Relocating to Costa Rica from the USA is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make, but it requires careful planning. This step-by-step checklist breaks the entire process into manageable phases so nothing falls through the cracks. Print it out, check items off, and move to Guanacaste with confidence.
6 Months Before Moving
The research and planning stage. Big decisions happen now.
- Decide on your visa type — Pensionado ($1,000/mo income), Rentista ($2,500/mo for 2 years), or tourist visa with border runs. Read our visa guide
- Scouting trip to Guanacaste — Visit 2-3 communities (Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Nosara). Rent an Airbnb for 2-4 weeks to test the lifestyle.
- Begin visa application — Gather apostilled documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, police background check, proof of income.
- Decide: sell or rent your US home — Renting provides income while you test Costa Rica. Selling uses the $250K/$500K capital gains exclusion if you lived there 2 of 5 years.
- Research shipping options — Get quotes from 3+ international moving companies. A 20-foot container costs $3,000-$5,000 for ocean freight plus $1,500-$3,000 customs/duties.
- Start pet import process if applicable — Ensure rabies vaccine is current (at least 30 days old, less than 1 year).
- Review your finances — Set up online banking, notify your bank of international move, research Costa Rica banking (BAC San Jose, Banco Nacional).
- Get a complete medical checkup — Dental work, prescriptions (get 90-day supplies), eye exams, and copies of all medical records.
3 Months Before Moving
Action time. Start the physical process of moving.
- Secure housing in Costa Rica — Sign a lease or close on property. Start with a 6-month rental to explore before committing long-term. Budget $800-$2,500/month depending on area.
- Book your shipping container — Lock in dates. Ocean freight takes 2-4 weeks from US Gulf/East Coast ports. Ship from Houston or Miami for best rates.
- Begin downsizing — Sell, donate, or store items you will not ship. Focus on bringing personal/sentimental items and quality electronics.
- Notify government agencies — Social Security (international address update), IRS (Form 8822), Medicare (understand coverage limitations abroad).
- Set up mail forwarding — Use a US-based mail scanning service (Traveling Mailbox, Earth Class Mail) or a trusted family member.
- Research health insurance — CAJA (public system, ~$100/month) or private insurance (Sagicor, BlueCross international). See our healthcare guide
- Get an international driver's permit — Valid for 90 days in Costa Rica. Apply at AAA ($20). After residency, convert to a Costa Rica license.
- Arrange pet travel — Book pet-friendly airline or pet transport service. Get USDA health certificate within 14 days of travel.
1 Month Before Moving
Final preparations and logistics.
- Cancel or transfer utilities — Electric, gas, water, internet, cable, trash service at your US home.
- Update subscriptions — Streaming services (some work abroad with VPN), magazines, memberships, gym.
- Prepare important documents — Passport (valid 6+ months), visa paperwork, apostilled documents, medical records, pet records, all in a carry-on bag.
- Set up a VPN service — Essential for US streaming, banking, and other geo-restricted services. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work well in Costa Rica.
- Download offline maps — Google Maps and Waze both work in Costa Rica. Download Guanacaste maps for offline use.
- Purchase an unlocked phone or ensure yours is unlocked — You will buy a local Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar SIM card on arrival ($5-10/month unlimited data).
- Arrange airport pickup — Liberia (LIR) airport is the gateway to Guanacaste. Book a shuttle or rental car in advance.
- Say your goodbyes — Host a farewell gathering. Set up regular video call schedules with family and friends.
Moving Week
The big move. Deep breaths, you are ready.
- Final walk-through of US home — Check all rooms, closets, garage. Hand over keys to property manager or realtor.
- Carry essentials on the plane — Passport, visa docs, medications (90-day supply in original bottles), laptop, phone, chargers, 1-2 changes of clothes, valuables.
- Carry $500-1,000 USD cash — For initial expenses. USD is widely accepted, but colones are better for daily purchases.
- Arrive at Liberia (LIR) Airport — Immigration stamp gives you 90 days as a tourist. Keep your entry stamp receipt.
- Buy a local SIM card at the airport — Kolbi (ICE) has the best coverage in Guanacaste. Costs about $5-10 with data.
- Pick up rental car or shuttle — Driving in Costa Rica is manageable but different. Right-hand traffic, some unpaved roads.
- Stock up at PriceSmart or AutoMercado — PriceSmart is Costa Rica's Costco. AutoMercado is the premium grocery chain.
First Month in Costa Rica
Settling in and building your new life.
- Open a local bank account — BAC San Jose is the most expat-friendly. Bring passport, proof of address, and proof of income. Process takes 1-2 weeks.
- Set up home internet — Kolbi (ICE) fiber is available in most Guanacaste towns. 100 Mbps costs ~$45/month. Cable providers (Telecable, Tigo) also available.
- Register with CAJA — Costa Rica's universal healthcare system. Visit your local EBAIS clinic with passport and residency application receipt. ~$100/month covers everything.
- Find a local attorney — Essential for residency applications, property purchases, and navigating bureaucracy. Budget $500-$2,000 for residency assistance.
- Join expat groups — Facebook groups (Costa Rica Expats, Guanacaste Living), local meetups, and community boards. Explore the expat lifestyle
- Explore your neighborhood — Find the best local restaurants (sodas), farmer's markets (ferias), hardware stores (ferreterias), and pharmacies (farmacias).
- Set up automatic bill payments — Electric (ICE or Coopeguanacaste), water (AyA or local), internet, and phone.
- Start learning Spanish — Even basic phrases make a huge difference. Many affordable local tutors ($10-15/hour) and free apps available.
- Register with the US Embassy — STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) at step.state.gov. Free service for emergency alerts and assistance.
Shipping Household Goods to Costa Rica
One of the biggest decisions: what to ship and what to leave behind. Here is the practical breakdown.
20-Foot Container
Ocean freight from US Gulf/East Coast. Fits a 1-2 bedroom home worth of furniture. Transit time: 2-4 weeks.
40-Foot Container
Full household. Fits a 3-4 bedroom home. Best value per cubic foot. Transit time: 2-4 weeks.
Customs & Duties
Import duties are 15-30% of declared value. Hiring a customs broker ($300-500) is strongly recommended.
What to Bring vs. Buy in Costa Rica
Bring: Personal items, medications, quality electronics (laptops, cameras), specialty kitchen tools, favorite bedding and linens, hobby equipment, power tools, and sentimental items.
Buy there: Furniture (excellent local craftsmen), basic appliances (available at PriceSmart, Gollo, or Importadora Monge), household basics, and anything large/bulky. Costa Rica has PriceSmart (Costco equivalent), EPA (Home Depot equivalent), and many modern stores.
Leave behind: 110V-only appliances (Costa Rica uses 110V but cycles differ), heavy winter clothing, excessive kitchen duplicates, and items cheaper to replace than ship.
Bringing Pets to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is very pet-friendly, and there is no quarantine period for properly documented animals. Here is what you need:
Requirements for Dogs and Cats
- Rabies vaccination — Must be at least 30 days old but less than 1 year at time of travel
- Health certificate — From a USDA-accredited veterinarian, issued within 14 days of travel
- USDA-APHIS endorsement — Your vet's health certificate must be endorsed by APHIS. Submit at least 5 business days before travel ($38 fee)
- Microchip — ISO 15-digit microchip recommended (bring your own reader if non-ISO)
- Airline booking — In-cabin for small pets, cargo for larger dogs. Book early as pet spaces are limited. Average cost: $150-$400 per pet
Important Pet Tips
Costa Rica has excellent veterinary care at 50-70% less than US prices. Heartworm and tick prevention are essential year-round in the tropics.
Many rental properties in Guanacaste are pet-friendly. Confirm pet policy before signing a lease. Deposits of $200-$500 are common.
Banking and Financial Setup
Managing your money across borders is easier than you think, but requires some advance planning.
Keep US Accounts Active
Maintain at least one US checking account and credit card. Charles Schwab and Fidelity offer accounts with no foreign ATM fees. Update your address to a US-based mail service, not Costa Rica.
Open a Costa Rica Account
BAC San Jose is most expat-friendly. Banco Nacional and BCR also work. Bring passport, proof of income, utility bill or lease. Process takes 1-3 weeks. Mobile banking apps are excellent.
Money Transfer Services
Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers the best exchange rates for USD to CRC transfers. Also consider Remitly and XE.com. Avoid wire transfers ($25-45 fee each). ATM withdrawals at BAC or Scotiabank give good rates.
Driver's License and Transportation
Your US driver's license is valid for the duration of your tourist visa (90 days). After that, you will need a Costa Rica license.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — Get from AAA before you leave ($20). Valid for 1 year but only for 90 days in CR
- Costa Rica license — Available once you have residency (cedula). Take a written test (available in English), eye exam, and medical check. Cost: ~$20
- Vehicle options — Buy used ($8,000-$20,000 for an SUV, import duties make cars expensive) or rent long-term ($500-800/month). A 4x4 is recommended for Guanacaste unpaved roads
- Insurance (Marchamo) — Mandatory annual vehicle tax and insurance through INS. Budget $400-$1,200/year depending on vehicle value
Phone and Internet Setup
Costa Rica has solid internet and cell coverage, especially in Guanacaste's popular towns.
- Cell phone — Buy a prepaid Kolbi SIM at the airport ($2-5). Unlimited data plans run $10-15/month. Claro and Movistar also available
- Home internet — Kolbi (ICE) fiber available in most towns. 100 Mbps: ~$45/month. 200 Mbps: ~$65/month. Cable options from Telecable and Tigo also good
- Starlink — Available in Costa Rica for remote areas without fiber. $120/month plus $599 hardware
- VPN — Essential for accessing US streaming services, banking sites, and other geo-restricted content
Finding Housing in Guanacaste
Whether you rent or buy, Guanacaste offers everything from beachfront condos to mountain retreats. Here is what to expect.
Rental Prices (Monthly)
Studios from $800, 2-bed condos $1,200-$1,800, 3-bed houses $1,500-$3,000. Furnished rentals widely available. 6-12 month leases common.
Buying Property
Condos from $150K, houses from $250K, luxury beachfront from $750K+. Foreigners can own property in their name. Use a reputable attorney.
Best Areas
Tamarindo: Most social, walkable, restaurants. Playas del Coco: Best value, close to Liberia. Nosara: Wellness/yoga culture. Hacienda Pinilla: Gated luxury.
Pro Tip: Rent Before You Buy
Almost every successful expat recommends renting for 6-12 months in your target community before purchasing. This lets you explore different neighborhoods, understand seasonal patterns, and confirm Costa Rica is the right fit. Many people fall in love with a completely different area than they initially planned.
Continue planning your move with these essential guides: