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✈️Visa & Residency
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.
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
Excluding rent, a single person needs ~$800 USD/mo
a family of four ~$2,850 USD/mo.
Rent (1-bed, city center): Escazú ~$1,300, Tamarindo ~$1,100, San José ~$900, Atenas ~$700.
Groceries run $7-11/day per person.
Overall 30-45% below US major cities
— the priciest Central American country, but imports are taxed heavily.
a family of four ~$2,850 USD/mo.
Rent (1-bed, city center): Escazú ~$1,300, Tamarindo ~$1,100, San José ~$900, Atenas ~$700.
Groceries run $7-11/day per person.
Overall 30-45% below US major cities
— the priciest Central American country, but imports are taxed heavily.
💡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.
— 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.
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