There are countless reasons why Costa Rica is such a fantastic place to live, work, and study. These include the country’s beautiful natural surroundings, the focus on family, and its eco-friendly credentials.
Sitting in the heart of the Central Valley, San José – Costa Rica’s vibrant capital city – is popular with families from around the world. Surrounded by lush mountains, rainforests, and volcanoes, the region offers a mix of stunning landscapes and modern amenities, which enable endless opportunities for adventure.
Moving to San José with your children, you’ll find warm communities and a truly international spirit. From thriving expat neighborhoods to local markets and cultural festivals, life here offers comfort and convenience, as well as the famous ‘pura vida’ outlook.
Moving to Costa Rica is an exciting adventure – and researching and understanding the residency and visa process is your starting point.
Tourist visas
Before applying for residency, many expats enter Costa Rica on a 180-day tourist visa. This is automatically granted to citizens of the US, Canada, and many European countries.
Visa options for families moving to Costa Rica
There are, of course, several permanent visa options, each with different criteria and conditions. Some visas offer pathways to residency and citizenship, whilst others do not.
Of these, the Rentista, the Inversionista, and Residency for Foreign Workers are the most common among expats.
Our admissions team can provide you with more details about visas in Costa Rica, and signpost you to further information.
Three San José neighborhoods stand out when it comes to finding a place to live for your family: Escazú, Santa Ana, and Hacienda Espinal. Each community offers something a little different, but they’re all fantastic places to settle. All three are close to the city and Country Day School, too.
Escazú is often referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills’ of Costa Rica. With its mix of modern shopping, international restaurants, and excellent schools, it’s popular among expat families looking for comfort and convenience. Housing options include gated residential communities with pools and playgrounds, elegant hillside villas with sweeping views, and modern apartment buildings.
Just down the road, Santa Ana blends small-town charm with fantastic amenities. Our families love its leafy streets, weekend farmers’ markets, and relaxed pace of life. You’ll find everything from cozy townhouses in secure developments to spacious single-family homes with gardens. Santa Ana is ideal if you want a strong sense of community, as well as easy access to shops, schools, and sports clubs.
Hacienda Espinal, meanwhile, has it all. A master-planned, gated community, the neighborhood is home to our school. This means your morning commute will be a simple walk or bike ride! Our families live in large, contemporary homes and enjoy expansive green spaces, playgrounds, pools, sports courts, and miles of walking paths – all within a safe and family-oriented environment.
Universal healthcare
Costa Rica has a very good healthcare system. The country’s universal healthcare service, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social), serves over 95% of the population, and is overseen by the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud).
The system provides high-quality and affordable services. According to the World Health Organization’s most recent World Health Report, Costa Rica’s healthcare system is among the top performers in Latin America. The overall efficiency is even better than the United States.
This means that you can go to many hospitals in Costa Rica and expect good treatment from qualified doctors in modern facilities. In fact, the top three hospitals in the country – Hospital CIMA, Hospital Clinica Biblica, and Hospital Clinica La Catolica – are all located in San José.
To access universal healthcare, you’ll need public health insurance (CAJA). It’s required by law that residents of Costa Rica and work permit holders must apply for CAJA. This means that, once you obtain your temporary or permanent resident card, you must immediately register for CAJA. You will then need to continue paying for CAJA, otherwise you won’t be able to renew your resident card.
Private healthcare
Many expats and locals choose to buy private health insurance, which offers additional and specialist coverage. This enables immediate access to treatment, provides a choice of doctors and facilities, and gives access to English-speaking professionals.
To use private services, you’ll need to take out international health insurance. This can be done through global companies like Cigna Healthcare. You also have the option to buy local private health insurance through the state.
Relocating to Costa Rica means embracing a lifestyle full of outdoor adventures and family-focused opportunities. From weekend trips to days out, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy our country’s natural beauty.
Living here, you’ll hike through lush rainforests, visit waterfalls, and explore national parks, where your children will spot monkeys, toucans, and sloths. Costa Rica’s rivers and beaches offer fun water-based activities, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and surf lessons along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
For adventurers of all ages, zip-lining, canopy walks, and wildlife sanctuaries provide exciting, hands-on experiences. Parks and reserves connect children with nature, as well as teaching them about the country’s unique ecosystems.
Even everyday life is packed with outdoor fun. Many neighborhoods feature walking trails, bike paths, and parks, where children can play safely. Nearby family-friendly resorts and hot springs provide opportunities for relaxation and weekend getaways.
Other family-friendly activity recommendations include:
Moving to Costa Rica, your family will immerse themselves in a warm and welcoming culture that values community, nature, and simple pleasures. Known for its friendly people and relaxed way of life, our host country encourages people to make the most of the people and world around them.
Here, extended families and friends regularly gather for meals and celebrations, while neighbors connect in local parks and at community events. Children quickly learn the importance of respect, friendliness, and co-operation, too. These values are evident in daily interactions at our school and across our communities.
Food is central to life in Costa Rica. Specialties like gallo pinto and casado bring families together, while food markets, stalls, and family-run restaurants give children the opportunity to try new flavors and learn about local ingredients.
Festivals and celebrations are a great way to connect with Costa Rican culture. Events marking Independence Day, traditional dance festivals, and local fairs showcase the country’s music, costumes, and community spirit.
Nature is, of course, a huge part of life in Costa Rica, influencing holidays, lifestyles, and education. Outdoor activities, from hikes to beach days, are family-focused, reinforcing a love for the environment and encouraging a passion for discovery.
Travelling around Costa Rica is part of the adventure of living here.
Most of our families choose to rent or buy a car, since having your own vehicle makes it much easier to explore the country’s incredible beaches, towering mountains, and lush rainforests. Driving in and around San José can be busy during peak hours, but the generally well-maintained roads quickly connect you to shopping malls, great restaurants, and, of course, Country Day School.
In the city itself, there are a variety of transport options, including public buses and taxis. Walking is probably the best way to explore the downtown San José area.
CDS’ bus service
To make life easier for our families, we run a school bus service, which efficiently covers the neighborhoods surrounding CDS. Our monitored routes, professional drivers, and strict safety policies will ensure that your child quickly makes it to and from our school every day.
Country Day School is so much more than a place to learn – we’re a vibrant, welcoming community, where children from around the world grow, explore, and thrive together.
Located in the lush hills of San Rafael de Alajuela, just minutes from San José, we harness Costa Rica’s natural beauty and environmental focus to enrich the world-class education we offer. We’ll encourage your child to consider and explore the world around them, and to take part in learning activities that inspire them to be curious, creative, and confident. Your child will experience academic excellence, too, guided by our talented team of international teachers.
Moving to Costa Rica brings an array of benefits, from the financial to the social. The country is safe, politically stable, and known for its high-quality healthcare and education. It’s strong focus on sustainability means our families enjoy lots of fresh air, healthy local food, and easy access to remarkable nature.
Costa Rica’s ‘pura vida’ philosophy encourages a relaxed, family-oriented lifestyle, too. Friendly locals, active expat communities, and year-round warm weather make it easy to settle into life here.
Want to find out more about moving to Costa Rica with your family – or the education we offer at CDS? Our welcoming admissions team is here to help.
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