How Much Does It Cost To Move to Costa Rica From the US?
Fact Checked by: It costs around $7,000, on average, to move to Costa Rica from the US if you factor in moving expenses, visa fees, and plane tickets. Before you can soak up the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, you’ll need to get to work on budgeting for your relocation.
Here are the main costs to prepare for:
- Moving expenses: Costs vary depending on how much you’re bringing, how far you’re moving, and whether you go with sea or air freight.
- Visa application fees: Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for your visa and temporary residency paperwork.
- Plane tickets: Flights to Costa Rica typically cost a few hundred bucks. Prices depend on how early you book and where you’re flying from.
- Additional expenses: Save a little extra for exchange fees, groceries, and other start-up costs when you land. Thankfully, Costa Rica’s lower cost of living can help offset these.
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A little prep work is a small price to pay to live in paradise. Our guide to moving to Costa Rica will help you get started. We’ve broken down cost of living and included some tips for moving abroad, including the best international movers to get you there.
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Average cost of moving to Costa Rica from the US
While $7,000 is the average amount Americans spend on relocating to Costa Rica, actual moving costs can range widely — from as little as $2,400 to $11,000 or more. The price you pay will ultimately come down to the moving company you hire, how much stuff you have, your shipping method, and where in the US you currently live.
Pro tip: The closer you are to a major port like Miami or Houston, the cheaper (and quicker) your shipment will be.
If you plan to bring more than just the essentials with you, you’ll keep costs lower by choosing sea freight. Shipping via boat will take a little longer (usually around three to five weeks) but costs much less, pound-for-pound, than your other shipping option — air freight.
Air freight is much faster — often less than two weeks. But that quick service comes at a premium (and with tight weight restrictions) so it’s best reserved for only if you only have a handful of boxes to move.
Sea freight costs from the US to Costa Rica
Sea freight is the go-to for budget-conscious international moves, especially if you’re moving larger household items. Your goods will be trucked to the nearest port, loaded into a container, and sent by cargo ship. Once in Costa Rica, they’ll be transferred to a local truck and delivered to your new place.
If you’re planning ahead, this method is the most cost-effective way to move overseas. But if you’re in a rush, it’s probably not your best bet.
| From | To | Container Cost* | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Puerto Limon | $2,515 | 25–50 days |
| Baltimore | Puerto Limon | $2,738 | 25–50 days |
| Houston | Puerto Moin | $2,010 | 25–50 days |
| Newark, NJ | Puerto Moin | $1,565 | 25–50 days |
*Based on a 20-foot container
Air freight costs from the US to Costa Rica
Shipping your stuff by plane is naturally much faster than sea freight, but it’s also more expensive. Since planes carry less cargo, air freight isn’t ideal for furniture or large volumes of items. Weight limits usually cap at 1,100 pounds, which is well below a typical two-bedroom move of 5,000 pounds.
The upside? Your belongings can land in Costa Rica quick. If you’re on a tight timeline or just bringing essentials and planning to furnish your home locally, air freight can actually be cheaper.
| From | To | Shipment Cost* | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | San Jose | $750 | 3–7 days |
| Atlanta | San Jose | $810 | 3–7 days |
| LA | San Jose | $900 | 5–10 days |
| Miami | Liberia | $780 | 3–7 days |
| Atlanta | Liberia | $840 | 3–7 days |
| LA | Liberia | $930 | 5–10 days |
*Based on an approximately 660-pound shipment
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?
One of the biggest reasons Costa Rica is so appealing is its low cost of living. According to Numbeo, it’s about 22% cheaper than living in the US, and that’s without factoring in rent. Rent alone is 55% lower than in the States.
Most everyday expenses — like eating out, utilities, groceries, and public transportation — are much cheaper. If you’re moving solo, you’ll only need about $1,700 a month to cover a one-bedroom apartment and all your basic living expenses. A family of four can live in Costa Rica on $4,770 a month, including leasing a three-bedroom apartment.
Local wages are lower but if you’re retired or a digital nomad earning in USD, the cost of living in Costa Rica is a huge win.
Housing costs in Costa Rica
If you’re renting, you’ll notice major savings. Average rent in Costa Rica runs from a little over $900 to just under $1,470, depending on home size and location. For example, in Alajuela, a city of nearly 330,000, you can rent a one-bedroom for as low as $700.
| Apartment | Orlando | Alajuela | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rental | $1,791 | $700 | –60.9% |
| 3BR rental | $2,933 | $1,001 | –65.9% |
| Price per sq. ft. (purchase) | $293.61 | $185.92 | –36.7% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Alajuela and Orlando (March 2025)
Need help house hunting? Join expat Facebook groups to scout locations, and use sites like Realtor.com or Encuentra24 to browse listings.
Top cities for expats in Costa Rica include:
- Alajuela: A chill mix of rural and urban living, with easy access to San José and nearby volcanoes and hiking.
- Atenas: A mountain town with year-round springlike weather and beautiful scenery.
- Dominical: A beach town popular for surfing, snorkeling, and its local farmers’ market.
- Heredia: Just north of San José, it’s full of colonial charm, coffee plantations, and a lively expat scene.
Utilities costs in Costa Rica
Monthly utility bills in Alajuela, Costa Rica, are over 77% cheaper than in a US city of similar population like Orlando, Florida. Internet and cell service are also far more affordable — perfect if you’re working remotely.
| Utility | Orlando | Alajuela | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic housing utilities* | $197.13 | $45.03 | –77.2% |
| Internet | $77.88 | $33.02 | –57.6% |
| Monthly cellphone plan | $69.82 | $20.01 | –71.3% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Alajuela and Orlando (March 2025)*Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment (March 2025)
Food costs in Costa Rica
Food prices in Costa Rica are generally lower, especially for local produce and dining at casual restaurants. A meal at a local spot (called a soda) can cost under $10. Just be prepared to pay more for imported goods.
| Food | Orlando | Alajuela | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food meal | $11 | $9.51 | –13.6% |
| 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant | $80 | $40.02 | –50% |
| Gallon of milk | $4.33 | $7.25 | +67.3% |
| 1 dozen eggs | $4.43 | $2.28 | –48.6% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Alajuela and Orlando (March 2025)
Transportation costs in Costa Rica
Transportation costs vary. One-way bus tickets and taxis are cheaper in Alajuela than in Orlando, for instance, but monthly transit passes in the former are more than double the price of the latter. While it has its share of big cities, Costa Rica is still largely rural, and its public transportation system is not nearly as developed or connected as, say, most European countries.
Gas is also more expensive — about 40% higher when you compare national averages.
If you plan to drive often, you may want to bring your current vehicle rather than buying new, since the sticker shock is a little higher in Costa Rica.
| Transportation mode | Orlando | Alajuela | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way public transit ticket | $2 | $0.85 | –57.5% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $50 | $112.07 | +124.1% |
| 1 gallon of gas | $3.31 | $5.49 | +65.6% |
| New car* | $25,316 | $32,977 | +30.3% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Alajuela and Orlando (March 2025)
*Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort or equivalent new vehicle (March 2025)
Education costs in Costa Rica
If you’re moving with kids, you’ll be glad to know that private and international schools in Costa Rica are much more affordable. Preschool and elementary school tuitions in Costa Rica are, on average, less than half that of US schools.
| School type | Orlando | Alajuela | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) | $1,175 | $300 | –74.5% |
| International primary school (annual) | $9,833 | $2,361 | –76% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Alajuela and Orlando (March 2025)
Costa Rica’s visa & immigration requirements
Costa Rica has several long-stay visa options for American expats, many that are good for two years. While many countries won’t consider permanent residency until five years, Costa Rica starts the path to citizenship at three years.
You can choose from one of these visas:
- Digital nomad: Perfect for remote workers, this visa extends your tourist visa from 90 days to a full year (with renewal). You’ll need to prove you have steady income — at least $3,000 a month for individuals or $5,000 a month for families — as well as valid health insurance.
- Pensionado: Retirees can stay in Costa Rica for two years if they have at least $1,000 a month in pensions or passive income. You can renew the Pensionado for an additional year, at which time you’ll be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
- Rentista: If you are dreaming of opening up your own cabana bar or swimsuit shop, this two-year visa allows you to open a business before becoming a permanent resident. You will need a fixed income of at least $2,500 per month or deposit $60,000 or more in a Costa Rican bank and pull monthly withdrawals of $2,500.
- Inversionista: Ready to buy your dream home on the beach? Expats who buy property valued at $200,000 or higher (or invest the same amount in Costa Rican stocks or business ventures) can stay for two years on this renewable visa.
Moving to Costa Rica from the US
Moving abroad is a much more involved process than making a domestic move, and it’s a lot to juggle all by yourself. That’s why having a solid moving plan — and the right moving company — can make all the difference.
Top international moving companies
An experienced full-service mover can take a lot of the guesswork and worry off your plate. They will oversee potential headaches like customs paperwork and shipping logistics so you don’t have to sweat much of the small stuff.
Yes, your international moving costs will be higher with a pro mover than if you did everything on your own but we think it’s worth every penny. Remember, you already have enough to do: filing necessary paperwork, downsizing before you move to decide what to bring with you, booking plane tickets, and finding your new home in Costa Rica, among other items on your international moving to-do list.
We like these top-rated international movers for their pricing, service offerings, and customer reviews:
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Shipping your vehicle to Costa Rica
Deciding whether to bring your car to Costa Rica or leave it behind will likely come down to how much you can (and want to) set aside for auto transport.Shipping your car overseas can be pricey. Import taxes can range from 50%–80% of the vehicle’s value, which is no small charge if you have a high-value or antique vehicle. Plus, you’ll need to pay inspection and registration fees.
Still, you may ultimately decide you need your car to get around the rural countryside of Costa Rica… or you just can’t bear to part with your prized possession. No matter the reason, there are companies that can coordinate international car shipping.
Some movers, including JK Moving and International Van Lines, offer auto transport among their full-service options. Or you can go with a separate provider that specializes in moving vehicles across the globe.
Here are our recommendations for car shippers:
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Tips for moving to Costa Rica from the US
- Downsize. Your first step in packing should be to clean out your closets and cabinets so you can declutter before your move. The less you bring, the less it’ll cost you. Instead of shipping your furniture overseas, consider selling it and replacing everything after you’ve touched down in Costa Rica.
- Be strategic when booking flights. Ideally, you should buy your plane tickets two to four months in advance for the best fares. But get started before that by looking around online for deals. If possible, try to time your arrival with the delivery of all your stuff.
- Sort out health insurance. Health coverage is required for some Costa Rican visas, so it’s best to get this squared away early.
- Keep key documents handy. Store passports, visas, medical records, and personal papers where you can access them easily. You’ll need these and others when applying for residency, traveling, and getting housing.
- Alert your bank and credit card companies. Let all your financial institutions know you’re moving abroad to avoid frozen accounts or declined cards.
FAQ
Is it easy for US citizens to move to Costa Rica?
Can you live on $1,000 a month in Costa Rica?
Is healthcare free in Costa Rica?
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