Is Costa Rica expensive to live in?

Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, but it’s not outrageous either. Daily life costs less than in most major U.S. cities — especially if you adapt to local food and lifestyle. Where it gets pricey is rent in beach towns, imported goods, and electricity if you blast the A/C all day.

What is the average rent in Costa Rica?

Rent depends on location. In San José, a two-bedroom apartment runs $600–$1,200/month. In popular beach towns or suburbs, expect $800–$1,800/month. Rural areas can be as low as $400/month — but you’ll trade off some conveniences.

How much money do I need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?

A single person can live modestly on $1,200–$1,500/month. For more comfort (A/C, private healthcare, imported snacks), budget $2,000–$3,000/month. Couples usually spend $1,500–$2,500+ depending on lifestyle and location.

What’s the cost of food in Costa Rica?

Local produce, coffee, and seafood are affordable (think avocados for $0.50, pineapples for $1, fresh fish at local markets). Imported items, though, are expensive — a jar of peanut butter can be $8 and wine can sting your wallet. Sticking to the local diet saves money and makes you healthier.

Residency in Costa Rica: How to Stay Legally (Without the Border-Run Headache)

Waymon Hudson
Sep 3
5 min read

Updated: Oct 16

Waymon Hudson, queer expat and creator of Pura Vida Diaries, at Playa Ventanas beach in Costa Rica. He is smiling in a green t-shirt with palm trees framing the ocean and lush jungle coastline in the background. Tropical lifestyle photo representing Costa Rica expat life, LGBTQ travel, and the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Immigration law here is like dating: know your options, commit to one, and bring all your paperwork and baggage to the first meeting. Ghosting won’t help.

If you’re dreaming of swapping your U.S. grind for Pura Vida, you’ll need more than a suitcase and good intentions — you’ll need to figure out how to legally stay. Here’s how to make Costa Rica residency less of a headache (and more of a commitment to being a good expat who supports the system you live in).

1. Visitor Life vs Residency Reality

U.S. citizens can stay up to 180 days on a tourist visa. Six months of sunsets and surf, then you’re out.
After that? You either:
- Pack up and go home, or
- Do a border run — cross into Nicaragua or Panama, spend time outside the country, then return with a fresh stamp.

Yes, border runs are a rite of passage. But if you plan to live here full-time, they’re unsustainable, unreliable, and don’t give you rights or protections.

Infographic: Costa Rica residency requirements explained. Shows four main visa options for expats: 1) Pensionado (retiree visa) requiring $1,000/month lifetime pension, 2) Rentista (passive income visa) requiring $2,500/month income for 2 years, 3) Inversionista (investor visa) requiring $150,000 investment in Costa Rican business, real estate, or projects, and 4) Digital Nomad Visa requiring $3,000/month income ($4,000 for families) from remote work. Branded with Pura Vida Diaries: Moving to Costa Rica (Expat & LGBTQ Life).

2. Costa Rica Residency Requirements & Pathways

Here’s the real menu of long-term legal options (pick one and prepare for paperwork):

Pensionado (Retiree Visa): Proof of $1,000/month lifetime pension.
Rentista (Passive Income Visa): Proof of $2,500/month income for 2 years.
Inversionista (Investor Visa): Invest at least $150,000 in a Costa Rican business, real estate, or approved project.
Digital Nomad Visa: Prove $3,000/month income ($4,000 for families) from remote work. Valid for 1–2 years.

3. The Process & Timeline

Application to approval: Usually 6–12 months (sometimes longer).
Permanent residency: After 3 years on most temporary categories (with 180+ days per year in Costa Rica).
Citizenship: Eligible after 7 years of legal residency.

All applications require apostilled + translated documents (birth certificate, background checks, financials). Missing one piece = delays.

I HIGHLY reccommned finding an immigration attorney in Costa Rica to help. Trust me.

4. Why Becoming a Legal Resident Matters

Residency isn’t just about skipping border runs — it’s about doing the right thing.

You pay into Caja (Costa Rica’s public healthcare + social security system), which supports the same services you’ll use.
You support the local economy rather than floating on a loophole.
You gain stability, legal rights, and credibility as part of your community.

If you’re going to enjoy the pura vida life, it’s fair (and wise) to also invest in the systems that make it possible.

5. LGBTQ Residency in Costa Rica

Costa Rica recognizes same-sex marriage. That means:

Same-sex couples can apply for residency as spouses, with the same rights as straight couples.
If you marry a Costa Rican citizen or permanent resident, you qualify for residency through them.

Translation: your love story gets all the same legal protections — including residency. 🏳️‍🌈

6. Quick Takeaway

Residency is a commitment, just like living in paradise is.

Pick your visa category.
Gather and apostille your documents early.
Translate everything into Spanish.
Consider hiring an immigration lawyer or consultant — they’ll save you stress, time, and Aduana tears.

Do it right, and you can trade border runs for jungle runs — and build a life here that’s sustainable, legal, and community-minded.

Also check out the rest of the Pura Vida Diaries Blog Series:

Or check out the Pura Vida Diaries YouTube series!

Basically? If you’ve ever Googled “Can I really move to Costa Rica?” …this series is your sign.

FAQ: Costa Rica Residency:

How long can U.S. citizens stay in Costa Rica without residency?

U.S. citizens can stay up to 180 days as tourists. After that, you must leave or do a border run. For full-time living, legal residency is required.

What are the residency requirements in Costa Rica?

Residency options include:

Pensionado: $1,000/month lifetime pension.
Rentista: $2,500/month income for 2 years or $60k deposit.
Inversionista: $150,000 investment in business or real estate.
Digital Nomad: $3,000/month income ($4,000 for families).

How long does it take to get residency in Costa Rica?

Most applications take 6–12 months. Permanent residency is possible after 3 years of temporary residency, and citizenship after 7 years.

Is Costa Rica LGBTQ-friendly for residency?

Yes. Costa Rica recognizes same-sex marriage, so LGBTQ couples can apply for residency on the same terms as straight couples.

Why should I apply for residency instead of just doing border runs?

Residency gives you stability, legal rights, and allows you to pay into Caja, Costa Rica’s healthcare and social security system — supporting the services you benefit from. It also makes you a better neighbor and community member.

💡 P.S. — this is just the beginning.

Every Wednesday I’ll be dropping a new article in my Pura Vida Diaries series. Think of it as your jungle survival (and thrival) guide.

We’re going to cover it all:

🛂 Residency + visas (aka: how not to get deported)
💸 Living expenses + budgets (yes, you can afford it — even with your avocado toast addiction)
🏥 Healthcare (Caja vs. private, and what it’s really like)
💻 Remote work realities (including jungle Wi-Fi myths)
🥑 Food, culture, & community (the farmers’ market, the friends, the pura vida)
🐕 Pets & rescues (because jungle dogs deserve love too)
🌍 How to Be a Good Immigrant (gentrification, humility, supporting locals — aka don’t be “that” expat)

Basically? If you’ve ever Googled “Can I really move to Costa Rica?” …this series is your sign.

📲 Follow Me

Want more than just the weekly blog drop? Let’s hang out everywhere:

🎥 YouTube → deep-dive videos of each blog (perfect for bingeing with coffee)
📸 Instagram → my daily life here (sunrises, dogs, jungle sweat, and a few shirtless selfies)
🎬 TikTok → the fun, fast, and slightly thirsty version of this expat adventure
👥 Facebook → where community + conversation actually happen
📰 Substack → longer reflections, essays, and behind-the-scenes of this wild queer jungle life

👉 Come along — because this isn’t just me telling you my story, it’s an invite to imagine what yours could look like too.