The complete guide

Moving to Costa Rica

Everything in one place, in the order you'll actually need it. Bookmark this page; it grows as I write.

Want it as a list you can tick off? The moving checklist has every step in order and remembers where you are.

Should you actually move here?

The honest pros and cons, who thrives here and who goes home after a year, and how to test the waters with a scouting trip.

Tourist stays, pensionado, rentista, inversionista, and digital nomad visas. What each requires and how long the paperwork really takes.

Real monthly budgets for singles, couples, and families, from beach-town comfortable to keep-it-lean.

How the Caja works, what private care costs, insurance options, and what expats actually do in practice.

Guanacaste beach towns, the Central Valley, and everything between. Match the area to your budget and lifestyle.

Renting first (do it), how buying works for foreigners, and the mistakes that cost people real money.

Banking, phones, cars, furniture, Spanish, making friends, and settling in without losing momentum.

45 minutes on video, your exact situation, straight answers.