Costa Rica Property Link - Search For Properties In Escazu, Santa Ana, San Jose and the Central Valley Area

Costa Rica has captured the senses and imagination of many people such as you and has over 1.5 million visitors annually. In a world that is fast paced, Costa Rica and the Costa Rican people offer the visitor and those wishing to move to or retire in, a place where you can experience a sense of tranquility, serenity, peace, mystery, harmony, adventure and natural wonders all at once.

Costa Rica is the country where over 60,000 North Americans and Europeans have chosen to call home. Every year close to 2 million visitors come to Costa Rica on vacation to experience Eco-tourism at its best and many choose to come back to purchase a vacation home or retirement home in this beautiful country.

Climate

The climate in Costa Rica is tropical all-year round. The average temperature is 27 degrees. Read more...

Nature and Wildlife

Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of plants and animals. While the country has only about 0.1% of the world’s land mass, it contains 5% of the worlds bio-diversity. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. Read more...

Culture

The locals of Costa Rica refer to themselves as “Tico” (or Tica female). The Tico ideal is that of very friendly, helpful, laid-back, unhurried, educated and environmentally aware people. Read more...

Politics and Economy

Costa Rica is seen as an example of political stability for the region of Latin America. It has no army, and has the highest literacy rate in the region. The healthcare service is also excellent. Read more...

The Toucan

Legal Residency

Tips for getting legal residency in Costa Rica. Look for ways you can qualify as a legal resident, including work permits, rentista, pensionado and inversionista status. At the end of the page is a comprehensive overview of the process and of documents you must file. You must hire a lawyer registered with the Costa Rican bar association. A good lawyer will charge from $1000 to $1500 for the process.

Residency Options for the Retiree or Investor

 Pensionados: (Pensioner Residents)

You may acquire this status if you can prove that you have a guaranteed monthly income of at least $600 per month from a qualified source, such as a government pension. You will be required to exchange this amount each month into Costa Rican currency via the state banking system, to show proof of the exchange, and to live in Costa Rica for at least four months per year.

Rentistas: (non -working residents with interest or dividend income) 

You may acquire this status, if you can prove that you are receiving income from interest or dividends of at least $1,000 US dollars per month from a foreign or national bank. The bank must issue a letter certifying that you will receive such monies and that you will exchange them into Costa Rican currency. The bank must renew its certified letter every five years. You will be required to exchange this amount each month into Costa Rican currency via the state banking system, to show proof of the exchange, and to live in Costa Rica for at least four months per year.

Inversionista: (Investor Status)

You may acquire this status if you invest in a local business in Costa Rica. According to the Center for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (PROCOMER), the current priority investment areas of business are ornamental plants, leather articles, spices, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, wood products, and tourism. You will be required to invest at least $50,000 US dollars in one of these areas. If you prefer an area of investment not listed by PROCOMER, you must invest $200,000 US dollars in that business. You must live in Costa Rica for six months per year and will not be required to maintain a minimum monthly income.

Residency Work Permits: Qualified Business Representative or Technician, Domestic Servant

If you are a qualified business executive or a qualified technician from an accredited institution, a qualified worker in an educational center with a special contract, or a domestic servant, you can get a work permit or temporary residency. At the end of your contract you must leave the country. The institution will be held responsible for the applications before the General Direction of Immigration Department. The Immigration Department of Costa Rica determines the requirements for a specific job category at its own discretion.

The National Theatre, San Jose.