Life in Costa Rica

Finding a place to live in Costa Rica is not only about ads and prices, but also about understanding local habits, seasonality, and even the climate. Here, renting depends a lot on when and where you are looking, and what is more important to you - proximity to the ocean or stable internet.

Types of rentals: what you need to know from day one

There are several rental formats in Costa Rica:

• Short-term - from a few days to several months. Popular among tourists and those who have just arrived and are still choosing a neighborhood. It is usually more expensive per month, but includes furniture, dishes, and utilities.
• Long-term - from 6 months or more. The most favorable option in terms of price, but owners often want to see you in person before signing.
• Seasonal rental is typical for resorts. In the “green season” (May-November), prices are 20-40% lower than in the “high season” (December-April). Contracts sometimes specify different rates for different months.

Important: if the ad says “unfurnished”, it may mean not just the absence of furniture, but even a stove or refrigerator. In Costa Rica, unfurnished means literally “empty walls”.

How to choose a neighborhood

• San Jose and the suburbs (Escazú, Santa Ana) - suitable for those who work online or in the capital, there are international schools, large supermarkets and better infrastructure.
• The Central Valley (Atenas, Grecia, San Ramón) has a milder climate, less humidity, and quiet, but the ocean is an hour and a half away.
• North Pacific (Tamarindo, Nosara, Playas del Coco) - surfer towns, active life, many foreigners, but also higher rental prices.
• South coast (Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal) - tranquility, nature, jungle. Fewer shops and schools, but great beaches.
• The Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita) - the atmosphere of the region, cheaper, but sometimes less stable infrastructure.

Life hack: renting 2-3 km from the beach can be 30-40% cheaper than on the first line, and the ocean can be reached by bike or scooter in 5 minutes.

Where to look for accommodation

• Encuentra24.com is the largest portal in Central America. There are filters, photos, prices. They often duplicate ads in both English and Spanish.
• Facebook Marketplace and groups are one of the most effective sources. There are local groups for specific cities, such as Tamarindo Rentals or Apartments in San José.
• Airbnb is good for the first month while you're looking for a permanent rental.
• Expat.com, Internations.org - international communities with rental sections.
• Offline search - in small towns, the best options are often posted on houses with a sign that says “Se alquila” (for rent) and a phone number.

Who to rent through

• The owner directly - the best way to save money, but be prepared to negotiate and decide everything yourself.
• Real estate agents - in expensive areas, they may have exclusive options. Usually their services are paid for by the owner, but check in advance.
• Recommendations from locals are often the most reliable way: friends, neighbors, acquaintances from Facebook groups.

Documents and money

For most transactions, it is enough:

• A copy of your passport.
• Contact information.
• A deposit (usually 1 month, but in expensive condominiums they may ask for 2-3).
• In big cities, a referencia personal, a letter of recommendation from a previous landlord or friend, is sometimes requested.

If you are planning to apply for a residence permit, utility bills in your name, or connect the Internet, ask for a notarized contract.

Check before signing

1. Humidity and mold - especially in coastal areas.

2. Internet - check the speed on Speedtest, as the signal may be weak in the jungle.

3. Electricity - find out about power outages (this is important during the rainy season).

4. Security - bars on the windows, security, cameras.

5. Neighborhood - there may be a noisy bar or a farm with roosters nearby.

6. Included services - sometimes the price includes pool and garden maintenance, sometimes not.

Life hacks

• Come to the viewing at different times of the day - day and evening.
• Ask your neighbors about humidity, noise, and insects.
• Bargain during the “green season” - a 10-20% discount is quite real.
• If you rent for a long time, you can agree on a fixed rate without seasonal increases.
• Don't send money for housing that you haven't seen in person - there are scammers.

Costa Rica is not the cheapest country in Latin America, especially for those who like imported goods. But if you eat local products and know where to buy, you can keep costs under control. The food here is a mix of tropical fruits, fresh fish, and simple but satisfying dishes.

Where to buy food

• Large supermarkets: Walmart, Automercado, Maxi Pali, Mas x Menos. Here you can find both local and imported products. Prices for imports (cheese, chocolate, wine) are 30-50% higher than in Europe.
• Local markets (feria): are held in each city once a week. They offer the freshest vegetables, fruits, herbs, honey, and even flowers.
• Life hack: arrive an hour before closing time to get discounts of 20-30%.
• Mini-markets (pulpería): small shops near the house with basic goods. Convenient, but more expensive than supermarkets.
• Directly from farmers and fishermen: in coastal cities, you can buy fish from the morning catch or seafood directly at the port - half the price of a store.

Average food prices (2026)

(in US dollars, as prices in Costa Rica are often calculated in USD)

Milk (1 liter) - $1.4

Bread (loaf) - $1.5

Eggs (12 pcs.) - $3.2

Chicken (1 kg) - $6-7

Beef (1 kg) - $9-12

Rice (1 kg) - $1.5

Bananas (1 kg) - $1

Mango (1 pc.) - $1-1,2

Watermelon (1 kg) - $0.8-1

Local coffee (500 g) - $4-5

Household chemicals (average per month for 1 person) - $20-30

Tip: Imported cheeses, yogurts, and sausages cost several times more. If they are a must-have for you, budget for them.

Eating out

In Costa Rica, you can eat on any budget:

• Soda - small local cafes that serve simple Costa Rican dishes (casado, soups, gallo pinto). Lunch costs $4-6.
• The average level of restaurants is $10-15 for a main course, $3-5 for a drink.
• Tourist places (beach restaurants, surfer bars) - $15-25 for a main course.
• Fast food (KFC, Subway, McDonald's) - $6-8 for a combo.

Life hack from expats: if you want to try local cuisine on the cheap, look for cafes away from the main streets. There are larger portions and lower prices.

Seasonality of products

In the tropics, almost everything grows all year round, but there are peak seasons:

• Mangoes: March-July (cheapest)
• Pineapples: all year round, but the sweetest in December-April
• Watermelon and melon: November-March
• Avocados: September-November

Tip: In season, fruits at the market can be 2-3 times cheaper than in the supermarket.

How to save money on food

1. Buy vegetables and fruits at the feria, and cereals and milk at the supermarket.

2. Brew coffee at home - high-quality local coffee is much cheaper than in a coffee shop.

3. Cook Costa Rican dishes at home - they are simple and budget-friendly.

4. If you are renting long-term, ask the owner about a contract with a local farmer or fisherman - you can often agree on weekly deliveries.

If you have just moved and don't know your way around the shops, you can book a tour of local markets with a guide or ask for advice in local Facebook groups - they often share farmers' contacts.

Costa Rica is a country with mountains, coasts, jungles, and small towns, so there are no subways or high-speed trains. The main options are buses, taxis, car rentals, and domestic flights. If you plan to travel extensively in the country, it is important to take into account local logistics and “tico time” - local inaccuracy in schedules.

Public transportation

Buses are the main way to travel between and within cities.

• City buses: in San Jose, the fare is $0.35-0.60, depending on the route. Payment is made in cash to the driver. Stops are marked, but the bus can also stop at the passenger's request.
• Intercity buses: connect all major cities and most resorts. The price depends on the distance:

- San Jose - Tamarindo (270 km) ~ $12

- San Jose - Liberia (215 km) ~ $8

- San Jose - Puerto Viejo (220 km) ~ $10

• The schedule should be checked the day before the trip - in the rainy season, flights can be postponed.

Tip: on peak dates (holidays, major festivals), it is better to buy tickets in advance, otherwise you may be left without a seat.

Taxis and car call services

• Official taxis: red cars with a yellow triangle. A meter is required, but drivers sometimes try to negotiate with tourists orally. Starting price is $1, then $1 per km.
• Uber/Didi/InDriver operate in big cities, but sometimes face opposition from local taxi drivers.
• Life hack: if you call Uber at the airport, arrange a meeting point outside the main arrival area - it's cheaper and more relaxed.

Own car or rent a car

A car gives you the most freedom, especially if you plan to explore beaches, volcanoes, and mountainous regions.

Rent a car:

• Price per day: from $35-50 (economy) to $70-100 (SUV/4x4).
• In mountainous and coastal areas, four-wheel drive is often required.
• Insurance is a separate mandatory payment ($10-20/day).

Driving features:

• Roads in the mountains can be narrow, with sharp turns and no bumps.
• During the rainy season (May-November), landslides and road flooding are possible.
• On the coast, there are sandy and dirt stretches that are risky to drive without a 4x4.

Tips from local expats:

1. Park your car in guarded parking lots - petty thefts from cars do happen.

2. Fuel is cheaper at RECOPE gas stations - the difference is up to $0.10 per liter.

3. Avoid night travel in unfamiliar regions - poor lighting and cattle on the roads.

Domestic flights

For quick trips between the coasts, you can use local airlines (Sansa, Costa Rica Green Airways).

- Price San Jose - Liberia: from $90, travel time - 50 minutes.

- Airplanes are small, luggage is limited, but they save 4-5 hours of travel time.

Ferries

If you're traveling to the Nicoya Peninsula, the most convenient way is the Puntarenas-Paquera ferry. Price: $1.5/passenger, car - from $12.

Flights are several times a day, tickets can be bought online.

Costa Rica's banking system combines public and private banks, as well as modern online solutions. However, everything is not as fast as in Ukraine: opening an account can take several days and require paperwork.

Types of banks

• State-owned banks (Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular): the largest network of branches and ATMs, stable but with slow service and stricter document requirements.
• Private banks (BAC Credomatic, Scotiabank, Davivienda): faster service, more convenient mobile applications, but fewer branches in remote areas.

Tip: if you plan to live in Costa Rica for a long time, it is useful to have an account in both a state bank (for utility and official payments) and a private bank (for quick transactions).

How to open an account

It is possible to open a bank account for a foreigner, but a certain set of documents is required:

• Passport.
• Residence permit (Residencia Temporal or Permanente).
• Proof of address (lease agreement or utility bill).
• Declaration of origin of funds (sometimes even with a translation).

Some banks open only “basic” accounts for foreigners without a residence permit with restrictions on amounts and transactions.

Cards and payments

• Banks issue debit and credit cards of the Visa/Mastercard systems.
• Contactless payments are available in supermarkets, gas stations, and cafes.
• Small shops and markets often accept only cash.

Life hack: if you have a Ukrainian card, you can pay with it in most places, but keep in mind conversion and withdrawal fees.

Cash and ATMs

The official currency is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC). US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but change is often given in colones.

ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are available in all cities, and the fee for withdrawing cash with a foreign card is $3-6. A tip from expats: it's more profitable to withdraw money from large banks (Banco Nacional, BAC) - less commission and better security.

Online banking and transfers

• Local apps work, but can be “slow” and require confirmation via SMS or even a call to the operator.
• For international transfers, Wise, Remitly, and Western Union are popular, especially from Ukraine.
• Transfers between Costa Rican banks take from several minutes to a day (depending on the bank).

What you should know

1. In Costa Rica, there is a limit on the export/import of cash without declaring it - $10,000.

2. When depositing large amounts to the account, you may be asked to confirm the source of funds.

3. In remote villages, there may be one or two ATMs per town - plan your withdrawals in advance.

In Costa Rica, mobile communications and Internet access are well developed, but there are some peculiarities that may surprise newcomers. For example, even in expensive apartments, the Internet can be slower than in an average Ukrainian village, and the mobile signal in the mountains disappears completely.

Mobile communications

There are three main operators in the country:

1. Kolbi is the state-owned operator with the largest coverage, especially in remote areas and in the south of the country.

2. Claro - good prices for packages with a large amount of Internet, but coverage is worse in mountainous regions.

3. Movistar - favorable subscription rates, stable Internet in cities and tourist areas.

Tip: If you plan to live in mountainous areas or travel frequently, it is better to choose Kolbi - it has the best coverage in the “wilderness”. If you stay in the capital or on the coast, Claro or Movistar may be more profitable.

Tariffs

• Prepaid (prepago) - you can buy a SIM card without documents (just a passport), top up your account in stores, banks or online.
• Contract (postpago) - requires a residence permit or a local guarantor. It provides more internet and cheaper minutes, but the contract is usually for 12-24 months.

Please note: in Costa Rica, WhatsApp calls are almost an official communication channel. Even civil servants and doctors can respond to you on WhatsApp instead of a regular call.

Home internet

Types of connection:

• Cable or fiber optic internet (from ICE, Tigo, Claro) - speeds up to 200 Mbps in cities, but often only 10-20 Mbps in villages.
• Mobile Internet via modem/router - convenient in regions without cable, but the speed depends on the signal.
• Satellite Internet (Starlink and others) - popular among expats in remote areas, costs ~$50-90 per month.

A tip from the locals: installation of a new connection is often delayed in Costa Rica. In order not to wait for months, negotiate with the previous tenant to “transfer” the contract.

Little things you should know about

• Coverage: there are dead zones on the coast and in the mountains without a signal. Check the coverage map of the chosen operator before connecting.
• Top up: you can use supermarkets, ATMs, online banking.
• Roaming: expensive. For traveling to neighboring countries, it is cheaper to buy a local SIM.

Costa Rica is one of the few countries in Latin America that has completely abolished the army and put its faith in education. Therefore, even in small towns, you will find a school, and in cities, you can choose between public, private, or international. But the level and conditions can vary greatly.

Kindergartens

The official name is guardería or preescolar. There are different types of kindergartens:

• Public (CEN-CINAI) - free, but with long waiting lists. Mostly for children from low-income families.
• Private - work on flexible schedules, often with meals and educational activities. Price: $150-$400 per month, depending on the city and number of hours.
• Home groups (guarderías privadas en casa) - mini-gardens in private homes for 5-10 children. Convenient for kids, but you should carefully check the conditions.

Tip: private kindergartens have places all year round, but public ones need to be registered 6-12 months in advance.

Primary and secondary schools

Education system:

1. Primaria (primary) - from 6 to 12 years old.

2. Secundaria (secondary) - from 12 to 17-18 years.

• Public schools are free for everyone, including children of foreigners with a residence permit. Education is in Spanish.
• Private schools - from $250/month, with better conditions, fewer students per class, and often with English instruction.
• International schools (English, French, German programs) - from $500 to $1,200 per month. Popular among expats in San Jose, Escazú, Tamarindo.

Language of instruction and adaptation

Most public schools teach classes in Spanish, so children who do not speak the language have a hard time at first. Some schools have support programs (ESL), but they are rare.

Lessons start at 7:00 or 7:30 and end at 12:00-13:00. Some schools have a second shift. School uniforms are mandatory in public schools (costs ~$30-50 per year).

Meals: public schools have a free lunch for all students; private schools have a separate meal fee.

Extracurricular activities

• Public clubs (music, sports, dance) are free.
• Private sections (soccer, surfing, drawing) - from $20/month.
• In coastal cities, surfing courses for children are popular - $15-25 per lesson.

Documents for enrolling a child in school

• Passport or child's ID.
• Birth certificate (with translation and apostille).
• Medical certificate and vaccination schedule.
• Proof of residence (lease agreement, utility bill).
• For high school - a report card or certificate of previous studies.

Expat tip: In Costa Rica, teachers often meet with parents in WhatsApp groups. Get used to the fact that official announcements may come there, not via email.

Costa Rica's healthcare is considered one of the best in Latin America, and it has a mixed system - public (CCSS or Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) and private. But there are important nuances for foreigners that should be known before moving.

Public insurance - CCSS (“Caja”)

CCSS is a compulsory health insurance system for all residents (including foreigners with a residence permit). It covers doctor visits, tests, hospitalization, surgeries and even dentistry (but with long waiting lists).

How to connect:

• After receiving your residence permit, you are required to register with Caja.
• You need to visit your local CCSS office, fill out a form, provide your passport, residence permit, and income documents.

Cost: calculated as a % of income. Usually for foreigners it is $60-150/month (the minimum rate for the self-employed is ~$75).

Disadvantages: an appointment can take 2-6 weeks, and a scheduled surgery can take months or even years.

Private medicine

In large cities (San Jose, Escazú, Santa Ana, Liberia), there are modern private clinics with English-speaking doctors, where the service is at the level of Europe.

Advantages: speed, comfort, no queues.

Cons: high cost without an insurance policy.

Examples of prices without insurance:

• Consultation with a therapist - $40-60
• Blood test - $30-50
• X-ray - $50-100
• Minor surgery - from $800
• Hospitalization in a private hospital - $500-800/day

Private insurance for foreigners

There are two options:

1) Local policies (INS and other Costa Rican insurance companies) - from $80/month, cover most medical expenses in private clinics.

2) International policies are more expensive, but are also valid outside Costa Rica. A good choice for those who plan to travel frequently.

How Visit Ukraine can help

To ensure that you can receive medical care immediately upon arrival, even before applying for a residence permit, you can take out medical insurance online at Visit Ukraine.

- The policy is valid in Costa Rica.

- It covers treatment, hospitalization, and medicines.

- It takes a few minutes to complete, without a visit to the office.

A tip from local expats: even with private insurance, keep the contacts of the nearest public clinic - in case of a serious accident, ambulances often take you there, not to a private medical center.

Costa Rica is a country where life is more relaxed than in most of the world's megacities. It even has its own philosophy - Pura Vida, which literally translates to “pure life” but in practice means “enjoy the moment, take your time, and be friendly.” For Ukrainians, this can be both a pleasant bonus and a challenge in cases where speed is required.

Language and communication

The official language is Spanish. English is spoken well in tourist areas, large cities, and among young people, but it can be difficult to communicate in government offices or hospitals without Spanish.

Tip: even a basic vocabulary (greetings, requests, numbers) will help a lot - the locals immediately become more open.

Spanish courses can be found at universities, private schools, and online, with prices ranging from $5-15 per hour. Expats advise using WhatsApp with Google Translate to quickly correspond with locals.

Fines and rules that often surprise you

• Without a ticket on the bus - you can be dropped off and fined $20-40.
• Speeding - $100+ and even license revocation in serious cases.
• Littering in public places - up to $200 fine.
• Alcohol while driving - the permissible level is almost zero, the punishment is very severe.
• Smoking in bars, restaurants, offices and even on beaches is prohibited.

Leisure and cultural features

• Nature is the main “entertainment” in Costa Rica. National parks, volcanoes, jungles, waterfalls, and the ocean are all within a few hours' drive.
• Surfing and diving are popular in Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Puerto Viejo.
• Weekend tourism (turismo de fin de semana) is a tradition of going with the family to the beach or mountains, spending the night at a campsite or eco-lodge.

Holidays - Costa Ricans love loud, colorful festivals with parades, music and dancing.

Popular free entertainment: beaches (all in the country are public), mountain tracks, city parks, street concerts.

Integration into local life

• Join Facebook groups of expats (Expats in Costa Rica, Ukrainians in Costa Rica) - they look for housing, share tips, and get to know each other.
• Participate in volunteer projects - this is a quick way to make friends among the locals and learn the language.
• Don't be surprised by “tico time” - locals can be 20-30 minutes late for meetings. This is not considered rude.

How Visit Ukraine will help you adapt to Costa Rica

To make the first months in a new country comfortable, the Visit Ukraine service portal offers

• Online health insurance - to get help in clinics from the first day of your stay.
• Legal advice - help with lease agreements, residence permits, and legal issues.
• Plane tickets - from anywhere in the world to Costa Rica.
• Information support - current rules, advice on documents, contacts of useful services.