Moving to Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers several residency categories. The Digital Nomad visa, Rentista, and Pensionado are popular with expats. Work permits require employer sponsorship.

Costa Rica has attracted significant foreign investment, particularly from US technology and services companies. Intel, Amazon, HP, IBM, and numerous other multinationals operate shared service centers and regional offices, primarily in the Central Valley. The country also has a strong medical device manufacturing sector and growing fintech ecosystem. However, local wages are modest relative to the cost of living, and most expats rely on remote work, foreign income, or employment with international organizations to maintain their lifestyle.

Costa Rica's public healthcare system (CAJA/CCSS) is comprehensive and surprisingly capable for a country of its size and income level. The system operates through a network of EBAIS (community health clinics), regional hospitals, and specialist centers. Enrollment is mandatory for residents and covers everything from routine checkups to major surgery, cancer treatment, and chronic disease management at no additional cost beyond monthly contributions. The main drawback is wait times—months for specialist appointments and non-urgent procedures. This has created a thriving private healthcare sector. Hospital CIMA in Escazu (affiliated with the BUPA network), Clinica Biblica in San Jose, and Hospital Clinica Catolica are the premier private facilities, offering English-speaking staff, modern equipment, and minimal wait times. Private consultations cost USD 60-120. Costa Rica has become a popular medical tourism destination, particularly for dental work and cosmetic surgery, due to the combination of quality and affordability. Pharmacies (farmacias) are plentiful, and many medications are available without prescription.

Costa Rica is digitally capable, with improving infrastructure and growing adoption of digital services. The ICE (national telecom) and private providers offer broadband and mobile data across much of the country, though speeds and reliability vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Costa Rican culture is built on the foundation of Pura Vida—a phrase used as a greeting, farewell, expression of gratitude, response to "how are you?", and general affirmation that life is good. Ticos (Costa Ricans) are peaceful, polite, and deeply averse to confrontation. They will say "yes" or "maybe" when they mean "no," simply to avoid discomfort—learning to read between the lines is an essential skill. Time is flexible: "Hora Tica" (Tico Time) means events start when they start, appointments are approximate, and rushing is considered slightly odd. Family is central, and Sunday lunches are a gathering institution. The environment is a genuine cultural value—Costa Ricans take pride in their country's ecological reputation, and littering or environmental disrespect is noticed. Despite the laid-back exterior, there is a formal side: first meetings use "usted" (formal you), and professional interactions maintain a polite structure.

• •Addresses do not exist in the traditional sense. Directions use landmarks (churches, trees, former businesses): "100 metros norte de la antigua bodega" (100 meters north of the old warehouse). The landmark may no longer exist—it does not matter.
• •Ticos are deeply polite and will give you directions even if they do not know the way, simply to be helpful. Always cross-reference with a second source or use Waze.
• •A "soda" is not a drink—it is a small local restaurant serving "casados" (married plates): rice, beans, salad, plantain, and a protein. Cheap, filling, and authentic.
• •Life follows the sun. Many Ticos wake at 5:00-5:30 AM and wind down by 8:00-9:00 PM. Early morning productivity is cultural, not unusual.
• •Environmental awareness is genuine. Costa Rica banned single-use plastics in national parks and protected areas, and recycling is increasingly organized. Showing environmental respect earns social goodwill.