Can I retire in Costa Rica as a US citizen?

Yes, and the Pensionado visa makes it one of the easier Central American options. Costa Rica’s Pensionado residency requires proof of $1,000 a month in lifetime pension income (Social Security counts), which most US retirees clear comfortably (average US Social Security retirement benefit is around $1,900 to $2,100 in 2026). Once approved, the residency permit gives full legal residence, access to public healthcare via Caja (mandatory enrolment, contribution roughly 7 to 11 percent of declared income), and the right to remain indefinitely as long as residency is maintained. Costa Rica does not tax foreign-sourced income for residents, which means US Social Security and most US pensions are not taxed locally (US federal tax still applies). The moderate benchmark of $2,075 per person per month means Social Security plus a modest pension supports a comfortable single-person retirement. Coastal retirees should budget higher. For the full retirement cost picture, see our Costa Rica cost of living page.