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Move-to checklist · Central America

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Moving to Costa Rica from the USA

Checklist for Americans relocating to Costa Rica — Rentista vs. Pensionado vs. Digital Nomad visa, DIMEX residency card, banking, leases in San José or Tamarindo, and Caja healthcare.

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01

Visa & legal right to stay

  • Pick a residency route: Rentista, Pensionado, Investor, or the Rentista-style Digital Nomad

    Must

    Pensionado needs $1,000/mo lifetime pension; Rentista needs ~$2,500/mo for 2 years; DN needs $3,000/mo remote income.

  • Decide if you'll apply from the US or in-country

    Most applicants now file in-country through a Costa Rican immigration attorney.

  • Hire a local immigration attorney — virtually required for residency

    Must
02

Paperwork to gather before you fly

  • Apostilled birth certificate (under 6 months)

    Must

  • FBI background check apostilled (under 6 months)

    Must

  • Apostilled marriage certificate if including a spouse

  • Certified Spanish translations by an official Costa Rican translator

    Must

  • Bank letters proving the income or savings threshold for your route

  • Vet docs for pets — USDA endorsed within 10 days of travel

03

Money & banking

  • You can't open a Costa Rican bank account until your DIMEX card is approved

    Must

    Plan on running US accounts + Wise for the first 6–12 months.

  • Once residency lands, open at BAC Credomatic, BCR, or Banco Nacional

  • Register with Caja (CCSS) — required to maintain residency

    Must

  • Understand that Costa Rica is territorial-tax — foreign income is generally not taxed locally

04

Housing

  • Stay in a furnished short-term rental for the first 30–60 days

  • Search Encuentra24, Facebook expat groups, and local real-estate agents for long-term leases

  • Expect a 1–2 month security deposit and a 12-month minimum lease

  • Negotiate in USD — many landlords prefer it for expat leases

  • Verify water (acueducto) and power (ICE/CNFL) connections before signing in rural areas

05

Healthcare

  • Carry expat travel insurance until you're enrolled in Caja

    Must

  • Pay monthly Caja contributions based on declared income (typically $50–300/mo)

    Must

  • Add INS or a private plan (BlueCross, MediSmart) for faster specialist access

06

First 30 days on the ground

  • Pick up your DIMEX card at Migración once approved

    Must

  • Enroll in Caja within the deadline set by your residency approval

    Must

  • Get a Kölbi or Liberty SIM

  • Apply for a Costa Rican driver's license — your US license is only valid as a tourist

  • Set up Sinpe Móvil through your local bank for phone-to-phone payments

FAQ

How long does residency take?

12–24 months end-to-end is normal in 2026. You can stay in-country while it processes via repeated tourist entries plus your filed expediente.

Can I drive on my US license long-term?

Only while on a tourist stamp. Once you're a resident, you need a Costa Rican license.

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NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Visa rules, tax thresholds, and procedures change — always confirm with the relevant consulate or a licensed professional before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-01.