“Pura vida,” beaches, nature, stability… but also higher prices than you might expect, slow paperwork, dirt roads and humidity. We live and work in Costa Rica: here is the list we would give a friend thinking of moving here, with recent figures rather than clichés.
The pros
1. A stable country, without an army since 1948
Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and has been a continuous democracy ever since, with regular changes of government. In an often turbulent region, this institutional stability is the first argument of those who settle here — and of those who invest.
2. Exceptional, protected nature
More than a quarter of the country — 25.5% of its territory — is protected. In 2025, 98.6% of its electricity came from renewable sources. Day to day, that means monkeys in the garden trees, turtles on the beaches and national parks an hour’s drive away.
3. Foreigners buy with the same rights as nationals
No residency or local partner is needed to buy titled property: the Constitution grants foreigners the same rights as Costa Ricans. Only the coastal strip is subject to a special regime, the concession. See Can a foreigner own 100% of a property?
4. Light property taxes, territorial income tax
Property tax is 0.25% a year of registered value, and foreign-source income is generally not taxed in Costa Rica. Your home country still matters — US citizens, for example, are taxed on worldwide income. See our article on double taxation.
5. Accessible residency options
Up to 180 days on a simple passport for most North Americans and Europeans; retiree residency from a $1,000 monthly pension; investor residency from about $150,000. Everything is in our guide to visas and residency.
6. A pace of life — and longevity
The Nicoya Peninsula, where we are based, is one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” regions where people live exceptionally long lives. Outdoor living, simple food, strong social ties: for many, the local rhythm is the real reason to come. See Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone.
7. Two international airports
San José and Liberia both handle international flights, with direct connections to many North American cities. From Liberia, allow about 2 to 2.5 hours by paved road to Sámara.
The cons
1. More expensive than you think
Costa Rica is not a cheap country, and it is becoming less so for anyone living on foreign currency: the colón went from 698 to the dollar in June 2022 to about 449 in September 2026. Everything paid in local currency now costs far more dollars than four years ago. Imported goods (cheese, wine, electronics, cars) are expensive. For a couple by the sea in Guanacaste, we estimate a realistic budget of $2,500 to $4,000 a month — details in Cost of living in Costa Rica.
2. Safety: homicides at record levels, highly concentrated
The country recorded 873 homicides in 2025, or 16.7 per 100,000 people: its third most violent year on record, after 2023 and 2024. These figures need context: nearly eight in ten homicides are linked to score-settling, and they are concentrated in the province of San José and in Limón. For a foreign resident, the risk we see most often is theft: an empty house, belongings left in a car. Alarms, caretaking and common sense still apply.
3. Bureaucracy and delays
The regulations give the immigration authority three months to rule on a complete residency file; in practice, a year is common. Every resident must also enroll in the social security system (CCSS) and stay enrolled at each renewal. Banks, permits, utilities: paperwork takes patience, apostilled and translated documents, and often a lawyer’s help.
4. Good healthcare, but uneven by location
The public system (CCSS) covers everyone but has waiting lists; the major private hospitals are concentrated around San José. On the coast there are clinics and private doctors; for Sámara, the regional public hospital is in Nicoya. If proximity to a major hospital matters to you, make it a criterion when choosing where to live — see Moving to and living in Costa Rica.
5. Roads, climate and upkeep
From May to November, the rainy season turns some dirt roads into an obstacle course; a 4×4 is often essential off the main routes. Sun, humidity and salt wear houses out faster than in temperate climates: budget for maintenance, as we detail in The annual cost of owning property.
6. Language and pace
In tourist areas you can get by in English; for government offices, contractors and neighborhood life, Spanish changes everything. And “pura vida” has a flip side: things take time, appointments slip. Better to know it than to suffer it.
7. Distance from home
Direct flights from many North American hubs take roughly three to six hours, but from Europe it is more than ten, with a seven- to eight-hour time difference. Family and friends are far away: many of our clients choose to live here only part of the year.
The balance sheet
| What wins people over | What surprises them |
|---|---|
| Political stability, no army | Rising cost of living for those on foreign currency |
| Protected nature, green electricity | Homicides at record levels since 2023, highly concentrated |
| Same property rights as nationals | Immigration delays and paperwork |
| 0.25% property tax, territorial taxation | Major hospitals far from the coast |
| Accessible residency | Roads and upkeep in the rainy season |
| Pace of life, Blue Zone | Distance from family |
How to know if it is right for you
The best answer is not in an article: it is on the ground, in the rainy season, with a real budget. Our advice is to rent for a few months before buying and to compare several regions using our guide to the best places to live in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions
Is Costa Rica dangerous for foreigners?
Homicides have been at record levels since 2023, but they mostly involve score-settling in specific areas. For a foreign resident, vigilance is mainly about theft. Research neighborhood by neighborhood, and do not leave a house empty without supervision.
Can you live in Costa Rica on $2,000 a month?
For a couple by the sea in Guanacaste, it is tight: our typical budget is $2,500 to $4,000. Inland, with modest rent and few imported goods, it is more realistic.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not to live in a tourist area, but it is a real plus for paperwork, construction work and fitting in. A few months of lessons before you move are a good investment.
