×
Interested in our Partner Program for businesses or our Local Guide Program for experienced expats and digital nomads? Click here to learn more.
Costa Rica | What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica? | Digital Nomad Exchange
Digital Nomad Exchange
Free MembershipSign In
Playa Conchal in Guanacaste

What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica?

Answer this Question

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Costa Rica, they said...

"The Costa Rican people in Atenas are kind and welcoming. There is an international group of expats, from Europe, the US, Canada, as well as from various Spanish speaking countries. I appreciate the diversity. During the dry season, the sun is strong. I am outside in the early morning and late afternoon, and inside from 10:00am-2:00pm. I choose to be car free. I am easily able to walk to shops, dentist, and other services. Atenas has a rural feel as is it a coffee growing region of Costa Rica, as well as a region for fruit and vegetables. There is a small town “vibe” with focus on church and local school activities. The pace is slow. These are some of my personal reflections," said a member in Atenas, Costa Rica.

RelocateNow Costa RicaRelocateNow Costa Rica
Connect

RelocateNow Costa Rica's clients who run through the RelocateNow Program get quick results in formulating and successfully executing our laid out plan for moving to Costa Rica! Expert consulting for future expats in Costa Rica who wish to fast track the process of their move by receiving the specialized information they need, trustworthy connections within the country, and high level 1:1 support through the entire process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

RelocateNow Costa RicaRelocateNow Costa Rica

RelocateNow Costa Rica's clients who run through the RelocateNow Program get quick results in formulating and successfully executing our laid out plan for moving to Costa Rica! Expert consulting for future expats in Costa Rica who wish to fast track the process of their move by receiving the specialized information they need, trustworthy connections within the country, and high level 1:1 support through the entire process.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

"Come and see for yourself before you make a commitment to moving here. There is a lot of hype about Costa Rica being a paradise, a cheap place to live or retire, and a safe place because it eliminated its army in 1948. The reality is that San Jose has a high crime rate, the iron grates on all of the houses and businesses can be off-putting - as can the security guards with loaded riffles - and it isn't a cheap place to live. Food, utilities and rent in certain areas of the city are quite high especially for a developing nation. Other issues in San Jose: air pollution from cars is pretty bad; noise pollution gets on your nerves after a while; it isn't safe to walk outside in the late evening or night; the streets, sidewalks and highways are in terrible shape; and government monopolies make it near impossible to get a cell phone and makes renting cars super-expensive because of the mandatory insurance. People must visit and spend a few weeks talking to people before deciding to move here," remarked another expat who made the move to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Please login to continue reading this article.

Not a member? Join Today (it's free).

Other Questions:

What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica?

If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question.

If your answer relates to a specific city or town in Costa Rica, please include the name of the city/town below:


About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

Playa Conchal in Guanacaste
SJB Global
SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB GlobalSJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

Digital-Nomad-Visa-for-Costa-RicaDigital Nomad Visa for Costa Rica

Learn about the Digital Nomad Visa for Costa Rica and what is involved in obtaining one. This is one of the most important aspects of moving to Costa Rica as a digital nomad.

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Copyright 1997-2025 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal Partners & Local Guides