
Last updated on Feb 11, 2022
Summary: San Jose, Costa Rica has a population of approximately 350,000 and enjoys incredible weather with daily high temperatures in the low to mid 80s. Plus, the cost of living is low. Despite checking a lot of boxes, San Jose is NOT a popular destination for expats, retirees and digital nomads. Most people who move to San Jose do so for employment or educational reasons. And, many end up in settling in suburbs in the Central Valley such as Escazu, Grecia or Atenas.
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to San Jose, they said:
"Travel there first, travel around the country and find a place/local people that suit your tastes. Everyone in the country is generally friendly. I don't know why the other guy seemed to have problems making friends with Costa Ricans. Perhaps he is the type of foreigner who has difficulty adjusting to different cultures/places and ways of life. Costa Ricans are not "in your face" friendly or over the top outgoing by any means. They are, however, genuinely friendly if you're respectful and considerate of their space, culture, customs, etc," remarked another expat who made the move to San Jose.
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Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000. Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Some of Joshua's more popular articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 8 Best Places to Live in Croatia and the Living in Mexico Guide. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
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Guide to Living in San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in San Jose
Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other people living in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in San Jose.
Expats and global nomads in San Jose share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Costa Rica, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to San Jose: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Expats share their experiences living in San Jose, Costa Rica and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
An expat in San Jose, Costa Rica offers an incredibly insightful report about public and private hospitals, doctors in Costa Rica and the costs of prescription medicine.
An expat talks about what it's like living in San Jose, Costa Rica. He says that most expats move to San Jose for the lower cost of living, friendly people and climate. And, he offers an in-depth look at nightlife, recreational activities and more.
A U.S. expat retiree in San Juan, Costa Rica offers comprehensive advice on retiring and living there. Housing, crime, health care and more are covered.
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If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula. Expats talk about real estate prices, rents, international school tuition, travel expenses and the fun stuff - travel, dining out and more.
Information for expats living in Costa Rica about banking in Costa Rica, wire transfers, banking fees, banking limitations for those on a tourist visa and more.
Expats in Costa Rica love the Pura Vita vibe, Costa Rican's focus of family and friendship and being surrounded by nature. Can you live in Costa Rica on $1,000 a month? Is driving in Costa Rica dangerous? Expats share their tips and experiences living in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.
Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Costa Rica Forum
Meet other people living in San Jose.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in San Jose.
An expat in San Jose, Costa Rica offers an incredibly insightful report about public and private hospitals, doctors in Costa Rica and the costs of prescription medicine.
An expat talks about what it's like living in San Jose, Costa Rica. He says that most expats move to San Jose for the lower cost of living, friendly people and climate. And, he offers an in-depth look at nightlife, recreational activities and more.
A U.S. expat retiree in San Juan, Costa Rica offers comprehensive advice on retiring and living there. Housing, crime, health care and more are covered.
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