Moving to Costa Rica

"Demand that your company arranges everything! Costa Rica is a highly bureacratic country so you will not want to get involved in any of that. Your company should give you some alternatives and you should do nothing more than approving their selection. Trying to do things on your own will only give you stomach ulcer," commented one expat who made the move to San Jose.

"Personally, I would advise people to rent for an extended time to make sure the area is what they need it to be, then purchase an existing home, where they can see it finished, the price won't suddenly escalate or leave them with a list of uncompleted tasks, that you will be responsible for," remarked one expat in Costa Rica.

"We spent 4 years staying for short time in a number of areas. We recognize CA prices are not reflective of Florida or Texas prices. Adjust accordingly. 3 choices: The beach areas: Ridiculously hot & damp; humid so A/C runs non-stop, Where as in Escazu we rarely need it as the temperatures in the Central Valley at 4,000 feet rarely go above 80 or below 63. Rarely use A/C but if we do electricity is crazy cheap in CR unlike CA. The water is great here too, No need anywhere in CR for bottled water like CA. We still love to visit the beach which is only 2 hours away (Pacific side) but just not live there. Central Valley: 3 choices Heredia (nice but a little too rural), Santa Anna (a little too hot & too small, (Although the golf course is amazing there!), and the best in our mind Escazu. The perfect location in Escazu is anywhere close to the Costa Rica Country Club (no we could never afford to belong). Five years ago, we stayed in La Sabana (loved it) first as our home base and after many stays all around CR returned and bought a beautiful condo with high security in Escazu. The cost was 20% of what our condo was in San Diego and 4 times the size! We can walk (or a truly short drive) to so many restaurants, large supermarkets, shops and even two great movie theatres showing films in English! Food was a big worry, yet in Escazu we can buy the same foods we enjoy in the states (and lots of great Italian restaurants!). And virtually no mosquitoes at this elevation unlike the beaches! Also, best hospital in central America only 2 miles away (CIMA, JCHO accredited, many English-speaking docs). Ditto for dentistry. All much cheaper than the states. If you do not know any Spanish (like us) and now retired in your late 60’s, learning a new language can be stressful, Hence Escazu. Our culture shock has been minimal which has been a big relief, but we like the challenges of learning Spanish, & have learned the patience it takes (Tico Time) like spending 3 hours in a bank just to get a new debit card, which stopped working for some unknown reason after a month, needing an attorney to buy a car, etc. But some things are very fast like walking 3 blocks to our internet/TV provider (by the way great hi-speed) and getting service sent to our condo, multiple times, within the hour! And everyone is soooo happy and helpful! The politest most respectful drivers we have ever seen. We have traveled all over the world and have never experienced such absolute courtesy on such a grand scale. Certainly not in the states. And we have made a number of Tico professional friends here, been to their homes (very welcoming) and they have been nothing but helpful, sincere and trustworthy. They truly are the happiest people in the world! By the way we have spent a lot of time in Mexico (my brother lives there) and that is a dangerous unpredictable place compared to CR, but certainly cheaper as is Belize (truly scary)," said one expat in Escazu.

"Yes, finding the right location to live in, can be more important that finding the right home. Many expats want to live at the beach...especially from the snowy north...until they find that the heat just doesn't work for them. So, if they have purchased a home there, they could be stuck with it. So, suggest you rent for an extended time period so that you truly check out the different neighbourhoods, learn where the bus routes are, where the roosters start the earliest and the karaoke bars are located... It is said by many, that it is very easy to buy, but often very hard to sell. Many say that between 50-60% of the expats, return home within 3-4 years. Often broke. Costa Rica is no longer a cheap place to live. However, it can be a great place to live, if you can afford it," remarked one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"We live in Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s a really wonderful little beach town. Lots of good restaurants. Mostly CR population but also quite a lot of expats. Super nice beach. Near large town of Nicoya for convenience. Good roads - important! Our landlord has a new construction house available 2 BR/ 1 BA for $1,000/month. We are three miles from town and the beach. We seriously love the area and our landlord is wonderful," explained one expat living in Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica is a great place to live and there are many options for finding a suitable location to call home. A good first step is to research the areas of the country you may be interested in and determine what type of lifestyle and accommodations suit you best. You can research online using resources such as TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Craigslist to get an idea of what is available in each region. Additionally, there are a variety of real estate agencies located throughout Costa Rica that can help you find a suitable living space. Ask around for recommendations and make sure to select a reputable agency. Finally, you can reach out to the expat community for advice, as they are generally well informed about housing options," said one expat in Costa Rica.

"On one visit, we took a side trip to Costa Rica to explore the beaches of Guanacaste. When we drove into Tamarindo, it felt a California beach town with a nice vibe. Over the next couple of years, we took a few trips to Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo to further explore the area and to look at condos for sale. We bought an ocean view condo in Tamarindo a couple of years before we retired, and then moved there full time after retiring in May 2013 (age 61-62). We liked the beach and the availability of a variety of restaurants and stores in Tamarindo, and easy walking access in town," said one expat who made the move to Tamarindo.

"A typical expat home or apartment in Costa Rica is usually quite modern with modern amenities such as air conditioning, cable or satellite television and fast internet access. Costa Rica also offers a wide range of accommodation to suit a range of budgets – from luxury condos and villas to more affordable apartments and family homes. Many properties come with terraces or balconies that provide sweeping views of nature, and most are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation like banana trees, mango trees and palms. Depending on the location, some expats also benefit from on-site amenities such as swimming pools, gymnasiums and patios," remarked one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"Most expats live in condos or houses with small gardens and enormous fences with barbered wire," explained one expat living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"Housing costs are about the same as The States however, the taxes and expenses related are less except luxury taxes. VAT taxes are high but you can easily avoid them if you choose to manage your lifestyle," remarked one expat in Paquera, Costa Rica.

"It depends on how close you want to be to the water. Are you willing to live in the surrounding area like Huacus or Villareal? It can be anywhere from $600 to thousands," said one expat in Tamarindo.

"The cost of housing in Costa Rica can vary significantly depending on the size and location of the property. Generally, the average cost of a single-family home in Costa Rica can range from around $100,000 to well over $1 million for luxury homes, with smaller homes and apartments located in desirable areas costing approximately between $50,000 and $150,000. Living costs and rental prices tend to be higher in major cities such as San Jose, while the coastal areas and smaller towns offer more affordable opportunities," remarked one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"Totally depends on many factors. Are you looking to rent or buy? How many bedrooms? City or country? Altitude, I.e., beach or mountains? Seasonal only, or long term? Hot water or not? Window screens or not? With Ticos or Gringoes? AC or not? Furnished or not? Close to hospitals and good medical or remote? Want views? What kind? Utilities included or not? Finished or under construction? Will you have a vehicle, and will it have 4WD? Are you ok with public transport (it’s excellent). Pets? You can see there are many possible answers to your question! We chose mountains with Nicoya Peninsula views, good infrastructure, home built to American specs with quality materials by reputable builder, hot water, screens, electric gate, and all in a Tico community of great diversity. City is only 3 kms away over the mountain. Pulperia up the street where we all hang out to watch futball! And we drive a 21 yr old SUV. Love Costa Rica," explained one expat living in Costa Rica.

"Buying a home in Costa Rica can be a great investment. It can provide you with a steady source of income through renting or reselling, while at the same time providing you with a beautiful tropical paradise to call your own. Renting, on the other hand, gives you the flexibility to move after a few months or years without having to worry about reselling or waiting for the real estate market to improve. Ultimately, it all depends on what your individual needs and preferences are. If you want the security of owning a home, then purchasing may be the best option for you. However, if you prefer the freedom to move around, then renting might be a better solution," commented one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

"I rent because I do not want to be tied down to a piece of property. Also property is expensive. My rental agreement was easy to understand, only about 4 pages (2 of them inventory of furnishings). I negotiated the terms from 12 months to 6 and the rent amount. It was not difficult at all," remarked one expat in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"I wish I had brought my small appliances like bread maker, ice cream maker and deep fryer. I wish I had left my books, formal dresses and jacket at home," commented one expat who made the move to Paquera.

"Three things to bring: - diplomatic passport (Officials are very corrupt, so minimizing interaction with public offices is a great plus) - a prepared stomach (the socalled potable water is definately not potable) - a very consercative mind (I was not prepared for Costa Ricans very protectionist and racist attitude. They live from tourists, but hate all foreigners.) What to leave back home: - hopes of relaxing on the beach every weekend (the roads are horrendous, the cost high and the service mediocre) - hopes of making Costa Rican friends (they are extremely introverted and although they might invite you to dine with them, they never tell you where they live) - hopes of experiencing Latin America (except for the widespread corruption, Costa Rican reminds you more of a US-Mexican border town than of Latin America)," remarked one expat in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"It is important to avoid touching someone's head or using certain nicknames as both are considered offensive in Costa Rica. Additionally, be sure to dress conservatively in public and avoid public displays of affection, as they are seen as disrespectful.Beyond that, it is important to be respectful when discussing religion, particularly since the majority of Costa Ricans are Catholic. Disrespecting local customs and religious ceremonies should also be avoided. Finally, it’s important to be mindful of how much you are drinking in public, as public drunkenness is considered inappropriate," said one expat in Costa Rica.

"On one occasion we had traveled to San Jose to see our attorney and were lost. When we spoke to the doorman of what we thought was his office building we could see that whoever he was speaking to on the phone he was describing us as being dressed very trashy, as we were not wearing business attire. We were dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Most people dress in business attire in the city," remarked one expat who made the move to Samara.

"Foreigners move to Playa Jaco for the beaches, fabulous sunsets, close proximity to an international airport (SJO is 90 minutes by car) and convenient shopping. Additionally, the community has a relaxed vibe, full of great restaurants, plentiful beach access, recreational activities and other expats to socialize," said one expat.

"Most foreigners who voluntarily move to San Jose, Costa Rica do so for the nice climate, lower cost of living, and friendly people. Some of course move here for work, usually in the multinationals, while a few are running from someone or something (often the law)," said one expat living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"Residency to obtain public health care (CAJA) seems to be taking about 18 months, so you will have to use private care until you obtain residency (if that is what you plan on doing). Even with CAJA, many people continue to use the outstanding private facilities available in and around San Jose (possibly in other areas, but I am only familiar with San Jose). There are many expat health insurance plans available and I highly recommend obtaining one if you are under 70. There may be some available over 70; I don't know. I presently do not have any insurance and have been paying out of pocket for some serious medical issues. I suggest you have a fund of $6-10,000 tucked away if you don't have private insurance or have a high deductible," remarked one expat in Grecia.

"Costa Rica has excellent medical care with a two prong system, both public and private. All legal residents and citizens of Costa Rica are eligible to participate in the public healthcare system which is basically free although you have to be a member of the CAJA and pay a % based on the income level you declared when you applied for residency. A tip for expats is to show evidence of enough income to qualify for their residency programs but perhaps not to show all your income if not needed to qualify. (You have to show proof of a pension, annuity or government program that pays you at least $1000 per couple to qualify for their pensionado program). If you don't qualify by those means, you can also apply as a rentista, (renter), an inversionista (an investor) or as a foreign sponsored national with a work visa. You can also marry a Costa Rican... Keep in mind that there is also a private healthcare network available, which is often the preferred option to many expats. There is often a waiting time to get seen under the public system, even things like lab work might take longer than you want to wait. The private healthcare system is generally available immediately and insurance can be purchased to cover you in those facilities. You can also often offer to pay at the CAJA and be seen quicker than those not paying for service. In an emegency, the CAJA will take anyone. Costa Rica uses a local clinic methodology where they locate clinics nearly everywhere based on population needs. These clinics are referred to as the EBAIS clinics and can be found in nearly every town of any size. Major operations, whether in the public or private healthcare system, will likely be performed in San Jose. The private healthcare networks consisting of Clinica Biblica, CIMA and Hospital Mexico, offer great service for a fraction of the cost in the US. Clinica Biblica has an international medicine center, assigns patients a health navigator to help with things like language barriers and offers services that may not even be available in the states. I have had nothing but great experiences there, everything from blood work, orthapedics, dentistry, colonoscopy, endoscopy, stress test and EKG, bone density scans, lipids exams, urinalysis, hearing and eye tests, ultrasounds and more. I have stuff done that I could never afford to do in the states and pay a fraction of the cost I would in the US. The facilities are all impeccably clean and the doctors don't seem to be afraid of their patients and lawsuits. In our area in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, we have one of the newest CAJA hospitals in all of Costa Rica. The Hospital de Osa is an 88 bed, 80,000 square foot facility complete with emergency room, pharmacy and more. I recommend everyone should try the Costa Rican healthcare system to see what we are missing in the US," wrote one expat living in Cortez.

"My recommendation is to enroll in the public health system, but it is also VERY IMPORTANT to have private health insurance, since that would avoid worries about the immediate availability of the services that are required," commented one expat who moved to Santa Ana.

"If you're a resident you pretty much have to enroll in the Caja, the public health system, and if you aren't, you can't. So there's that. Whether or not you enroll in the Caja, if you have the funds, private insurance is nice. INS, the state insurance company, sells a pretty good policy for not too much money, and (ahem) it's darn near customary not to mention pre-existing conditions on the application. After a year or so INS doesn't care, and it does pay. Blue Cross and others have now entered the market, but I doubt they're as lax as INS. Of course, you can always pay out-of-pocket for private at prices about a third of US prices, but even a third adds up. Me, I'm only in the Caja now, since I let my INS policy lapse, but that's because I'm poor. People of some affluence usually do both--private for ease and comfort, public as a backup. Oh, in the Caja plan on speaking Spanish. Most Caja docs will know a little English and a few will be fluent, but the system operates in Spanish and you can't count on anyone speaking English. In the private system almost everybody speaks English," said one expat.

"In Costa Rica, you must be a resident of the country to qualify for CAJA also know as the national socialized medicine. Additionally, this is not an option but a requirement of your residency here. The monthly fee is calculated based on your income. The local clinic also known as EBAIS is centrally located. If you are in the area, familiarize yourself with it's location. If you are not a resident, there are several private care physicians in the area and they are well educated and professional. If you do not speak Spanish, there are many that are bilingual. I know of at least one that has a 24 hour facility for emergencies. Additionally, specialists from the Central Valley visit these private care facilities on a monthly basis so if you need specialized care, it is available. At present, a general office visit in a private care facility is $40-$45," said one expat living in Playa Jaco, Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica offers a wide range of medical services, including both public and private healthcare. The public healthcare system is free for all citizens and legal residents, and is generally of a high quality. Private healthcare is also available, and is often more modern and efficient than the public system. Costa Rica is home to a number of world-class hospitals and clinics, offering a range of treatments and services. Many of these facilities are staffed by highly trained and experienced medical professionals, and offer the latest in medical technology. Costa Rica is also home to a number of specialized medical centers, offering treatments for specific conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders," replied one expat when asked about moving to Costa Rica.

"I moved here in the middle of a 5 year treatment plan. I retired early, and had no medical insurance. To stay on my treatment, I was able to buy the medication OTC for $60 a month," stated one expat who made the move to Florencia.