Expat Profiles in Costa Rica

And then there’s the word “expat” itself. What makes an expat an expat and an immigrant an immigrant? That’s a can of worms we won’t delve too much into, although conventional wisdom decrees that “immigrants” are those who permanently leave their country of birth to start anew elsewhere, obtaining citizenship and permanent residency while “expats” retain their home citizenship and often only seek temporary or semi-permanent status abroad. That said, it always seems to be “immigrants” who come from poorer countries and “expats” who come from wealthier ones. Go figure. A can of worms indeed. The line blurs often because of this, and many expats consider themselves immigrants.

But expat or immigrant, what unites them all is a sense of daring and curiosity—a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone into the unfamiliar. And in this digital and globalized age, the diversity and dynamism of the expat population is ever-expanding, with nomads of all stripes seeking fresh horizons.

We’ll start with the most common type of foreigner in Costa Rica. For most people coming here, the motivation to relocate is driven by necessity rather than lifestyle choice. Economic migrants and refugees make up a significant portion of migrants, escaping poverty, violence, or political persecution in their home countries. The largest such group in Costa Rica is Nicaraguans, with almost 400,000 estimated to now live in the country due to poverty in that country and recent authoritarian crackdowns.

There are also growing communities of Venezuelans fleeing economic and social turmoil. Before that, the Colombians came. These immigrants are drawn by Costa Rica's greater stability, security, and employment opportunities compared to their troubled home countries. While far from a perfect solution, Costa Rica offers a relatively safe haven for those seeking refuge and better financial prospects.

Many people find themselves living abroad not out of personal choice, but rather through job assignments with their employer. These corporate transferees are sent by their company to an international office or project for a predetermined time period, typically one to three years. Their destination is decided by business needs rather than personal preference. They tend to receive generous compensation packages that include housing allowances, education for children, and other benefits. Once their assignment concludes, they will likely be relocated again or return to their home nation.

Corporate transferee expats often keep somewhat separate from local communities, as their temporary status and assisted living situations can create an insular expatriate bubble. In Costa Rica, most of these types of expats live in San José, particularly around Escazú and the west of the city.

Driven, ambitious self-starters also come to Costa Rica to make their way in the world, often recognizing business opportunities or career prospects that are more promising than what their home country can offer. They could be entrepreneurs starting a new company to take advantage of an untapped market, or skilled professionals like marketers, engineers, or consultants whose expertise is in demand internationally. Regardless of their field, these opportunistic expats are willing to take risks and put themselves outside their comfort zone for potential rewards. They tend to learn Spanish quite quickly and assimilate as much as they can.

Love can conquer borders and cultural divides, driving many to embrace the expat life in Costa Rica. Some expatriates come to Costa Rica to travel or spend some time and end up meeting a local and staying. Others meet their partners in their home country and come back to Costa Rica with them. These romantic expats fully immerse into their new partner's native culture, language, customs, and society. More than most other expat types, they are deeply embedded within local communities through familial ties and prevailing cultural attachment.

In today's increasingly connected world, many expats have the freedom to live a location-independent existence enabled by technology and remote work capabilities. Digital nomads leverage this mobility to constantly be on the move experiencing new cultures while supporting themselves through working online, either for themselves or for companies back home. Costa Rica has been actively promoting itself as a digital nomad destination since the pandemic by offering a remote work visa and extending the amount of time tourists can stay in the country.

One of the most common expat profiles in Costa Rica are retirees coming down in their golden years seeking a change of scenery and pace of life. Many expatriate retirees are drawn to Costa Rica’s lower (in parts) costs of living, inexpensive healthcare system, and appealing climate. With prudent planning and affordable local living costs, retirees can upgrade their quality of life significantly by moving to Costa Rica.

Another set of expats in Costa Rica are those here working at embassies, consulates, or for their governments in other capacities. Ambassadors, foreign office staff, intelligence officers, and other officially-posted personnel all count as much as anyone else. You’ll find these guys in and around San José.

For some expats, working as a teacher provides both income and an opportunity for deep cultural immersion. Common expat teaching roles in Costa Rica include teaching English as a foreign language, staffing international schools that cater to other expat families, or serving as instructors in language institutes or universities. It can also be the opportunity to participate in important volunteering programs. These educational expats are often integral parts of their local communities, directly interfacing with students eager to learn. It’s worth pointing out that there are fewer teachers than there used to be, given the growth in online learning in recent years.

In some cases, the path to becoming an expat is driven by a desire to completely reset one's life and leave previous troubles behind. These "runaway" expats could be fleeing from economic hardship, personal crises, sobriety issues, or other upheavals they hope to recover from by moving abroad. Some find moving to Costa Rica provides the fresh slate and privacy to reinvent themselves in a new environment.

Costa Rica has a fair amount of foreign and international students. They’re studying abroad on various programs in universities, language schools, technical colleges, or other academic environments. Some are seeking immersive experiences that build fluency and exposure to new cultures, oftentimes as part of their studies in their home countries. Others pursue specific qualifications or training. If you’re a foreign student in Costa Rica, chances are you’ll be in San José, on the east side of the city around the San Pedro area.