La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano, Costa Rica

Costa Rica · Country guide

Moving to Costa Rica from the US

Visas, residency routes, citizenship and tax for Americans moving to Costa Rica, with the law behind each rule.

Source-checked20 sources, 19 officialHow we check

Today's rate: $1 = 452.66 colonesUpdated 14 Nov 2026

CapitalSan José

Visa-free (US)Up to 180 days, set at the border

Residency income from$1,000 a month of pension

CitizenshipAfter 7 years of residence

Tax on foreign incomeNo: only Costa Rican income is taxed

Dual citizenshipNo: you sign a renunciation

Costa Rica in brief

Visit visa-free: up to 180 days, set by the border officer; stays of 90 days or more can't be extended.
Remote workers: $3,000 a month of income ($4,000 with family) for up to 2 years, but it isn't residence.
Retirees: a lifetime pension of $1,000 a month qualifies; others can show $2,500 a month of guaranteed income.
Permanent residence: after 3 years in a row of temporary residence.
Foreign income isn't taxed: only income earned in Costa Rica is, for now. Pending change
Retiree incentives look closed: import and tax breaks for new applicants ended around July 2026. Not yet verified

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is small and green: volcanoes, cloud forest and beaches on both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Most people live in the Central Valley around San José, and US dollars are widely accepted.

The cone of Arenal volcano capped by cloud, rising behind tropical gardens and red roofs. — Arenal volcano above the forest

People walking along the pedestrian Avenida Central in downtown San José, lined with shops. — Shoppers on San José's Avenida Central

A mound of gallo pinto rice and beans on a banana leaf with eggs, cheese and a tortilla. — Gallo pinto breakfast

A traditional Costa Rican oxcart painted in red with bright floral patterns and a starburst wheel. — A hand-painted oxcart

By the numbers

5.0 millionPeople, 2022 estimate

80% of West VirginiaLand area

80%Live in cities

35 yearsHalf are younger

4World Heritage sitesNeeds review

$20,000GDP per person

Needs reviewThe count is from an older report; confirming it on the official list.

Regions

Central Valley: Mostly urban: San José, museums and nearby volcanoes.
Guanacaste: The dry northwest: little rain, surf beaches and dry forest.
Central Pacific: Popular beaches and national parks.
Northern Costa Rica: Mountains, Arenal volcano, hot springs and cloud forest.
Caribbean coast (Limón): Quieter beaches, sea turtles and Jamaican-rooted culture.

Culture and daily life

Language: Spanish; English is common at tourist businesses and among many younger people.
Food: Simple and filling: gallo pinto rice and beans, and the casado lunch plate.
Pace of life: Long workweeks: about 2,200 hours a year, roughly 380 more than in the US.
Religion and holidays: Big dates include Holy Week, the August 2 pilgrimage to Cartago and Independence Day on September 15.

Economy and politics, briefly

Prices are steady: inflation was 0.55% in October, below the central bank's 2–4% range. The colón is about 450 per dollar.
Politics: President Laura Fernández took office on May 8, 2026, for a term to 2030.

Sources (12)

Cities in Costa Rica

Where our city guides are planned. Hover a city to find it on the map.

All Costa Rica guides

Every rule with its legal source.

Entry and visasUp to 180 days visa-free, set at the border Residency3 routes: remote worker, retiree and independent means Citizenship7 years of residence, then exams TaxesWhat retirees and remote workers pay

Free tools

Count your days in Costa RicaTourist days used and left, the tax-residency test, and the US 330-day count.Social Security and Medicare in Costa RicaPayments, direct deposit, agreements and what Medicare covers.

Still being checked

Fees and checklists: the immigration office's current fee list and document cost.
Remote-worker status: it lasts 2 years at most and doesn't lead to permanent residence; whether it counts toward citizenship.
Social security for remote workers: whether anything is owed on pay from abroad.
Health insurance cost: joining the public system is required for retirees, but the contribution isn't confirmed.
Applying in the country: whether the $200 change-of-category fee is charged on top.
Residency deposit: the amount, which is set case by case.
Pending tax bill: bill 25.796 would tax residents' foreign interest, dividends, rents and gains at 15%.

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