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Costa Rica
🇨🇷Costa Rica

Getting There — Visa

Digital Nomad Visa — requires $3,000/mo income ($4,000 for families). Valid 1 year, renewable once. Tax-exempt on foreign income. Rentista Visa — for those with $2,500/mo passive income or $60,000 deposit. Pensionado Visa — for retirees with $1,000+/mo pension. Both lead to permanent residency after 3 years.

Cost of Living

30-50% less than US major cities, though it is the most expensive Central American country. Expect $1,800-2,800/mo in the Central Valley or beach towns.

Key Fact

Costa Rica has excellent universal healthcare (ranked above the US by WHO) and no military — the budget goes to education and environment instead. The "Pura Vida" lifestyle is real but imported goods and cars are expensive due to import taxes.

Explore

Top Attractions in Costa Rica

Must-see destinations that make Costa Rica unforgettable

Arenal Volcano
Alajuela

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica's perfect cone volcano with world-class zip-lining, white-water rafting, hanging bridge hikes, and volcanic hot spring rivers under the stars.

Monteverde Cloud Forest
Puntarenas

Monteverde Cloud Forest

26,000 acres of misty mountain forest with 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species including the resplendent quetzal. One of the world's premier biodiversity destinations.

Manuel Antonio
Quepos

Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica's most visited national park — accessible rainforest wildlife viewing plus some of the country's most beautiful beaches. Spot monkeys, sloths, and macaws.

Tortuguero
Limon

Tortuguero

Accessible only by boat through jungle canals — one of the world's most important sea turtle nesting grounds. Manatees, river otters, and over 300 bird species.

Corcovado (Osa Peninsula)
Puntarenas

Corcovado (Osa Peninsula)

National Geographic called it 'the most biologically intense place on Earth' — half of Costa Rica's biodiversity in one remote jungle peninsula. Tapirs, jaguars, and four sea turtle species.

Cities

Most Popular Cities in Costa Rica

Where Americans are choosing to live

San Jose (Escazu/Santa Ana)

San Jose (Escazu/Santa Ana)

Pop. 340K

Costa Rica's hub for hospitals, airport, schools, and government services. Most expats live in the affluent western suburbs of Escazu and Santa Ana.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo

Pop. 5K

Guanacaste surf town with a younger expat crowd of surfers, digital nomads, and adventure seekers. Disproportionate international restaurant and service density.

Nosara

Nosara

Pop. 4.5K

The wellness capital of Costa Rica with strict zoning preserving the pristine jungle-beach environment. Yoga, organic cafes, and fast fiber internet for remote work.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo

Pop. 5K

Caribbean coast gem with distinct Afro-Caribbean culture — reggae, coconut rice, and bohemian atmosphere. Creative, counterculture expat community at budget prices.

La Fortuna (Arenal)

La Fortuna (Arenal)

Pop. 15K

Adventure tourism base camp with volcano backdrop, hot springs, and lower costs than coastal beach towns. Growing number of permanent expat residents.

Explore Cities in Costa Rica

Browse properties by city

San Jose29 listingsEscazu13 listingsSanta Ana10 listingsAlajuela5 listingsHeredia3 listings