Discover Costa Rica
You'll Be in Good Company
120,000+
U.S. citizens already call Costa Rica home
A thriving expat community is waiting for you.
Moving to Costa Rica isn't a leap into the unknown. North American retirees have been making the move for decades, and today you'll find established neighborhoods, active social clubs, and friendly faces who have already walked the path you're considering. Come be a part of it.
Source: U.S. Department of State estimate of private U.S. citizens residing in Costa Rica. Canadian and other international residents are additional.
Established Communities
Towns like Escazú, Atenas, Grecia, and Tamarindo have long-standing North American neighborhoods.
Built-In Social Life
Expat clubs, golf groups, volunteer organizations, and meetups make it easy to build friendships from day one.
English-Speaking Support
Doctors, attorneys, real estate advisors, and service providers who work with North Americans every day.
Advice from People Who've Done It
Neighbors who have navigated residency, healthcare, and housing are generous with what they've learned.
Why Costa Rica
A Vibrant Next Chapter
Discover a destination where peace of mind, vitality, and connection come standard. With hundreds of North American–owned businesses offering familiar services and comforts, the transition feels remarkably seamless.
Quality Healthcare, Affordably Delivered
Access to high-quality medical care at a fraction of what you'd expect to pay at home.
A Peaceful Political Climate
A stable, democratic society where daily life is calm and predictable.
Year-Round Tropical Living
Sunshine and warmth that invite you outdoors every season of the year.
A Bilingual Workforce
English is widely spoken in expat areas, making services, care, and everyday errands easy.
Business & Investment Climate
A Magnet for Global Business
Costa Rica has become one of Latin America's leading destinations for international companies. Generous incentives, a stable government, and a skilled bilingual workforce have drawn global leaders in medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and business services, with the United States as the single largest source of investment.
$5.1B
Foreign direct investment in 2025, the second straight year above $5 billion
55%
Share of 2025 investment from the United States
196,000+
People employed by multinational companies
175
New international companies attracted, 2023–2025
Free Trade Zone Incentives
Income Tax Exemptions
Qualifying companies can be exempt from corporate income tax under the Free Trade Zone regime.
Duty-Free Imports
Exemptions on import duties, export taxes, and taxes on payments abroad keep operating costs low.
Open to Service Companies
Since 2019, service firms can join the regime and sell locally or abroad, not just manufacturers.
Growth Beyond the Capital
Free zone investment outside the Greater Metropolitan Area grew 24% in 2025, spreading jobs and services nationwide.
Sources: Central Bank of Costa Rica via Invest in Costa Rica; CINDE (2025). Incentive terms are set by law and subject to change.
Discover Costa Rica
Sovereign Stability
Decades of democratic governance and an established, peaceful legal framework provide peace of mind for foreign residents.
Natural Connectivity
An environment designed around outdoor access, year-round mild climates, and a world-renowned focus on active longevity.
Welcoming Expat Infrastructure
Diverse, established international communities make social transition and community integration straightforward.
Pensionado Visa Pathway
Costa Rica’s Pensionado residency program gives qualified retirees a straightforward legal path to long-term residency. Applicants generally need to show a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month, and approved residents enroll in Costa Rica’s public healthcare system, known as CAJA. This makes the Pensionado Visa especially relevant for retirees who want legal stability, healthcare access, and a clear framework for building their next chapter abroad.
Why it matters for retirees
A predictable residency option helps reduce uncertainty. For many foreign retirees, the Pensionado pathway connects directly to the bigger reasons Costa Rica stands out: legal security, healthcare planning, and long-term lifestyle confidence.
Costa Rica At A Glance
Real Stories from Retirees in Costa Rica
[Retiree testimonial to come]
[Name]
[Hometown, State]
[Retiree testimonial to come]
[Name]
[Hometown, State]
[Retiree testimonial to come]
[Name]
[Hometown, State]
Is Costa Rica Right For You?
Stability & Safety
You want peace of mind. Costa Rica offers a peaceful environment backed by a century-long democratic tradition.
Top-Tier Healthcare
Medical care is non-negotiable. You gain access to a robust dual system of JCI-accredited private hospitals and universal public care.
A Slower Daily Rhythm
You are ready to downshift. Adopting the local lifestyle means trading Western urgency for a more relaxed pace.
Cost Efficiencies
You want your capital to go further. You benefit from low property taxes, affordable household help, and lower medical expenses.