Comments on: How Many US Citizen Expats are Living in Costa Rica?

By: Loy Pacheco

Loy Pacheco — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:16:55 +0000

The 90 day visa – how does that work?

By: Buck

Buck — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:30:14 +0000

I agree with Art. I’ve lived in the Dominical area for 4 years now (still waiting for my residency) and I’d say the vast majority of gringos I know in the area do the 90 day thing and therefore are not included in the numbers.

By: Art

Art — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:12:31 +0000

I’d venture that the reason the number seems low is that many, or maybe most, haven’t become residents (rentisita, pensionado, etc) but just live here on the 90 visa. Most of the US, Canadains and even Germans I know are here on the 90 day program. That includes many who have been here for years and own land, work (legally) and own businesses.

Now if Costa Rica changed the 90 day visa program that might have a huge impact.

By: Mikayla

Mikayla — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 23:23:44 +0000

Thanks for the site and the info. 8,400 sounds about right to me. I’ve “lived” part-time in Costa Rica for 2 years traveling back and forth. I love Costa Rica. It’s simple and complex at the same time.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 00:39:31 +0000

The figure quoted above is as mysterious and arcane as the complex of tico systems and sub-systems that control the social structure of the country.
As an employer of expats here, I think we need to define the terms of residency. There are many people who live and work here for years simply by renewing their travel visas and being paid as private contractors, which of course is perfectly fine with immigration. My long standing impression is that if the ‘Caja’ is satisfied, then no waves are made. This is perfectly logical given the fragile and overrun state of the local health care system.
Thus, the figure of 8400 would seem absurdly low, simply because immigration has its own political reasons for keeping it that way.

By: Jerry Myers

Jerry Myers — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:26:27 +0000

Seems almost impossible to believe that 8400 people from the US could have such an impact on the culture of Costa Rica… Many live here as “perpetual tourists”, that I know… but still this number is too small to be realistic..

Surely immigration must be wrong.. but is that possible in Costa Rica.?? :LOL

By: Aimee

Aimee — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 02:09:58 +0000

I can’t believe those figures. I really thought there were many more, considering that many of the hotels and tourist sites are owned/ run by gringos. I’m pleasantly surprised to know that the place isn’t overrun by them (us) yet.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 16:00:31 +0000

A huge number of Gringo and Candians come here as tourists. The new taxes will not affect tourists though… or at least minimally. The new taxes, if passed, will affect mostly those who live here.

By: Lissa

Lissa — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 20:54:46 +0000

Yes, 8,400 living in Costa Rica. How many come to visit your beautiful country from the U.S. each year.
I Iove CR infact I’ll be coming there July 16 for a month. I also think you are a cool guy and love this site. However, it is more likely that CR makes more money off its gringo tourists than its gringo expats. So maybe there is a point that if CR keeps upping the taxes U.S. tourists will find some other piece of paradise to visit. Not myself of course I can still affored the taxes.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:05:49 +0000

Ugh… I can’t. I am guessing a couple of thousand. The Canadian Club might be able to pprovide a better answer.