San José: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

San José itself has about 350,000 residents, and the Central Valley metropolitan area more than 2 million. It is Costa Rica's business and political centre: government, banks, offices of international companies, medical centres and universities. The country is stable, has no army, and has strong tourism and exports of medical devices and services.

Who it suits: remote workers, retirees and people living on passive income, families who want Latin America with good healthcare and a mild climate. Who it does not suit: people looking for a cheap life - Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America.

Districts: where newcomers settle

• Escazú and Santa Ana - western suburbs with gated communities, international schools and malls, the main choice for foreigners.
• Rohrmoser - a quiet area next to a large city park.
• Los Yoses and Barrio Escalante - east of the centre, cafés and restaurants, convenient without a car.
• Curridabat - residential east with newer homes.
• Heredia - a neighbouring university town, a bit cheaper and cooler.

Cost of living

• One-bedroom flat in central San José - about $900-1,000 a month, more in Escazú and Santa Ana.
• Groceries - imported goods cost noticeably more than in the US, while local fruit and vegetables are affordable at markets.
• Car - almost essential outside the centre, and import duties on vehicles are high.
• Healthcare - residents pay into the public social security fund, and many add private insurance.

The nomad visa income threshold of $3,000 a month is roughly the minimum for one person to live comfortably in the capital region.

Practicalities: transport, climate, language, money

• Transport. There are buses and a commuter train, but rush-hour traffic is heavy. Ride-hailing apps work everywhere.
• Climate. Eternal spring: about +22-27 in the daytime, a dry season from December to April and rains from May to November.
• Language. Spanish. English is common in tourism and among young people, but daily matters need Spanish.
• Money. The colón; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. A local bank account is opened with a residence document.

Moving and legal status

• Digital nomad visa - income from $3,000 a month for one person or $4,000 for a family, for a year with one more year of extension; foreign income is not taxed. More in Costa Rica nomad visa.
• Rentista - income of $2,500 a month for at least 2 years, confirmed by a bank.
• Pensionado - a lifetime pension from $1,000 a month.
• Investor - from $150,000 in property, shares or business; more in Costa Rica residence.

After 3 years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence, and for citizenship after 7 years. Taxation is territorial: income from Costa Rica is taxed; more in Costa Rica taxes.

Work and business

• Where foreigners work - service centres of international companies, medical device manufacturing, tourism, real estate, and remotely for foreign employers.
• Local employment requires a work permit; nomad visa holders may not work for local clients.
• Your own business - companies are registered in the National Registry, and every company pays an annual corporate tax even without activity.
• Taxes - salary on a scale up to 25%, corporate profit 30%, employer contributions 26.83%.

Family: schools and healthcare

• Schools - many private bilingual and international schools, especially in Escazú, Santa Ana and Heredia.
• Healthcare - the public social security system is mandatory for residents, and private hospitals in the capital are among the best in the region.
• Safety - the suburbs are calmer than the centre; theft from cars and homes is the main risk, so families choose gated communities.
• Leisure - volcanoes, coffee farms and Pacific beaches within 1-3 hours' drive.

First steps after moving

1. Applying for status - nomads apply online; rentistas, pensionados and investors apply to the migration directorate with apostilled documents translated into Spanish.
2. Social security registration - mandatory for rentista, pensionado and investor residence.
3. Residence card - after approval; with it you open a bank account and sign long-term contracts.
4. Bank - local banks check the source of funds strictly, so prepare income documents in advance.
5. Car and housing - suburban rentals are found through real estate agents and expat groups, and a car is easier to buy locally.

Safety and everyday details

• Safety - avoid central San José at night; the suburbs are calmer. Do not leave belongings visible in the car.
• Addresses - there are almost no house numbers, and addresses are described by landmarks, so deliveries and taxis use map pins.
• Earthquakes - small tremors are frequent, so check a building's age and compliance with codes when choosing housing.
• Rainy season - afternoon downpours from May to November, and mountain roads get washed out.

Is it worth living here

San José is a convenient base for life in Costa Rica: the airport, the country's best hospitals and schools, and beaches and volcanoes 1-3 hours away by car. The centre itself is noisy and not the safest at night, so most foreigners live in the suburbs. Moving makes sense with a stable income from abroad or if you are ready to invest from $150,000 for a route to permanent residence.