What Should You Do in Your First 90 Days in Costa Rica?
Your first 90 days break into three phases: Days 1–30 focus on logistics (phone, bank account, CAJA registration, transportation, utilities). Days 30–60 are about establishing routines and exploring your neighborhood. Days 60–90 are for deepening community connections and evaluating what's working. Expect a honeymoon phase, an adjustment dip around month two, and a settling-in feeling by month three.
Before You Arrive: The 12-Month Timeline
The 90 days on the ground are Phase 5 of a longer process. Here's the full arc:
Phase 1: Research and Professional Team (Months 1–3)
- Hire an immigration attorney. First professional move. Residency applications take 6–12 months, so starting early means approval aligns with your arrival.
- Connect with a cross-border tax advisor, especially critical with $1.5M+ in investable assets
- Begin residency paperwork. FBI background checks take 2–6 weeks, apostilles take 2–6 weeks
- Research schools if you have children: top schools require applications 6–12 months in advance
- Engage with expat communities: learn from people who've done it recently
Phase 2: Scout Trip (Months 3–5)
- Plan 1–3 weeks: not a vacation, a research mission
- Visit your top 2–3 regions: stay in rental homes, not hotels
- Tour schools in person: talk to current parents, watch kids at recess
- Meet your attorney face-to-face
- Look at housing to understand the market (rent, don't buy yet)
- Talk to expats who live there: buy them lunch, ask what they wish they'd known
Phase 3: Decision and Commitment (Months 5–8)
- Finalize your region using updated research
- Secure a rental: rent first for 6–12 months minimum
- Enroll in school: confirm spots, have a backup
- Begin shipping and selling: international shipping takes 4–8 weeks by sea
- Set up financial accounts for the transition
Phase 4: Transition (Months 8–10)
- Pack and ship belongings
- Sell or rent your US home
- Notify everyone: forwarding address, medical records, subscriptions, USPS forwarding
- Say goodbyes: host a farewell dinner, give kids time with friends
- Arrange arrival logistics: rental ready, airport pickup, first-night plan
Phase 5: Your First 90 Days on the Ground
Now the real work begins.
Days 1–30: Logistics and Setup
Your household needs to be functional before anything else. Follow this sequence:
Week 1:
- Get a local phone number: Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar. You need this for everything that follows
- Set up internet at home: work, school, and staying connected all depend on it
- Stock your kitchen, find your nearest supermarket and feria (farmers market)
- Learn your neighborhood: closest pharmacy, hardware store, gas station
Week 2: 5. Explore opening a Costa Rican bank account. Having your residency application receipt makes this significantly easier, though it is possible with just a passport and additional documentation. Banco Nacional, BCR, or BAC are the most expat-friendly. (Our full banking guide for expats covers the process step by step.) 6. Begin the CAJA enrollment process (if your residency application is in progress). Keep in mind that full CAJA coverage takes 10-24 months to process. Private health insurance is essential during this gap period. 7. Sort out transportation: if you're buying a vehicle, start the process now 8. Find a local doctor and dentist before you need one urgently. Read our healthcare guide for how CAJA and private insurance work together
Week 3–4: 9. Set up utilities in your name if needed (electricity: ICE or CNFL, water: AyA) 10. Get your driver's license conversion started: medical exam, paperwork, fees 11. Find your go-to local professionals: attorney, accountant, handyman 12. Enroll kids in activities: sports, art, music. Start building social connections immediately
Days 30–60: Establishing Routines
Logistics are handled. Now build the rhythms of daily life.
- Establish a weekly routine: grocery day, feria day, activity days
- Explore beyond your neighborhood: find your coffee shop, your favorite restaurant, the scenic drive you love
- Start meeting people: attend expat meetups, join local groups, introduce yourself to neighbors
- Begin learning Spanish if you haven't. Even basic conversational Spanish transforms daily life
- Set up a regular exercise routine: gym, yoga, surfing, hiking. Physical activity anchors mental health during transition
- Create a communication rhythm with family and friends back home: weekly calls, not daily check-ins (daily keeps you emotionally tethered)
Days 60–90: Deepening and Evaluating
The initial excitement has settled. This is when real assessment begins.
- Deepen community connections: move from acquaintances to actual friendships
- Evaluate what's working: Is the neighborhood right? The school? The daily routine?
- Start thinking longer-term: Should you stay in your current rental or explore other neighborhoods?
- Revisit your budget: Are actual costs matching projections? Where are the surprises?
- Check in with your family: How is each person adjusting? What needs attention?
The Adjustment Curve
Almost every expat experiences this, and knowing it's coming helps:
Month 1: Honeymoon. Everything is exciting. The weather is perfect. The fruit is amazing. You can't believe you get to live here. You post on social media constantly.
Month 2: The dip. The novelty wears off. Bureaucracy frustrates you. You miss specific things from home: your coffee shop, your friend group, your routine. Some days you wonder if you made a mistake.
Month 3: Settling. The unfamiliar becomes familiar. You have your spots, your people, your rhythm. Costa Rica starts to feel like home instead of a destination. The things that frustrated you either resolve or stop bothering you.
This is normal. The dip is not a sign you made the wrong choice. It's a sign you're doing the hard work of building a new life.
Things Nobody Tells You
- Tico time is real. Deliveries, appointments, and repairs operate on a different timeline. Plan buffer time for everything.
- Rain season is actually beautiful. Mornings are clear. Afternoons get dramatic. Everything is green. Many expats prefer it to dry season.
- You'll cook more. The food at home is fresher and better than anything you can buy prepared.
- Your Spanish doesn't need to be perfect. But learning basic greetings, numbers, and common phrases changes how people treat you.
- Homesickness hits at random. Not when you expect it. A song, a smell, a holiday. It doesn't mean you're unhappy. It means you loved what you had.
FAQ
What should I do on my first day in Costa Rica?
Focus on arrival logistics: confirm your rental is ready, stock basic groceries, get a local SIM card, and rest. Don't try to accomplish everything at once. Your first week should focus on getting your household functional: phone, internet, kitchen, and learning your neighborhood.
How long does it take to feel settled in Costa Rica?
Most expats report that the first month is exciting, the second month is challenging (the adjustment dip), and by the third month things start feeling like home. Full comfort and genuine community usually develop over 6–12 months. The adjustment is faster if you engage socially and learn basic Spanish.
Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Costa Rica?
You can get by without Spanish in major expat areas like Escazu or Tamarindo. But even basic conversational Spanish dramatically improves your daily experience and how locals relate to you. For areas outside expat hubs, Spanish proficiency becomes much more important.
Should I buy or rent when I first move to Costa Rica?
Always rent first, for a minimum of 6–12 months, including one full rainy season. What looks perfect on a scout trip may feel different after living through daily reality. Renting gives you flexibility to try different neighborhoods or even regions before committing to a purchase.
How do I open a bank account in Costa Rica?
You'll need your passport and residency application receipt (or approved residency). Banco Nacional, BCR, and BAC San Jose are the most expat-friendly banks. The process can be slow, so expect multiple visits. Having your immigration attorney help with introductions can smooth the process.
Brennan Vitali is a CFP® and cross-border financial planner whose family splits time between the US and Costa Rica. Ready to start planning your move? Take the Readiness Quiz or book a discovery call.