MISSION POINT HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL

MPH Expat Experience (XP)

Costa Rica · MPH Expat Experience

Living in Costa Rica: what it really costs, and what to expect

154 researched facts across 18 categories — visas, costs, housing, tax, healthcare, safety and daily life — each with a named source and the date it was checked. Every figure links to where it came from. 3 items still have no reliable source and are marked as such.

₡582,767 a month · couple, 1-bed

62nd most peaceful country

185 Mbps median home internet

2 h behind US Eastern

The $4,000 question

Can you live comfortably in Costa Rica on $4,000 a month?

Couple, a month (₡, MPH basket, Escazú, San José): 1-bed 75 m² new-build apartment in Bello Horizonte from US$1,150 (₡526,171 at ₡457.54; furnishing not stated); CNFL electricity 250 kWh ₡16,094; kölbi 100 Mbps fibre ₡15,000 + modem ₡1,130; two Liberty LY5G @1 phone plans ₡24,372 (30 GB each, taxes included). Total about ₡582,767 (US$1,274). Water and groceries are extra.

Built by MPH from the official figures under Cost of living, Housing and Tax below, plus the asking rent listed by Coldwell Banker Del Este and published electricity, internet and phone tariffs; food, water and transport are not included. Your own costs depend on where and how you live.

All 18 categories

Costa Rica, fact by fact

Visas, residency & citizenship Cost of living Housing & property Tax, money & banking Healthcare Education & family Safety & security Climate & environment Connectivity & daily infrastructure Transport & travel Work & business Language, culture & integration Government, law & society Moving logistics Demographics Expat sentiment Food, groceries & markets Questions US movers ask

01Visas, residency & citizenship12

Visa types available (retirement / passive income, digital nomad, work, highly-skilled / EU Blue Card, student, family / spouse, investment / golden visa)

Main routes: temporary residence as pensionado (lifetime pension), rentista (stable foreign income), inversionista (investment), spouse or first-degree relative of a Costa Rican, worker, student, religious; a one-year "estancia" for remote workers (digital nomads, Ley 10008); permanent residence after three years of temporary residence. There is no citizenship by investment.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Reglamento de Extranjería, Decreto Ejecutivo 37112-GOB (Alcance 64, La Gaceta, 17 May 2012) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Income / savings thresholds per visa

Rentista: stable income of at least US$2,500 a month for at least two years, proven by a document from the paying institution or a bank deposit. Pensionado: lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month. Digital nomad (Ley 10008): at least US$3,000 a month, or US$4,000 for a family group, earned abroad.

Health-insurance requirement for the visa

Residents must be insured with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social: applicants who are not direct insureds show the CCSS card or proof of payment when the category is granted and keep cover without interruption until each renewal (pensionados: pensioner-insured card). Digital nomads instead show a medical policy covering the whole stay.

Investment thresholds (residency and citizenship by investment)

Inversionista residence: the Reglamento sets capital of at least US$200,000 (BCCR selling rate) in real estate, registrable goods, shares, securities or productive projects. Ley 9996 (2021) lowered the floor to US$150,000 and the DGME checklist still showed US$150,000 on 8 Sep 2026; its tax benefits could be claimed only in the five years to July 2026. No citizenship by investment.

Source: Costa Rica Immigration Experts (CRIE), law firm — Law 9996 expiration: consequences for Costa Rica residency (2 Jun 2026, updated 8 Sep 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Processing time and validity

Fees: US$50 on filing (admisibilidad) and US$200 for a change of migratory category or status. The regulation gives the DGME a maximum of three months to decide. Temporary residence is renewed within the three months before expiry. Naturalisation decisions take 285 working days (TSE).

Path to permanent residence (years)

Permanent residence after three consecutive years as a temporary resident, or at once for first-degree relatives of Costa Ricans (spouse, parent, child). Permanent residents may work in any paid activity.

Citizenship / naturalisation timeline

Naturalisation after five years of official residence for Central Americans, Ibero-Americans and Spaniards by birth, or seven years for other nationals; applicants must speak, read and write Spanish and pass MEP exams in Spanish and Costa Rican social studies. The TSE decides in 285 working days; the service is free (fiscal stamp ₡200).

Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (Registro Civil) — Requisitos: Naturalización por residencia (Ley 1155) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Dual citizenship allowed

Yes. Article 16: "La calidad de costarricense no se pierde y es irrenunciable" (reformed by Ley 7514, 6 Jun 1995) — Costa Rican nationality is never lost and cannot be renounced, so naturalised citizens keep their other citizenship and Costa Ricans who naturalise abroad keep theirs.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · checked 21 Oct 2026

Citizenship by descent / marriage

Descent: a child born abroad to a Costa Rican by birth is Costa Rican by birth if registered in the Civil Registry by a parent while a minor, or by themselves before age 25 (art. 13.2). Marriage: a foreigner married to a Costa Rican for two years who has lived in the country for those two years may naturalise (art. 14.5; TSE sheet).

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · checked 21 Oct 2026

Short-stay rules (e.g. Schengen 90/180)

Visa-free entry for US citizens: "Authorities may allow visitors to stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days without a visa, but this is not guaranteed." A valid passport for the whole stay and a return or onward ticket are required; currency over US$10,000 must be declared.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

First registrations (tax number, residence registration)

First steps for new residents: the DIMEX foreigner ID card is issued through Correos de Costa Rica once residence is approved; CCSS enrolment is a condition of the category (art. 34 of the Reglamento); a tax identification follows the DIMEX for anyone with Costa Rican-source income. Banks accept the DIMEX, residence card or a passport with regular status.

Source: Correos de Costa Rica — Servicios para personas (DIMEX, Box Correos, Apartado Postal) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Entry restrictions (e.g. HIV restrictions)

No HIV-related entry restriction appears on the State Department page. Yellow-fever vaccination proof is required only when arriving from certain countries in South America or Africa (CDC: travellers 9 months and older from risk countries). Immigration may refuse a damaged passport.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

02Cost of living17

Overall cost profile — single / couple / family / local

Source: Coldwell Banker Del Este — 1-bed apartment to rent in Bello Horizonte, Escazú (listing ID 27249) · 2026-10 · checked 28 Oct 2026

Restaurant meal (inexpensive; mid-range for two)

No priced restaurant menu or official average meal price was found for San José. The regulated add-ons are known (10% service charge + 13% IVA on menu prices).

No reliable source yet · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Coffee, beer, soft drink

Supermarket prices (Auto Mercado, IVA included): coffee Café 1820 ground 500 g ₡4,200; beer Imperial 350 mL can ₡970 (473 mL ₡1,315); Coca-Cola 2.5 L ₡2,095 (600 mL ₡975); water Cristal 1 L ₡925. Café prices are not published by a chain with an online menu.

Source: Auto Mercado — Online store — shelf prices, San José (IVA included) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Grocery basket (milk, bread, eggs, meat, produce, wine)

Auto Mercado shelf prices: milk Dos Pinos whole 1 L ₡1,190; eggs Pipasa 15 (1 kg) ₡1,995; bread Bimbo 720 g ₡2,195; rice Tío Pelón 1.8 kg ₡1,425 (≈₡792/kg); tomatoes 1 kg ₡1,990; imported red apples 1.36 kg ₡3,200; wine Casillero del Diablo 750 mL ₡7,940–8,905. Fresh meat by weight was not returned by the site search.

Source: Auto Mercado — Online store — shelf prices, San José (IVA included) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Utilities for an apartment (electricity, heating, water, refuse)

Electricity (CNFL, San José, residential tariff T-RE 2026): first 30 kWh ₡1,744.80 minimum, 31–200 kWh ₡58.16/kWh, 201–300 kWh ₡89.24/kWh, above 300 kWh ₡92.27/kWh — a 250 kWh month ≈ ₡16,094 (US$35). No heating is used in San José. Water (AyA) and refuse (municipal) are billed separately; their tariffs were not read.

Source: Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) — Tarifas de electricidad por distribuidor — open-data service (CNFL T-RE 2026, RE-0072-IE-2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Mobile plan

kölbi postpaid "k Plus" plans (final monthly price): k1 Plus ₡12,000 (30 GB), k2 Plus ₡16,500 (45 GB), k3 Plus ₡21,500 (60 GB), Ilimitado ₡44,000; unlimited calls and SMS on the kölbi network, roaming in the Americas included.

Source: kölbi (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) — Planes pospago k Plus (terms dated 26 Mar 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Broadband

kölbi fibre, internet only, symmetric: 200 Mbps ₡23,900 a month, 300 Mbps ₡25,900, 500 Mbps ₡27,900, 800 Mbps ₡146,700, 1 Gbps ₡181,800, plus modem rental ₡1,130 a month. Triple play (internet + TV + phone) from ₡45,500 (100 Mbps) to ₡202,500 (1 Gbps).

Source: kölbi (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) — Internet fibra óptica — planes hogar · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Public transport single ticket + monthly pass

Bus fares are regulated per route and per ride (ARESEP pliego, Oct 2026): San José–Sabana ₡310, San José–Escazú ₡610, San José–Curridabat ₡530, San José–Heredia ₡540–820, San José–Alajuela express ₡760, San José–Cartago ₡1,040, San José–Pavas–airport ₡510. The regulated pliego contains no monthly pass; commuter trains ₡310–800 (INCOFER).

Source: Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) — Pliego tarifario de autobús — open-data service (newest fares in force 15 Oct 2026) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Taxi fare

Red taxi (sedan) regulated fares, RE-0050-IT-2026 (July 2026): first kilometre ₡840, each further kilometre ₡840, waiting time ₡3,520 an hour; airport taxis ₡730 per km and ₡3,710 an hour waiting.

Source: Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) — Histórico de tarifas de taxi — open-data service (RE-0050-IT-2026) · 2026-07 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Fuel price

Regulated pump prices from 3 Oct 2026 (RE-0052-IE-2026): super (RON 95) ₡764 per litre, regular (RON 91) ₡719, diesel ₡785, LPG ₡263; the single fuel tax inside these prices is ₡272, ₡259.75 and ₡154 per litre. Prices are revised monthly.

Source: Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) — Histórico de tarifas de hidrocarburos — open-data service (RE-0052-IE-2026, in force 3 Oct 2026) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

New car price

Toyota Costa Rica list prices (US dollars): Yaris sedan from US$24,590 (1.5 manual), US$26,390 (CVT), US$31,690 (High Line); Corolla Hybrid Limited US$35,990. Dealers price in dollars; vehicle import duties are the main reason prices exceed US levels.

Source: Toyota Costa Rica (Grupo Purdy) — Yaris Sedán and Corolla Híbrido — list prices · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Gym membership; cinema; theatre

Gym: Smart Fit Costa Rica Plan Fit from US$36.99 + IVA a month (12-month commitment), Plan Smart US$39.99 + IVA (no commitment), Plan Black US$42.99 + IVA. Teatro Nacional sells tickets online (prices vary by show); cinema chains were not read.

Source: Smart Fit Costa Rica — Planes y precios · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Clothing items

Zara Costa Rica (colones): men's straight-fit jeans ₡25,990 (others ₡33,990–49,990); women's dresses ₡19,990–33,990 (leather ₡85,990); men's leather boots and loafers ₡33,990–49,990.

Source: Zara Costa Rica — Category pages — hombre jeans, mujer vestidos, hombre zapatos · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Personal care, medicine, short doctor visit

Pharmacy and personal care at Auto Mercado: Colgate toothpaste 75 mL ₡2,625; Head & Shoulders 375 mL ₡5,925; acetaminophen MK tablets ₡1,300 (Tylenol extra strength ₡2,720); Scott toilet paper 12 rolls ₡4,175. Private GP consultation fees are not published by the Colegio de Médicos online; public care is through the CCSS.

Source: Auto Mercado — Online store — shelf prices, San José (IVA included) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Domestic help (hourly cleaner)

Domestic workers: average gross monthly income of employees of "hogares como empleadores" ₡240,130 (US$525) in Jun–Aug 2026 (INEC ECE). The 2026 minimum wage for domestic work is ₡268,731.31 a month (Decreto 45303-MTSS, via AG Legal). No official hourly cleaner rate is published.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) — Encuesta Continua de Empleo, trimestre móvil junio–agosto 2026 — Cuadros 1 and 4 · 2026-06/08 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Average net salary; purchasing power

Average gross monthly income in the main job ₡545,771 (US$1,193) in Jun–Aug 2026; salaried ₡612,365, self-employed ₡313,964; public sector ₡1,021,711 vs private ₡452,739; unskilled ₡324,151, high-skilled ₡960,136. Unemployment 6.7% (157,364 of 2,343,329). Net pay = gross minus 10.83% CCSS and salary tax above ₡918,000 a month.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) — Encuesta Continua de Empleo, trimestre móvil junio–agosto 2026 — Cuadros 1 and 4 · 2026-06/08 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Price level vs. US

Price level about 63% of the United States: World Bank 2025 PPP conversion factor for private consumption ₡314.54 per international dollar against an average market rate of ₡503.50 per US$ (314.54 ÷ 503.50 = 0.625). GDP per head US$19,970 (2025).

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — PA.NUS.PRVT.PP, PA.NUS.FCRF, NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (Costa Rica, latest) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

03Housing & property13

Rent — 1-bed and 3-bed, centre and outside

Asking rents, San José apartments (Q2 2026): 1-bed US$1,100 (Rohrmoser/Mata Redonda US$1,100, Curridabat US$950, Heredia US$990), 2-bed US$1,400, 3-bed US$2,600; Escazú 1-bed US$1,200, 3-bed US$2,500. Listings are priced in dollars.

Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Costa Rica: San José and 4 other cities (Q2 2026, updated May 2026) · 2026-Q2 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Furnished rent, studio vs. 85 m²

Furnished, first listing page 21 Oct 2026: studios and 1-beds of 36–52 m² US$1,100–1,300 (median ≈ US$1,200: Barrio Escalante, Rohrmoser, Escazú); 86–100 m² two-beds US$1,100–2,450 (median ≈ US$1,716; Santa Ana ₡785,000, Sabana US$1,700, Escazú US$1,950–2,450).

Source: Encuentra24 (classifieds) — Furnished apartments and houses for rent, San José — listing page sampled 21 Oct 2026 · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Purchase price per m², centre and outside; median home price

List prices, San José apartments (Q2 2026): 1-bed US$170,000, 2-bed US$225,000, 3-bed US$350,000; Escazú 1-bed US$225,000, 3-bed US$460,000; Santa Ana 1-bed US$155,000; Heredia 1-bed US$134,000; Curridabat 1-bed US$160,000. No per-m² or median-price statistic is published officially.

Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Costa Rica: San José and 4 other cities (Q2 2026, updated May 2026) · 2026-Q2 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Foreign ownership allowed / restrictions

Foreigners have the same rights as Costa Ricans to own titled property (Constitution art. 19); no inland restriction. Exception: the Zona Marítimo Terrestre (Ley 6043 art. 47) — the first 50 m of shore is public and the next 150 m is concession-only; concessions may not be held by foreigners resident less than five years or by entities more than 50% foreign-owned.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo – Asesoría Legal — Opinion AL-A-1117-2024 (30 Aug 2024) on Ley 6043, Zona Marítimo Terrestre, art. 47 · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Buying process for foreigners

Process: title search by folio real at the Registro Nacional; escritura before a notary (who must be a lawyer); registration in 30–60 days. Costs: transfer tax 1.5% (Ley 6999); stamps and registry fee ≈0.05%; notary minimum fee 2% to ₡11m then 1.5%/1.25%/1%; from 6 Oct 2025 the buyer withholds 2% (domiciled seller) or 2.5% (non-domiciled) of the price on form D-120.

Source: CostaRicaLaw.com (Roger A. Petersen, attorney) — Buying? Building? Here is what you need to know (9 Apr 2016) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Property purchase taxes and annual property tax

Transfer tax 1.5% of the price or registered value (Ley 6999 art. 8, payable half each by buyer and seller, art. 6). Annual property tax 0.25% of the registered value (Ley 7509 art. 23), with an exemption for individuals owning a single home worth up to 45 base salaries. Ley 9996 residents got a 20% transfer-tax rebate during the law's window.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text on the government eRegulations portal) — Ley 6999, Impuesto sobre traspasos de bienes inmuebles (consolidated) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Buy-to-let rules; short-term rental licensing

Short-term rentals are governed by Ley 9742 (hospedaje no tradicional): hosts and intermediary platforms must be entered in the ICT's digital register (art. 10); hosts and guests have set rights and duties (arts. 5–8); such stays fall outside the tenancy law 7527 (its art. 7(b) excludes seasonal tourist rentals in ICT zones). IVA applies under Ley 6826 as reformed.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo – Asesoría Legal — Opinion AL-A-0173-2024 on Ley 9742 (hospedaje no tradicional / plataformas digitales) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Tenant rights

Ley 7527: minimum term three years (art. 70; shorter terms count as three); colón rents may rise once a year by up to CPI inflation when it is 10% or less (art. 67); dollar rents are fixed for the term; tacit three-year renewal unless the landlord gives three months' notice (art. 71); the tenant may leave on three months' written notice (art. 72); at most one month's rent in advance (art. 58).

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text reproduced by Bufete de Costa Rica) — Ley 7527, Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos (consolidated; page PDF dated 30 Apr 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Mortgage availability to non-residents; rates

Banco Nacional (state bank) housing loans: up to US$300,000 or the colón equivalent, in colones or dollars, up to 30 years, up to 80% financing, mortgage or securities as collateral. The BNCR pages read do not state a residency condition for applicants. BCCR policy rate 3.00% (21 Oct 2026); bank mortgage rate tables were not published on the pages read.

Source: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica — Financiamiento de vivienda — condiciones · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Home insurance

INS Seguro de Hogar Integral (state insurer): covers structure, natural events, contents, loss of rental income, domestic staff and accidents in the home, with free assistance (plumbing, locksmith, electrical, glass); sold online, in branches or by phone; offered to owners and tenants; a separate Seguro de Menaje covers contents only. Premiums come from the quote tool.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) — Seguro de Hogar Integral · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Building and renovating

Building: plans are registered through the CFIA's APC platform and the national Trámites de Construcción portal before the municipal permit. Fiscal base values (Hacienda ONT manual 2023, values of Mar 2023): single-family housing ₡260,000/m² (basic VC01), ₡365,000 (mid VC03), ₡485,000 (higher VC05) — about US$570–1,060 per m² at 457.54.

Source: Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos (CFIA) — Trámites técnicos — APC and Trámites de Construcción portal · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Selling property; capital gains tax

Capital gains on property: 15% (Ley 7092 Title II); for the first sale of an asset held before 1 Jul 2019, 2.25% of the price may be chosen instead. Since 6 Oct 2025 the buyer withholds 2% of the price from domiciled sellers (on account; habitual residence, inheritances and capital contributions exempt) and 2.5% from non-domiciled sellers as final tax; registration needs proof of payment.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Ministerio de Hacienda aplicará retención sobre ganancias de capital en bienes inmuebles transmitidos por domiciliados (25 Sep 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Gross rental yield

Gross rental yields (asking rent ÷ list price, Q2 2026): San José 8.05% average (1-bed 7.76%, 2-bed 7.47%, 3-bed 8.91%); Heredia 8.69%; Santa Ana 7.86%; Curridabat 7.27%; Escazú 6.29%; country average 7.63% (7.80% in Q4 2025).

Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Costa Rica: San José and 4 other cities (Q2 2026, updated May 2026) · 2026-Q2 · checked 21 Oct 2026

04Tax, money & banking15

Income tax system and rates

Territorial system: only Costa Rican-source income is taxed. Salary tax 2026 (monthly): 0% to ₡918,000; 10% to ₡1,347,000; 15% to ₡2,364,000; 20% to ₡4,727,000; 25% above; credits ₡1,710 per child and ₡2,590 per spouse. Self-employed profits (annual): 0% to ₡6,244,000; 10% to 8,329,000; 15% to 10,414,000; 20% to 20,872,000; 25% above.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Ministerio de Hacienda estableció los tramos del Impuesto sobre la Renta para el período fiscal 2026 (11 Dec 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Estimated tax on $50k / $100k / $250k

Employment income taxed under the 2026 salary brackets at ₡457.54 per US$, before credits and before the 10.83% CCSS employee contribution: US$50,000 → about US$3,330 a year (6.7%); US$100,000 → about US$12,730 (12.7%); US$250,000 → about US$49,030 (19.6%). Foreign-source income is not taxed.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Ministerio de Hacienda estableció los tramos del Impuesto sobre la Renta para el período fiscal 2026 (11 Dec 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Tax residency test

Tax domicile for foreigners: residing or staying in the country at least six continuous months in the fiscal year (Reglamento art. 5(b)); the tax authority may treat shorter dependent employment as domicile. Domicile matters for rates and withholding only — both residents and non-residents are taxed solely on Costa Rican-source income.

Source: Ministerio de Hacienda (text on the government eRegulations portal) — Reglamento a la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta, Decreto 18455-H (consolidated) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Non-resident tax

Non-domiciled persons pay final withholding on Costa Rican-source payments: dividends 5%/15%, interest 5.5%/15%, royalties and technical or management fees 25%, personal services 25%, transport and communications 8.5%, other income 30%. Treaties reduce these only for Germany, Mexico, Spain and the UAE. Real-estate sales by non-residents: 2.5% of the price (final).

Source: PwC Tax Summaries — Costa Rica – Corporate – Withholding taxes (last reviewed 30 June 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Special expat regimes

Ley 9996 (2021) for inversionista, rentista and pensionado residents: one-time duty-free import of household goods and professional tools, duty- and VAT-free import of up to two vehicles, 20% rebate on the property transfer tax, and exemption of the income declared to qualify. Art. 12 limited opting in to five years (to July 2026); no general extension had been found by 8 Sep 2026.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Entra en vigencia el Reglamento a la Ley para la atracción de inversionistas, residentes rentistas y residentes pensionados (23 Feb 2023) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Double tax treaty with the US (and UK, CA, AU)

No income tax treaty with the United States (Costa Rica is absent from the IRS A-to-Z list, reviewed 3 Jan 2026) and none with the UK, Canada or Australia: Costa Rica's only treaties in force are with Germany, Mexico, Spain and the UAE (PwC). A US–Costa Rica FATCA agreement exists for bank reporting.

Source: Internal Revenue Service — United States income tax treaties – A to Z (Page Last Reviewed 03-Jan-2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Inheritance / estate tax; wills and estate planning

No inheritance or estate tax: inheritances, legacies and marital property are excluded from taxable income (Ley 7092 art. 6(e)). Inherited real estate pays the 1.5% transfer tax on adjudication (Ley 6999 arts. 1, 5(b), 8) and is exempt from the 2% capital-gains withholding. Wills are made before a notary; the Código Civil secures maintenance for dependants.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text on the government eRegulations portal) — Ley 7092, Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (older consolidation) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

VAT rate; import duty on personal goods

VAT (IVA) 13% general; 4% on private health services; 2% on medicines and non-MEP private education; 1% on the basic food basket. Personal effects: Ley 9996 residents could import household goods once duty-free; otherwise imports pay duty plus 13% IVA (general duty schedule not read).

Source: Municipalidad de Escazú — Brochure IVA — tarifas del Impuesto al Valor Agregado · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Corporate tax; self-employed tax

Corporate income tax 30% on net income; companies with gross income up to ₡119,174,000 (2026) pay 5% on the first ₡5,621,000 of net income, 10% to ₡8,433,000, 15% to ₡11,243,000 and 20% above. Self-employed individuals pay the progressive profit brackets (0–25%, see 4001) and 10.83% CCSS contributions on declared income.

Source: PwC Tax Summaries — Costa Rica – Corporate – Taxes on corporate income (last reviewed 30 June 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Pensions and social security

No US totalisation agreement (Costa Rica is not among the 31 countries on the SSA list), so US self-employment tax and CCSS contributions can both apply. CCSS contributions from 1 Jan 2026: employee 10.83% and employer 26.83% of gross pay (IVM pension share 4.33% / 5.58%); the state pension system is the CCSS IVM.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Aumento en cuotas obrero-patronales aplicable desde enero 2026 (15 Dec 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Opening a bank account as a non-resident / foreigner

BAC Credomatic account opening (personal): residents show the DIMEX, residence card, DIDI or a passport with regular status (plus a proof-of-ties document if in the country under six months); non-residents show a valid passport plus a proof of ties (employment, family, property or business); applicants abroad need an apostilled passport; digital nomads use the nomad ID; income proof is required.

Source: BAC Credomatic — Requisitos mínimos para apertura de cuentas — personas físicas (June 2024) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Multicurrency and USD accounts; money transfers

Dollar accounts are standard: BAC offers master accounts in colones and in dollars on one dual debit card with free transfers between them. The BCCR reference selling rate was ₡457.54 per US$ on 21 Oct 2026 (buying ₡450.09). Domestic transfers run on the BCCR's SINPE system; international wires through the banks.

Source: BAC Credomatic — Cuentas de ahorro — BAC Costa Rica · 2026-10-21 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Credit scores for newcomers

Credit history is held in SUGEF's Centro de Información Crediticia (CIC), which consolidates debtor data reported by supervised financial entities; individuals can request their own report through the CIC citizen portal. The CIC holds only what supervised entities report, so a newcomer has no Costa Rican record until a local loan or card is reported.

Source: Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF) — Centro de Información Crediticia (CIC) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Cashless acceptance; tipping custom; ATM

Cashless: SINPE Móvil (BCCR phone-number payments through any local bank account) is universal and untaxed; cards accepted widely. Tipping: Ley 4946/9116 makes a 10% "servicio" line on restaurant and bar bills mandatory (paid to waiters, calculated before VAT); extra tips are voluntary. ATM fees are set by each bank.

Source: Banco Central de Costa Rica — SINPE Móvil no sufrirá cambios relacionados con temas tributarios (BCCR-031-2025, 26 Aug 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Minimum wage

Minimum wages rose 1.63% for 2026 (Decreto 45303-MTSS); the next adjustment takes effect 1 Jan 2027. Monthly 2026 minimums: unskilled worker ₡373,092.30 (US$815), semi-skilled ₡405,710.70, skilled ₡419,755.80, specialised ₡487,335.00, university bachelor ₡664,078.07, licentiate ₡796,921.00; domestic work ₡268,731.31.

Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social — Consejo Nacional de Salarios inicia audiencias para revisión de los salarios mínimos del sector privado (COP-MTSS-PRE-020-2026, 12 Oct 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

05Healthcare10

How the health system works; access for residents

Public system: compulsory social insurance run by the autonomous Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Constitution art. 73) covers sickness, maternity, disability and pensions; residents must enrol (immigration regulation art. 34). The Ministry of Health stewards the sector; care is primary-care based (PAHO). Health spending 6.9% of GDP, 24% out of pocket (2023); life expectancy 81.0 (2024).

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Health insurance — private / international plans and cost

Private cover: the state insurer INS sells INS Medical in Regional, Internacional and Grandes Deducibles plans (deductibles from US$200, or from US$5,000), priced yearly by age, health and cover; no public tariff. Private insurers are licensed and listed by SUGESE. Many residents use CCSS plus a private policy or pay privately per visit.

Source: La República — INS Medical: asegure su bienestar con una póliza de gastos médicos (24 Nov 2023) · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Hospital quality; best hospitals

Two Costa Rican hospitals hold Joint Commission International accreditation: Hospital Clínica Bíblica, San José (since 13 Oct 2007) and Hospital CIMA San José, Escazú (since 1 May 2008). Public tertiary care is through CCSS national hospitals (San Juan de Dios, México, Calderón Guardia).

Source: Joint Commission International — Find accredited international organizations — filter Costa Rica · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Doctors and GPs; dental; mental health

Doctors 2.69 per 1,000 people (2022; US 3.68, Italy 4.19); hospital beds 1.14 per 1,000 (2022); dentists 10.9 per 10,000 (WHO 2022); psychiatrists 3.9 per 100,000 (WHO 2016). The Colegio de Médicos keeps the register of licensed physicians.

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — SH.MED.PHYS.ZS, SH.MED.BEDS.ZS, SP.DYN.LE00.IN, SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS (CRI, USA, ITA; latest) · 2022 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Children's healthcare; pregnancy and birth; women's health

Maternity leave is four months (one before and three after the birth), with the post-natal three months counted as the minimum breastfeeding period; pregnant and breastfeeding workers cannot be dismissed without MTSS authorisation. Maternity care is a CCSS benefit (Constitution art. 73); the CDC lists routine, hepatitis A and B vaccines for children travelling.

Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social — Asuntos laborales — preguntas frecuentes (maternidad, jornada, aguinaldo, vacaciones, feriados) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Senior and elderly care

CONAPAM (the national council for older adults) oversees three care modalities — Hogares (non-profit long-stay homes run with public funds), Centros Diurnos (day centres) and the Red de Cuido — publishes a directory of welfare organisations, runs a legal clinic and the free 24-hour Línea Dorada 1165. Private senior-home prices are not published officially.

Source: Consejo Nacional de la Persona Adulta Mayor (CONAPAM) — Modalidades de atención; Línea Dorada · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Vaccinations

CDC Costa Rica (reviewed 3 Sep 2026): routine vaccines; hepatitis A for all travellers over 1; hepatitis B for unvaccinated under-60s; typhoid considered for rural or long stays; rabies depending on activities (bats carry rabies); yellow-fever vaccine not recommended but required from risk countries for travellers 9 months and older; malaria prophylaxis for some areas.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Travelers' Health — Costa Rica (page last reviewed 3 Sep 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Emergency numbers

Single emergency number 9-1-1 (Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1, attached to ICE, national coverage); Línea Dorada 1165 for older adults; US Embassy +506 2519-2000 (after hours +506 2220-3127).

Source: Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 (ICE) — Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 — cobertura nacional · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Medical insurance advice for visitors

State Department: "In San José, medical care is usually good. Outside of San José, services may be limited." Visitors should check that their medicines are approved and sold locally (Ministry of Health). The CDC recommends malaria prophylaxis for certain areas and lists leptospirosis risk from contaminated water. Private hospitals expect payment or insurance.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Health care index

WHO UHC service coverage index 84 of 100 (2023) — United States 88, Italy 82. Life expectancy 81.0 years (2024, World Bank).

Source: World Health Organization — Global Health Observatory API — UHC service coverage index (UHC_INDEX_REPORTED) · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

06Education & family9

International schools — curricula (IB / British / American) and annual tuition

Country Day School (Escazú, US curriculum) 2026–27 yearly tuition: Kinder US$14,168, Grades 1–5 US$20,352, 6–8 US$21,723, 9–11 US$21,931, Grade 12 US$22,015, plus one-time entrance US$2,500 and family US$1,000. Lincoln School (Heredia, IB Diploma): Grades 1–5 ₡7,206,900 (≈US$15,750), Grade 12 ₡9,245,616 (≈US$20,200), membership US$2,000.

Source: Country Day School (Nord Anglia Education) — Tuition and fees 2026–2027 · 2026/27 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Local education system

Public education is compulsory and free from preschool through secondary (Constitution art. 78, with a spending floor of 8% of GDP). Structure (MEP): preschool, I and II Ciclo (primary, grades 1–6), III Ciclo (7–9) and Educación Diversificada (10–11, or 10–12 technical) ending in the bachillerato. The 2026 school year runs 23 Feb – 9 Dec.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Childcare / preschool cost

Public childcare: CEN-CINAI centres (Ministry of Health) give daily care, meals and growth monitoring to children under 13 from families in poverty or social risk; hours vary by centre. Private early-years fees: Country Day School early learning US$7,353 (half day) to US$8,977 a year; Lincoln PK–K ₡5,085,384 a year (≈US$11,100).

Source: Dirección Nacional de CEN-CINAI (Ministerio de Salud) — Atención y Protección Infantil · 2026/27 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Higher education

Universidad de Costa Rica (public) 2025 tariffs: ₡16,250 per credit for Costa Ricans (12-credit semester cap ₡195,000); foreign students ₡59,140 per credit (cap ₡709,680 ≈ US$1,550 a semester); graduate ₡24,690 / ₡89,880. Public universities offer means-tested scholarships (Constitution art. 78).

Source: Universidad de Costa Rica – Consejo Universitario — Alcance a La Gaceta Universitaria 16-2025: tarifas 2025 (Resolución R-24-2025, 7 Feb 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Language learning

Spanish is the official language (Constitution art. 76). The University of Costa Rica's Spanish as a Foreign Language programme (Faculty of Letters, San Pedro) runs basic to superior courses at US$880 per course including materials, open to non-students after a placement test. Private schools in San José are plentiful.

Source: Universidad de Costa Rica – Programa de Español como Lengua Extranjera — Courses · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

School holidays

MEP 2026 calendar: lessons start 23 Feb; first period 23 Feb – 3 Jul; Semana Santa 29 Mar – 5 Apr; mid-year break 6–17 Jul; second period 20 Jul – 9 Dec; school year closes 9 Dec with graduations 10–11 Dec. The long break therefore runs mid-December to late February.

Source: Ministerio de Educación Pública — Calendario Escolar Virtual 2026 (event data service obtener_eventos.php) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Spouse and family visas

Dependants (spouse, minor or disabled children, unmarried children to 25, dependent parents and siblings) may be included in a resident's category. The spouse or recognised partner of a Costa Rican gets one-year temporary residence free of condition (art. 78) and may work (art. 61); first-degree relatives of citizens qualify directly for permanent residence (art. 72).

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Reglamento de Extranjería, Decreto Ejecutivo 37112-GOB · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Maternity and parental leave

Maternity leave four months (one before, three after birth; MTSS). Paternity leave in the private sector: eight days taken two per week over the first four weeks, paid half by the CCSS and half by the employer (Código de Trabajo art. 95 as reformed); public sector one month at full pay (Delfino, 25 Jun 2025).

Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social — Asuntos laborales — preguntas frecuentes · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Pet relocation

Dogs and cats from the US: USDA-endorsed health certificate signed by an accredited vet; exam within two weeks of departure; rabies vaccine valid on entry (animals over three months); internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days; dogs vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, cats against FVRCP. No quarantine is stated.

Source: US Department of Agriculture – APHIS — Health certificate protocol for dogs and cats exported to Costa Rica (Dec 2016, updated Jan 2017) · 2017 · checked 21 Oct 2026

07Safety & security10

Crime level

873 homicides in 2025 (OIJ), three fewer than 2024, the third straight year at this level (OIJ): San José province 293 (17.6 per 100,000), Limón 172, Puntarenas 130; national rate ≈16.9 per 100,000 (World Bank/UNODC 17.7 in 2023; US 5.8, Italy 0.6). US advisory Level 2; "Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica."

Source: El Observador (Costa Rica) — Costa Rica cerró el 2025 con 873 homicidios y mantiene tendencia por tercer año, confirma OIJ (5 Jan 2026) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Safety for women

Femicides 2025: 39 (25 intimate-partner under art. 21 LPVcM, 14 in other contexts) out of 85 homicides of women; 2024: 48 of 79; 2026 to 18 Oct: 23 of 58 (Poder Judicial Observatorio de Género). Femicide carries 20–35 years (Ley 8589). Rape is punished with 10–18 years and the law covers spousal rape (State HRR 2023).

Source: Poder Judicial – Observatorio de Violencia de Género contra las Mujeres y Acceso a la Justicia — Estadísticas de femicidio — tablero/libro con corte al 18-10-2026 · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Safety for LGBTQ+ people; legal protections

Same-sex marriage has been legal since 26 May 2020; the Registro Civil counted 3,822 same-sex marriages in five years (2,051 male, 1,771 female) and 54 divorces. State HRR 2023: no reports of state or non-state violence targeting LGBTQI+ persons, though no national law explicitly bans discrimination on sexual orientation or gender identity (executive orders and workplace policies do).

Source: El Observador (Costa Rica) — 5 años después del Matrimonio Igualitario: ¿cuántas parejas homosexuales se han casado? (27 May 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Racism / discrimination

Constitution art. 33: everyone is equal before the law and no discrimination contrary to human dignity is allowed; the state is declared multiethnic and multicultural. State HRR 2023: laws ban workplace discrimination and racism at sporting events, with affirmative action for Afrodescendants; concerns noted over Indigenous land conflicts and xenophobia toward Nicaraguan migrants.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Scams

OSAC alert (25 Nov 2025): gangs have targeted foreigners, forcing ATM withdrawals or bank transfers; foreign-owned businesses and homes and Airbnb-type rentals have seen break-ins and armed robberies; thieves use signal blockers so key fobs fail to lock cars. The State Department refers readers to its scams page and the FBI for financial scams.

Source: US Department of State – Overseas Security Advisory Council — Security Alert: Countrywide (Costa Rica) — property crimes, financial crimes and robberies impacting foreigners (25 Nov 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Victims of crime; domestic violence

Victims report to the OIJ (the only agency that takes crime reports) or call 9-1-1; the US Embassy assists citizens (+506 2519-2000). Domestic violence: the 1996 Ley contra la Violencia Doméstica provides protection orders — 259,002 requests in 2018–2023, about 142 a day (Poder Judicial); INAMU and the Delegación de la Mujer support women.

Source: Poder Judicial – Observatorio de Violencia de Género contra las Mujeres y Acceso a la Justicia — Estadísticas de femicidio — tablero/libro con corte al 18-10-2026 · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Natural disaster risk

ThinkHazard rates river, urban and coastal flooding, earthquake, landslide, tsunami, volcano and wildfire as High for Costa Rica, cyclone and extreme heat Medium, water scarcity Low. State Department: active earthquake and volcanic zone (Rincón de la Vieja, Turrialba and Poás more active); tsunamis possible after large quakes; flooding common in the rainy season (April–October).

Source: GFDRR / World Bank — ThinkHazard! — Costa Rica hazard levels · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Road / traffic safety

Road deaths 17.9 per 100,000 (WHO 2023; US 18.4, Italy 5.3). COSEVI counted 572 on-site road deaths in 2025 (+67). State Department: drive with extreme caution — unclear lane markings, potholes, single-lane bridges, poor signage; avoid driving outside cities at night; expect heavy traffic around San José.

Source: World Health Organization — Global Health Observatory API — RS_198 road traffic mortality per 100,000 (CRI, USA, ITA) · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Food safety

State Department: "Tap water is often not safe to drink." AyA reports 94% of the population receives potable water at home; the World Bank puts safely managed drinking water at 80.5% (2024). CDC notes leptospirosis from contaminated water and typhoid risk in rural areas. Restaurants need a Ministry of Health operating permit and inspections.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Overall peace / stability

Global Peace Index 2026: Costa Rica 62nd of 163 (score 1.860; Italy 35th, US 134th). Freedom House 2026: Free, 91/100 (political rights 38/40, civil liberties 53/60), unchanged from 2025. The army was abolished in 1948 (Constitution art. 12).

Source: Institute for Economics & Peace — Global Peace Index 2026 – A3 map poster (PDF) · 2026 · checked 22 Oct 2026

08Climate & environment8

Climate and seasons; temperature; humidity

San José (Juan Santamaría airport, 913 m, 1991–2020): warm and even all year — daily highs 30–33 °C (hottest April 33.1 °C), lows 15–17 °C (coolest January–February 15.0 °C), mean 22.5 °C; the city station in Pavas runs about 1 °C cooler (highs 29–31.5 °C). Dry season roughly December–April, rainy season May–November.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (WMO Climatological Standard Normals 1991–2020) — Costa Rica station normals — Juan Santamaría International Airport (WMO 78762) and Tobías Bolaños (78764) · 1991–2020 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Air quality (annual)

Annual mean PM2.5 exposure 17.7 µg/m³ (World Bank, 2023; US 7.0, Italy 14.3) — above the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ but below most Latin American capitals. Ministry of Health station reports for the Greater Metropolitan Area were not reachable.

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — EN.ATM.PM25.MC.M3, EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS, EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS, SH.H2O.SMDW.ZS (CRI, USA, ITA; latest) · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Pollution

Pollution picture: PM2.5 17.7 µg/m³ (2023); safely managed drinking water for 80.5% of the population (2024; US 97.6%, Italy 96.8%); renewable energy 34% of final energy consumption (2021), with electricity almost entirely renewable. Urban river pollution and traffic emissions are the main local issues (ThinkHazard lists wildfire High).

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — EN.ATM.PM25.MC.M3, EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS, EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS, SH.H2O.SMDW.ZS (CRI, USA, ITA; latest) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Climate-change resilience

ND-GAIN Country Index: rank 53 of 180+ (score 54.5), vulnerability 0.387 (138th most vulnerable) and readiness 0.477 (59th most ready) — "well positioned to adapt". Costa Rica's rank improved from 61 (2021) to 53 (2023–2024).

Source: University of Notre Dame – ND-GAIN — ND-GAIN Country Index — Costa Rica · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Share of buildings with AC; heating norms

Air conditioning is rare: 2.66% of households surveyed in the 2018 national residential energy survey had AC (1.8% in 2012) — the Central Valley's 1,100 m altitude keeps San José at 15–33 °C year-round. Homes have no central heating; hot water is usually an electric shower head or tank. AC matters mainly in Guanacaste and the coasts.

Source: Universidad de Costa Rica – Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica, for MINAE and ICE (SEPSE) — Estudio para la caracterización del consumo energético en el sector residencial — Informe Final (28 Feb 2019) · 2018 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Tap water safety; water hardness

AyA (the national water utility): "94 % de la población ya recibe agua potable en su hogar"; quality is monitored by its Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas and outages are reported online. The World Bank counts 80.5% with safely managed water (2024); the State Department still advises that "tap water is often not safe to drink". Hardness data is not published.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) — Sitio web AyA — inicio (cobertura de agua potable; Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Power grid reliability

Grid reliability (ARESEP 2025 results): the average customer had 6.29 interruptions longer than five minutes (7.63 in 2024) and 8.11 hours without power in the year (about 10 in 2024) — the best since records began in 2013. Electricity access 99.8% (World Bank 2024). CNFL serves San José.

Source: Semanario Universidad — Aresep: Costa Rica registró en 2025 la menor cantidad de apagones en 12 años (17 Jul 2026) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Recycling / sustainability

Waste is managed under Ley 8839 (Gestión Integral de Residuos): the Municipalidad de San José runs collection, street cleaning and separate recycling routes, publishes real-time route maps and a municipal integrated waste plan; households separate recyclables for the municipal recycling days.

Source: Municipalidad de San José — Recolección de residuos (Ley 8839); rutas de limpieza y reciclaje · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

09Connectivity & daily infrastructure6

Internet speed (fixed + mobile)

Ookla medians (September 2026): fixed broadband 184.7 Mbps down / 112.5 up / 6 ms, world rank 43; mobile 71.3 Mbps down / 16.5 up / 20 ms, rank 64. SUTEL 2024: 112,796 km of fibre; fixed networks delivered over 90% of contracted speed; measured 4G downloads 20–24 Mbps. 87% of people use the internet (World Bank 2024).

Source: Ookla — Speedtest Global Index — Costa Rica (updated September 2026) · 2026-09 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Mobile operators; eSIM

Three mobile operators: kölbi (state-owned ICE) 38.8% of lines, Liberty 36.9%, Claro 24.3% (2024; 6.98 million lines, 136 per 100 people). Prepaid SIMs for foreigners need a residence card or a provisional migration carnet (kölbi); kölbi sells an eSIM Global (Airalo) product. 4G coverage time: Claro 90%, Liberty 87%, kölbi 70%.

Source: Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL) — Statistics of the Telecommunications Sector 2024 (English edition, 336 pp.) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Setting up utilities, internet, TV

Electricity (San José, CNFL): "servicio nuevo con medidor instalado" and "traspaso de servicio" (name change the same day once documents are in; deposit transfers to the new holder; fee per ARESEP tariff; 800-ENERGÍA). Water through AyA's online agency. Internet/TV: kölbi fibre from 200 Mbps; triple-play bundles from 300 Mbps; 58% of fixed internet is bundled (SUTEL).

Source: Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL) — Trámites para servicios eléctricos — servicio nuevo; traspaso de servicio · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Free WiFi; places to work from; coworking

Free public Wi-Fi: FONATEL's Espacios Públicos Conectados gives free "Zii" Wi-Fi in 513 public spaces nationwide — 400+ parks and plazas, 28 train stations, 61 public libraries and 7 civic centres (time and content limits). Coworking: Regus has seven San José centres (Sabana, Escalante, Rohrmoser, San Pedro, Escazú, Santa Ana, Curridabat); day pass from US$29.

Source: SUTEL – FONATEL — Programa 4 Espacios Públicos Conectados · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Postal service; mail forwarding

Correos de Costa Rica (state post) offers Box Correos — a free Miami address for online purchases forwarded to Costa Rica — plus PO boxes (apartado postal), EMS and courier services; it also issues the DIMEX foreigner ID and residents' passports at its branches. Street addressing is by landmarks; a PO box or Box Correos is the usual way to receive mail.

Source: Correos de Costa Rica — Box Correos; servicios para personas · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Useful apps; news sources

Everyday apps: SINPE Móvil (BCCR bank-to-bank payments by phone number), Uber and Uber Eats (rides, food and groceries; San José, Liberia, La Fortuna, Limón, Puntarenas), Waze for driving. English news: Tico Times; Spanish: La Nación, El Observador, Delfino, Semanario Universidad, CRHoy. Government services: Trámite Ya, CNFL, AyA and MTSS online.

Source: Uber — Uber Costa Rica — viajes y Uber Eats · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

10Transport & travel8

Public transport quality and fares

Buses are the backbone (regulated per-ride fares: San José–Sabana ₡310, –Escazú ₡610, –Heredia ₡540–820, –Cartago ₡1,040; no monthly pass). INCOFER commuter trains run weekdays: San José–Cartago ₡710, San José–Heredia ₡550, Heredia–Alajuela ₡800, Curridabat–Pavas ₡640, Pacífico–Curridabat ₡310; seniors free. No metro. Uber and red taxis fill the gaps.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) — Rutas, horarios y tarifas — San José–Cartago; San José–Heredia–Alajuela; Curridabat–Pavas–Belén (updated 15 Oct 2026) · 2026-10 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Driving; licence conversion for US drivers

Driving on a US licence: visitors may drive for the whole stay authorised at entry with a valid passport and US licence or IDP (State Dept). Residents with a DIMEX can homologate a valid foreign licence at COSEVI at once (the 91-day wait was dropped in 2024); the Costa Rican licence is issued as a novice licence valid three years.

Source: Delfino.cr — Extranjeros no tendrán que esperar 91 días para homologar su licencia de conducir (27 Aug 2024) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Buying / importing a car; car insurance

Cars are bought in dollars (Toyota Yaris from US$24,590). The annual marchamo (paid Nov–Dec) bundles vehicle property tax (60% of the 2026 total), INS mandatory SOA insurance (26%, ₡6 million cover), COSEVI and other items; a ₡60,000 fine applies for driving unpaid. Ley 9996 residents could import two vehicles duty-free; EVs get 75% duty exemption in 2026.

Source: La República — Marchamo Costa Rica 2026: todo lo que necesita saber (5 Nov 2025, updated 29 Jan 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Road conditions; traffic laws

Traffic law: Ley 9078; Ley 10943 (June 2026) makes driving above 120 km/h on any public road a Category A offence and adds dangerous manoeuvres. Road deaths 17.9 per 100,000 (WHO 2023). State Department: drive with extreme caution — unclear markings, potholes, single-lane bridges, motorcyclists weaving; avoid rural night driving; do not cross flooded roads.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text reproduced by Bufete de Costa Rica) — Ley 10943, reforma a la Ley de Tránsito 9078 — velocidad y maniobras (Alcance 73, Gaceta 106, 10 Jun 2026) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Commute time; traffic

Congestion is severe: the Estudio de Movilidad Segura 2025 found about half of the Greater Metropolitan Area road network saturated at peak hours, and a UNA study estimates each Costa Rican spends about 27 days a year inside a vehicle. State Department: "Expect traffic jams in and around San Jose." Commuter trains and Uber are the common workarounds.

Source: La República — San José figura como la segunda ciudad del mundo con peor tráfico (26 Jul 2026) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Walkability

Central San José has pedestrian boulevards (Avenida Central, Paseo de los Estudiantes) and the municipality is extending the Avenida Central boulevard from Hospital San Juan de Dios to La California and widening sidewalks near the Atlántico station; outside the core, sidewalks are uneven and the centre empties after 6 p.m. Escazú, Santa Ana and Rohrmoser are car-oriented.

Source: El Observador (Costa Rica) — ¿Cuál es el plan para rescatar el centro histórico de San José? (20 Oct 2024) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Airports; airline connectivity to the US

SJO (Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, 20 km from San José): non-stop US flights by American (Miami, Dallas, Charlotte, Chicago), Delta (Atlanta, Los Angeles), United (Houston, Newark, San Francisco), JetBlue (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York), Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Alaska and Volaris; Air Canada/Transat to Canada; BA, Iberia, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa to Europe. Second airport: Liberia.

Source: Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (AERIS) — Connectivity — non-stop destinations by airline · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Aviation safety oversight

FAA IASA: Costa Rica is Category 1 (meets ICAO safety standards; its airlines may fly to the US) — results list of 18 April 2025.

Source: Federal Aviation Administration — International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program Results (IASAWSR119r.pdf, 18 Apr 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

11Work & business6

Job market; finding work

Labour market (Jun–Aug 2026): 2.19 million employed, unemployment 6.7%, 74.8% of the employed with work insurance (formal); average gross pay ₡545,771 a month, ₡960,136 for high-skilled jobs. Employment rate about 55% of 15–64s (OECD). Growth sectors are free-trade-zone services and medical devices (World Bank); Spanish is needed outside multinationals.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) — Encuesta Continua de Empleo, trimestre móvil junio–agosto 2026 — Cuadros 1 and 4 · 2026-06/08 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Work culture

OECD Better Life Index: 22% of employees work very long hours (OECD average 10%); life satisfaction 6.3/10 (OECD 6.7); household disposable income US$16,517 (OECD 30,490). The legal week is 48 hours over six days; lunch is the main meal; the mandatory aguinaldo (13th-month pay) comes in December.

Source: OECD — Better Life Index — Costa Rica · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Employment law

Código de Trabajo basics (MTSS): 8-hour day / 48-hour week for day work; aguinaldo equal to one twelfth of Dec–Nov wages paid in the first 20 days of December; two weeks' paid vacation per 50 weeks; notice none in the first three months, then 1 week, 15 days and 1 month after a year; severance (cesantía) on unjustified dismissal; CCSS 10.83% employee / 26.83% employer.

Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social — Asuntos laborales — preguntas frecuentes (jornada, aguinaldo, vacaciones, preaviso y cesantía) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Starting a business; company formation

Companies (S.A. or S.R.L.) are formed by notarial deed and filed electronically through CrearEmpresa / Trámite ¡YA! to the Registro Nacional (mandatory e-filing; fees paid by bank deposit; registration typically about three days versus one to two weeks on paper). Then: Hacienda tax registration, CCSS employer registration and a municipal patente. Corporate tax 30% / SME tiers 5–20%.

Source: Registro Nacional – Registro de Personas Jurídicas — Inscripción de formularios electrónicos (CrearEmpresa / Trámite ¡YA!) — S.A. and S.R.L. · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Freelancing / self-employment

Digital nomad stay (Ley 10008, reglamento July 2022): one year, extendable one more, for remote workers earning at least US$3,000 a month (US$4,000 with family) from abroad; income tax exempt, not tax-resident, duty-free import of work equipment, medical insurance required. Locally earned freelance income is taxed under the profit brackets and needs CCSS independent-worker registration.

Source: EY Centroamérica — Costa Rica | Autoridades publican el reglamento a la Ley de Nómadas Digitales (11 Jul 2022) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Startup ecosystem

StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026: Costa Rica 76th worldwide (+25.6% growth, 95 startups tracked); San José 388th among cities (62 startups, +18.1%). Free-trade zones (PROCOMER) and the investment agency CINDE anchor the tech and medical-device cluster around the capital.

Source: StartupBlink — Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 — Costa Rica; San José · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

12Language, culture & integration10

Official language(s)

Spanish is the official language (Constitution art. 76); the state must protect the indigenous languages (Bribri, Cabécar and others). Limón Creole English is spoken on the Caribbean coast; Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO) is recognised in law.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · checked 21 Oct 2026

English proficiency

EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Costa Rica score 516, 55th in the world (EF's "moderate" band); San José scores 546, the highest in the country. English is common in tourism, multinationals and private schools, less so in public offices.

Source: EF Education First — EF English Proficiency Index 2025 — Costa Rica fact sheet · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Social etiquette; culture

Culture and conduct: Spanish-speaking, Catholic-majority society with free exercise of other faiths (Constitution art. 75); formal courtesy ("usted", greetings) is valued; the 10% restaurant service charge is included by law and extra tips are optional; marijuana is illegal (State Department) and public drinking is restricted by Ley 9047. Eight paid public holidays shape the calendar.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Expat communities; making friends; networking

Foreign-born residents are 12.2% of the population (World Bank 2024; mostly Nicaraguans, with large US, Venezuelan and Colombian communities) — a higher share than Italy (11%). The US Embassy in Pavas runs citizen services and alerts (+506 2519-2000); expat clusters are Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia and the Central Pacific and Guanacaste coasts.

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — SM.POP.TOTL.ZS international migrant stock (% of population) · 2024 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Marriage; divorce; dating

Marriage is civil or religious (Catholic marriages have civil effect) and registered by the TSE Civil Registry; minimum age 18; same-sex marriage legal since 26 May 2020. A foreign spouse of a Costa Rican may naturalise after two years married and resident. Divorce by mutual consent is done before a notary and homologated by the TSE when there are no minor children or joint assets.

Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (Registro Civil) — Homologación de acuerdos de divorcio y separación por mutuo consentimiento — requisitos · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Religion; faith-based travellers

Catholicism is the state religion with free exercise of other faiths guaranteed (Constitution art. 75). Religious makeup (UCR 2021 survey cited by the State Department): Catholic 47%, Evangelical 19%, no affiliation 27%; about 3,000–3,500 Jews and 7,500 Muslims (community estimates cited by the State Department).

Source: US Department of State — 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Costa Rica · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Freedom of speech

Constitution art. 29 guarantees expression without prior censorship. RSF World Press Freedom Index 2026: 38th of 180 (score 72.35; 36th in 2025, 8th in 2022). Freedom House 2026 civil liberties 53/60.

Source: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — World Press Freedom Index 2026 — Costa Rica · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Public holidays; festivals

Paid public holidays (MTSS): 1 Jan, 11 Apr (Juan Santamaría), Holy Thursday and Good Friday, 1 May, 25 Jul (Anexión de Nicoya), 15 Aug (Mother's Day), 15 Sep (Independence), 25 Dec; unpaid feriados 2 Aug (Virgen de los Ángeles pilgrimage), 31 Aug (Afro-Costa Rican culture) and 1 Dec (Abolition of the Army). Big festivals: Fiestas de Zapote (late Dec), Festival de la Luz, Palmares.

Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social — Asuntos laborales — Días feriados · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Food scene; things to do; nightlife; sports

Things to do: the 1897 Teatro Nacional (concerts, theatre, youth programme with the national music institute), museums around the Plaza de la Cultura, sodas and marisquerías, the Mercado Central, football (Liga, Saprissa and Alajuelense) and day trips to Poás, Irazú and the coasts. The ICT lists gallo pinto, casado and ceviche as the staple dishes; nightlife centres on Barrio Escalante and Escazú.

Source: Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica — Cartelera y boletería · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Accessibility for disabled people

Ley 7600 (1996): public and private buildings open to the public must meet accessibility standards (art. 41); crossings need ramps and signals (42); 5% of parking reserved (43); public transport must be fully accessible, 100% of buses by 2014 (46 bis); 10% of taxi concessions adapted (47); fines arts. 62–67. Compliance in central San José is uneven (municipal plan, 2024).

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text hosted by the Defensoría de los Habitantes) — Ley 7600, Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad (Gaceta 102, 29 May 1996) · 1996 · checked 21 Oct 2026

13Government, law & society4

Political system; stability

Stable presidential democracy with no army since 1948 (Constitution art. 12); Freedom House 2026 rates it Free, 91/100, unchanged from 2025. World Bank governance scores 2025 (0–100): government effectiveness 61, regulatory quality 65. Elections every four years (next presidential term began May 2026). US advisory Level 2 for crime, not politics.

Source: Freedom House — Freedom in the World 2026 — Costa Rica · 2026 · checked 22 Oct 2026

Local laws; criminal penalties; arrest notification

"Marijuana and marijuana-related products are illegal in Costa Rica." Arrested US citizens may "ask the police or prison officials to inform the U.S. Embassy", which visits detainees and provides lawyer lists (Embassy page). Only the OIJ takes crime reports. Drinking age 18 (Ley 9047); driving above 120 km/h is a top-category offence (Ley 10943); the 10% service charge is compulsory.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Religious government

Catholicism is the constitutional state religion and the state contributes to its upkeep, while the free exercise of other faiths is guaranteed (art. 75); law and courts are secular. Foreigners enjoy the same civil rights as citizens but may not take part in politics (art. 19).

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (text mirrored by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica (consolidated) · checked 21 Oct 2026

Economy overview

Upper-middle-income, export-led economy: GDP grew 4.6% in 2025 on medical devices and services from free-trade zones; GDP per head US$19,970 (PPP US$33,815); inflation near zero (−0.4% expected 2026, target 2–4%); unemployment 6.3% (Q4 2025); poverty 15.2%; Gini 48.8; fiscal deficit 3.4% of GDP, debt 60.4%. BCCR policy rate 3.00% (21 Oct 2026).

Source: World Bank — Costa Rica Overview (last updated 6 Oct 2026) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

14Moving logistics2

Moving checklist; first-week tasks

Arrive with a passport valid for the stay and an onward ticket (up to 180 days, not guaranteed). First weeks: file the residence application, enrol in the CCSS once approved, collect the DIMEX at Correos, open a bank account (DIMEX or passport plus proof of ties), set up SINPE Móvil, put CNFL/AyA/kölbi services in your name, homologate your licence, register with STEP; 911 for emergencies.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Shipping household goods; customs allowance

Household goods: Ley 9996 gave inversionista, rentista and pensionado residents a one-time duty-free import of household goods and professional tools plus two duty/VAT-free vehicles (opt-in window closed July 2026 unless extended); digital nomads import work computers and telecom gear duty-free (Ley 10008). Others pay duty plus 13% IVA; no general allowance was found on an official page.

15Demographics5

Population; density

Population 5.15 million (2025); density 101 per km² (2024; US 37, Italy 199); 20% rural (2025). The Greater Metropolitan Area around San José holds roughly half the population; UN WUP 2025 counts the San José city (Degree of Urbanization) at 2.17 million.

Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators API — SP.POP.TOTL, EN.POP.DNST, SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS, SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS, NY.GDP.PCAP.CD, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD, SE.TER.CUAT.BA.ZS, SE.SEC.CUAT.UP.ZS (CRI, USA, ITA; latest) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

GDP per capita; income level

GDP per head US$19,970 (2025; Italy US$43,309, US US$90,027), PPP US$33,815; average gross pay ₡545,771 (≈US$1,193) a month (INEC Jun–Aug 2026); Gini 45.5 (2025) — one of the more unequal OECD members; poverty 15.2% (World Bank).

Education level

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher 16.8% (2024; US 39.1%, Italy 17.6%); with completed upper secondary 43.3% (US 91.6%, Italy 55.3%); adult literacy 97.4% (2011). Education spending is constitutionally at least 8% of GDP.

Tourist volume; overcrowding

2,943,991 international tourist arrivals in 2025 (+0.8%), about 0.57 per resident; 1.59 million by air from the United States, 260,000 from Canada; Europe 420,000; average spend about US$1,848 per trip (ICT). Arrivals by air are concentrated at SJO and Liberia; San José itself is mainly a gateway rather than a crowded resort.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – Departamento de Estadística Turística — Análisis de los principales indicadores turísticos — Cierre 2025 (39 pp.) · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Gender ratio

Women are 50.6% of the population (2025), about 977 men per 1,000 women (MPH arithmetic). Life expectancy 81.0 years (2024).

16Expat sentiment2

Expat Insider indices — Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance, Expat Essentials

No reliable source yet. To be filled from MPH's own member survey.

No reliable source yet · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Return rate; liked by members

No reliable source yet. To be filled from MPH's own member survey.

No reliable source yet · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

17Food, groceries & markets13

Supermarket chains — discount / mid / premium

Chains: Walmart de Centroamérica runs Palí and Maxi Palí (discount), Masxmenos (mid-range) and Walmart hypermarkets, all with online shops; Auto Mercado is the premium chain (online orders, free pick-up, home delivery ₡3,000 in 1–4 hours, express ₡4,000); PriceSmart is the membership warehouse. Fresh Market and Mega Súper are smaller formats.

Source: Walmart de México y Centroamérica — Tiendas — sitios de ecommerce Costa Rica (Walmart, Masxmenos, Maxi Palí, Palí) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Fresh produce markets — municipal markets, farmers' markets, market days

Weekly ferias del agricultor (producers only, no intermediaries, visible prices; Decreto 25659-MAG) run in most cantons, usually Saturday or Sunday mornings. San José's Mercado Central (1880, cultural heritage; Av. Central, calles 6–8) opens Mon–Sat 7:30–19:00 and Sunday 8:00–18:00; the municipality also runs the Mercado de Mayoreo, Calle 16 and Artesanías markets. Wholesale: CENADA (PIMA).

Source: Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (text via FAOLEX) — Reglamento de Ferias del Agricultor, Decreto 25659-MAG (La Gaceta 243, 18 Dec 1996) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Fish and seafood markets

Seafood: INCOPESCA publishes weekly prices (SIMPA) from landing posts at Puntarenas, Quepos, Golfito, Limón, Nicoya, Playas del Coco and La Cruz, from the CENADA wholesale market (Mondays and Fridays) and from retail markets and supermarkets; the Mercado Central and CENADA have fishmongers, and Puntarenas is the main Pacific landing port.

Source: PIMA / INCOPESCA — Sistema de Información de Mercados de Productos Pesqueros y Acuícolas (SIMPA) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Seasonal and local produce

Produce is year-round; PIMA's 2026 seasonality calendar indexes monthly wholesale prices: mango cheapest March–July, Mesino lime July–September, strawberries September, Hass avocado dearest April–May, cas and guava cheapest mid-year. Bananas, pineapple, papaya, plantain and coffee are local staples; apples and grapes are imported.

Source: Programa Integral de Mercadeo Agropecuario (PIMA) — Frutas y hortalizas — Calendario de estacionalidad según precios para el año 2026 · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Organic availability; organic certification

Certified organic area 9,467 ha in 2025 (banana 3,909 ha, sugar cane 2,533, pineapple 1,359, coffee 608, cacao 229) under the SFE's organic registry (ARAO); much of it is exported to the EU, Switzerland and Canada (SFE export tables). Certification and the registry of organic operators sit with the SFE's organic unit (ARAO).

Source: Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado (SFE) – Unidad de Registro y Fiscalización de Agricultura Orgánica — Estadísticas de las áreas certificadas como orgánicas y exportaciones 2025 · 2025 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Dietary needs — halal, kosher, vegetarian / vegan, gluten-free

Dietary needs: rice-and-beans cuisine (gallo pinto, casado) is easy for vegetarians and vegans at sodas; gluten and milk must be declared on labels (RTCA). Small communities — about 3,000–3,500 Jews (kosher through the Centro Israelita) and 7,500 Muslims (Centro Cultural Musulmán) — mean kosher and halal supply is limited to a few outlets in San José.

Source: US Department of State — 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Costa Rica · 2023 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Allergen labelling rules

Labelling follows the Central American regulation RTCA 67.01.07:10 (adopted in Costa Rica): packaged foods must declare gluten-containing cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk (including lactose), tree nuts and sulphites of 10 mg/kg or more, with a separate "may contain" warning for cross-contact; imported products need a Spanish complementary label.

Source: Consejo de Ministros de Integración Económica Centroamericana (text via Directorio Legislativo) — RTCA 67.01.07:10 Etiquetado general de los alimentos previamente envasados · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Food safety standards and inspection

Restaurants and food services need a Ministry of Health permiso sanitario de funcionamiento (one year, non-transferable), are inspected by sanitation technicians under an inspection manual, and staff need a health card and a food-handler certificate; breaches lead to closure under the Ley General de Salud (arts. 363–364). The Ministry closes non-compliant eateries regularly.

Source: Ministerio de Salud (text via FAOLEX) — Reglamento de los Servicios de Alimentación al Público (as amended by Decreto 34728, 28 May 2008) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Alcohol rules — where it can be bought, licences, restrictions

Ley 9047: alcohol sold under municipal licences — A off-licence, B bars (B1) and dance venues (B2), C restaurants, D minimarkets (D1) and supermarkets (D2; other grocers may not sell), E tourism businesses (no hour limits). Hours: A/B1 11:00–24:00, B2 16:00–02:30, C 11:00–02:30, D 08:00–24:00. Minimum age 18; no outlets within 400 m (A/B) or 100 m (C) of schools, churches or clinics.

Source: Asamblea Legislativa (municipal copy, Municipalidad de Escazú) — Ley 9047, Regulación y Comercialización de Bebidas con Contenido Alcohólico (25 Jun 2012) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Grocery and meal delivery services

Delivery: Uber Eats (restaurants, groceries, pharmacies) and PedidosYa (restaurants plus PedidosYa Market dark-store groceries) cover all seven provinces; DiDi Food and Rappi also operate in the GAM. Supermarket delivery: Auto Mercado (₡3,000, 1–4 h; express ₡4,000), Walmart/Masxmenos online shops.

Source: La Nación — PedidosYa y Uber Eats alcanzan cobertura en las siete provincias (13 Oct 2021) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Local cuisine overview

Cuisine (ICT): gallo pinto (rice and beans) at breakfast, the casado plate at lunch — the main meal — ceviche, olla de carne, and Caribbean rice and beans with coconut; Indigenous, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences; sodas serve home-style meals, marisquerías seafood; drinks include agua de sapo and fresh fruit juices; coffee is a national product.

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) — Costa Rican cuisine and dining (visitcostarica.com) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Restaurant scene and dining cost

Dining: sodas serve a casado lunch cheaply, while Escazú, Santa Ana and Barrio Escalante hold the mid- and high-end restaurants. Every bill adds the compulsory 10% service charge and 13% IVA (23% on top of menu prices unless already included); menus often show prices "IVI". Chain menus with prices were not available online, so no benchmark price is stored.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Tap water drinkable

State Department: "Tap water is often not safe to drink." AyA says 94% of residents receive potable water at home and San José's supply is chlorinated and monitored by the Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas; the World Bank counts 80.5% with safely managed water (2024). Bottled or filtered water is the norm outside the Central Valley.

Source: US Department of State — Costa Rica – international travel information (Last Updated 11 Aug 2025) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

18Questions US movers ask7

US Social Security totalisation agreement; pension paid abroad

No US–Costa Rica totalisation agreement (not among the SSA's 31 agreement countries) and no income tax treaty (IRS list), so US self-employment tax and CCSS contributions can both apply and US Social Security is taxed as usual; US benefits are paid to residents of Costa Rica by direct deposit or to a local bank.

Source: US Social Security Administration — U.S. International Social Security Agreements — countries and dates in force · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Flight time and direct flights to major US hubs

Non-stop US flights from SJO: Newark 5 h 15 min (United UA1560, daily); also Houston, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Chicago, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco and New York (JetBlue, per the airport list). Airlines: American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Alaska, Avianca, Volaris. No SJO–JFK non-stop was scheduled on the day read.

Source: Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (AERIS) — Connectivity — non-stop destinations by airline · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Time-zone offset from US Eastern / Pacific

Costa Rica keeps UTC−6 all year with no daylight saving (Decreto 45790-MEIC on the hora oficial, 2026). That is one hour behind US Eastern Standard Time and two hours behind Eastern Daylight Time; two hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time and one hour ahead of Pacific Daylight Time.

Source: La Nación — Costa Rica estrena marco normativo para la hora oficial (17 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 22 Oct 2026

Language test required for residency or citizenship

No language test for residency permits. Naturalisation (after 5 or 7 years) requires speaking, reading and writing Spanish and passing MEP exams in Spanish and Costa Rican social studies (TSE requirement 7).

Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (Registro Civil) — Requisitos: Naturalización por residencia (Ley 1155) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Remote work permitted under each visa

Remote work for foreign employers is explicitly allowed under the digital-nomad stay (Ley 10008, up to two years, tax-exempt). Pensionado, rentista and inversionista residents may run their own businesses or receive income from abroad but may not take local employment; permanent residents and spouses of Costa Ricans may work in any activity (arts. 61, 74).

Setting options — urban / suburban / rural / coastal / mountain

Settings: urban (San José and the Central Valley at 1,100–1,200 m), suburban (Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia), rural (20% of the population; Northern Plains), two coasts — Pacific (Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Central and South Pacific) and Caribbean (Limón) — mountains up to Cerro Chirripó at 3,821 m, and inhabited Gulf of Nicoya islands (Chira, Venado).

Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) — Where to go — regions (visitcostarica.com) · 2026 · checked 21 Oct 2026

Bureaucracy and admin ease

Bureaucracy: World Bank governance scores 2025 (0–100) — government effectiveness 61 (Italy 71, US 77), regulatory quality 65 (Italy 66, US 73). Signals read this session: same-day electricity transfers (CNFL), company e-filing in about three days (Registro Nacional), but naturalisation decisions take 285 working days (TSE) and immigration sites sit behind bot checks.

Source: World Bank — Worldwide Governance Indicators 2025 via the WDI API (source 3) — GOV_WGI_GE.SC, GOV_WGI_RQ.SC · 2025 · checked 22 Oct 2026

154 verified facts from 111 sources; last checked 28 Oct 2026. Facts marked "No reliable source yet" are shown on purpose, rather than filled with guesses.

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The information on this page is published by Mission Point Holdings LLC for informational and intelligence purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal, or immigration advice. Figures are taken from official and published sources on the dates shown and change often; the monthly budget is an MPH calculation based on stated assumptions, not a quote. Residency and visa rules, tax treatment and costs vary by person and change frequently; confirm all requirements with qualified local legal and tax counsel before moving or committing capital. Mission Point Holdings LLC has no financial relationship with any provider named on this page.