How to Move to Costa Rica:
A Step-by-Step Checklist for Retirees

The Big Picture: A 6-Month Timeline

Most retirees who move to Costa Rica spend six months to a year in the planning phase. This is not because the process is unusually difficult — it is because thoughtful preparation leads to a far smoother transition. Below is the framework most retirees follow.

The single most important thing to understand upfront: you do not need to have everything perfectly arranged before you go. Many retirees enter Costa Rica on a tourist visa and begin the residency process from within the country. This is legal, accepted, and extremely common.

Documents to Gather First

Before anything else, gather and organize the following documents. Many of these need to be apostilled — a form of international authentication — before they will be accepted by Costa Rican authorities.

• Valid U.S. passport — must have at least 6 months of validity remaining
• Birth certificate — original, apostilled
• FBI background check — apostilled (allow 8–12 weeks to receive)
• Proof of income — Social Security award letter, pension statement, or equivalent showing at least $1,000/month
• Marriage certificate — if applicable, apostilled
• Medical certificate — signed by a licensed physician confirming good health
• Passport photos — several copies, standard size

Applying for the Pensionado Visa

The Pensionado visa is Costa Rica's primary retirement residency option. It requires a minimum of $1,000 per month in stable pension or Social Security income — one of the most accessible income thresholds for a retirement visa anywhere in the world.

Once your documents are apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator, they are submitted to Costa Rica's immigration authority (DGME). Processing typically takes 6 months to over a year. During that time, you live normally on a tourist visa, renewing every 90 days.

Sorting Your Finances

Financial preparation is one of the most important steps — and one of the most reassuring once completed. Here is what to address before you move:

Social Security

Your Social Security benefit is fully payable in Costa Rica. The SSA's International Direct Deposit program allows your monthly payment to be deposited directly into a Costa Rican bank account. You complete Form SSA-1199-OP51 and submit it to the U.S. Embassy's Federal Benefits Unit in San José.

U.S. Bank Account

Keep your U.S. bank account active. Many retirees maintain both a U.S. account and a Costa Rican account — using the U.S. account for stateside obligations and the local account for daily expenses.

Costa Rican Bank Account

Non-residents can open accounts at major Costa Rican banks including Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica. The process is straightforward when your income source is U.S. Social Security or a pension.

Healthcare Preparation

Healthcare preparation deserves its own checklist within the checklist. Before you leave:

• Gather a 3-month supply of all prescription medications. Most medications are available in Costa Rica, but your exact brand may not be. A 3-month buffer gives you time to establish local care without stress.
• Collect your full medical history. Request records from your primary care physician, specialists, and any recent hospital stays. Having these on hand makes establishing care with a new doctor far simpler.
• Understand CAJA enrollment. As a Pensionado visa holder, you will enroll in Costa Rica's public healthcare system (CAJA). Monthly dues run approximately $70–$130 based on income.
• Research supplemental insurance. U.S. Medicare does not cover care outside the U.S. Many retirees supplement CAJA with an expat health plan from providers like Cigna Global or AXA.

What to Do With Your Belongings

This is the question that quietly paralyzes many would-be movers. The practical answer is simpler than most people expect.

Your Home

Many retirees choose to rent their U.S. home rather than sell it, generating additional monthly income while preserving the option to return. Others sell and use proceeds to purchase a residence at Magnolia Reserve outright. Both approaches work. What matters most is making an intentional decision rather than leaving the question unresolved.

Your Furniture and Belongings

Shipping furniture to Costa Rica is generally not worth the cost. Magnolia Reserve residences are furnished, and the shipping and import fees associated with large items typically exceed their replacement value. Focus your energy on what is irreplaceable: documents, electronics, sentimental items, and medications.

Your First Week in Costa Rica

Arrival is a mixture of excitement and adjustment. A few practical priorities for your first week:

• Get a local SIM card. Claro and Kolbi both offer affordable prepaid plans. WhatsApp becomes your primary communication tool for virtually everything in Costa Rica.
• Open a local bank account. This is easier to do in person. Bring your passport, proof of income, and a utility bill or lease agreement as proof of address.
• Register with your nearest EBAIS clinic. This is Costa Rica's local primary care system within CAJA, and it is your first point of contact for routine healthcare.
• Explore your neighborhood. Allow yourself time simply to experience the area without agenda. The farmers' market, the beach, the local restaurants — these become the texture of your new daily life.

How Magnolia Reserve Makes Every Step Easier

For many retirees, the most valuable aspect of choosing Magnolia Reserve is not the residence itself — it is the support system that surrounds it.

Our concierge team assists with airport pickup, CAJA enrollment, medical appointments, banking introductions, and the dozens of small logistical details that can feel daunting in a new country. All staff are bilingual. The community itself — residents who have made this move before you — becomes an invaluable source of guidance, reassurance, and friendship.

Many retirees comparing Magnolia Reserve to assisted living communities in Miami, Florida or other U.S. cities find that the all-inclusive monthly cost here is a fraction of what they were paying at home — with a significantly higher quality of life. See our honest comparison of Costa Rica vs. U.S. assisted living →