Moving to Costa Rica From the US
Moving to Costa Rica from the US certainly has a lot of benefits, such as lower housing and healthcare costs, beautiful beaches and forests, and friendly culture. These and other attributes consistently make it one of the most popular countries for expats.
But an international move requires a lot of advance planning to ensure your belongings arrive in a safe and timely manner.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand everything you need to know for moving to Costa Rica from the US — from housing options and immigration requirements to finding the best international moving companies and car shippers to get there.
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Cost of living in Costa Rica
One of the biggest reasons Costa Rica is so appealing is its low cost of living. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Costa Rica is 30.3% lower than in the US without rent, and 51.9% lower when including rent.
This lower cost of living is consistent across almost every type of expense. While a meal at a fast-food or other low-cost restaurant would typically cost around $20 in the US, a similar meal would cost $9.87 in Costa Rica. Food staples like rice, cheese, meat, fruits, and vegetables are all significantly cheaper in Costa Rica.
While gasoline and new automobiles are more expensive in Costa Rica, public transportation is much cheaper (and also much more accessible). The cost of living isn’t just lower for single expats — families can benefit from childcare services and international school fees that are less than half what they would cost in the United States.
Housing in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s affordable housing makes it especially desirable for both renters and buyers. For example, renting a three-bedroom apartment in a city center averages around $1,468 in Costa Rica, compared to $2,938 in America. That’s also less than what you would pay on average for a one-bedroom city-center apartment in the US!
The housing market is also favorable for buyers, with the price per square foot for an apartment being significantly lower in Costa Rica than in the US. More expensive luxury properties are also readily available to cater to a variety of budgets and lifestyles, with many listings accessible online.
Here are some of the most popular cities in Costa Rica:
- Atenas: Atenas is a mountain city located halfway between the capital of San Jose and the Pacific Ocean. It has temperatures in the mid-70s throughout the year, and is home to beautiful waterfalls and mountain views.
- Dominical: Located on the Pacific Coast, Dominical is a laid-back beach town that has gained popularity thanks to its surfing, snorkeling, and diving options, as well as its proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park. Boat tours and a weekly farmer’s market routinely draw visitors.
- Heredia: Located just north of the capital, San Jose, Heredia is a popular expat location due to its warm year-round climate, lush greenery, colonial architecture, and coffee plantations. It’s also home to Herediano, one of the country’s most successful soccer teams.
Costa Rica’s visa and immigration requirements
For those looking for short-term or permanent residency in Costa Rica, here’s a closer look at your options.
Temporary residency
Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa program is a relatively new, yet popular, option for freelancers and remote workers. This visa allows you to extend a 90-day visa to a one-year stay, with the possibility of renewal. To qualify, you must show proof of stable income of $3,000 per month for individuals or $5,000 per month for families, and have medical insurance for the length of your stay.
Other long-term visa options that are valid for two years include:
- Pensionado: These visas are exclusive to retirees and require proof of a minimum monthly income of $1,000 from a pension or retirement fund.
- Rentista: This program requires making a $60,000 deposit in a local bank at a rate of at least $2,500 per month over the next two years, with the money derived from investment income.
- Inversionista: This option requires spending $200,000 to “invest” in property, stocks, or projects in Costa Rica. The simplest way to meet this requirement is to buy real estate.
Permanent citizenship
After living in Costa Rica as a legal temporary resident for three years, you can apply for a permanent resident permit. Permanent resident permits allow you to work in Costa Rica as an employee, and must be renewed every five years.
Citizenship by naturalization is available after living in Costa Rica for at least seven years, but this requires that you renounce your original citizenship.
How to move to Costa Rica from the US
You won’t be able to transport your stuff to Costa Rica with a moving truck! Instead, you’ll need to rely on either sea or air freight.
Sea freight
Sea freight is the more commonly used method for moving to Costa Rica, in large part because it is one of the cheapest ways to move overseas. As the name suggests, it involves sending your items via cargo ship. Typically, items are transported by moving van to the nearest port, where they are then loaded into a shipping container. Upon arrival in Costa Rica, the items are transferred to a moving truck to reach your destination.
It typically takes several weeks (and possibly even a few months) to ship everything to Costa Rica using sea freight. The exact timeline will vary based on which ports you use in the US and Costa Rica. This works fine if you are planning your move well in advance, but it’s less ideal if you wish to handle your move quickly.
Moving by sea freight is best suited for those who are moving large household items or simply just budget-conscious. It can also work well in situations where you don’t yet have accommodations in Costa Rica figured out, due to the length of time it takes for your items to arrive.
Air freight
Air freight involves transporting your goods by plane. As with sea freight, moving trucks handle ground transportation to and from airports. Planes typically have much smaller cargo capacity than cargo ships and, as a result, they are not suited for transporting large items like furniture.
The chief advantage of air freight is speed. With air freight, your belongings can arrive in Costa Rica in as little as five to 10 days. Because of this, however, air freight tends to be much more expensive.
Air freight is best for time-sensitive moves, particularly if you’ll need access to essential items as soon as you arrive in Costa Rica. If you only plan on shipping a relatively small amount of items and purchasing other items like furniture in Costa Rica, air freight can also be a good choice.
Top international moving companies
Hiring a full-service moving company can help make your move to Costa Rica much easier. Full-service movers can help coordinate international moving costs involved with customs clearance, duties, and taxes. They also offer reliable logistics and shipment tracking and facilitate long-term storage for items you wish to leave in the US.
The following are some of our top picks for international moving companies.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines (IVL) facilitates moves to more than 180 countries, making it one of the best movers for international moves. The company actually got its start by working with the Federal Maritime Commission as an international mover before expanding to also service domestic moves.
IVL works with an array of international partners to provide both air and sea freight, making it easy to accommodate your preferences for your move to Costa Rica. They offer 30 days of free storage, as well as moving discounts for veterans and seniors, and can help with vehicle shipping.
They may not always be the cheapest option, but their experience in handling international moves is second to none.
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services is a highly regarded long-distance and international mover, with a reputation for offering white-glove service every step of the way. With several decades of experience facilitating international moves, the company understands how to make this process easy.
JK Moving is an elite FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover)-certified partner, meaning that its freight forwarding partners are all held to the high standards of the FIDI partner network. JK Moving handles things like insurance, customs paperwork, storage, and car shipping to prevent delays and ensure timely delivery of your items.
Because of their focus on premium service, JK Moving tends to be one of the more expensive movers. But that white-glove treatment and 24/7 support may be well worth it for your international move.
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines (NAVL) has nearly a century of experience with international moves, working with a broad network of partners to facilitate these moves. NAVL offers binding not-to-exceed estimates, meaning you’ll never pay more than your quote – but you could pay less.
The availability of different moving services varies from country to country, which is why NAVL provides a personal relocation specialist for international moves. This specialist helps households develop a plan and determine timelines for shipping, containerization, and other elements unique to international moves. Their team offers extensive tips and guidance to help households prepare for international moves, including navigating immigration and customs.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines services international moves to 135 countries, including Costa Rica. The company has moving representatives worldwide, so you can get support even when you’re outside the US. This local experience and knowledge can be especially useful for ensuring your overseas move goes smoothly.
With Allied, you’ll have an international moving coordinator as your primary point of contact throughout the move who will handles customs and other paperwork concerns. Online tracking provides 24/7 updates for port arrival and departure, customs clearance, and shipping locations. And the company uses double- and triple-walled packing cartons to provide extra protection for international moves.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Shipping your vehicle to Costa Rica
Shipping a car overseas can be one of the most complex parts of planning your move to Costa Rica. Some of the top international movers like International Van Lines and JK Moving Services offer vehicle shipping for international moves. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to work with an independent car shipper in addition to an international mover.
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If you need to obtain separate car shipping services as part of your move, we recommend you start your search by looking at these top car shippers:
- Montway Auto Transport: Montway Auto Transport partners with international carriers to transport cars by cargo ship or plane. Their drivers will transport your vehicle to the appropriate port or airport. The company also coordinates the rest of transportation with your marine or air carrier, helping you understand all paperwork requirements. Montway offers GPS tracking for the US portion of transportation, and can facilitate guaranteed pickup dates if needed.
- Easy Auto Ship: Similar to Montway, Easy Auto Ship partners with international air carriers and ocean shippers to transport your vehicle to Costa Rica. Easy Auto Ship provides customs guidance for vehicle shipping as well as contingent insurance for transportation within the US. The company can also transport motorcycles, RVs, boats, and more.
How much does it cost to move to Costa Rica?
The cost of moving from the US to Costa Rica can vary significantly depending on factors related to your move. As with any move, your starting location and your destination in Costa Rica will play a major role in your costs.
Generally speaking, moving from the West Coast will cost a few hundred dollars more (and take one to two weeks longer) than a comparable move from the East Coast. Moving from a location that is far from ports will be even more expensive due to added transportation costs.
The size of your move will also play a major role in determining your moving costs. Moving the contents of a one-bedroom apartment from the East Coast will typically cost $2,400–$3,900 (not accounting for the costs of getting your goods to a port). But try to move the contents of a four-bedroom home, and the cost range jumps to $5,800–$9,400. Downsizing before your move can therefore provide significant savings.
And the shipping method you choose will directly impact your costs. Sea freight is significantly more economical than air freight, with air freight sometimes costing five times more than sea freight.
Tips for moving to Costa Rica from the US
These tips will help you save money and avoid stress during your move to Costa Rica:
- Downsize. International moves are expensive and, as such, you should downsize as much as possible to reduce your moving costs. Donate, sell, or trash anything you don’t think you’ll want or need. Shipping furniture can be especially expensive, so may be better off buying new pieces in Costa Rica rather than transporting your old stuff.
- Time your flight purchase properly. Even if you’re shipping your items via sea freight, you’ll need airline tickets to get to Costa Rica. Purchasing tickets eight to 16 weeks before your move date will generally help you find the best prices.
- Shop for health insurance. Get health insurance figured out before you move to Costa Rica. Remember, this is a requirement for the digital nomad visa.
- Get all appropriate documents ready. In addition to international packing services, many overseas movers can help with paperwork related to customs and imports. However, you’ll need to ensure your own passports, visas, medical records, and other vital personal documents are up to date. Keep these with you for your travels.
- Contact your bank and credit card provider. Be sure to inform your bank and credit card provider that you are going overseas so they don’t freeze your account because of “suspicious” purchases or transfers.
FAQ
Can an American just move to Costa Rica?
If you plan on staying in Costa Rica for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit, such as a digital nomad visa, pensionado visa, rentista visa, or inversionista visa.
How much does it cost to move from the US to Costa Rica?
On average, moving to Costa Rica will cost between $2,400 and $8,600. Your specific costs will depend on the size of your move, whether you use air or sea freight, and the distance from your home in the US to your new location in Costa Rica.
Can I live in Costa Rica on $2,000 a month?
Yes, single people can easily live in Costa Rica on less than $2,000 a month, with many retirees also maintaining a monthly budget in this range. Costs for families will likely be higher. Of course, your exact expenses will vary based on your lifestyle preferences.
Is Costa Rica friendly to Americans?
Costa Rica is one of the top countries for expats and retirees, with an estimated 120,000 US citizens living in the country. This speaks to the positive US relations with Costa Rica. Costa Rica is known for its welcoming and kind culture, and the high number of American retirees and tourists means that English is more common than in other foreign countries.
Is Costa Rica safe?
Costa Rica is generally safe to live in, which is part of why it is such a popular location for expats. However, like any country, certain cities and neighborhoods are less safe than others. The US Department of State advises travelers of a risk of petty crime such as robbery, and advises travelers to be aware of their surroundings and not to display signs of wealth.
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