Costa Rica

### San José (The Capital, The Logical Start) **Best For:** Amenities, healthcare, business, international community **Vibe:** Urban but manageable, slightly chaotic, developing skyline **Population:** 2.3M (metro area) **Average Rent (1BR):** $900–$1,400 depending on neighborhood #### Barrio Escalante - **Vibe:** Hipster, artsy, walkable, young professionals - **Average Rent:** $1,000–$1,400 - **Why:** Trendy bars/restaurants, galleries, nightlife, real community - **Downsides:** Touristy, rising prices, can be loud #### San Pedro - **Vibe:** University town, students, expat-friendly, vibrant - **Average Rent:** $900–$1,200 - **Why:** Cheap eats, nightlife, walkable, young energy -

Costa Rica is where Americans go when they want Central America without the chaos. Politically stable, English-speaking, environmentally rich, and genuinely welcoming. You can live comfortably on $1,500–$2,000/month, retire early on $1,200/month, and integrate into a country where "pura vida" (pure life) is a real philosophy, not a marketing slogan. **The Numbers:** - **Pensionado Visa:** $1,000/month passive income requirement - **Cost of Living:** $1,200–$2,500/month depending on location - **English Speakers:** ~40% of population in urban areas (widely reported, exact figure varies by source) - **Safety Ranking:** #29 globally (Latin America's safest country) - **Residency Path:** 3 year

### Pensionado Visa (The Most Popular) **Requirements:** - Proof of $1,000/month passive income (roughly $12,000/year) - 12 months of consistent bank statements - Can be pension, Social Security, investment income, rental income - Clean background check - Health insurance (can be purchased locally) **Valid sources:** - Social Security ✅ (yes, really) - Pension (any type) ✅ - Rental income ✅ - Investment returns ✅ - Military/government retirement ✅ **Timeline:** 3–4 months to approval **Duration:** 2 years initially, then renewable indefinitely **Cost:** ~$500 (with lawyer; slightly cheaper if self-guided) **Residency path:** - 2 years on Pensionado → apply for permanent residency - Per