Costa Rica — Pura Vida — is a long-standing favourite of North American and European expats. Stable democracy, no standing army, excellent healthcare, lush biodiversity and a well-developed expat infrastructure make it one of the easiest countries in Latin America to settle in.
Last updated: March 2026 — Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com
| Capital | San José |
| Currency | Costa Rican Colón (CRC) / USD |
| Language | Spanish |
| Monthly cost | ~$1,500–2,800/month |
| Visa Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Pensionado (Retiree Visa) | Requires a guaranteed lifetime pension of $1,000/month from a government or private source. Permanent residency. Must spend 183 days/year in Costa Rica to maintain status. Popular with US and Canadian retirees. |
| Rentista (Passive Income Visa) | For those with passive income (not pension): $2,500/month OR one-time bank deposit of $60,000. 2-year permit, renewable. Must reside 183 days/year. |
| Inversionista (Investor Visa) | Investment of $150,000+ in Costa Rican property, business or government bonds. Permanent residency. No minimum stay requirement. |
| Digital Nomad Visa | For remote workers. Income $3,000/month (individual) or $4,000/month (family). 1-year permit, renewable once. No local work allowed. |
| Temporary Resident (Work) | Sponsored by a Costa Rican employer. For skilled professionals. 2-year permit. |
Costa Rica's CAJA (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) is widely regarded as one of the best public healthcare systems in Latin America. All legal residents must enrol and pay monthly contributions (~$50–150/month based on income). Covers doctor visits, hospitalisation, surgery, maternity and prescription medicines.
Private clinics and hospitals operate alongside the public system. CIMA Hospital (San José), Clínica Bíblica, Clínica Católica and Hospital Clínica Bíblica offer English-speaking doctors and US-comparable standards at 40–60% lower costs.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| CAJA monthly contribution (resident) | ~$50–150/month (income-based) |
| CAJA consultation (covered) | Free or nominal co-pay |
| Private GP consultation | $60–100 |
| Private specialist | $80–200 |
| Private hospitalisation (per night) | $400–1,200 |
| Dental cleaning (private) | $60–100 |
While the CAJA public system is comprehensive, wait times for non-emergency specialist care and some procedures can be long. Supplementary private insurance provides immediate access to private hospitals and is also useful for the period before CAJA enrolment is active.
A Costa Rican bank account is needed to pay rent, utilities and CAJA contributions, and to receive local salary or pension transfers. The process has become more regulated but remains manageable.
Costa Rica has no restrictions on foreign property ownership — foreigners have the same rights as citizens. The property market is well-established, with a large inventory of expat-friendly properties particularly in the Central Valley, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio and the Southern Zone.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Property transfer tax | 1.5% of registered value |
| Notary fees | 1.25–1.5% of sale price |
| National Registry recording fee | ~0.5% |
| Lawyer fees | 1–2% of purchase price |
| Annual property tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) | 0.25% of appraised value |
| Annual municipality luxury tax (if applicable) | 0.25–0.55% on values over ¢133M (~$245,000) |
This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. Last updated: March 2026. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.