Tourist Travel

Entering into the country as a Canadian or American citizen only requires a valid passport.  It is advisable to have at least  6 months left before expiry.

As a tourist traveling in Costa Rica you are given 90 days before your "visa", or in this case permission stamped on passport, expires.  You may be asked to provide some form of proof that you have a form of departure for within those 90 days.   Proof of departure can be via air or land (a flight back to your home country or any other country OR you could purchase a bus ticket that would take you to Nicaragua or Panama.  Tica Bus sells tickets online).  If entering into the country via a vehicle your vehicle is permitted the same as you are and will not be legal after the 90 days.

After legal departure within the 90 days you can re-enter.  Your passport is then re-stamped giving you an additional 90 days.  Once again you will have to show proof of a departure date for the future.  The number of hours or days you must be out of the country depends on Immigration.  Sometimes it is a few hours some times 24 hours and sometimes 72 hours.  Immigration personnel can be difficult and have their own interpretation of the laws. 

But for the most part the experience is "It is What It Is".  Me personally, I stay as close to the law as I can and it has worked for me for nearly 25 years.

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Owning Property and Working In Costa Rica.

Costa Rica law allows foreign ownership.  It is how this small country developed into what it is today.  There are two ways in which to have ownership.  One is personally, just like we do our homes and properties in our home country.  It can also be owned by a Costa Rica corporation,  It would have share holders (dividing ownership or a single individual).  That corporation can own assets, vehicle or property.   There used to be several advantages for corporation ownership.  Today not so much.  Corporations are either active or inactive, meaning they either make an income or they are just a shell that owns assets.   A yearly fee is charged to all corporations.  Non active corporations pay approximately $125.00 USD per year.  If considering purchasing property this will be something each individual must decide.  Corporations make it easier when there is more than one owner.  My experience is from corporate ownership.

For anyone thinking they are going to work in Costa Rica they must understand that you can make your own business but you can not take a job.  Creating your own income from small hotels, restaurants and usually tourist based businesses is what many in-vision.  This can be done.   If you have employees, they must legally be Costa Rican.  Having employees in Costa Rica means having responsibilities.  Responsibilities similar to those in Canada.  Medical and retirement plans.

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Applying For and Having Residency in Costa Rica

First off I will say it is not a simple task but well worth it for those making their primary home there.   Residency can be initiated from your home country.  You can try to accomplish it on your own.  You can find a reputable lawyer or assistant.  The main thing is that you understand it is a process.  You are required to show proof that your income is no less than $1000.00 USD per month (in the case of husband and wife that is a combined income).   You need to provide a police record along with finger prints.  For the financial portion you may qualify  for residency through ownership of property.  Advantages of obtaining residency usually coincide with what the health benefits would provide, free prescription drugs and social hospital.

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Health Care in Costa Rica

There is socialized health care.  Very similar to our own here in Canada.  The advantage to having residency is the health care.  There is a monthly cost to this socialized health coverage.  The fee is based upon your reported registered pension income.   Reliable resources say: Depending on your verified income coverage can be as low as $40.00 per couple.  Remember you must provide verifiable income of no less than $1000.00.  You can also qualify for residency under investor, rules I am not experienced with.  Health care coverage includes prescription drugs, hospital care, check-ups and those things we are concerned about as we age.   The other form of health care is of course through private clinics.  Some of the same doctors who practice in the hospitals also have their own clinics.  This is common.  Costa Rican people themselves use the private clinics if they feel it is necessary to have treatment quickly. Costa Rica has some of the more advanced types of health care in some of the largest hospitals.  From hip and joint replacement to C.R.P.  You can find all of this kind of medical assistance at private clinics and hospitals.  Dentistry is another form of health care that is exceptionally reasonable compared to Canada.  You would be surprised at what they are doing for under $500. that they are charging thousands of dollars for here in Canada.

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Links?  I am sorry I can not provide more links.  99% of this information comes from my personal experience and the experience had by friends.  Personally I have traveled only as a tourist for my near 25 years as a property owner and employer.  I have traveled mainly by air but have also made the trek via vehicle from Canada and back three times.  I have used the private hospitals and clinics for some pretty major issues.  Broken bones mostly.  Once again, I am only a tourist and not a resident.  If there are any questions you have regarding what experience I can pass along please contact me.  For those suffering from joint pain the "Platelet Replacement Plasma has given many great relief and is being used on all sorts of injures.  For those looking for relief from knee, shoulder and hip pain, you may want to find out a bit more about what it is that is being offered outside of our health services.  Here is one link that gives you some basic info on what is taking place in an Alberta clinic.  But, for one service the cost was  at least 8 times greater than that service in Costa Rica.

Information about residency can be obtained through people who specialize in that area.  Contact me for a contact name.