Costa Rica Moving Checklist

So you are moving to Costa Rica. Trust us, it’s the perfect choice. Congratulations on your new Pura Vida life!

By now your house is probably on the market, you are selling your belongings on Craigslist – what else is left to do? Here is a run through of everything you may not have thought about before making Costa Rica your new home-sweet- home.

Months In Advance

Double Check Passport Status

If your passport is expired or nearly expired, it is vital to begin renewing it early. Since passport renewals can take weeks to months, start early.

Apply For Residency

If you are choosing to live in Costa Rica as a resident, start the process early. Gather all necessary documents and click here for more details.

Connect With A Reliable Realtor in Costa Rica

For example, if you want to settle near in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica (Tamarindo, Langosta, Potrero, Avellanas, etc.), Coldwell Banker Tamarindo has a wonderful branch ready to help place you into your dream home. For further info contact

Buy Your Tickets

The more flexible you stay with your arrival dates, the better off you will be finding a comfortable flight for less money. Keep an eye on airline tickets earlier than you may think and grab them whenever you find a drop in price.

Research Shipping Companies

If you are choosing to bring large items with you, you will need to find a shipper. Start by researching shipping companies near you capable of carefully shipping your possessions.

Airline Pet Policies

If your pets are joining in the Pura Vida living with you, make sure to double check your airline’s pet policy before you make the trek. Bringing your dog or cat to Costa Rica is a a simple process, but you will want to ensure the flight over is safe and comfortable for your four-legged friend. While you’re at it, update all vaccines.

Practice Your Spanish

Sure, Costa Rica is impressively bilingual (Spanish and English), but it is important to not entirely rely upon that fact. You will run across plenty of restaurants with menus in Spanish and not every local will speak both languages. It is important to value the language of your new home by brushing up on your Spanish skills.

Adjust Your Credit Cards

If your current credit cards charge high fees internationally, it is time to make a switch. NerdWallet has a comprehensive list of credit cars with no foreign transaction fees.

Weeks In Advance

Visit The Doctor And Dentist

While Costa Rica has wonderful and accessible healthcare, it is still important for you and each person in your family to get a full check-up before moving to a new country. Make sure to ask for enough of your medications to last you until you have connected with a trusted doctor in your new area.

Leave Behind Your Fur Coats

It is important to be realistic about the Costa Rican weather before you move. While it may be a good idea to bring a couple pairs of pants or sweaters for anytime you are visiting a cooler area of the country, you will never need thick coats, gloves, or heavy boots.

Buy Outlet Converters

If you are coming from a European or Asian country, make sure to bring either American converters or purchase new appliances.

Plan Your Landing

Make sure you know how to get from the airport to your new home. Schedule a transfer van or rental car. It is also valuable to research nearby grocery stores or restaurants to get you through the first hectic days.

Onward Travel Proof

If you are not becoming a resident of Costa Rica, you will need proof of travel documents that show you will be exiting the country within 90 days of arriving.

Get in touch with us today

We are- UNHAPPILY- home safe. Would much rather be back in Tamarindo. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING you did to make our stay a joy ! We look very much forward to seeing you on our next trip to Costa Rica. PURA VIDA !

Steve Perry, Costa Rica

Laurel and Tony,
The both of you were fantastic with us throughout the property search and purchase process. As we had mentioned, two other attempts to find thorough, attentive, responsive agents to work with in Tamarindo were failures. I expect that we are more work to deal with than many others as we asked a lot of thorough and analytical questions and expected responses to all of them. You two never failed to deliver. The organization and execution of our condo shopping trip in January was excellent and the fact that you two devoted 2 full days to us, around our schedule, to get this deal done was key to our success. The selection of properties that Laurel planned out, including a few places above and below our target zone helped us to refine our interests. We truly appreciated your interest in our success. This could easily have been very stressful for us, and yet, it wasn’t. Thank you very much.
As a side note, when we walked into the Coldwell Banker office randomly with no appointment in November had we not found your office staff patient and accommodating from the start we would have simply walked on to the next agency. Your staff deserves special mention for getting us interested in the agency to begin with.
We will give you some advance notice before we make our first trip down so that we can plan to get together for lunch or dinner. We are tentatively planning on somewhere in the last 2 weeks of May, as soon as our son gets out of school for the summer.

Dan Batliner, Costa Rica

While my computer is still running here, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your help during our stay.
When we first came to your office, we were in dire straights and in desperate need of assistance. Andrea was extremely compassionate, spoke with candor, and had a "can do attitude" that was of immense help.
In addition, Andrea has put us in contact with Steve, with whom we are working, preparing to view a little property that might be just what we are looking for at this particular time.
In addition, having gotten to know Andrea personally as well as professionally has been our great pleasure. I wanted to let you know what a tremendous asset she is to your company. She is a great treasure -- a one in a million.

Tina Parker, Costa Rica

We had so much fun at Buena Vista. Thanks for arranging that with Memo.
I also want to say many thanks for all that you have done. We have enjoyed Costa Rica and I have found you so helpful with everything and a pleasure to deal with that it was a very stress free vacation. When I do come back here hopefully you will still be doing what what you do.
Our last couple of days will be spent enjoying the sunshine and eating at great restaurants. Sincerely,

Tara, Kevin and Roy., Costa Rica

Costa Rica Moving Checklist