San José, Costa Rica

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Costa Rica's capital serves as the gateway to the country's famous nature and beaches, with a growing expat community and stable democracy. Costa Rica's immigration policy is opening up this year. San José has a tropical highland climate (summers avg 24°C, winters avg 18°C).

For daily life, you'll need A2 Spanish. San José has an Immigrant Acceptance Score of 70 BETA, meaning you'll likely feel welcome as an immigrant here.

What people love

  • Stable democracy, "Switzerland of Central America"
  • Universal healthcare system accessible to residents
  • Gateway to beaches (2-3 hours), rainforests, volcanoes

What's hard

  • City itself is not scenic – most expats live outside
  • Higher cost of living than other Central American countries
  • Traffic congestion is severe, infrastructure aging

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Visa Pathways

Costa Rica's immigration policy is opening up this year. Costa Rica offers several visa pathways for immigrants. Here are the most common options.

Rentista Visa

For those with guaranteed passive income

Eligibility:US$2,500/month guaranteed income for 2 years, OR US$60,000 bank deposit in Costa Rica
Salary:€30K+
Processing time:~12 weeks
Path to PR:Yes
Pensionado (Retiree) Visa

For retirees with pension income

Eligibility:US$1,000/month pension income, Health insurance
Salary:€12K+
Processing time:~12 weeks
Path to PR:Yes
See other visa pathways
Digital Nomad Visa~8 weeks
Inversionista (Investor) Visa~12 weeks
Estancia de Estudiante~6 weeks

Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with official sources or a licensed immigration consultant.

Featured Costa Rica visa specialists

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Language for San José

If you want to settle permanently, you'll need B1 Spanish for permanent residency. It generally takes 6-9 months to reach this level with consistent study.

Featured Spanish teachers

Mariana Semerjion

Mariana S.

$30 / 30min
DELE, SIELE, ECL, CAPLE, CELU

Mariana Semerjion is a certified DELE examiner for all levels and an experienced Spanish teacher at the renowned Instituto Cervantes. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from Universidad Nebrija, and she has helped countless students successfully prepare for the DELE exam. With Mariana, you will receive comprehensive preparation in all four key areas of the exam: oral expression, written expression, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension. You will also gain a clear understanding of the DELE exam structure and scoring criteria, so you can approach the test with confidence. What sets Mariana apart is her holistic approach. As a certified Mindfulness instructor, she helps students reduce stress, develop emotional balance, and stay mentally focused—essential tools for staying calm and clear during the exam. Learn with a teacher who not only understands the DELE exam inside and out, but who also supports your well-being along the way.

Brasilia Standard Time (Sao Paulo, GMT-3)
Limited availability
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Anna Cooper

Anna C.

$70 / 60min
OET, Cambridge

I am an English exam specialist with over 30 years of teaching and exam preparation experience. As a certified OET tutor (OET Preparation Provider), I support a wide range of candidates, including nurses, dentists, doctors, and veterinarians, across all parts of the exam. I have also worked as an official Cambridge speaking examiner for 20 years and hold the dipTESOL postgraduate qualification. My lessons focus on exam strategy, performance skills, particularly in speaking and writing, and precise feedback aimed at maximising results. All sessions are tailored to your specific exam goals.

Central European Summer Time (Paris, GMT+2)
Limited availability
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Duna Vila

Duna V.

$39 / 60min
DELE, Cambridge

I am an experienced language educator and certified DELE Examiner for all levels, as well as a Cambridge English Examiner. With a strong academic background — including multiple Master’s degrees in Education and a CELTA qualification — I have taught learners of all ages, from young children to adults, in both online and in-person settings. My teaching style is dynamic, engaging, and tailored to each student’s needs. I combine communicative methods with structured exam preparation to help learners gain confidence, improve fluency, and achieve their academic or professional goals. Having taught in diverse cultural contexts and worked with students from around the world, I bring not only expertise in exam preparation (DELE, Cambridge) but also a deep understanding of language learning as a personal and transformative journey.

Central European Summer Time (Paris, GMT+2)
Limited availability
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Housing

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Long-term rental specialists