Costa Rica Archives - Page 2 of 6

Costa Rica – Vehicle Maintenance, Repairs, and Breakdown Recovery

Costa Rica operates a compulsory national vehicle inspection programme called the RTV (Revisión Técnica Vehicular) — previously run under the RITEVE brand and now managed by DEKRA — which covers every motor vehicle on the road, regardless of its age

Costa Rica – Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services

Costa Rica offers a well-developed official taxi network, a ride-hailing scene dominated by Uber and DiDi, and a variety of informal transport solutions in coastal and rural communities. Licensed red taxis operate under government-controlled metered pricing in urban centres, while

Costa Rica – Taxation

Costa Rica operates a territorial tax system, under which only income generated within the country falls within the scope of Costa Rican taxation. Income originating from foreign sources — including overseas pensions, international investments, and remote work compensated from abroad

Costa Rica – Self-Employment

Costa Rica has emerged as a genuinely attractive base for expats who want to work for themselves or launch a business venture. A territorial tax system, entrepreneur-friendly legislation, and a formal Digital Nomad Visa all lower the barriers for foreign

Costa Rica – Retail and Consumer Issues

Costa Rica’s retail landscape is well developed and varied, encompassing large supermarket chains, contemporary shopping malls, and an expanding e-commerce sector alongside traditional markets and independent neighbourhood shops. Card payments are the norm in cities and towns, while cash continues

Costa Rica – Residency

Costa Rica provides several well-established routes to legal residency for foreign nationals, among them the Pensionado (retirement), Rentista (independent income), Inversionista (investor), family reunification, and Digital Nomad Visa programmes. The majority of pathways begin with a temporary permit, with permanent

Costa Rica – Property Rental Prices

Foreigners face no legal barriers when renting in Costa Rica — neither nationality nor residency status creates any obstacle. Monthly rental costs span a broad spectrum, from roughly $400 for a basic studio in a low-key neighbourhood to upward of

Costa Rica – Rail Travel

Costa Rica’s railway system is a compact, urban commuter network administered by the state body INCOFER, connecting communities across the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José. It is entirely unsuitable for cross-country journeys, yet it remains a genuinely practical and

Costa Rica – Property Taxes

When it comes to property taxation, Costa Rica compares favourably with most other nations. The annual ownership levy sits at a flat 0.25% of the registered value, and the country imposes no inheritance or gift tax on real estate. Those

Costa Rica – Property Letting

Renting out property in Costa Rica is open to foreign nationals and relatively straightforward to pursue, yet the legal environment is considerably more protective of tenants than many prospective landlords anticipate. Residential tenancies fall under the General Law of Urban