Costa Rica digital nomad visa: everything you need to know

Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Do you ever imagine yourself trading in your office cubicle for a desk with an ocean view? 

Costa Rica might be the perfect place for you. With breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and now an attractive digital nomad visa destination, it has quickly become one of the hottest spots for location-independent professionals. 

Let’s find out why there is an increase in working nomads in Costa Rica and how you can join their ranks of the happiest people in the world.

Why choose Costa Rica as a digital nomad?

Travelers from all over the world have always loved Costa Rica, but today, it also captures the hearts of digital nomads. 

Living in Costa Rica as a digital nomad provides fantastic advantages for both adventure and comfort:

  • For four years straight, Costa Rica topped the Happy Planet Index as the world’s happiest country (and that’s for a good reason!)
  • Most areas in Costa Rica have high-speed internet
  • Gorgeous beaches and rainforests
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly locals as well as expat communities
  • The proximity to the United States

Costa Rica digital nomad visa legal details

Costa Rica introduced a digital nomad visa in 2021, making living abroad easier for remote workers. Under this visa, you can live and work from there legitimately for up to two years with the possibility of an extension.

Requirements to obtain the Costa Rica digital nomad visa:

  • Proof of stable income (minimum $3,000 per month for individuals/$4,000 per month for families)
  • Valid passport 
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Clean criminal record certificate issued no more than six months prior to applying
  • Proof of employment or business ownership outside Costa Rica

How do you move to Costa Rica as a digital nomad?

  1. Get all your documents ready.
  2. Apply online through the government website of Costa Rica.
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. Wait for approval (usually takes 2-3 weeks).
  5. Enter Costa Rica and activate your visa.

Working nomads in Costa Rica: what to expect?

Costa Rica has a growing community of digital nomads who can be found all over the country. Most cities and towns have co-working spaces, cafes with reliable Wi-Fi networks, as well as networking events for remote workers.

Some popular destinations for digital nomads include:

  • San José – a capital city that offers modern amenities
  • Manuel Antonio – beach town with a national park
  • Tamarindo – surf spot buzzing expat community
  • Santa Teresa – yoga-loving beach village
  • La Fortuna – adventure hub near Arenal Volcano

Living in Costa Rica as a digital nomad: tips and tricks

  • Learn basic Spanish so you can communicate with locals effortlessly. Language can be a frustrating barrier.
  • Adopt the “Pura Vida” way of life.
  • Be prepared for the rainy season from May to November; it’s called the “green” season because everything turns green due to increased rainfall.
  • Explore different regions until you find your perfect fit.
  • Join expat and digital nomad groups for support during time spent living abroad.

Important consideration: prepare your onward tickets

Even if you have a Costa Rica digital nomad visa, it may still be necessary to show proof of onward travel upon arrival. This is where Fast Onward Tickets comes in handy.

Our service provides quick and secure onward tickets for digital nomads and regular travelers. In less than a minute, you can purchase a verifiable onward ticket to ensure smooth entry into Costa Rica. 

Conclusion

Remote workers can now achieve more things since they have been granted visas. With the magnificent natural beauty surrounding this country coupled with open-mindedness towards foreigners willing to live among them while sharing professional skills, it’s clear that Costa Rica serves as an ideal setting for exciting work adventures as a digital nomad.

Remember that your trip starts upon arrival. To make sure everything goes well, take care of generating an onward ticket via fastnwardtickets.com. Plan your Costa Rican digital nomad lifystely smoothly and prepare to live the Pura Vida way!