay.

👉 Puerto Jiménez Guide →

February — Uvita / Dominical / Ojochal

Expansive beaches and tons to do. Base yourself in Uvita, Dominical, or Ojochal and do Manuel Antonio as a day trip. It gets hectic in February. Uvita and Dominical are far more chilled out and have solid internet.

• 👉 Uvita Guide →
• 👉 Dominical Guide →
• 👉 Ojochal Guide →

March — Nicoya Peninsula (Santa Teresa / Montezuma)

Our favorite corner of Costa Rica. Montezuma for absolute chill; Santa Teresa for more action and the surf scene.

Note: Santa Teresa’s main road can be loud for video calls. Try to find accommodation one street back. Wi-fi is generally decent but can be patchy in more remote spots.

• 👉 Santa Teresa Guide →
• 👉 Montezuma Guide →

April — Sámara / Nosara

Two relaxed Guanacaste beach towns with very different vibes.

Sámara tends to be more family-friendly, a little more affordable, and generally has slightly better internet. It’s our top pick of the two for digital nomads.

Nosara has that classic surfer-yoga atmosphere and is possibly more of your vibe. However, it’s gotten significantly more popular in recent years, which means accommodations are harder to find and prices have crept up.

One important heads up: April is one of the busiest travel months in Costa Rica because Easter (Semana Santa) falls during this time. The whole country travels and accommodation books out fast. If you’re planning to be in either of these towns in April, book well in advance.

• 👉 Nosara Guide →
• 👉 Samara Guide →

May — Tamarindo / Flamingo

Tamarindo is walkable, busy, and well set up for remote workers. Flamingo is quieter with beautiful white sand. Rainy season starts around now but afternoons are still often good. Plus, this area is notoriously the driest in the country.

• 👉 Tamarindo Guide →
• 👉 Flamingo Guide →

June — Guanacaste Beaches (Playas del Coco / Papagayo)

Playas del Coco is walkable, expat-friendly, and has a real town feel. Papagayo is where the big resorts are. If you want to splurge for a month, this is the place.

Note: This is the closest area to the Liberia Airport. If you want to get out of Costa Rica for a bit and flyt somewhere else, this would be a good time to do it.

• 👉 Playas del Coco Guide →
• 👉 Papagayo Guide →

July — Monteverde

Monteverde has cloud forest, incredible nature, and a very different pace from the beach towns. Keep in mind that it is often rainy and much cooler here, but Monteverde is beautiful in the rain and there’s always plenty to do. There is usually good internet in town.

👉 Monteverde Guide →

August — La Fortuna

La Fortuna is home to hot springs, jungle adventures, and one of the most dramatic volcano backdrops in the world. It can be rainy but you’ll (hopefully) also get clear days.

👉 La Fortuna Guide →

September — Tortuguero

Two weeks here rather than a full month is probably the right call. September is turtle nesting season and watching massive sea turtles haul themselves up the beach at night is one of the most extraordinary natural experiences in the country.

Keep in mind that the rainy season here is opposite to the Pacific, so you should have completely sunny days in September. However, this is really remote, I can’t guarantee the internet will always be good.

👉 Tortuguero Guide →

October — Cahuita / Puerto Viejo

This area has an Afro-Caribbean vibes, great food, and a completely different energy from the Pacific coast. Head to Cahuita for peace and quiet and Puerto Viejo for more action.

• 👉 Cahuita Guide →
• 👉 Puerto Viejo Guide →

November — Bocas del Toro, Panama

Panama is not covered under your Costa Rica visa so you’ll be entering as a tourist. Don’t mention working when you are at the border! Bocas del Toro is one of the most beautiful tropical destinations in all of Central America and well worth a month of your year.

👉 Bocas del Toro Guide →

December — Central Valley (Alajuela / San José)

Get ready for what the locals refer to as “Christmas weather” in the Central Valley. This is when the rain stops, the sun comes out, and the air gets crisp and breezy. We’d suggest basing yourself in Alajuela for easy access to Poás Volcano, coffee farms, and waterfalls.

👉 Alajuela Guide →

Internet and Working Remotely

Internet in Costa Rica is decent in most towns. Fiber optic is widely available. The further you get from a town center, the less reliable it becomes.

Airbnbs listed as “in town” sometimes turn out to be up a hillside road without fiber, so always confirm connection speed before booking.

During rainy season, storms occasionally knock power lines down. Usually they are repaired quickly, but it’s definitely worth knowing. Most larger towns have reliable coworking spaces or cafes as backup for important calls.

A good backup: I suggest using an eSIM for your time in Costa Rica. Airalo offers unlimited monthly plans. This might be your best option if you want to stay connected everywhere.

👉 Costa Rica SIM Card Guide →

Banking and Money

You’re eligible to open a Costa Rican bank account with the digital nomad visa, which is useful for paying rent and local bills. Costa Rican banks are fine but slow. An hour wait or more to see a teller is completely normal. Budget extra time for anything that requires a branch visit.

For day-to-day spending, we’ve used Charles Schwab as a US-based secondary account for years. They have no foreign transaction fees, ATM fee reimbursement at the end of each month, and the best exchange rate we’ve found. This is not sponsored, I just genuinely love them.

US dollars are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica alongside the colón, especially in tourist areas and for larger purchases.

Honest Thoughts on Moving to Costa Rica

We love living here, but we also want to be upfront: moving to a new country is not always easy, even a beautiful one. You’ll deal with culture shock, a language barrier if your Spanish isn’t strong, bureaucracy that moves on its own timeline, and the occasional day where everything feels harder than it should.

The upside is that Costa Rica is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The infrastructure has improved enormously since we arrived in 2016. And the pura vida lifestyle becomes contagious.

If you’ve always wanted to try living abroad and Costa Rica is calling you, the digital nomad visa makes it more accessible than ever.

💡 Planning your move? Read our full relocation guide →

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