What rent and the move cost
Monthly rent and utilities for a one-bedroom, plus the one-time cost of getting there and settling in. The move covers the visa fee, a one-way flight with three extra bags (averaged across five US airports), three weeks of temporary lodging, the apartment move-in, a starter kit for the new place and a 10% cushion.
| City size | Example cities | Rent, 1BR | Utilities | One-time move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big city | San José | $988 | $100 | $5,068 |
| Mid-size city | Heredia, Alajuela | $769 | $90 | $4,218 |
| Smaller town | Cartago, Grecia | $571 | $80 | $3,445 |
Not included: groceries, transport and health insurance. Amounts in US dollars at the exchange rates in the planner’s data.
Getting in and staying
The length of a tourist stay is set at the border, so check it before you travel.
The planner’s remote-work route is the digital nomad stay. It asks you to show income of about $3,327 a month. The application fee in the planner is about $111.
Visa rules change often. Check the official immigration or consular page before you apply. Our sources page explains where these figures come from.
Signing a lease
Plan on about 2 months’ rent up front when you sign: usually a one-month deposit plus the first month. In a mid-size city that’s about $1,538.
Language and time zone
Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI 2025). When it’s 9 a.m. in New York, it’s 8 a.m. in San José. That makes US working hours easy to keep.
Worth knowing
English is moderate outside tourist areas, so basic Spanish makes daily life much easier. San José rent is about 70% higher than in Cartago or Grecia.
See where you fit
The 1-minute quiz matches your income, savings and the kind of place you want with three of these ten countries. The Expat Relocation Planner builds the full budget for Costa Rica with your own airport, household and savings.
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