Moving To Costa Rica Is A Big Step                                           

If you are moving to Costa Rica, then you have actually taken the very biggest step – the actual decision to move there. This will mean leaving your home as you know it, friends, family and a job. However, even from Toronto in Canada, the trip is just five and a half hours – possibly less for you. In that time, you can be with your loved ones again to reconnect.

This probably means that you already know where in Costa Rica you are going to live and hopefully what the passport/immigration/permanent resident status is in your case.

If you have a dog or cat and want them moving to Costa Rica too, then they need to be healthy. It’s important to check on the Costa Rican regulations so you are up to date. Basically the pets need to be vaccinated against rabies and some other diseases. Your vetinarian can help you and needs to fill out a health certificate for the animal. You will also have to check with the airlines to see what their procedure is and last but not least, you’ll no doubt have to buy your pet a ticket.

The next thing on the list would be your belongings and the decision to take them or not. This is also a really huge decision.

Fortunately, North American electrical appliances work fine in Costa Rica – so there’s no problem there. However, next on your list should be your household belongings – from furniture to appliances to bed sheets – what should you take and what can you leave? It’s often helpful to make a list of items you have to have and another list of items you can do without. Then inform yourself what a international carrier would charge. Bear in mind that there is also a 5% customs import duty and a 15% consumption tax. There may be other taxes involved as well. Inform yourself. Then think about what these goods would cost in Costa Rica. Also don’t forget that much of the furniture would be in tropical hard wood. Some places have high humidity so that’s something else to consider.

If you are thinking of taking your car, it’s good to know what the shipping costs would be as well as the import duty – which alone could be as much as 53%. Cars are expensive in Costa Rica but so is taking yours!

There is also a lot of research you can do online to help you will all of the above.

Moving to Costa Rica is a daunting task but definitely surmountable and if this is your dream, then there is nothing stopping you.