Costa Rica Relocation Recommendations Instantly

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Fewer than 2 out of 10 foreigners who move to Costa Rica are still there after 5 years.

Costa Rica vs Connecticut How successful a move will be depends on many things.

The questionnaire below will calculate your “Relocation Success Probability Score” to give an idea of how successful you might be and why or why not. Then, using insights from successful expats and conditional logic we generate a custom report with information to help you achieve your goal of living in Costa Rica.

SNOWBIRD VS FULL TIME
- I will live in Costa Rica year round
- Summers up north. Escape to Costa Rica 4-6 months in the winter.
VISA/IMMIGRATION STATUS
- I'll be a Perpetual Tourist
- I'll be a Resident
- I'll Seek Costa Rican Citizenship
COMMITMENT
- I'm selling everything and moving to Costa Rica permanently
- I'm going to put stuff in storage at home and try renting in Costa Rica for a year
FINANCES
- I have a comfortable disposable income and no worries about money
- I want to improve my standard of living by moving
- I have a moderate income and want a moderate lifestyle
- I'm coming with nothing and starting from scratch
STRESS & FRUSTRATION
- I expect Costa Rica to be less stressful and frustrating
- I'm laid back. Ridiculous stuff doesn't bother me
WORK & INCOME
- I will work full time
- I might work part time
- I enjoy volunteer work
- I'm retired...I'll be in my hammock
- I'll rent out my property for income
FRIENDS & FAMILY
- We're getting an extra room so they can visit every year
- We'll be Perpetual Tourists and return home to visit every few months
- They voted for _______ so I disowned them and I'm starting over
EXPERIENCE
- I've been to Costa Rica
- I've been to Costa Rica two or more times totaling at least four weeks
- I've spent at least six months in Costa Rica
- I've never been to Costa Rica
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
- Beach - warm but not hot, green but not humid
- Mountains - perfect temperatures & lush green
- City - climate controlled
- Beach - hot & dusty desert
- Beach - hot & humid jungle
FOOD
- I love a variety of food, bakeries and ethnic restaurants
- I enjoy farmer's markets and simple food
- I create gourmet meals with any available ingredients
- The only point of eating is so I don't die
CONSUMERISM & FASHION
- I love to shop online
- I like shopping but prefer to do it in person
- I'll shop in Canada/U.S./Europe and pay excess baggage fees
- Shopping is a necessary evil that I avoid if I can
FITNESS & EXERCISE - Check All that Apply
- Road cycling
- Mountain biking
- Running
- Gym
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Swim
- Surfing
- Walking/Hiking
- Other
- None
HEALTH & MEDICAL
- I currently have no health care coverage or problems
- I'm covered by Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Socialized medicine and use it occasionally
- I have some health issues and need convenient access to modern medical facilities
RELIGION
- I'm a practicing Catholic who attends mass regularly
- I'm Protestant
- I'm alternatively spiritual
- None/Other
SECURITY
- I can afford a gated & guarded community
- I plan to live in a low crime region
- I'm okay with razor wire and bars on the doors and windows
- My worldly possessions' total value is less than $500
...finished!...if you'd like you can skip the score explanation and go directly to your detailed report.
Your Relocation Success Probability Score
The possible scores on the survey range from negative eighty five (-85) to positive one hundred sixty five (165)

If your score totals
Negative
Don't despair. There's a lot of helpful information in your detailed report personalized recommendations below to help you bring the score up.
You'll also build a more realistic and appealing picture of what relocating to Costa Rica is like as you continue to research and begin to explore.
Zero to Fifty
You're on the right track but may want to spend more time researching on the internet, buy some books or contact a relocation expert to discuss the areas with low or negative scores.
Fifty to One Hundred
You know more about moving to Costa Rica than the average would be expat. You've got a good chance of successfully relocating.
One Hundred or More
Pack up your cargo container and come on down!
Your Personal Costa Rica Success Potential Scores & Recommendations Report
Based on your responses we have compiled the following customized recommendations you may find helpful when considering living in Costa Rica.
SNOWBIRD VS FULL TIME
Summers up north and escape to Costa Rica 4-6 months in the winter.
plus 10 points - The main reason snowbirds abandon Costa Rica is financial.

It's easier psychologically and socially to keep a familiar home, family and friends for half a year and head to a sunny beach paradise the other half. Cleverly dodging the Costa Rican rainy season and avoiding northern blizzards works well.

It's also expensive. Often much more expensive than people expect for a number of reasons.

Maintaining a vehicle in Costa Rica costs essentially the same amount whether you're driving it or not. Homes cannot be left unattended, you'll need a house sitter or guard.

You'll want to use your Costa Rican home during the desirable months and any fantasy of paying for it by renting it out during the low season is just that, a fantasy.
SNOWBIRD VS FULL TIME
I will live in Costa Rica year round
plus 5 points - We love Costa Rica any time of the year but the main reason year round expats abandon Costa Rica is because of unrealistic expectations and unexpected difficulties.

When the part time residents escape back to "normal" permanent expats settle in for the rainy season and the realization that no matter how petty the bureaucracy gets, how bad the roads and traffic get, or how loud those eleven dogs chained up next door get there's no escape.

Full time expats also often start out with unrealistic expectations of how often their friends and family will visit or how easy it will be to visit home.

If you plan to be permanent full time please take everyone's advice and rent for a year or two to align your expectations with reality.
VISA/IMMIGRATION STATUS
I'll be a Perpetual Tourist
plus 5 points - Leaving the country every 180 days can be a source of annoyance, expense and frustration. It can also be a good excuse for a quarterly mini-vacation.

This is the most common and easiest way to maintain legal migracion status for the first year or two and not a bad choice because it avoids the added stress and legal fees associated with establishing residency.

If you didn't know you would have to leave the country twice a year take a zero.
VISA/IMMIGRATION STATUS
I'll be a Resident
plus 10 points - If you have considerable financial resources there are ways to "buy" residency fairly quickly. Otherwise it usually takes some time, money and effort over a year on average.

Planning on leaving every 90 days as a perpetual tourist might be a more realistic approach for the first couple of years.
VISA/IMMIGRATION STATUS
I'll Seek Costa Rican Citizenship
minus 15 points - Becoming a naturalized Costa Rican citizen is relatively difficult, time consuming and expensive. It is not a realistic, desirable or necessary goal for most expats and certainly not for anyone filling out an introductory survey.
COMMITMENT
I'm selling everything and moving to Costa Rica permanently
plus 5 points - Commitment goes both ways. Occasionally "going all in" provides the extra impetus to stick it out and succeed.

As often as not it makes people miserable and desperate when they realize they've made a mistake and are trapped.

In general burning bridges is a very bad mechanism for motivation.
COMMITMENT
I'm going to put stuff in storage at home and try renting in Costa Rica for a year
plus 15 points - Good idea. Everyone who decides to leave Costa Rica wishes they didn't have to unload property. Renting for a couple of years is the number one recommendation we hear from long time expats.

Renting provides an opportunity find out what Costa Rica is really like and to shop for the right region and property without exposing a big chunk of your life savings to huge risk.
FINANCES
I have a comfortable disposable income and no worries about money
plus 15 points - As is true anywhere life's easier in Costa Rica with money. I'm not suggesting money can buy happiness but the lack of money can certainly induce anxiety, stress and depression.

As long as your definition of "comfortable" is at least $10,000 U.S. a month (per couple - more with kids) then you can probably afford a moderately luxurious existence in Costa Rica and your chances of successfully relocating are better without money worries.
FINANCES
I want to improve my standard of living by moving
minus 15 points - This is a warning sign for failure.

Some things are more expensive and others less in Costa Rica but overall you will stay in the same economic strata that you enjoy at home. If you think you'll move up in the world by relocating you may be setting yourself up for failure.

It's certainly possible to change your lifestyle to value fresh foods, get more exercise, spend less screen time, or avoid stresses like driving in traffic. It's just not any easier or cheaper in Costa Rica than it is where you are right now and it may be harder and more expensive.

If you think you're going to have a swimming pool and gardener in Costa Rica then you should look out the window where you're living - if you see a swimming pool and gardener then you can probably afford them in Costa Rica. If you don't then you can't.
FINANCES
I have a moderate income and want a moderate lifestyle
plus 10 points - Realistic expectations are key to success. Unless you're wealthy or flat broke then expecting your economic reality to stay about the same in Costa Rica as it is now is a reasonable approach.
FINANCES
I'm coming with nothing and starting from scratch
plus 5 points - Surprisingly relocation success tends to be at least as high for people who start with very little compared to people who plop down half a million bucks to buy a fresh start. Perhaps because of a better understanding of the realities or because lower expectations are easier to meet and exceed.
STRESS & FRUSTRATION
I expect Costa Rica to be less stressful and frustrating
minus 5 points - Major life changes are accompanied by significant stress. Even after settling in most people find that Costa Rica is not a perfect Shangri-La.

It is differently frustrating and stressful than the old life but there are strains and time consuming annoyances.
STRESS & FRUSTRATION
I'm laid back. Ridiculous stuff doesn't bother me
plus 5 points - Relocating will be hard work and you're bound to encounter difficulties. If you've always rolled with the punches it will serve you well during the move and afterwards when you start to discover some of the permanent challenges of your new home.
WORK & INCOME
I will work full time
minus 5 points - This is a warning sign for failure.

Unless your existing job is relocating you to their San Jose office, you have a remote job, or you have a contract with a Costa Rican company who's lawyers will facilitate your work visa it's challenging for a foreigner to work for a living in Costa Rica.

Switch to a plus 2 if you already have a legal job Costa Rica.
WORK & INCOME
I might work part time
plus 5 points - Undocumented workers rarely receive a living wage anywhere in the world and it's difficult and time consuming to get a work visa.

If you're thinking about doing some river guiding because you love to get out on the water or putting together flower arrangements for weddings because you like it you can probably find a low paying cash gig.

You may improve your chances of successfully relocating if you plan part time work mainly for the social interactions - switch your score to plus 1 point.
WORK & INCOME
I enjoy volunteer work
plus 10 points - There are many worthy causes and lots of great people already working at them. Meeting people, becoming invested in the local community, and adding some relaxed structure to your existence all improve your chances of successfully becoming a long term Costa Rican resident.
WORK & INCOME
I'm retired... I'll be in my hammock
plus 2 points - Sounds great. As long as you've accurately estimated what lifestyle your income can purchase and don't need the money then relaxing, focusing on hobbies or sports and forgetting about work can help your chances of successfully relocating to Costa Rica.
WORK & INCOME
I'll rent out my property for income
minus 10 points - Buying a house or condo and relying on rental income could work. As long as you don't want to stay there from December to August, you get a really good deal on the purchase, find an exceptional management company, understand the demand map, and have time to work at it you may cover the mortgage payment and taxes.

Some people even learn to make money as landlords but it takes significant time, money and effort and isn't a realistic entry plan.
FRIENDS & FAMILY
We're getting an extra room so they can visit every year
plus 7 points - It's a good idea to have a plan to maintain contact. Skype and other video chat applications also work well as long as you have access to high speed internet.

However, don't be surprised if your invitation offering a free place to stay on the beach isn't accepted as often as you expect. Everyone back home has jobs, kids, dentist appointments, other places they want to visit or other things that keep them from visiting.

Additionally a place to stay is only about 25% of the cost of most vacations so they'll still need to be reasonably affluent to visit frequently.
FRIENDS & FAMILY
We'll be Perpetual Tourists and return home to visit every few months
plus 4 points -It's a good idea to have a plan to maintain contact. Skype and other video chat applications also work well as long as you have access to high speed internet.

Don't forget to budget because these trips can be expensive even if you're staying with friends or relatives. On the perpetual tourist schedule you're required to travel at specific times and can't always find cheap airfare. Plus you may need a house sitter, secure parking for your vehicle in Costa Rica, a vehicle back home, etc.
FRIENDS & FAMILY
They voted for _______ so I disowned them and I'm starting over
zero points - It simplifies things if you don't have to figure out how to maintain contacts but social interactions are a major factor in successful relocations. Costa Rica is one of the friendliest places on earth so hopefully you'll make new connections.
EXPERIENCE
I've been to Costa Rica
zero points - The zero points come from plus one for doing some research and visiting but a minus one because a short trip almost always results in an unrealistic view of what it might be like to live in Costa Rica. Take another look (or two, or three) before you decide.
EXPERIENCE
I've been to Costa Rica two or more times totaling at least four weeks
plus 10 points - Several longer trips, especially to diverse locations is the best way (short of actually living here for a few months) to get a realistic idea of whether you might want to move or not.
EXPERIENCE
I've spent at least six months in Costa Rica
plus 15 points - Living in Costa Rica temporarily is the best way to get a realistic idea of whether you might want to relocate.
EXPERIENCE
I've never been to Costa Rica
minus 15 points - Dreams are wonderful things but statistically people who visit and do some in person reconnoitering are much more likely to make it as expats.
FITNESS & EXERCISE
Road cycling
minus 3 points - You'll need to find a new sport. It is not safe to bicycle on paved roads in Costa Rica.
Mountain biking
plus 3 points - There are thousands of kilometers of moderate to challenging gravel and 4WD roads in Costa Rica
Running
minus 2 points - If you're a road runner you will need to learn to run on trails or the beach. It is not safe to run on paved roads in Costa Rica. If you're already a trail runner and love vertical switch your score to plus 1.
Gym
zero points - Modern machine and weight based gyms are fairly common in the urban environs of San José and surrounding suburbs. Outside the metropolitan area there are a few gyms of varying sophistication but if your workout is critical to your sanity you may have to buy a home system.
Soccer
plus 6 points - Learn to call it futbol and you'll have a match any time you want no matter how remote your jungle hideaway.
Basketball
plus 1 point - Decades ago U.S. Lions clubs sponsored the installation of concrete basketball courts in hundreds of tiny towns around Costa Rica. Most are used as mini soccer fields but the hoops are still standing.
Swimming
minus 1 point...maybe - Swimming pools are common but Olympic lap pools are nearly non-existent. A few of Costa Rica's beaches are suitable for strong open water swimmers but many have large surf and/or dangerous currents.
Surfing
plus 4 points - Costa Rica is one of the best surf destinations in the world.
Walking/Hiking
plus 5 points - It's not safe to walk on paved roads in Costa Rica and there are very few sidewalks but once you find a route along the beach, in town or on trails walking is great exercise in Costa Rica.
Other
plus 2 points - Any fitness activity or exercise is good for you physically, mentally and socially.
choice
minus 4 points - You already got credit for being laid back and hanging out in the hammock in the Work category. Exercise is good for you physically, mentally and socially...try it.
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
Beach - warm but not hot, green but not humid
minus 10 points - Sounds great however it doesn't really describe Costa Rican beaches. To succeed as an expat you should either expect several months that are very hot, dry and dusty (Guancaste & Nicoya) or very hot, wet and humid (Southern zone and Caribbean) and a few months when temperatures drop but it rains quite a lot.

Moving ten minutes up a hill and hoping for the "cooling ocean breezes" invented to sell real estate will probably lead to disappointment and very high air conditioning bills.
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
Beach - hot & dusty desert
plus 6 points - The beaches of the Pacific northwest in Guanacaste and Nicoya are hot (mid 90's F, mid 30's C), dry and sunny from January through April when the trees drop their leaves and the cactus dominate. It cools off in the rainy season which isn't usually too wet until September through November.
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
Beach - hot & humid jungle
plus 4 points - The forests surrounding the beaches of the Southern Pacific zone and Caribbean stay green through the dry season which bumps the humidity up while temperatures are in the mid 90's F (mid 30's C). The rains in June bring cooler temperatures and in September through mid December downpours can make it seem almost chilly.
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
Mountains - perfect temperatures & lush green
plus 10 points - Costa Rica is a very mountainous country and as long as you don't have to be near the beach you can dial in almost any temperature range you like by changing elevation. Towns like Atenas, San Ramon and San Isidro as well as the capital enjoy moderate temperatures in the mid to upper 70's F day and night (low to upper 20's C).
CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY
City - climate controlled
plus 8 points - The only metropolitan area in Costa Rica is in and surrounding San José where the climate is one of the best in the world.

It's more or less room temperature outside year round and while there are some heavy rains in September through December there's also brilliant sunshine.

Huge amounts of pollution are generated but nearly daily winds tend to blow it elsewhere keeping the air quality reasonable.
FOOD
I love a variety of food, bakeries and ethnic restaurants
minus 5 points - Cuisine in Costa Rica is diversifying slowly but if you're accustomed to the variety available in a European, U.S. or Canadian medium sized college town or a city you'll be frustrated. Good bread is extremely difficult to find.

If you're planning on living in the city San José and the suburbs have a decent selection and you should switch your score to a plus 1.
FOOD
I enjoy farmer's markets and simple food
plus 5 points - If a bag of beans, a bag of rice, a plump tomato, a chicken and two mangoes sounds like a meal to you then you'll be right at home
FOOD
I create gourmet meals with any available ingredients
plus 10 points - The basic fresh ingredients for some amazing tropical cuisines (Thai, Mexican, Chinese, etc.) are available and if you import spices and exotic elements you can cook up feasts in Costa Rica. Not only will you eat well but you'll quickly become very popular with your neighbors who are craving culinary creativity.
FOOD
The only point of eating is so I don't die
zero points - you won't starve to death but you may find getting your calories a bit more challenging. Prepared frozen options, jars of sauce and other convenient foods are less common and more expensive. Finding a couple of go-to take out restaurants like the ones you might rely on at home could be more difficult too.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
I currently have no health care coverage or problems
plus 10 points - It's great to be healthy and you may even end up with better medical services while saving money under the socialized medicine system in Costa Rica
HEALTH & MEDICAL
I'm covered by Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Socialized medicine and use it occasionally
minus 5 points - Your coverage will not pay for anything in Costa Rica so you'll either need to get on the government system and use the basic local clinic and hospitals or pay out of pocket for private hospitals and facilities. Even though health care is cheaper in Costa Rica you may end up paying more especially if you also maintain coverage at "home" so you can spend part time there.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
I have some health issues and need convenient access to modern medical facilities
minus 10 points - There are some state of the art facilities in San José but many of the popular expat beach communities are hours away. If you have good health insurance at home then Costa Rica may be much more expensive if you need care outside the socialized system. The cost of private care is lower than the U.S. but since none of your insurance applies you'll pay out of pocket.

If you're planning on living in the city anyway switch your score to a plus 1.
CONSUMERISM & FASHION
I love to shop online
minus 10 points - Stay where you are or plan to find a new hobby.
CONSUMERISM & FASHION
I like shopping but prefer to do it in person
minus 5 points - There are a couple of huge modern shopping malls near San José where you can purchase the latest fashions and electronics. Prices are higher than what you're used to but in the city selection is reasonable.

Outside the metropolitan area there are a couple of Apple stores and some beachwear boutiques but if you want a drill, computer printer, particular dishwashing detergent, or pair of Levi's you'll have to head for the city.
CONSUMERISM & FASHION
I'll shop in Canada/U.S./Europe and pay excess baggage fees
plus 10 points - A lot of expats import personal goods from "home" because it's easier and cheaper. We travel between Costa Rica and Colorado several times a year and rarely have less than two 49.5 lb (50 is the limit) bags each filled with amazon for friends on the way down and filled with coffee on the way back.
CONSUMERISM & FASHION
Shopping is a necessary evil that I avoid if I can
plus 5 points - If you only shop because your socks have holes in them then you should be able to find basic necessities nearly everywhere.
RELIGION
I'm a practicing Catholic who attends mass regularly
plus 15 points - Three out of four Costa Ricans are Catholic and much of the sense of community is tied up in the Church and related activities.

You'll have a big head start on meeting, interacting with and understanding your neighbors.
RELIGION
I'm alternatively spiritual
plus 10 points - Buddhism, meditation, yoga, crystals, wiccan beliefs, shamanism and other spiritual modalities are prevalent among Costa Rican expats. It's possible to lead a simpler existence closer to nature and doing so tends to improve the odds of a successful relocation
RELIGION
I'm Protestant
plus 5 points - About one in ten Costa Ricans belongs to an evangelical Protestant church (Methodist, Baptist etc.) so you may find one even in smaller communities. Like the Catholic church it's an excellent place to meet your neighbors and become involved.
RELIGION
None/Other
zero points - Ten percent of Ticos classify themselves as not having any religion so you won't be alone. You'll have to seek elsewhere for the social and community connections that help newcomers adjust and that come automatically from participating in religion.
SECURITY
I can afford a gated & guarded community
plus 10 points - Living in a gated guarded community has the advantage of security while you're in residence plus the freedom to leave the property unoccupied.
SECURITY
I plan to live in a low crime region
minus 15 points - Unfortunately there's no such thing.
SECURITY
I'm okay with razor wire and bars on the doors and windows
plus 5 points - These are standard security precautions against theft when living outside a gated guarded community. You may also have to consider hiring a house sitter if you want to leave overnight.
SECURITY
My worldly possessions' total value is less than $500
zero points - A great way to avoid worrying about theft is just make sure you don't have anything worth stealing.

We’re working on setting it up so you can securely send your custom report to your own e-mail address but for now you’ll just have to copy and paste if you want to save the recommendations

If your score totals

Your Personal Costa Rica Success Potential Scores & Recommendations Report