Things to consider when deciding if the city or the countryside is where your dreamlife awaits.

Costa Rica is highly micro-climatic.  The weather patterns will vary with altitude and where you are located in the country.  The module helps you understand how to find that perfect climate that's just right for you.

This module helps you understand the trade-offs of looking for a place with a great view versus somewhere more sheltered.     Whether you are in the mountains or on the cost, Costa Rica has some of the most stunning views in the world. Properties with great views are extremely common here.

That said, views come with a lot of wind. So when choosing your location, if wind is something that drives you crazy, think about which is more important to you.

Understanding the pros and cons of living in the Mountains vs on the Beach.   Many people come to Costa Rica set on moving to the beach. Then, after experiencing how nice the mountains are, change their mind.

Cons of living at the beach you may not have considered:

1. Higher cost of living

2. Extremely hot day-time temperatures with dependence on air

   conditioning

3. Higher relative humidity

4. Higher crime rates

5. Howler Monkeys (this may seem odd to have on the list, but they tend

   to keep people up all night and do not generally live at higher elevations)

Pros of living in the Mountains you may not have considered:

1. Perfect Climate (ne need for heat or air conditioning)

2.  Significantly lower cost of living

3.  Safer (much lower crime rates)

4.  Spectacular views

Why Costa Rica is considered one of the safest countries in the Americas to live in.

About this Lesson

Check attached PDF to get this info and more!

All range of rentals exist in Costa Rica. A good agent will help you sort through them. Many properties are not built to North America or European standards. Therefore, things you take for granted may not be included.

In addition to those things you'd typically ask, here are things to ask before renting a property:

1. Does it have hot and cold running water?

2. Are there screens on the windows?

3. What's included with rent?

4. How long is the lease?

5. Are their restaurants and grocery stores nearby?

6. Can we go month to month at the end of the lease?

More things to ask before renting a property in the country or a small town:

7. Do any of the neighbors have roosters or loud animals such as dogs that bark a lot?

8. Is there good transit in the neighborhood? Will I need a Car?

9. How are the roads into the property? Will I need a 4-wheel drive to access it?

10. How far is the nearest beach?

11. Can I get internet at this location? If so, what speed?

12. If there's laundry, does hot water hook up to the laundry?

13. If there's septic, can toilet paper be put down the toilet or does it need to be put in the garbage?

Check attached PDF to get this info and more!

Foreigners and locals have the same ownership rights when it comes to buying property. Foreigners can buy property on a tourist visa without needing to apply for residency or citizenship.

The process of buying a house in Costa Rica is similar to what you'd experience in North America or Europe, where you'd typically either deal directly with a developer of a community (for new construction) or work with a real estate agent (for buying older properties).

Like most countries, Costa Rica will not allow mortgage lending to people with non-resident status. So until you have residency (which takes 12 to 18th months), you'll have to fund your house purchase without a mortgage or by borrowing money in the country in which you hold residency (e.g. if you own other property in North America, you can take a second mortgage on it to build your Costa Rican house.)

The cost of real estate is affected by similar factors as you'd expect in other countries:

1. How close (accessible) to a major airport is the property. Costa Rica's only major Hub airport is Juan Santa Maria in San Jose (SJO). There is a secondary international airport at Liberia which is considerably smaller as well as numerous regional airports. Properties close to SJO tend to command the highest value.

2. Is it waterfront? Like everywhere, oceanfront, or walking distance to the ocean commands higher value.

3. Is there a view? Ocean views command more money. Many country properties will come with spectacular mountain views.

4. Standard of construction. Many houses in Costa Rica are not built to standards we are used to. Prices vary accordingly.

Questions you should ask:

1. Can I get internet at this location? If so, what speed?

2. Is the pool heated (if applicable)

3. Are their restaurants and grocery stores nearby

4. Does it have hot and cold running water?

5. Are there screens on the windows

More things to ask before buying in the country or a small town:

6. Do the neighbors have roosters or loud animals such as dogs that bark a lot?

7. Is there good transit in the neighborhood? Will I need a Car?

8. How are the roads into the property? Will I need a 4-wheel drive?

9. How far is the nearest beach?

10. What is the roof made of? Is it noisy in high rains?

11. How is the drainage on the property? Is the property set up to withstand high rainfall?

12. If there's laundry, does hot water hook up to the laundry?

13. If there's septic, can toilet paper be put down the toilet or does it need to be put in the garbage?

Check attached PDF to get this info and more!

Like everywhere in the world, Costa Rica has the full range of options for building a home, from working with seasoned developers, to buying raw land and figuring it out on your own.

If you're looking to buy a property and build, we recommend working with a community developer who is establishing a neighborhood. And we highly recommend neighborhoods focused on conscious living and sustainability.

Advantages to this model:

1. Roads in Costa Rica are only partially government maintained. Secondary roads must be sponsored by private individuals or companies to be upgraded to higher standards or paved. This can be a major issue in the tropics, where seasonal rainfall can be high. Roads wash out frequently. In a developed community, the residents are all contributing to ensure good road maintenance.

2. Food sustainability mean your community is dedicated to ensuring you eat well and eat local. The major advantage of this is cost of living. Many communities grow much of their own food and share amongst the neighbors.

3. Emotional support. Moving to a foreign country can be scary. Having neighbors with similar values to support you on the journey can be worth it's weight in gold

Finding your construction contractor

Construction Contractors can vary greatly in Costa Rica - similar to every other country in the world. Some contractors specialize in specific types of sustainable building, while others are unwilling to try new and innovative options. If you're looking for specific recommendations on builders, please reach out to us for suggestions.

Saving Money on Construction

While labor is inexpensive in Costa Rica, some construction materials are expensive. In general, if it's not manufactured in Costa Rica, expect to pay 3 to 4 times more than you would in North America. It can same you money and increase the selection of items you have access to by bringing in some of your fixtures and specialty items from North America. Electrical and plumbing fixtures can be the area of greatest saving to bring with you.

Working with your Contractor

If you have hired a Costa Rican Contractor, don't assume they are aware of international standards. Some things to watch out for:

Electrical

Electrical standards in Costa Rica tend to be on par with North American Standards. Though, we recommend being very specific about where you want fixtures, plugs and light switches placed. It's not uncommon to see plugs or light switch placed randomly instead of at locations that would respect where furniture or art would go.

Plumbing

Plumbing standards however not generally on par with North American standards (or at least not enforced at this level). We recommend you work closely with your contractor to ensure plumbing is done to the standard you expect.

Things to check for

• Has hot water been run to all the locations you would expect hot water (bathrooms, kitchen, laundry etc.)

• Are U-bends (P-traps or bottle traps) properly installed everywhere

• Are hot taps on the left and cold on the right

• Do taps open counterclockwise and close clockwise

• Is everything marked red for hot and blue for cold

• All joints are properly glued

• The contractor is not using plastic faucets on the interior or exterior of the building

As one of the worlds 5 Blue Zones (regions of the world where people are know to live significantly longer than average),  here's some of the key principles for living a longer, healthier life in Costa Rica.  Key elements of longevity include: Tips for improving your longevity

1. Choose country or small town over big city

2. Eat a Blue-zone diet - limit the amount of processed foods you eat and eat more fresh vegetables grown locally

3. Live in a community where you are well-supported and have lots of friends

4. Stay active, especially outdoors. Walk and exercise every day.

Understanding why Medical Tourism is one of Costa Rica's top industries.   How to access affordable, excellent health care!

Costa Rica is known for its excellent health care. In fact, medical tourism is the second-largest industry in Costa Rica.

Medical School in Costa Rica is a meritocracy - meaning only the top students get in. Meaning, Costa Rica has an extremely well-trained medical community.

Accessing the health care system starts with your nearest pharmacy. And often you need look no further.  All pharmacies are owned by Doctors.   If the pharmacist can't help you,  they'll get you an appointment.

Check attached PDF to get this info and more!

Tax Haven

Costa Rica is considered a tax-friendly jurisdiction for various reasons. Please note that tax laws and regulations can change, so it's recommended to consult with a professional or official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Key considerations for Banking in Costa Rica

Banking in Costa Rica can have its challenges. In fact, it's one of the areas many Expats complain about the most.

The module covers Some challenges you may face

Simple Options for getting around in Costa Rica include:

1.  Taxis are easy to access in most areas.  Expect to pay between 75% to 100% of rates you'd pay in the US

2. Privatelly booked drivers are common and usually more affordably than taxi

3. Uber is common, though wait times in rural areas can be long

4. Public bus systems are common though operated by many independent companies which vary in quality and reliability.  Please ask people in your local area for recommendations.

5. Renting a car is similar to elsewhere in the world. 

6.  Buying a car is a good option if you plan and extended stay.  Note that Costa Rica taxes car imports heavily to expect to pay approximately double what you would in the US.  This money is intended for use in road development. 

Costa Rica is famous for its potholes and speed bumps that sneak up on you unannounced.

That said, once you get familiar with some of the quirks of driving in Costa Rica, navigating by car is both easy and adventurous.

3 things to watch out for:

1. Paint fades rapidly on speed bumps. Watch the center line of the road for yellow paint when driving at night.

2. Good sections of road can quickly transition to bad. Be ready to slow down quickly.

3. To save money on road construction, many secondary roads have no shoulders. Slow down if you're worried about passing cars in tight quarters. You won't be the only one doing it.

Some quirks to be aware of when driving in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is famous for its potholes and speed bumps that sneak up on you unannounced.

That said, once you get familiar with some of the quirks of driving in Costa Rica, navigating by car is both easy and adventurous.

3 things to watch out for:

1. Paint fades rapidly on speed bumps. Watch the center line of the road for yellow paint when driving at night.

2. Good sections of road can quickly transition to bad. Be ready to slow down quickly.

3. To save money on road construction, many secondary roads:

   1. have no shoulders. Slow down if you're worried about passing cars in tight quarters. You won't be the only one doing it.

   2. have one-lane bridges and underpasses.  There will always be a yield sign in one of the directions.  Watch for it so you know who has right of way.

Key considerations for buying a car in Costa Rica vs importing a car from abroad.

Shopping in Costa Rica

Some useful facts:

1. Tourist areas operate very differently than non-tourist areas. In tourist areas, many establishments only transact in US dollars. In other areas you may or may not be able to use USD but will pay higher fees for the privilege. If you're an American, the money you save on fees to exchange your money into Colones probably makes up for the difference. If you are not an American, it is generally better to change money into Colones. Otherwise, you pay fees twice. Once to exchange to US and fees again at the vendor because they will have to change it back to Colones.  In non-tourist areas some vendors will not accept US dollars.

2. A small point. But one that can be frustrating if you're unaware of it. Unlike North America and Europe, Costa Rica does not have fire safety laws requiring public buildings to have doors which open outwards. Probably because very few building are built with wood here and fire risk is not nearly as great. The effect of this is that your brain may to trained to walk up to a public building, pull on the door and if it doesn't open, assume that the door is locked or the store is closed. There may be Costa Ricans standing inside wondering why you don't know how to open a door. Worth remembering - about 50% of public buildings here have doors that push inward to open. 

Key tips for finding the community that's right for you.

Health Insurance - understanding your optoins from public to private.

Working in Costa Rica

If you're a non-resident moving to Costa Rica, and you're interested in working, there are several options and considerations you should keep in mind. Please note that immigration and work regulations can change, so it's crucial to consult with Costa Rican authorities or legal professionals for the most up-to-date and accurate information. As of my last update in September 2021, here are some general options for working in Costa Rica as a non-resident:

Work Visa: To legally work in Costa Rica, you typically need to obtain a work visa. These visas are usually sponsored by a Costa Rican employer, and the employer needs to provide proof that no qualified local candidates are available for the position. The process can be complex and might require various documents and approvals.

Investor Visa: If you plan to start a business or invest in Costa Rica, you might be eligible for an investor visa. This type of visa is usually granted to individuals who make significant investments in the country, which can contribute to economic development.

Freelancing and Remote Work: If your work allows you to work remotely for clients or companies outside of Costa Rica, you might be able to live in the country on a tourist visa. However, the Costa Rican Digital Nomad Visa is the official vehicle for this option.

Special Categories: There are other specialized visa categories for certain professions or circumstances. For example, volunteers, journalists, and students might have specific visa options.

Teaching English: Teaching English is a common job opportunity for foreigners in Costa Rica. Some language schools hire non-resident English teachers, and you might be able to work under certain conditions.

Tourism Industry: If you're skilled in the tourism or hospitality industry, you might find opportunities to work in hotels, resorts, and related businesses that cater to tourists.

Seasonal Work: Some non-residents find temporary work in industries that experience seasonal demand, such as agriculture or tourism.

Key Considerations for maintaining your budget in Costa Rica. 

Living like a Costa Rican and radically reduce your budget.  So consider leaving behind your North American and European brand names and experience eating locally.   

Understanding whether you need to apply for residency and, if so, which category is right for you? 

How to legally live in Costa Rica as a non-resident.

This introduction prepares you for the idea that how you live (and how you think) is as important as where you live. 

What's possible when you live with an conscious mindset?

Key Points Summary for Living Sustainably in Costa Rica

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