Living in Costa Rica
Americas — Expat guide for moving and living abroad
Country overview
Capital
San Jose
Currency
CRC
Continent
Americas
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Entry requirements
Check if your passport needs a visa for Costa Rica.
Check visa requirementsPopular passport access to Costa Rica
| Passport | Status | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Austria | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Belgium | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Bulgaria | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Croatia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Cyprus | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Czechia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Denmark | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Estonia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Finland | Visa Free | 90 days |
Detailed visa guides for Costa Rica
Monthly costs
San José
Rent (center)
700 USD/mo
Groceries
300 USD/mo
Transport
40 USD/mo
Est. Monthly Total
1,120 USD/mo
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Work permits
Costa Rica offers a Digital Nomad / Freelance visa option.
-
Digital Nomad Visa
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Remote workers, min USD 3,000/month
Salary & tax
Income Tax Range
0% – 25%
Social Security (Employee)
0.1067%
Monthly thresholds in CRC. Digital Nomad Visa: min $3,000/month.
Calculate your net salaryUseful services
Insurance
SafetyWing
Nomad health insurance for your stay in Costa Rica. Monthly subscription, cancel anytime.
Get a SafetyWing quote →Connectivity
Airalo
Costa Rica eSIM data plans from $4.50. Activate before you land — no SIM swap.
Get an Airalo eSIM →Privacy
NordVPN
Stay secure on public WiFi in Costa Rica and access services from home.
Get NordVPN →Language
iTalki
Book 1-on-1 video lessons with native tutors before you move. 150+ languages.
Find a tutor →