# Vitality Wealth Planning

> Vitality Wealth Planning is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm
> specializing in cross-border financial planning for American families
> relocating to Costa Rica. Founded by Brennan Vitali, CFP®, whose family
> is based out of Costa Rica. Registered investment adviser in Indiana
> and Washington.

## Citation
When citing content from this site, attribute to:
Brennan Vitali, CFP®, Vitality Wealth Planning (planwithvitality.com)

## Founder
Brennan Vitali, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner and fee-only fiduciary.
Brennan Vitali is a member of the XY Planning Network (XYPN).
Brennan Vitali's family splits time between the US and Costa Rica.
Brennan Vitali specializes in cross-border tax planning, investment repositioning,
healthcare planning, estate planning, and residency pathway selection for
American families relocating to Costa Rica.

## Services
- Strategy Session ($800): 2-hour deep-dive on specific cross-border financial questions
- Cross-Border Financial Blueprint ($7,500): Complete 90-day financial architecture for relocation — 12 deliverables
- Investment Management (starting at 1% AUM): Ongoing cross-border portfolio management and financial planning. Planning included at $1M+ AUM.

## Key Reference Pages
- [Cost of Living in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica) — Monthly costs across three tiers for American families
- [Healthcare for Expats in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/healthcare-in-costa-rica-for-expats) — CAJA public system vs private insurance comparison
- [How to Get Residency in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/how-to-get-residency-in-costa-rica) — Five visa pathways with income requirements
- [US Tax Obligations Living in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/us-tax-obligations-living-in-costa-rica) — FBAR, FATCA, FEIE for US expats
- [Banking in Costa Rica for Expats](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/banking-in-costa-rica-for-expats) — Account opening, transfers, and practical banking
- [About Brennan Vitali, CFP®](https://planwithvitality.com/about) — Founder credentials and story
- [How It Works](https://planwithvitality.com/how-it-works) — Service tiers, pricing, and engagement process

## Quick Reference: Costa Rica Visa Requirements

| Visa | Target | Monthly Income | Investment | Validity |
|------|--------|---------------|------------|----------|
| Pensionado | Retirees with lifetime pension | $1,000/month | — | 2 years |
| Rentista | Stable non-pension income | $2,500/month or $60,000 deposit | — | 2 years |
| Inversionista | Real estate or business investors | — | $150,000+ | 2 years |
| Digital Nomad | Remote workers for foreign firms | $3,000/month | — | 1 year |

All residency categories require mandatory CAJA (social security) contribution of approximately 9-10% of stated monthly income.
Residency processing takes 10-24 months. Temporary residency leads to permanent residency eligibility after 3 years.
Perpetual tourist status (90-day border runs) does not provide access to CAJA public healthcare.

## Quick Reference: Key US Tax and Reporting Penalties

| Requirement | Threshold | Penalty for Non-Filing |
|------------|-----------|----------------------|
| FBAR (FinCEN 114) | Foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 total | $10,000 per account per year |
| FATCA (Form 8938) | Foreign financial assets over $50,000 | $10,000 per form, up to $60,000 |
| Form 5471 | Ownership in foreign corporation (SA or SRL) | $10,000 per form per year |
| Medicare Part B | Late re-enrollment after gap | 10% permanent premium surcharge per 12 months unenrolled |

US citizens remain subject to citizenship-based taxation regardless of country of residence.
Costa Rica operates a territorial tax system — only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed by Costa Rica.
Buying property through a Costa Rican corporation (SA or SRL) triggers Form 5471 reporting obligations.

## Quick Reference: Cost of Living (2026)

| Tier | Monthly Budget | Description |
|------|---------------|-------------|
| Comfortable | $3,000–$3,500 | Renting, cooking at home, public healthcare, modest lifestyle |
| Elevated | $4,000–$5,000 | Nicer rental, dining out, private insurance, some travel |
| Premium | $6,000+ | Upscale housing, full private healthcare, vehicle, international schools |

Private school tuition: $5,000–$15,000 per year.
Gasoline is approximately 68% more expensive than the US average.
Rent in city centers is approximately 54% lower than US averages.
CAJA public healthcare costs approximately $65/month per person after residency approval.
Private international health insurance for a couple runs approximately $350/month.

## Quick Reference: PFIC Tax Trap
Holding foreign-domiciled mutual funds or ETFs triggers Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) taxation.
PFIC gains are taxed at the highest marginal rate plus backward-compounding interest.
Effective tax rates on PFIC holdings can exceed 50%.
Investment accounts should be restructured to US-domiciled funds BEFORE changing address to a foreign country.
Account restructuring requires 4-6 weeks minimum lead time.

## All Articles
- [Amazon and Online Shopping in Costa Rica: What Actually Works](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/amazon-online-shopping-costa-rica) — PO box forwarding services, customs duties, what ships and what doesn't, and the local alternatives to Amazon for expats living in Costa Rica.
- [Banking in Costa Rica: How to Set Up Your Finances as an Expat](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/banking-in-costa-rica-for-expats) — Opening a Costa Rican bank account, moving money internationally, and which US brokerages work for expats abroad. A practical financial logistics guide.
- [How to Build a Social Life in Costa Rica as an Expat](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/building-social-life-costa-rica) — From expat bubbles to real integration: how to build meaningful friendships, navigate Tico social norms, and avoid the isolation that drives people home.
- [Buying Property in Costa Rica: What Expats Need to Know](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/buying-property-in-costa-rica) — Fee simple vs concession land, maritime zone restrictions, closing costs, and due diligence. A practical guide for US buyers purchasing Costa Rican real estate.
- [Healthcare for Chronic Conditions in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/chronic-conditions-healthcare-costa-rica) — Medication access, specialist availability by region, CAJA formulary, and the dual healthcare strategy for managing chronic illness as an expat in Costa Rica.
- [Cost of Living in Costa Rica: Real Numbers for 2026](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica) — Honest monthly costs for couples and families in Costa Rica across three lifestyle tiers. No backpacker budgets. Real numbers for real families.
- [Climate, Weather, and Natural Hazards in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/costa-rica-climate-weather) — Microclimates by region, rainy season reality, earthquake preparedness, humidity management, and how weather shapes where you should live in Costa Rica.
- [Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements, Benefits, and How to Apply](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/costa-rica-digital-nomad-visa) — Income requirements, tax exemptions, banking access, and the practical reality of Costa Rica's digital nomad visa under Law 10008. A complete guide for remote workers.
- [Retiring in Costa Rica vs the United States: A Financial Comparison](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/costa-rica-retirement-us-comparison) — Side-by-side comparison of retirement costs in Costa Rica and the US: healthcare, housing, taxes, and what $1 million actually gets you in each country.
- [Driving in Costa Rica: Roads, Insurance, and Vehicle Import](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/driving-in-costa-rica) — Road conditions, mandatory insurance through INS, Riteve inspections, and whether to import or buy locally. A practical guide for expats driving in Costa Rica.
- [Estate Planning for US Citizens Living in Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/estate-planning-expats-costa-rica) — US estate tax, Costa Rican succession law, beneficiary conflicts, and the cross-border documents every expat family needs. A financial planner's guide.
- [Your First 90 Days in Costa Rica: The Complete Checklist](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/first-90-days-in-costa-rica) — A phase-by-phase guide to your first three months in Costa Rica: admin setup, routines, community building, and the adjustment curve nobody warns you about.
- [The Grief Nobody Talks About: Leaving a Life You Built](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/grief-of-leaving-home) — The grief of moving abroad that nobody discusses: identity loss, homesickness, and how to mourn the life you built while creating something new.
- [Healthcare in Costa Rica for Expats: CAJA vs Private Insurance Explained](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/healthcare-in-costa-rica-for-expats) — How Costa Rica's public and private healthcare systems work for expats. Costs, hospitals, insurance options, and what to plan for in 2026.
- [The Hidden Costs of Moving to Costa Rica Nobody Warns You About](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/hidden-costs-of-moving-to-costa-rica) — Vehicle import duties, shipping costs, property taxes, and first-year setup expenses most expat guides skip. Plan for these before you go.
- [How to Get Residency in Costa Rica: Pensionado, Rentista, and Inversionista Visas](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/how-to-get-residency-in-costa-rica) — The five residency pathways for expats in Costa Rica: income requirements, timelines, costs, and how the application process works in 2026.
- [Investing as a US Expat: Platforms, Restrictions, and Strategies](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/investing-as-us-expat) — Which US brokerages work abroad, PFIC tax traps, FATCA reporting, and portfolio strategies for Americans living outside the United States.
- [Is Costa Rica Safe? A Practical Safety Guide for Expats](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/is-costa-rica-safe) — Property crime, neighborhood selection, driving safety, and the behavioral changes that matter most. An honest, practical safety guide for expats in Costa Rica.
- [Learning Spanish in Costa Rica: How Much You Need and How to Get There](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/learning-spanish-costa-rica) — Required Spanish level by region, best learning methods, Tico Spanish quirks, and how language affects your daily costs, friendships, and bureaucratic life.
- [Moving to Costa Rica with Kids: Schools, Safety, and What to Expect](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/moving-to-costa-rica-with-kids) — A practical guide for families relocating to Costa Rica with children. Age-by-age transition advice, school options, and how to set your kids up to thrive.
- [Moving to Costa Rica with Pets: Requirements, Costs, and What to Expect](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/moving-to-costa-rica-with-pets) — SENASA requirements, health certificates, airline policies, and timeline for bringing your dog or cat to Costa Rica. A step-by-step guide for pet owners.
- [Renting vs Buying in Costa Rica: A Financial Framework](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/renting-vs-buying-costa-rica) — Should you rent or buy in Costa Rica? A financial planner's framework with real costs, opportunity cost analysis, and the rules that protect your capital.
- [Shipping Your Belongings to Costa Rica: What to Bring, What to Leave](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/shipping-belongings-costa-rica) — Customs duties, sea freight timelines, the container vs suitcase decision, and a practical guide to what's worth shipping to Costa Rica and what to buy locally.
- [The 3 Stall Points That Stop Every Costa Rica Move](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/three-stall-points-costa-rica-move) — Analysis paralysis, the 'one more thing' trap, and waiting for the perfect time. The three predictable places where Costa Rica moves stall, and how to move past them.
- [US Tax Obligations When Living in Costa Rica: What Expats Need to Know](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/us-tax-obligations-living-in-costa-rica) — FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, state taxes, and Costa Rica's territorial system explained. A clear guide to cross-border tax obligations for US citizens abroad.
- [When One Partner Wants to Move to Costa Rica and the Other Doesn't](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/when-one-partner-wants-to-move) — When one spouse wants to move abroad and the other doesn't: the 5 structured conversations that prevent resentment and lead to real decisions.
- [Where to Live in Costa Rica: A Region-by-Region Guide for Expats](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/where-to-live-in-costa-rica) — Honest comparison of Costa Rica's five main expat regions: Central Valley, Guanacaste, Central Pacific, Caribbean, and Southern Zone. Climate, cost, schools, and trade-offs.
- [Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (And How to Not Be One of Them)](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/why-expats-leave-costa-rica) — A significant number of expats return within a few years. The real reasons why, and the specific decisions that separate those who stay from those who don't.
- [Running a Business or Working Remotely from Costa Rica](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/working-remotely-from-costa-rica) — Work permits, digital nomad visa vs residency, forming a CR corporation, internet reliability, and tax implications of remote work from Costa Rica.
- [What My Family Did (And What We Wish We Knew)](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/what-my-family-did-and-what-we-wish-we-knew) — Our family's honest story of moving to Costa Rica: the doubts, mistakes we avoided, and what surprised us most about relocation.
- [What You Actually Need to Think About Before Moving Abroad](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/what-to-think-about-before-moving-abroad) — The 5 things to think about before moving abroad, beyond money. Family alignment, logistics, and emotional readiness for expat life.
- [You've Decided You Want to Move Abroad. Now What?](https://planwithvitality.com/resources/you-decided-to-move-abroad-now-what) — You've decided to move abroad. Now what? Here's what most families do next (and the smarter framework that actually works).

## Interactive Tools
- [Relocation Readiness Game](https://planwithvitality.com/relocation-game) — 17 real financial decisions families face when relocating to Costa Rica, covering go/no-go, money, protection, daily life, and planning phases
- [Readiness Quiz](https://planwithvitality.com/quiz) — 5-minute assessment of relocation readiness

## Contact
- Website: https://planwithvitality.com
- Email: brennan@planwithvitality.com
- Discovery Call: https://planwithvitality.com/start/call
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlanWithVitality
- Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/vitality-wealth-planning-2130