Living in Costa Rica: Setup Guide for Expats
Costa Rica offers several residency pathways for foreigners, including options for retirees, investors, and remote workers. This guide covers the administrative sequence for setting up banking, healthcare, and legal residency.
What to Expect
What to know about bureaucracy:
Costa Rican bureaucracy moves at its own pace. Processes often require multiple office visits, and documentation requirements can change without notice. The immigration office (DGME) handles residency applications, while banks and other institutions have their own requirements. Patience and flexibility are essential—'pura vida' applies to administrative timelines too.
What to consider about language:
Spanish is the official language and is used in all government offices, banks, and legal documents. English is spoken in tourist areas and by some professionals, but most administrative processes require Spanish. Having documents translated by an official translator (traductor oficial) is often required. Basic Spanish significantly improves daily interactions.
What to know about timing:
Residency applications typically take 6-18 months to process. During this time, applicants often remain on tourist status, leaving and re-entering the country every 90 days. Banking setup can take weeks depending on documentation. Plan for a longer timeline than you might expect from other countries.
What to prepare beforehand:
Before beginning the process, most applicants need: apostilled documents from their home country (birth certificate, criminal background check, marriage certificate if applicable), proof of income or pension, and passport photos. Documents must typically be apostilled, translated into Spanish, and then authenticated by the Costa Rican consulate.
How Life Setup Works in Costa Rica
Most processes in Costa Rica depend on your legal status and documentation. The following sequence shows how each step unlocks the next. Understanding these dependencies helps avoid delays.
Visa/Residency Status
Your legal status determines access to banking, healthcare, and work rights. Tourist status allows 90-day stays; residency provides long-term stability.
DIMEX Card (Residency ID)
The Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros is your Costa Rican ID card issued upon residency approval.
Bank Account
A Costa Rican bank account enables local payments, utility setup, and receiving funds. Requirements vary significantly between banks.
Cedula Fisica (Tax ID)
Required for certain financial transactions, property ownership, and formal employment.
CAJA Healthcare Enrollment
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social provides public healthcare. Enrollment is mandatory for residents and covers medical care nationwide.
Common Workarounds
Some setup steps depend on others being completed first. In practice, people often use temporary or partial solutions to move forward.
A common challenge: some banks require residency to open accounts, but managing finances during the residency process requires banking. Proof of address can be difficult without a lease, but landlords may want bank references. A common approach: Some banks (like BAC and Scotiabank) open accounts for non-residents with additional documentation. Short-term rentals can provide initial proof of address. Wire transfers and international cards bridge the gap during the transition period. Some expats maintain US or international accounts that work in Costa Rica.
Note: This sequence applies to most foreign nationals. Requirements and timelines vary by residency category (pensionado, rentista, inversionista, etc.).
What You Need to Set Up
These are the core areas to research and plan for. Each links to a detailed guide with Costa Rica-specific information.
Visas & Residency
Costa Rica offers pensionado (retiree), rentista (income-based), inversionista (investor), and other residency categories. Each has specific financial requirements.
Key question: What residency category fits my situation and income?
View GuideBanking
Costa Rican banks have varying requirements for foreigners. Some require residency while others accept tourists with additional documentation. USD and colones accounts are both common.
Key question: How do I open a bank account, and which bank works for my situation?
View GuideHealthcare
Costa Rica has a public healthcare system (CAJA) available to residents and private options. Quality is generally good, particularly in the Central Valley. Many expats use a combination of both.
Key question: How do I access healthcare, and should I use public or private?
View GuideCost of Living
Costs vary significantly between beach towns, the Central Valley, and rural areas. Costa Rica is not as inexpensive as some assume—import costs affect many goods.
Key question: What budget do I need, and how does location affect costs?
View GuidePopular Cities in Costa Rica
Where you live in Costa Rica dramatically affects your lifestyle, costs, and access to services. The Central Valley offers infrastructure and healthcare; beach areas offer lifestyle but fewer services.
San José / Central Valley
Capital region with best infrastructure, healthcare, and services. Cooler climate, urban environment.
View GuideGuanacaste (Tamarindo/Nosara)
Pacific coast beach region popular with expats. Warmer climate, tourism-oriented, growing infrastructure.
View GuideCaribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo)
Laid-back Caribbean vibe, different culture than Pacific side. More remote, fewer services, lower costs.
View GuideWhere to Start Based on Your Stage
Your next step depends on where you are in the process.
If you're still researching whether to move
Start with cost of living—Costa Rica is more expensive than many expect. Review residency options to confirm you meet the financial requirements for your preferred category.
If you've decided to move but haven't started the process
Residency should be your first research area. Requirements differ significantly between categories, and document preparation takes months. Start gathering apostilled documents early.
If you're preparing documents and planning arrival
Focus on getting documents apostilled and translated. Research banking options and consider visiting to scout locations before committing. Many people do exploratory trips first.
If you've arrived and are setting up
Submit residency application early if pursuing that path. Open a bank account, find housing, and establish routines. Expect the process to take longer than planned.
If you're established but have specific questions
Browse the detailed guides below for specific topics, or explore regional information for local considerations.
Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions
These are common mistakes and misunderstandings that can cause delays or complications when setting up life in Costa Rica.
Pitfall: Underestimating the cost of living
Costa Rica imports many goods, making electronics, vehicles, and packaged foods expensive. Healthcare and housing can also exceed expectations, particularly in popular expat areas. Budget more than you think you'll need.
Pitfall: Not preparing documents properly before arrival
Apostilles, translations, and authentications take time and must be done in a specific order. Getting documents corrected after arrival is difficult and expensive. Prepare everything before leaving your home country.
Pitfall: Relying on tourist visa runs long-term
While technically possible to leave every 90 days, this approach is unstable. Immigration can deny entry, and you lack access to banking, healthcare, and other services available to residents.
Misconception: Assuming English is widely spoken
While English is common in tourist areas, most government offices, banks, and local businesses operate in Spanish. Administrative processes require Spanish documents and often Spanish-speaking assistance.
Misconception: Thinking residency is quick or guaranteed
Residency applications typically take 6-18 months and require ongoing attention. Requirements change, additional documents may be requested, and approval is not automatic even if you meet stated criteria.
Important: This guide provides general information for planning purposes. Requirements, costs, and processes change frequently. Always verify current information with official Costa Rican government sources, the DGME (immigration), or qualified professionals before making decisions. This is not legal, tax, or immigration advice.