Moving to Costa Rica
Moving to Costa Rica without the highlight reel
If you’re thinking about moving to Costa Rica, you’re most likely feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelm. We get it, and we’ve got your back.
There’s a lot of information out there, and a lot of it is outdated, overly romanticized, or missing important practical details. This is the honest starting point.
We’re Sarah and Thomas.
We moved to Costa Rica in 2016 and never looked back. We’ve helped thousands of people plan trips here, and watched a lot of them seriously consider the move. Want the whole story?
What’s your first question?
02 · Place
03 · Paperwork
04 · Lifestyle
Seriously researching the move?
Two things worth bookmarking now
Daily listings
@cheaphomes.cr on Instagram
Real homes for sale, all under $300k, in every region of Costa Rica. New listings are added every single day.
Weekly newsletter
Cheap Homes CR
Every week we send around 15 to 20 properties and businesses for sale, plus honest intel on neighborhoods, affordability, schools, visas, and what different areas are actually like to live in.
Start here
Is Costa Rica a good fit for you?
Before getting into paperwork or logistics, it’s worth pausing for a second.
Costa Rica can be an amazing place to live (there’s a reason we’ve made it our home), but it’s not for everyone.
Works best for people who
A tougher transition if you
Cost of living
What it actually costs to live here
Costa Rica is not as cheap as Southeast Asia, and it’s not as expensive as the USA. Where you land depends on your lifestyle, where you live, and whether you’re trying to replicate your home-country life or adapt.
Per month, living simply
$2,000 to $2,500
A couple in a smaller beach town or mountain area can do it comfortably.
Per month, popular hubs
$3,500 to $4,500
Closer to this in pricier spots like Santa Teresa or Tamarindo with a more Western lifestyle.
The first few months
Higher than expected
Setup costs, shipping, deposits, and the learning curve of not yet knowing where to shop.
The part most people underestimate is that transition period. Budget extra for it.
Where to live
Where to live in Costa Rica: region by region
Costa Rica is small, but daily life feels completely different depending on where you live. Here’s a quick overview.
Pacific North
Guanacaste
Dry, sunny, with a large, well-established community of foreigners. Tamarindo, Nosara, Flamingo, and Playas del Coco are popular. Higher prices, especially near the beach.
Santa Teresa, Sámara, Nosara
Nicoya Peninsula
Attracts the wellness and surf crowd. Slower pace and more community feel, but the roads and logistics can be a challenge.
Jacó, Manuel Antonio
Central Pacific
Accessible, with more infrastructure. Good for people who want beach life with city proximity.
San José area
Central Valley
Year-round spring climate, easiest access to major hospitals, and a lower cost of living than the coasts. Less “pura vida postcard,” but livable and underrated.
Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal
South Pacific
Lush, humid, and more off the beaten path. Incredible nature, a growing community of people who’ve relocated, and still relatively affordable.
Puerto Viejo, Cahuita
Caribbean Coast
A slower, more local feel with a different energy than the Pacific side. Less developed infrastructure, but more affordable.
📖 Read more: Where to Live in Costa Rica: Region by Region Guide →
Visas and residency
The visa situation, plainly
Most people enter Costa Rica on a tourist visa (180 days) and either apply for residency from within the country or leave and re-enter. The “perpetual tourist” approach (border running) is a gray area that’s become more scrutinized in recent years.
Residency isn’t instant. It typically takes 1 to 2+ years and involves a lot of paperwork. Most people work with a Costa Rican immigration attorney, and trust us, it’s worth the cost. We’ve been through some major headaches with immigration here.
📖 Read more: Costa Rica Visas and Residency: What You Actually Need to Know →
Common residency paths
Pensionado
$1,000+/mo
For retirees with qualifying pension income.
Rentista
$2,500+/mo
For people with passive income.
Inversionista
$150,000+
Investors who put money into the country.
Work or company
Business
Running a business or working for a company here.
We cover visa timelines, residency tips, and relocation resources regularly in our Cheap Homes CR newsletter.
Daily life
Living here vs. visiting
Living here is different from visiting. Really different. The things that feel charming on vacation, like the slower pace and the improvised approach to schedules, can get stressful when you’re trying to get anything accomplished.
What relocating here actually involves
The community of foreigners here is warm and generally happy to help newcomers. There’s a lot of joy in this life, but it’s definitely an adjustment.
Before you move
The practical checklist
Things worth sorting out before you arrive:
01
Research residency options and timeline
02
Figure out your income situation (remote work, pension, investments)
03
Get a realistic cost-of-living estimate for the area you’re targeting
04
Start the conversation with an immigration attorney
05
Research healthcare options (CAJA vs. private insurance)
06
Decide what to bring, ship, or leave behind
07
Plan for a longer-than-expected transition, financially and emotionally
08
Visit first (ideally for a month) before committing
Cheap Homes CR
Want to see what your money gets you here?
We post new Costa Rica properties every single day on Instagram at @cheaphomes.cr. Real homes for sale, all under $300k, in every region. It’s the fastest way to get a feel for the market.
Prefer something curated and more in-depth? Every week we send around 15 to 20 homes and businesses for sale, plus real talk on neighborhoods, schools, affordability, and visas.
One last thing
We’re not real estate agents or immigration lawyers
We’re people who made this move, built a life here, and want to share what we actually know.
What we offer is lived experience, honest perspective, and a real interest in helping you make a good decision, even if that decision is “actually, this isn’t for me.”
FAQ
Moving to Costa Rica FAQ: your questions
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?
A couple living simply in a smaller beach town or mountain area can live comfortably on about $2,000 to $2,500 a month. In pricier hubs popular with foreigners like Santa Teresa or Tamarindo with a more Western lifestyle, expect closer to $3,500 to $4,500 a month. The first few months usually cost more because of setup costs, shipping, and deposits.
Can I live in Costa Rica on a tourist visa?
Most people enter on a tourist visa, which can allow up to 180 days. Leaving and re-entering repeatedly (border running) is a gray area that has become more scrutinized in recent years, so most people who stay long term apply for residency.
What are the main residency options in Costa Rica?
The common paths are Pensionado for retirees with a qualifying pension ($1,000+ a month), Rentista for people with passive income ($2,500+ a month), Inversionista for investors who put $150,000+ into the country, and residency through running a business or working for a company here.
How long does Costa Rica residency take?
Residency typically takes 1 to 2+ years and involves a lot of paperwork. Most people work with a Costa Rican immigration attorney to handle the process.
Where is a good place to live in Costa Rica?
It depends on the lifestyle you want. Guanacaste is dry and sunny with a big community of foreigners, the Nicoya Peninsula draws the wellness and surf crowd, the Central Valley has a spring-like climate and lower costs, and the South Pacific and Caribbean coasts are lusher and more affordable.
Every moving guide
