Moving to another country is exciting but can feel overwhelming. Here's our battle-tested checklist based on 25+ years of helping families relocate to Costa Rica.
6+ Months Before Moving
Documents: - [ ] Start your residency application with us - [ ] Order certified copies of birth certificates - [ ] Apply for FBI certificate of conduct (US) or equivalent - [ ] Get documents apostilled (or authenticated for Canadians) - [ ] Renew your passport if it expires within 2 years - [ ] Gather pension/income documentation
Financial: - [ ] Research Costa Rican banks (BAC, BCR, Scotiabank) - [ ] Notify your home bank about international use - [ ] Set up a Charles Schwab or Wise account for easy transfers - [ ] Consult a cross-border tax specialist - [ ] Review your investment accounts for international access
Healthcare: - [ ] Get complete medical/dental checkups - [ ] Stock up on prescription medications (3–6 month supply) - [ ] Request copies of all medical records - [ ] Research private health insurance options
3–6 Months Before Moving
Housing: - [ ] Research neighborhoods (visit if possible) - [ ] Join expat Facebook groups for your target area - [ ] Line up short-term rental for your first 1–3 months - [ ] Don't buy property until you've lived there 6+ months
Logistics: - [ ] Get quotes from international shipping companies - [ ] Decide what to ship vs. buy new in Costa Rica - [ ] Start downsizing — Costa Rican homes are often smaller - [ ] If importing vehicles, begin the paperwork (Law #9996)
Lifestyle: - [ ] Start learning basic Spanish (Duolingo, iTalki, local classes) - [ ] Research schools if you have children - [ ] Connect with expat communities online
1–3 Months Before Moving
- [ ] Confirm your short-term housing in Costa Rica
- [ ] Book one-way flights
- [ ] Set up mail forwarding
- [ ] Cancel or transfer utilities, subscriptions
- [ ] Notify banks, insurance companies, government agencies
- [ ] Get an international driver's license (AAA in the US)
- [ ] Download offline maps of Costa Rica on Google Maps
- [ ] Pack important documents in carry-on luggage
First Month in Costa Rica
- [ ] Visit our Santa Ana office for orientation
- [ ] Open a Costa Rican bank account
- [ ] Get a local SIM card (Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar)
- [ ] Register for CAJA healthcare
- [ ] Apply for your DIMEX card when approved
- [ ] Explore your neighborhood — find grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants
- [ ] Join local expat groups and meetups
Pro Tips from Our Experience
1. Don't sell everything before your visit. Come for 2–3 months first. Many people change their preferred location after experiencing different areas. 2. Bring less than you think. Shipping is expensive. Most furniture and appliances are available locally. 3. Keep your home-country bank accounts active. You'll need them for receiving pension, Social Security, etc. 4. Learn the phrase "Pura Vida." It means "pure life" and it's the national motto. Use it as a greeting, goodbye, thank you — everything. 5. Be patient. Things move at a different pace here. That's part of the charm.
Ready to start your checklist? Contact us for a free consultation and we'll help you plan your move step by step.
