Can a US citizen live permanently in Costa Rica?

Yes, with a residency permit secured through one of Costa Rica’s defined pathways. The four main routes for Americans: Pensionado (lifetime pension of $1,000+ a month, popular with retirees), Rentista (proof of $2,500 a month in stable income for two years, or $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank drawn down over 24 months), Inversionista ($150,000+ invested in registered Costa Rican property, business, or qualifying assets), and family or marriage-based sponsorship. Processing typically runs 6 to 18 months end-to-end and benefits from working with a Costa Rican immigration attorney (typical fees $1,500 to $3,500). Tourist entry is simple (90 days visa-free) and many people use repeated tourist stays as a stopgap during the residency application. Permanent residency becomes available after three years of temporary residency. Costa Rica’s moderate cost of living at $2,075 per person per month gives most US movers significant breathing room versus US costs. For the full picture, see our Costa Rica cost of living page.