| According to the latest census, there are 3.5 | | | | resident, you cannot work as an employee with |
| million residents living in Costa Rica. A majority of | | | | just your residency status. You can, however, |
| those residents (two-thirds) live in the capital city | | | | own a business. |
| of San Jose. So, the question is: Do you want to | | | | 5. You can drive on your U.S driver's license for a |
| live where most others live? Or do you want to | | | | maximum of 3 months (90 days.) To be able to |
| live farther from the grind of the big city? Then | | | | legally drive in Costa Rica after that 3 months, |
| you have to ask yourself what kind of Costa Rica | | | | you'll need have a medical exam and then go to |
| real estate do you want? ...A condo, beach house, | | | | the MOP (equivalent to the U.S.A's DMV) to apply |
| or single-family home? It's a coin toss, I know. But | | | | for your license. Take your current driver's |
| no matter which side the coin lands on, you'll win. | | | | license, your passport, and cash with you! |
| Here are some things to keep in mind as you're | | | | 6. You will need proper documentation to bring |
| preparing for your move to Costa Rica: | | | | your pets with you. Again, this is an area in which |
| 1. Hire a real estate agent, real estate lawyer or | | | | relocation specialists can really help to make sure |
| Costa Rica land specialist to assist you with the | | | | you have all the required licensing and permits. |
| purchase of your Costa Rica land. The laws in | | | | The good news is that there isn't a quarantine |
| Costa Rica are very different than those in the | | | | period required for your pet. |
| North America and other countries. | | | | 7. If you're a foreigner moving with children |
| 2. Hire a relocation company that specializes in | | | | (non-Costa Rican citizens), you will need a copy of |
| international moves. Your consultant will become | | | | each child's birth certificate. It's ideal for both |
| your best friend as you navigate all the little | | | | parents to be present when traveling in and out |
| "must-do" tasks so that you can relocate in Costa | | | | of Costa Rica with children. If only one parent will |
| Rica without interrupting your lifestyle. | | | | be traveling, that traveling parent will need a |
| 3. Unless you're planning on starting with all brand | | | | notarized letter that confirms that both parents |
| new things, you will need to hire a specialized | | | | have knowledge of the child's trip to / from |
| moving company that deals with international | | | | Costa Rica. |
| relocation. | | | | 8. Even though the cost of living is cheaper in |
| 4. You must apply for residency status in your | | | | Costa Rica compared to countries in Europe and |
| home country. You cannot personally do it once | | | | North America, you will still need to budget |
| you're in Costa Rica. The residency statuses | | | | carefully. Remember: You cannot be employed by |
| available for foreigners include "pensionado" or | | | | anyone unless you become a permanent resident |
| rentista. Pensionado is for foreigners who have a | | | | or have been granted temporary residency due |
| guaranteed income of $600 / mo or more. | | | | to providing specialized services such as teaching |
| Meanwhile, the rentista is a residency classification | | | | at a school or working for the government. |
| for foreigners who have a guaranteed income of | | | | There are, of course, more details to consider |
| $1000 or more each month. You'll be given a | | | | when moving to Costa Rica but the above are |
| residency card that must be renewed biannually | | | | the biggest hurdles you'll have to overcome. After |
| once you're granted one of those forms of | | | | that, it will be smooth sailing and plenty of time |
| residency. At the time of this renewal, you can | | | | for you to enjoy your beautiful Costa Rica real |
| also apply for permanent resident status, which | | | | estate and all the perks of living in exotic Costa |
| will give you all the rights of a citizen except the | | | | Rica. |
| right to vote. Note: Unless you're a permanent | | | | |