Costa RicaGovernment of Canada · 8/31/2026
Exercise Increased Caution
Stable democracy with strong tourism infrastructure; petty theft on beaches is the main risk.
Pura Vida culture and no army. Don't leave valuables in rental cars; tourist beaches see occasional opportunistic theft. Nosara, Atenas and Escazú are particularly calm.
Best city
San José / Tamarindo
Visa route
Investor
Min investment
$150,000
Cost of living
$1700/mo
Tax system
Territorial
Airbnb yield
8-12%
Bureaucracy ease
6/10
Bank account ease
3/5
Pensionado: $1,000/mo lifetime pension → CAJA enrolment + private hospitals at fraction of US prices.
Global benchmark for eco-tourism. CST sustainability cert opens incentive programs.
Estancia for Remote Workers (Law 9996)
Tax perk: 0% income tax on foreign earnings, duty-free import of work gear
$3k/mo single or $4k family. 1 year + 1 year renewal.
Small Lebanese diaspora; one mosque in San José.
~3k in San José (Rohrmoser). Active Centro Israelita, kosher available.
Eco-tourism operator quick checklistOpen
- ›Visit 3+ regions in shoulder season, confirm climate, road access, water source, cell signal.
- ›Verify protected-area status (national park buffer, Ramsar, biosphere), affects build permits.
- ›Run rough P&L: target 50-60 occupancy nights/month at $80-250 ADR for break-even.
- ›Talk to 2 local eco-lodge owners, ask about staff, suppliers, hidden costs (water, generator).
- ›Buy through SRL / SA, never personal name. Title search at land registry + topographic survey.
- ›Confirm zoning allows hospitality (uso turístico). Get municipal building permit pre-purchase letter.
- ›Environmental impact study (EIA), required above 10 keys in most countries.
- ›Water rights / well permit + septic / wetland treatment design.
- ›Tourism board registration (ICT in Costa Rica, MINCETUR Peru, Mintur Brazil, Sectur Mexico).
- ›Pursue sustainability cert: CST, Rainforest Alliance, Green Globe, unlocks tax breaks & OTA placement.
- ›Fire safety inspection, food handling permit, alcohol licence (if restaurant).
- ›Register with Bomberos / Sayco for music & emergency compliance.
- ›List on Booking, Airbnb, Expedia + 1 niche eco channel (BookDifferent, EcoHotels.com).
- ›Hire & train local staff (8-10 per 12 keys). Spanish/Portuguese mandatory; 1 English-fluent host.
- ›Tour operator partnerships (G Adventures, Intrepid, local DMCs) for guaranteed shoulder-season fills.
- ›Insurance: liability, fire, guest accident, business interruption.
Living and running a business: the ten things that actually matter, side-by-side.
Cost of living
$2,500-4,000/mo couple
Coastal expat zones expensive; Central Valley cheaper.
Visa & residency
Inversionista $150-200K · Rentista $2,500/mo
3-6 months. Citizenship after 7 years.
Taxes
Territorial · 30% corp
Foreign income exempt; property tax low (~0.25%).
Healthcare
★★★★ Caja public + private
Universal CAJA enrolment; private specialists $50-100.
Safety
Low, Medium
Safest in Central America but petty crime in tourist zones.
English support
★★★★ Strong in expat areas
Tourism towns fully bilingual; rural areas Spanish-only.
Banking
★★★ Workable
BAC, Scotiabank, BCR open to residents with cédula.
Best business fit
Ecotourism · Airbnb · wellness
Global benchmark for ecotourism with state incentive programs.
Climate
12 micro-climates
Central Valley spring-like; Pacific dry; Caribbean wet.
Arab community
Small
Limited Arab presence; growing in San José.
Reality check
Ecotourism gold standard, but expat areas are no longer cheap.
The most established, most predictable expat country on the list, but stability has a price. Property and rental costs in expat zones have risen sharply since 2020. For ecotourism investors this is the best country in the region, period. For Airbnb investors, Guanacaste delivers, but everyone has the same idea.
Strong English in expat areas (Tamarindo, Nosara, Atenas, Escazú). Spanish needed for bureaucracy and most of the country.
Healthcare
World-class for the price. Public Caja system available to residents (~$60-150/mo). Top private hospitals: CIMA, Clínica Bíblica, Hospital Metropolitano.
Safety
Generally safe; petty theft in tourist areas. Avoid certain San José barrios. Drug-related crime rising on Caribbean coast.
Tap a city to open it in Google Maps.
Global benchmark. Government incentive programs for sustainable tourism.
Guanacaste/Tamarindo yields 8-12%. Saturation rising, pick location carefully.
Territorial tax. Excellent fiber in Central Valley.
Best for
- ✓Ecotourism investors
- ✓Beach-zone Airbnb
- ✓Families wanting stability
Watch-outs
- !Property prices among the highest in C. America
- !Maritime Zone Law restricts ownership within 50m of the coast
Inversionista ($150k real estate/business) or Rentista ($2,500/mo for 2 yrs).
- 1
Gather Canadian documents
Passport (6+ months validity), RCMP criminal background check (apostilled), birth & marriage certificates (apostilled by Global Affairs Canada), bank statements (last 6 months).
- 2
Translate & legalize
Official Spanish/Portuguese translation of all apostilled documents by a sworn translator in-country.
- 3
Open exploratory trip
Spend 2-4 weeks in San José / Tamarindo to vet neighborhoods, lawyers, and accountants before committing.
- 4
Hire local immigration lawyer
Budget USD 2,500-6,000. Required for filing; do not DIY a ${c.visaType} visa.
- 5
Transfer investment capital (≥ $150,000)
Wire from a Canadian bank to a local escrow or company account. Keep SWIFT records, required as proof of funds.
- 6
Incorporate or buy qualifying asset
Set up local SA/SRL or close real-estate purchase that meets visa floor.
- 7
File investor visa application
Submit dossier to immigration authority; receive provisional residency card (typically 3-9 months).
- 8
Get local tax ID & open bank account
Bank account ease: 3/5. Bring residency card, utility proof, and reference letter from your Canadian bank.
- 9
Register for healthcare & enroll dependents
Private international plan (~USD 100-250/mo) recommended in addition to public system.
- 10
File NR73 with CRA
Declare non-resident status to Canada Revenue Agency to stop worldwide taxation; settle departure tax on unrealized gains.
Single person, mid-range lifestyle
| Rent (1BR mid-range) | $765 |
| Groceries & dining | $374 |
| Transport | $136 |
| Utilities & internet | $170 |
| Private health insurance | $170 |
| Leisure & misc | $85 |
| Monthly total | $1,700 |
| Immigration lawyer fees | $4,500 |
| Government visa fees & apostilles | $1,500 |
| Document translation | $800 |
| Exploratory trip (2 wks) | $3,500 |
| Shipping household goods | $6,000 |
| Visa investment / qualifying capital | $150,000 |
| First/last month rent + deposit | $2,295 |
| Company incorporation & accountant (yr 1) | $3,500 |
| One-time total | $172,095 |
Estimated all-in Year 1 cost
$192,495
One-time relocation + 12 months of living costs. Excludes business operating expenses.
Concrete starting points with rough startup capital, monthly run-rate, and the licences you'll actually need to file. Estimates are USD, ballpark, confirm with a local attorney before committing capital.
Guanacaste/Tamarindo beach STR villa
3BR villa near Tamarindo or Nosara. Mature Pacific market, 8-12% gross yields, peak season Dec, Apr.
- ›ICT tourism declaration
- ›Municipal patente comercial
- ›Maritime Zone concession review if within 200m of high tide
- ›STR registration & 13% IVA collection
Sustainable eco-lodge with CST certification
6-10 cabins on titled land near a national park (Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, Monteverde). CST cert unlocks marketing premium.
- ›SETENA environmental viability
- ›ICT lodging declaration
- ›CST (Certificate of Sustainable Tourism)
- ›MINAE permits for any forested land
- ›Municipal operating permit
Coffee farm + agritourism day tours
Small finca in Central Valley (5-15 ha). Combine specialty coffee export with $40-80/pp farm tours.
- ›ICAFÉ producer registration
- ›MAG (Ministry of Agriculture) registration
- ›ICT tour operator if guiding
- ›Sanitary permit for tasting room
Costs reflect a Canadian operator buying turnkey or near-turnkey assets. Land-from-scratch builds typically run 30-60% higher.
Tailored for English- and Arabic-speaking investors moving to Costa Rica. Toggle the language, then download a print-ready bilingual PDF.
Business type, tailors steps & licences
Official government links · روابط رسمية
- Dirección General de Migración y ExtranjeríaNational immigration authoritywww.migracion.go.cr/
- Categorías migratorias / InversionistaInvestor & rentista visa categorieswww.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Categorias%20Migratorias.aspx
- Ministerio de Relaciones ExterioresEmbassies & consular serviceswww.rree.go.cr/
Always verify on the official site before paying any fees. Government URLs and forms change.
Phase 1, Before you fly
- ▢Passport valid for 12+ months with 4+ blank pages.
- ▢Police clearance / criminal record certificate, apostilled or legalized.
- ▢Birth certificate (and marriage certificate if applicable), apostilled.
- ▢Bank statements last 6 months + proof of source of funds.
- ▢Certified translation of every document into Spanish/Portuguese.
- ▢Engage a local immigration lawyer (budget USD 2,500-6,000 for the Investor route).
- ▢International health insurance covering first 6 months.
Phase 2, Visa filing (Investor)
- ▢Wire qualifying capital (≥ $150,000) from your home bank to in-country escrow; keep SWIFT proof.
- ▢Open initial bank visit in San José / Tamarindo (account often takes 30-90 days).
- ▢File full visa dossier with the immigration authority.
- ▢Receive provisional residency card; register at the Arab/Lebanese embassy or consulate if applicable.
- ▢Apply for local tax ID (RUC / CURP / RNC / DNI depending on country).
Phase 3, Settle in & convert to permanent
- ▢Sign 12-month lease only after living 4-8 weeks in the city.
- ▢Renew residency before expiry; track day-counts to avoid losing status.
- ▢After 2-5 years, file for permanent residency / passport eligibility.
- ▢Settle exit-tax obligations with your home country (declare non-residency).
Phase 1, Validate before you incorporate
- ▢Spend 2-4 weeks scouting suppliers, competitors, and customer demand in San José / Tamarindo.
- ▢Validate price points in USD and local currency; account for FX risk.
- ▢Interview 5+ Arab/expat business owners already operating locally.
Phase 2, Incorporation & banking
- ▢Choose entity type: SA / SRL / LLC equivalent, confirm with local lawyer + accountant.
- ▢Reserve company name and register articles of incorporation.
- ▢Obtain commercial registry number and tax ID for the company.
- ▢Open corporate bank account (ease in Costa Rica: 3/5, bring residency, lease, reference letter).
- ▢Set up bookkeeping software + monthly accountant retainer (mandatory in most LATAM countries).
Phase 3, Licences, hiring & launch · General / Not sure yet
- ▢Apply for the sector licence(s) that match your activity (tourism, food, import/export, real estate, fintech…).
- ▢Register with social security / IGSS / IMSS to legally hire staff.
- ▢Sign written employment contracts; never pay staff in cash without payroll.
- ▢Buy commercial liability insurance before opening doors.
- ▢Confirm tax regime: Territorial, file monthly VAT/IVA returns even if zero.
- ▢Set up a separate USD account abroad for retained earnings (FX hedge).
Tailored for a Canadian entrepreneur. Progress saves to this browser.
Before leaving Canada
First 30 days in-country
First 90 days
Ongoing compliance
| English | Arabic community | Bureaucracy | Banking | Tax | Visa min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 2/5 | 6/10 | 3/5 | Territorial | $150,000 |