You’ll want (and probably need) a car.
You should know that you’re going to need a car. It’s not something you could get by without, especially if you’re moving to a rural area. If you don’t have one in the States, we’d advise bringing your own down rather than buying one here—the selection is limited and it’s difficult finding well-maintained cars.
If you want to buy your car in the States and drive it down, or ship it down instead, here are the steps:
- Get plates for your car
- Obtain an import permit for your vehicle
- Register your vehicle at a Costa Rica consulate (in the U.S.) or at customs when you cross into Costa Rica
- Pay taxes and obtain temporary registration on arrival
Learning Spanish is almost a necessity.
You will need to learn Spanish to live here. You can easily get by without knowing any Spanish if you are just a tourist, but once you decide to live here, learning some Spanish is almost a necessity. It’s very hard to move and get settled into Costa Rica without speaking the language. The dialect of Spanish spoken in Costa Rica differs from that spoken in other countries as well, so if you have tried learning Spanish before and failed, don’t worry – the accent in Costa Rica is a lot easier to understand.
There are many ways that you can learn the language, including taking classes at local schools or finding a private tutor who will come right to your home. There are also dozens of online resources for learning languages like Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur that can help you get started with the basics before moving down here. Whatever method works best for your schedule and budget will be fine – just make sure that you start learning soon!
You don’t have to be rich to afford a great life in Costa Rica.
Your quality of life in Costa Rica will be higher across the board, even if you’re living on a fixed income. And, as a result of having a lower cost of living, many retirees are able to live comfortably on less money than they would in the U.S. (This is also great news for all those folks who want to get away from the rat race but don’t have big bucks.)
Example Costa Rica real estate costs:
- For $200,000 you can buy a house in Escazú (a prestigious suburb of San Jose), have some left over for renovations and still have change. Alternatively, $250,000 will get you a house with ocean views at the beach. Or if you prefer country living, head to Atenas and grab yourself a colonial style home with pool and gardens for around $225,000.
- Property taxes aren’t as high as they are in some parts of the States; expect to pay 0.25% – 0.5% annually on your home’s value instead of 1-3%.
The people are friendly and welcoming.
One of the best things about Costa Rica is the people. It’s a country that has attracted a lot of expats, so you’ll likely find yourself befriending other Americans who have moved there—as well as locals. The people are very friendly and welcoming, and they tend to be very helpful.
If you get lost in an unfamiliar city in Costa Rica, don’t hesitate to ask for help. People will go out of their way to try to point you in the right direction or even take you there themselves. If you ask for directions at a bar or restaurant (or even on the street) people won’t be abrupt and dismissive but instead will want to make sure that you get back on track.
The equality between men and women is amazing.
One of the most interesting and positive things to observe in Costa Rica is the equality between men and women. Women have equal rights in all areas, including education, work and politics. There is no difference between men and women – they are both treated as equals. Men see women as their equals because they were raised to respect them.
It’s not just the rights that are equal; it’s also how people behave towards each other. It’s very rare to find an abusive man or woman here in Costa Rica.
The healthcare system is top-notch
The quality of healthcare in Costa Rica is excellent. In fact, the country’s healthcare system is rated better than that of its Central American neighbors and even many high-income countries.
Life expectancy at birth in Costa Rica is over 80 years old, which ranks among the highest in the world. This is partially due to a focus on proactive care for all citizens, as well as effective public health programs. It also helps that healthcare costs are generally lower than in North America or Europe, allowing people to receive regular medical care. According to the government, “healthcare is a right for citizens and foreigners alike”; however, there are some differences between those who are residents and those who aren’t (which we’ll cover below).
The most important quality in the country is happiness.
Despite being a small country, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It’s also home to some of the friendliest locals imaginable, who often go out of their way to make you feel welcome (or, at the very least, leave you alone if that’s what you prefer).
Ticos—as Costa Ricans refer to themselves—are generally accepted to be some of the happiest people in the world. Studies have been done comparing happiness and other measures of success among developed countries worldwide time and time again. Costa Rica has consistently ranked as one of these happier countries; in fact, it was named as the happiest country in Latin America by WIN-Gallup International in 2014.
People are happier in Costa Rica than in just about any other country in the world.
You’ll find that the Costa Rican people are some of the friendliest you have ever met. These smiles and greetings don’t go unnoticed either.
Costa Rica is ranked #1 in the world for happiness. They also have a high life expectancy, high degree of satisfaction with their lives, and are more likely to be friends with their neighbors than any other country in the world.