Welcome to ARCR
Archive of Resources on Costa Rica Living
New
Living in Costa Rica can be exciting, but also
challenging. For over 30 years, the ARCR has assisted those living
or retiring in Costa Rica and those considering moving here. Our goal is to become your one source
to relocate, retire, live and travel in Costa Rica.
Main areas of information sought are:
Information
to live in and move to Costa Rica.
Insurance in Costa Rica.
Immigration procedures for becoming legal residents.
Social Activities.
Books or other resources on Costa Rica.
Thinking Of Moving To A New Country?
Too many people make such a move emotionally. While how a person feels about a country, and it's physical attributes are important, it is also important to look at practical items which may cause frustration with your new home in the future. The check list below is meant only as a guide for your move- you will likely have additions to it, or perhaps some of the listed items are not of concern to you.
Thinking Of Moving To Costa Rica - To
Live, Work or Retire?
It is recommended that anyone considering a move to Costa Rica, or any
country for that matter, first come here and travel as a tourist. The
longer you can stay the better. It is important that in addition to
knowing the logistics of establishing residency and making the move, you
get a little taste of what life will be like.
Depending on your country of origin, you can travel around Costa Rica
with a tourist visa for up to three months. With a driver's license from
your home country and your passport, you can legally drive during this
time. Try to get a feel for what day-to-day life will be like -- learn
first-hand that a different culture means different responses to given
situations. In the end, your ability to adapt and approach life with a
relaxed attitude will probably govern your degree of happiness and
satisfaction once you live in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Immigration
Is immigration right for you? After you've stayed in Costa Rica awhile
as a tourist, you may decide to immigrate to Costa Rica. Many people have
made this decision based upon the friendly people, temperate climate,
lower cost medical services and lower priced housing. Every decision to
move, live, work or retire in Costa Rica is unique. And, the process for
immigration can be daunting, depending if you want to just live here, or
if you wish to work. Those with residency as Pensionados
and Rentistas are
allowed to own and operate a business but are not permitted to work for
wages for someone else. However, under certain conditions, one may
immigrate through an investor status program.
The National Insurance Institute, INS, was a state monopoly until
recently,
and still only choice for many types of insurance in Costa Rica. Through INS, you can obtain auto insurance, home fire and theft
insurance, liability, medical, life, general accident insurance,
hurricane, earthquake and flood insurance.
Insurance in Costa Rica