Common Costa Rican Living FAQs
Healthcare & Medical Services
Legal residents must enroll in the Caja (Costa Rica’s public healthcare system), often costing $75–$150 per month depending on income. Private insurance through INS or international providers (Cigna, IMG, GeoBlue) offers faster access to specialists and private hospitals. Many retirees combine both: the Caja for major care and private insurance for convenience and speed.
Costa Rica’s private hospitals — CIMA, Clínica Bíblica, and Metropolitano — deliver international-standard care with bilingual staff and modern technology. Walk-in clinics such as Medismart, Blue Medical, and CIMA Urgent Care provide fast, affordable access for everyday medical needs, and are heavily used by expats for their convenience and short wait times.
Costa Rica’s emergency number is 911. Public hospitals are required to treat emergencies regardless of insurance status, and private hospitals also offer emergency rooms with shorter wait times. Response times are fastest in the Central Valley and slower in rural and coastal areas. Private ambulance subscriptions are available for added peace of mind.
Pharmacies are modern, widespread, and often have a doctor on staff. Many common medications — such as cholesterol drugs and migraine treatments — are available without a prescription, making everyday care simple. Prices are significantly lower than in the U.S., and home delivery is common.
Yes. Costa Rica offers strong access to specialists in cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, endocrinology, neurology, and more — especially in San José. Private specialist visits typically cost $60–$120. Public specialist care is excellent but may involve long wait times. Dedicated geriatric and pain-management centers exist within the public system.
Preventive medicine is a national priority, contributing to Costa Rica’s 81-year life expectancy. Wellness services include metabolic health clinics, nutritionists, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and senior-friendly fitness programs. Many medications and lab tests are inexpensive, making preventive care easy to access.
Costa Rica is a major dental tourism destination, offering high-quality care at 50–70% below U.S. prices. Implants, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry are widely available. Vision care is modern and affordable, with access to ophthalmologists, cataract surgery, and LASIK.
Yes — we refer residents and families to True Dental. True Dental is a modern dental clinic in Escazú, Costa Rica, offering patient-centered care with advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques. Its team provides comprehensive services including general dentistry, oral rehabilitation, orthodontics, endodontics, and periodontics, with an emphasis on personalized treatment and patient comfort. Truedentalcr.com
Pet Care
Yes. Pet care infrastructure is well developed in Costa Rica, particularly in expat-heavy areas and major urban centers.
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Nationwide: An estimated 1,200+ registered veterinary establishments, from small neighborhood offices (consultorios) to large 24/7 emergency animal hospitals (hospitales veterinarios).
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Central Valley: Roughly 60–70% (700+ facilities) are concentrated in the Greater Metropolitan Area — San José, Heredia, Alajuela, and Cartago.
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24/7 full-service animal hospitals: Found mainly in the Central Valley (Escazú, Santa Ana, San José, and Heredia), offering advanced diagnostics, ultrasound, digital X-rays, ICU units, soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery, and blood banks.
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Residency, Legal & Banking
The three most popular residency tracks are:
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Pensionado: Proof of a permanent, guaranteed lifetime pension or Social Security of at least $1,000 USD/month.
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Rentista: Proof of guaranteed unearned income of $2,500 USD/month for 2 years, or a $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank.
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Inversionista: An investment of at least $150,000 USD in real estate, a business, or approved funds.
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Official documents — birth certificates, marriage licenses, and police records (including an FBI background check) — must be obtained, apostilled, and translated into Spanish in North America before arrival. Our partners provide step-by-step guidance through this process. Please contact us for more info.
Yes — you don’t need to be a citizen. Costa Rica has a well-established banking system with both state-owned and private banks, and most major banks offer service in English. Residents generally use their DIMEX (foreign-resident ID), while non-residents may be able to open certain accounts with a valid passport and documentation showing their connection to Costa Rica. Requirements vary by bank and immigration status.
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What to know:
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Accounts are available in both U.S. dollars and Costa Rican colones.
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Online and mobile banking are widely available.
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International wire transfers are commonly used by expats to move money.
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Banks generally ask for proof of identity, address, income, and source of funds.
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Major banks include Banco Nacional, BCR, BAC Credomatic, and Scotiabank.
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Bottom line: For anyone relocating permanently, establishing residency and obtaining a DIMEX simplifies most banking and financial transactions.
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Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system, so foreign retirement income is not taxed by Costa Rica. We recommend consulting a tax professional about your U.S. obligations.
Daily Life, Safety & Community
Everyday life in Costa Rica blends convenient modern technology with familiar home routines.
Yes, with minimal adjustment. Most visitors can use your foreign driver’s license for up to 180 days before converting it to a local license (homologación). Gas stations are 100% full-service nationwide — attendants pump your fuel and will check tire pressure and clean windshields on request.
Toll transponders such as QuickPass or BAC Compass mount to your windshield and link to a local bank account or credit card. They allow stop-free travel through toll plazas (such as Route 27 to the Pacific coast) and double as an automatic parking pass at 70+ private garages — including shopping malls like Multiplaza, medical towers like CIMA and Bíblica, and office parks — with no paper tickets or cash needed.
Not necessarily. While driving gives you maximum independence, many retirees skip car ownership and use Uber, which operates extensively throughout the Central Valley and major beach communities. It offers inexpensive, door-to-door rides in clean, air-conditioned cars — without the hassle of local traffic or parking.
Costa Rica doesn’t use traditional street addresses or zip codes for mail delivery. To order from Amazon or receive bank cards from home, expats set up a Miami freight-forwarding address through companies like Aeropost or Red Logistics. Packages are flown to Costa Rica, cleared through customs, and delivered to your front door or senior community.
Options range from big-box stores like PriceSmart (similar to Costco) and several Walmart locations, to high-end chains like AutoMercado, boutique grocers like Fresh Market, and hardware stores like EPA. Home delivery is part of daily life: apps like Uber Eats and Rappi deliver meals from local sodas and fine restaurants, plus groceries, pharmacy items from chains like Fischel, pet supplies, and hardware — right to your door or gated community entrance.
Choose Kölbi, Claro, or Liberty for strong cell coverage almost everywhere in the country. And download Waze — it’s the best GPS app in Costa Rica.
Violent crime is low, though petty theft does occur. Most expats choose gated residential developments (condominios) or senior communities with 24/7 guarded entry, perimeter control, and private security patrols.
Yes — employing home care aides (cuidadoras), housekeepers, or gardeners is affordable and common. Under Costa Rican labor law (Código de Trabajo), domestic workers are entitled to minimum wage, Caja healthcare registration, paid vacation, and an annual 13th-month Christmas bonus (aguinaldo). Please contact us for more information regarding home health care options.
Life in Costa Rica embraces pura vida — a relaxed, polite pace of life. Direct confrontation is avoided, and a warm, patient approach makes daily interactions smooth and welcoming.
For around-the-clock support, we recommend our friend Tere Alfaro at Expat Senior Concierge CR. Their Guardian Angel Program provides oversight for parents living in Costa Rica, giving families back home peace of mind. Website: www.expatseniorcr.com
Additional Questions
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Vehicles: Buy locally. Import duties range from 52% to 79% on the government’s assessed value of the car, making vehicle shipping unviable for most expats.
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Household Goods: Ship selective high-value items. High-end mattresses, specialized kitchenware, and personal electronics carry heavy markups locally, making them worth sending in an LCL (shared cargo crate) or extra luggage.
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Furniture: Buy locally. Tropical humidity, salt air, and wood-boring insects degrade imported particleboard (IKEA-style) and leather quickly. Locally made furniture uses native tropical hardwoods (teak, guanacaste, cedar) built to withstand the climate.
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Yes, below are a few of our reccomendations
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1. Ship To Costa Rica 506 (Charles Zeller / ship506.com)
Email/Web: shiptocostarica@ship506.com | info@ship506.com | Location: El Coco, Alajuela (directly west of SJO Airport near cargo warehouses)
Overview: Premier choice for North American moves. Handles FCL, LCL crates, vehicle clearance, and door-to-door delivery. |Contact: +506 2431-1234 | WhatsApp: +506 8687-1565 | US Toll-Free: +1 (866) 245-6923
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2. International Van Lines (IVL)
Email/Web: internationalvanlines.com | Location: Major US Ports / Worldwide Network
Overview: Highly rated for US-to-Costa Rica moves. Coordinates full logistics, door-to-door packing, customs brokerage, and ocean freight. | Contact: +1 (877) 647-1336​
3. Arpin International Group
Email/Web: arpininfo@arpinintl.com | arpinintl.com | Location: Global Operations / North American Network
Overview: FIDI-certified global movers known for smooth customs clearance and dedicated move coordinators for US/Canada routes. |Contact: +1 (888) 544-7222
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National Retailers (Lower Cost / Budget Choices): For ready-made modern furniture in the San José area (GAM), look to Siman, Crate & Barrel (Escazú), and Ashley Furniture.
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Coastal Furniture Outfitters: If moving to Guanacaste or the Pacific coast, regional design outfitters like Design Studio and Deco Studio offer turn-key, climate-appropriate furniture packages.
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Custom Hardwood Artisans (Sarchí & Nicoya Peninsula): Sarchí (in the Central Valley) is famous for custom craftsmen who build beds, dining tables, and cabinets from native teak, guanacaste, and laurel woods.
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