Costa Rica: Coming on a Trip, or Staying For Good?

Most foreign citizens don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. And the majority of people can
stay from 1 to 3 months without any restrictions.

And, if you want to stay longer, all you need to do is to hop over to Panama or Nicaragua for a couple of days; and then you can stay for some extra time.

If you want to stay in Costa Rica permanently, these are the most common types of residency:

Pensionados: This one is for retired expats.

Representantes: These are foreign citizens on company visas.

Residentes: These are permanent residents of the country.

Inversionistas: These are investor residents.

All of the aforementioned categories of residents are able to receive income; and can also own companies and properties in Costa Rica

What To Bring On Your Costa Rica Trip

If you just want to visit Costa Rica for a “nature holiday”; then here are some of the most useful tips on what to bring with you on your trip:

Binoculars: These are necessary if you want to appreciate the local wildlife.

Field Guide: Getting a field guide is easy in Costa Rica. If you want to know more about what the country has to offer, this is definitely a good option.

Repellent: Some of the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica are plagued with mosquitoes. So to bring repellent is a must.

Umbrella and Waterproof Jacket: Even if you come to Costa Rica during the dry season, you may find some rain on your trip.

Sturdy Footwear: Chances are that you’ll end up walking through a diversity of terrains, so come prepared!

What To Bring From Home to Costa Rica

Apart from the things mentioned above, there’s stuff you may want to consider bringing with you.

Especially if you’re the type of traveler that is always looking for the home away from home.

For this sort of things, it’s best to head to the capital, San Jose, as this is the area with the
most stores.

Now, if you’re coming from a country outside the Americas, it’s important to recall that your gadgets may probably not work with the local voltage system.

So, if there is a special gadget that you feel you don’t want to buy in Costa Rica; get a special adapter so you can easily use your gadget in the country.

Accommodation in Costa Rica

There’s a good number of Costa Rica Beach Hotel options. And with that said, you may also want to consider renting a Costa Rica Beach Villa.

These two options are great, and both offer different features that are attractive for different types of travelers.

For example, if you’re coming with a large number of people, going for a Costa Rica Real Estate Rental Property makes more sense than to renting many rooms at a resort.

On the other hand, if you’re coming with your spouse and kids, visiting a beach resort is probably your best choice.

This is because it will allow you to enjoy the adult activities of the resort while the kids are being taken care of by specialized personnel.

Now, if you’re coming to explore some of the Best Beaches in Costa Rica, your best bet is to rent a car and stay at cheaper Costa Rica Beach Vacation Rental options.

Buying a Property in Costa Rica

If you want to stay in Costa Rica permanently, you may want to consider Buying Costa Rica Real Estate.

Investing in Costa Rica Real Estate is definitely a great choice. And the main reason for this is because this is one of the countries with the biggest growth in Latin America.

In fact, the local Real Estate landscape is changing fast, giving way to modern infrastructure; and attractive development projects throughout the country.

The cost of Costa Rica Real Estate property varies depending on location.

And, if you want to buy a home or other types of properties, it’s important to remember that the process may involve some bureaucracy.

Notaries in Costa Rica

Now, if you’re buying Costa Rica Real Estate Property, pay attention who the notary is.

This is because there are many local scams, and the least you want is to see your cash compromised in the hands of negligent individuals.

If you want to verify some information about a particular notary, you can contact the National Registry at 506-2295-3953.

Renting in Costa Rica

Renting is also an excellent option. If you’re a student, you may consider renting a home with other roommates nearby your university.

If you’re staying in the country for business, or even permanently, and just want to rent, the following are some areas to consider:

• La Sabana
• Escazu
• Santa Ana
• Curridabat
• San Pedro
• Moravia
• Pavas
• Heredia
• Alajuela

These areas and its surrounding neighborhoods are very popular with foreign visitors and residents.

And, it is likely that if you do a local search for rental places in those areas, you’ll definitely find something attractive.

Now, if you want to rent outside the city, the best option is to find a local realtor that can get you a good and fair deal on the best coastal properties available.

Tip: If you want to find some bargains, consider checking the local newspapers. And you can also visit some supermarkets to shop notice boards.

Living Costs in Costa Rica

Living costs in Costa Rica are very reasonable. Now, if you add some extras such as regular
use of air conditioning, your power bill can be more expensive.

With that said, Costa Rica is the country with the cheapest electricity rate the area. So, its
safe to safe that this is an expenditure that is very affordable for resident foreign citizens.

Internet speeds are getting better and cell phone usage is well covered. There are plenty of offerings, and prices and service options are both very decent.

Getting Directions in Costa Rica

And last but not least, it’s also important to know how to get directions in the country.

If you’re driving, your best bet to get to a given place is to use a GPS system like Waze.

On the other hand, if you’re on foot, it’s important to remember that many streets in the country remain numberless and nameless.

In fact, people’s sense of orientation is focused on key locations, such as the local supermarket, or the church or the high school.

So, for example, you may ask for an address, and you can get an answer that goes something like this:

“300 meters north of the Church.” For Ticos, 100 meters is a block, so for 300, just walk 3 blocks north of the aforementioned location, and you’ll arrive at your destination safe and sound.

Now, if you’re in the Central Valley, and want to find some sense of orientation for yourself; remember that the closest mountain range is always to your south.

And another good tip to have in mind is that all the churches from Costa Rica Churches point to the west.