Location: Central America : Capital: San José : Main Religion: Christianity (catholicism and protestantism) Main Language: Spanish : History: Costa Rica seceded from.
Costa Rica - Tucked between Panama and Nicaragua on the Central American isthmus, Costa Rica has been transformed in recent years into a top-notch destination for. Renting a Car and Driving in Costa Rica Only slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is blessed with mountains and meadows, beaches and.
Costa Rica. Net - Moving to Costa rica, relocation, retirement Costa Rica. We recommend. that anyone considering moving to Costa Rica, first come here. It is important that in addition to knowing.
Open source travel guide to Costa Rica, featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, travel tips and more. Free and reliable. We recommend that anyone considering moving to Costa Rica, first come here as a tourist. It is important that in addition to. Education is highly cared about in Costa Rica by most of the population. About 6% of the country's gross domestic product is dedicated to education, which has. Driving in Costa Rica Page Table of Contents: Gasoline Prices General Information Bridges - Required Reading Night Driving Do I Need A GPS? Accidents. Renting your own set of wheels can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore Costa Rica. Without bus schedule constraints you have the freedom to travel at your.
Thinking. of Moving to Costa Rica. Depending. on your country of origin, you can remain in Costa Rica with. With a driver's license. During this time, try to get a feel for what day- to- day. In the end. your ability to adapt and approach life with a relaxed attitude. Costa Rican life.
What is. it like to live here? Only your own experience can answer. But some basic. information may help you in your investigation. At the present. time, if you own a house and car and have no debts, you can.
US$1,5. 00 per month, including maid and gardener. Foreign residents or tourists can buy or rent homes. Costa Rica. Property. Costa Rica than in North America. As a foreign resident, you will. Costa Rica, but you may have to pay taxes on income.
Costa Rica. Businesses income, after expenses. For those. considering retirement in Costa Rica, it may be unwise to. Pensionados. and rentistas are allowed to own and operate a business but. Driving? Gasoline is now about $2 per gallon (the exchange rate as. July 2. 00. 0 was about $US 1. Most of the roads are poorly maintained with an ample supply.
Residency. Status For Foreigners. There. are several options if you are considering applying for residency. Costa Rica. If none of the options below apply to you. ARCR with your specific case. Pensionados. rentistas and inversionistas can claim their. A child between. 1.
Pensionado. Residency Source of Income - minimum income US$6. The qualifying. income must be for the applicant only - combined income. Rentista. Residency Source of Income - from an investment. US$1,0. 00 per month (US$1. An approved financial institution (in a foreign country. Costa Rica) must guarantee in writing that: 1.
They hold sufficient funds in a stable and permanent account. US 1,0. 00 per month for at least. If the financial conditions above change the financial.
Instituto Costarricense. Turismo. 3. The monthly income will be sent to the rentista resident. Costa Rica. 4. Qualifying funds are in the name of the applicant. Form letters. for the above conditions are available to members from the. ARCR office. Approved banks in Costa Rica, for a deposit of. Deposits in state owned banks are government.
Costa Rica. is tax free. For rentista. residency, you must prove your continuing income every.
Inversionista. Residency Status. Invest at least US$5.
US$1. 00,0. 00. in a reforestation project; or US$2. Ask ARCR for details. Visit Costa Rica at least once per year. Permanent. Residency Status.
After. two years of pensionado, rentista, or inversionista. Costa Rica. This is usually unrestricted, and working.
Citizens. of Spain can apply for permanent residency right away. Permanent. residents must visit Costa Rica at least once each year. Government of Costa Rica. First. Degree Relative Status. Permanent. residency can also be applied for if you have first- degree. Costa Rica. OR Marry a citizen of Costa Rica.
The. first three documents are required for all types of residency. Costa Rica. 1. Police Certificate of Good Conduct from your last place. Valid for 6 months. Required for applicant. Birth Certificate. Required for applicant, spouse, and.
Marriage Certificate (if spouse wishes residency). Proof. of divorce is not needed. Income Certificate for Pensionado and Rentista.
Residency (required for only the applicant). Pensionados. - proof of a pension of at least US$6.
Costa Rica. For. pensions from the US Social Security or Canada Pension. US or. Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica. You must provide them.
Pensions. from other government agencies (all countries) must have. Pensions. from other institutions must have a statement verifying. Rentista. Residency- contact the ARCR for wording of documents. All. The Above Residency Documents (other than those obtained. Costa Rica) MUST BE: a).
Notarized by a local notary public if they do not have. If in doubt about the need. Costa Rican. consulate. Authenticated by the Costa Rican consul in the country. Notarization. Your signature must NOT appear in the notarization of. Authentication. A Costa Rican consulate will charge US$4.
They must affix stamps worth that amount. If they do not have the stamps, the. ARCR can buy them in Costa Rica on your behalf. Other. requirements for both. Pensionado. and Rentista Residency. Income must be changed into colones at a government. Costa Rica pensionado.
US$7,2. 00 per year. US$1. 2,0. 00 per year. Physical presence in Costa Rica for a minimum of 4 months. Renewal of residency identification card (carnet) every.
The government of Costa Rica charges a US$1. You and your dependents cannot earn a salary or supplant. Costa Rican in a work situation. You can own and operate. All. pensionados and rentistas must submit. Costa Rican government. The ARCR assists members with all the above.
Inversionista. Residency Status. Invest at least US$5. US$1. 00,0. 00. in a reforestation project; or US$2. Visit Costa Rica at least six months per year. Translations. of Documents for Residency.
We can. arrange for the services of a translator at the cost of the. Translations from other languages to Spanish have. Costa Rican consulate (no one else). Costa. Rica by an "official" translator for the specific language. Spanish. We can arrange for the service at the cost of. Translation from the original language to.
English is not accepted by the Costa Rica government. What. is required to obtain legal residency? Can I meet these requirements?
What is the cost? How often does residency have to be renewed. What. is required to visit, or while you are waiting for residency? Visas, length of stay permitted, restrictions on residents. What. is the political situation? Dictatorship, democracy, monarchy. How. stable is the country?
History of coups, potential for future. Weather. (Do you like 4 seasons? Hot weather? Temperate all year? Snow?)Income. taxes (Are you taxed on income brought into the country? Are. you allowed to earn income in the country?
If yes, how is. it taxed?)Other. Sales taxes, import duties, exit taxes, vehicle taxes. How. much will it cost you in fees, duties and taxes to bring into. Cars, boats, appliances. Rental. Property - rental rates, laws protecting tenants, lease laws. Purchase. of Property - Property value, taxes, restrictions on foreign. If you. are going to build, building regulations, how are local construction.
Communications. - Are there reliable phone and fax lines, cellular phones. Internet and other computer communication services. TV in a language you. Is there cable vision or is satellite TV available? Transportation. - How are the roads? Are flights available to places you wish. How are the bus, train, ferry services?
How costly. is it to travel to and from your chosen country to frequent. To bring in or visit family, business interests. What. time zone is your proposed country of residence in compared.
Shopping. - Would you have a choice of items which you wished to purchase. In case of malfunction, are parts and service. Appliances, electronics, photographic. Is computer software support and repair service available? Are. the types of food to which you are accustomed readily available. If. you have hobbies, are clubs, supplies and assistance available? What. cultural activities are available?
Art, music, theater, etc.)What. Sports, cinemas, night clubs. What. recreational facilities are available? Golf courses, tennis. Will. your appliances, electronics and electrical equipment work.
If. you like the beach are good beaches available? What is the. water temperature? What. is the situation with poisonous growth, insects, snakes, dangerous.
What. is the violent crime rate? Sneaky crime (theft, car and house.
What support can be expected from the police department? How helpful are the police to local residents and foreign. How. do the local residents treat foreign visitors and residents? What. are the local investment opportunities? Is there any consumer. What return. can you expect on investments?
Is. the banking system safe and reliable? Can they transfer funds. Are checks, savings and other accounts you may need available. Is there banking confidentiality? Exchange. controls? Can money brought into the country be taken back. Are. good lawyers, accountants, investment advisors and other professionals.
How. is the health care system? Are there diseases which are dangerous. What is the quality of hospitals, doctors. What is the availability of specialist?
How is the. ambulance service? Is dentistry up to standards you are used.
How. is sanitation? Can you drink the water?
Do restaurants have. Are pasteurized milk and dairy. Do meat, fish and vegetable markets have. How. is the education system?
If you have children, are good private. What is the school year? If. you are interested in having domestic staff, what is the cost.
What. legislation is there to protect foreign residents? What rights. do foreign residents have in comparison to citizens? What. is the government's past record in respecting the rights of. What. natural dangers are there? Hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons. Where. does the country stand environmentally? What are the environmental.
What is the history in dealing with environmental. Is. there controlled growth and well managed development? Can. pets be brought to the country? Residency Requirements$6.
Investment income of $1,2. Invest. between $5.
Regular. unrestricted residency can be applied for after two years. The. cost to process residency is approximately $7. Residency. renewals are usually every second year. General conditions. Costa Rica, the required. Costa Rican currency. Renewal. cost is $1.
North Americans can stay in Costa Rica legally for up to 3. They must then leave for a period of 7. If. the three month period is overstayed, a travel agency or ARCR. Tourists can own vehicles, property, businesses and. Costa Rica is a very democratic republic, headed by a president. He cannot run for a second.
Ministers are appointed and there is an elected congress.