San José
CRC
Spanish
UTC−6
Daily life
- Climate: Tropical: a dry season (December to April) and a rainy season (May to November). Mild "eternal spring" in the Central Valley; hot and humid on the coasts.
- Safety: Muggings and theft, especially on the Atlantic coast, and gang-related violence in some urban areas; rip currents on beaches without lifeguards. Earthquakes and volcanic activity (Poás) occur.
- English: common in cities and among younger people
- Expat community: large
Sources: UK travel advice: Costa Rica, safety and security (checked 2026-10-22) · EF EPI 2025: Costa Rica (55th, moderate) (checked 2026-10-22) · Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (checked 2026-10-22)
Cost of living
| Monthly, USD | San José and the Central Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Couple | |
| Rent | 760 | 1,030 |
| Food | 520 | 930 |
| Utilities | 155 | 170 |
| Transport | 66 | 130 |
| Health cover | 200 | 330 |
| Leisure | 250 | 430 |
| Total | 1,951 | 3,020 |
Amounts in US dollars (the colón floats; many rents are quoted in dollars). Rent: a one-bedroom flat outside the centre for one person, between one and three bedrooms for a couple. Health: the compulsory Caja contribution (a percentage of your declared pension) plus some private care. Utilities include internet.
Sources: Numbeo: cost of living in San José (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
Visas and residence
Pensionado (retiree) residence
For people with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month. Temporary residence is granted for two years and renewed; permanent residence can be requested after three years. You must join the Caja (public health system) before the residence card (DIMEX) is issued.
- Minimum income: 1,000 USD a month
- Valid 24 months, renewable; permanent residence possible after 3 years
- Spouse can be included
- Official page
Rentista (passive income) residence
For people without a pension: $2,500 a month of guaranteed income for two years, or a $60,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. Same Caja and renewal rules as pensionado.
- Minimum income: 2,500 USD a month
- Or savings: 60,000 USD
- Valid 24 months, renewable; permanent residence possible after 3 years
- Spouse can be included
- Official page
Trying it first: United States passport: 180 days without a visa; Canada passport: 180 days without a visa; United Kingdom passport: 180 days without a visa.
Sources: CRIE: Costa Rica residency requirements (2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · AG Legal: residency in Costa Rica in 2026 (checked 2026-10-22) · Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (checked 2026-10-22)
Healthcare
Residents must join the public Caja (CCSS) and pay a monthly contribution based on their declared pension or income; it is a condition for getting and renewing residence. The Caja covers everything, but waits can be long, so many retirees also pay for private doctors or insurance.
- Public system: Register with the CCSS after residence is approved; the contribution is calculated on your declared pension (around 13% in recent years) and confirmed at registration. A 2020s bill to exempt pensionados was rejected.
- Private insurance, monthly (USD): age 55-64: 150 · age 65-74: 250 · age 75+: 400
- Pre-existing conditions: varies by insurer
Sources: Costa Rica Law: CCSS contributions upheld for pensionados (checked 2026-10-22) · Expat Focus: healthcare in Costa Rica (checked 2026-10-22)
Taxes
Costa Rica taxes only Costa Rican-source income, so foreign pensions and investment income are generally not taxed. A bill filed in September 2026 would tax residents' foreign passive income at 15%: it is not law. Homes above a construction value threshold pay a yearly solidarity (luxury home) tax; there is no inheritance tax.
- When you become tax resident: Resident if you spend more than 183 days in Costa Rica in a tax year.
Coming from United States
Watch the 2026 bill on foreign passive income. The US keeps taxing its citizens wherever they live.
- Tax treaty: no
- Public pension: There is no US–Costa Rica tax treaty, but Costa Rica does not tax foreign-source income, so US Social Security is taxed only by the US.
- Private pension: Taxed only by the US as long as Costa Rica keeps its territorial system.
Sources: IRS: US income tax treaties A to Z (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from United Kingdom
Without a treaty, your UK pensions are taxed only by the UK, as Costa Rica taxes only local income. Your UK State Pension is paid but frozen: it does not rise each year while you live there (it goes back to the current rate if you return to the UK).
- Tax treaty: no
- Public pension: No UK–Costa Rica treaty. The UK keeps its right to tax, but non-residents do not usually pay UK tax on the State Pension (British citizens keep the Personal Allowance). Costa Rica does not tax foreign income.
- Private pension: UK workplace and personal pensions remain taxable in the UK; Costa Rica does not tax them. Most UK government pensions (such as civil service pensions) are taxed only in the UK.
Sources: GOV.UK: countries where the State Pension is increased each year (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: tax on your UK income if you live abroad (State Pension, Personal Allowance, government pensions) (checked 2026-10-22) · HMRC International Manual INTM343190: pensions and annuities (State Pension under tax treaties) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from France
Without a treaty, your French pensions are taxed only by France. Where France keeps the right to tax, your French pension funds withhold non-resident tax, and France applies minimum rates of 20% (30% above €29,579 for 2025 income) unless you opt for the average rate on your worldwide income.
- Tax treaty: no
- Public pension: No France–Costa Rica tax treaty: France taxes French state and civil-service pensions as French-source income. Costa Rica does not tax foreign income.
- Private pension: Also taxed by France as French-source income; Costa Rica does not tax it.
Sources: La República: Costa Rica's tax treaties (Spain, Germany, Mexico, UAE) (checked 2026-10-22) · economie.gouv.fr: income tax for residents abroad (minimum rates, non-resident withholding on pensions) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from somewhere else? The general rules above apply; check your home country's tax treaty with Costa Rica or ask a licensed advisor.
Sources: PwC tax summaries: Costa Rica (checked 2026-10-22) · Hans Goldstein: Costa Rica and the September 2026 bill (checked 2026-10-22)
Housing
Closing costs are usually 3.5–5% of the price: 1.5% transfer tax, registry and stamp fees, and notary fees. Check the title in the National Registry before paying.
- Can foreigners buy? With restrictions: Titled land can be owned by foreigners like citizens. The first 200 m from the high-tide line (maritime zone) is not freehold: the first 50 m are public and the next 150 m are municipal concessions, which foreigners cannot hold in the majority.
- Purchase costs: about 4% of the price (taxes and fees)
- Renting: Many long-term rents are quoted in US dollars; leases usually run a year or more.
Sources: Tico Times: buying property in Costa Rica (Sept 2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
Settling in
Once you choose Costa Rica, the settling plan takes you through 6 steps, from a year before the move to your first year there. The first ones:
- Gather apostilled documents: Pension letter (pensionado) or income/deposit proof (rentista), birth and marriage certificates and a criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- File the residence application: At a Costa Rican consulate or with Migración in San José; processing takes months, and many people use a local immigration lawyer.
- Register with the Caja (CCSS): After approval, register and start paying the monthly contribution: the residence card is not issued without it.
- Collect your residence card (DIMEX): With the Caja registration, pay the fees and book your DIMEX appointment.
The full plan, with costs, delays and official links, is in your personal space (coming soon).
Rules and figures change and we can make mistakes: confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor before acting.