Costa Rica

Overview

Costa Rica is one of the most established and popular expat destinations in Latin America, drawing an estimated 70,000 to 120,000 American residents according to the U.S. State Department and various tracking sources. The country offers a compelling combination of universal healthcare through the CAJA system (ranked 36th globally by the WHO, above the United States), political stability as the longest-running democracy in Latin America, and a cost of living roughly 20% lower than the United States according to Numbeo's 2026 data. The country's 'Pura Vida' culture, biodiversity, and year-round tropical climate continue to attract retirees, remote workers, and families alike. Costa Rica ranked 54th in the 2025 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.84, placing it 4th in the Americas behind Canada, Argentina, and Uruguay. However, the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory ('Exercise Increased Caution') due to rising property crime and robberies targeting foreigners, particularly in tourist areas. The country closed 2024 with 880 homicides, its second most violent year on record. Despite these concerns, Costa Rica remains significantly safer than most of its Central American neighbors. Visa options are well-developed for expats. The Digital Nomad Visa (launched 2022) allows remote workers earning $3,000+/month to stay up to two years, tax-exempt on foreign income. For long-term residents, the Pensionado visa requires just $1,000/month in pension income, while the Rentista visa requires $2,500/month. All residency categories lead to permanent residency after three years and citizenship eligibility after seven years. English is spoken in tourist areas and among younger populations, but proficiency drops significantly in rural regions — only about 10-12% of the total population speaks English fluently, though this rises to 30%+ in urban and tourist areas.

Visa Options