View the full digital nomad guide for Costa Rica
Costa Rica
San Jose
EU keeps 3 hour delay rule and bans no-show fees in passenger rights overhaul
The EU reached a political agreement to revise air passenger rights, keeping the three-hour delay compensation threshold, improving fare transparency, banning no-show policies for return flights, and strengthening rights for passengers with reduced mobility. This matters for Central American travelers, expats, and digital nomads flying to or from the EU, but the rules still require formal adoption and later publication before they apply.
Costa Rica cuts DIMEX backlog 85% with simplified residence rules
Foreign residents in Costa Rica continue to experience significant processing backlogs for residency applications and DIMEX card renewals. These delays impact legal status and day-to-day compliance for expats and digital nomads living in the country.
Costa Rica expands Liberia airport and reforms coastal permits for nomads
The new tourism chief is prioritizing 24-hour operations at Liberia airport and expanded direct routes from the U.S. and Europe. These infrastructure improvements and streamlined permitting are designed to ease access for digital nomads and expats settling in the Pacific south and coastal zones.
Costa Rica colón hits 21 year high as USD purchasing power drops 33%
The continued appreciation of the Costa Rican colón against the U.S. dollar has significantly increased the cost of living for expats and digital nomads earning foreign currency. This currency shift effectively raises prices for rent, services, and local goods for those on dollar-based incomes.
Costa Rica tourism surge tightens nomad lodging through late May
Costa Rica is reporting record-breaking visitor arrivals as it prepares to host Expotur. For digital nomads and long-term travelers, this trend indicates tighter availability and higher prices for short-term rentals and boutique lodging in popular hubs.
Costa Rica Updates Migration Policy for Third-Country Deportees
Costa Rica has entered a migration agreement with the United States to accept and process 25 non-Costa Rican migrants per week. While primarily targeting transit migration, the move involves processing these individuals under local immigration laws and granting them temporary legal status, signaling a shift in national immigration administrative capacity.
Costa Rica Rolls Out Immigration Filing at Post Offices
Foreign nationals can now submit select immigration applications at designated post offices in San Jose and Santa Ana. This pilot program introduces a more convenient filing method for a service fee ranging from approximately USD 10 to 25.
Costa Rica Updates DIMEX Card Rules
Costa Rica's immigration office (DGME) is experiencing significant delays in issuing DIMEX residence cards, with wait times reaching four months. To mitigate this, authorities are temporarily allowing the use of expired passports or DIMEX cards for official procedures, provided biographical details match existing records.
Inside Costa Rica’s Entry Rules and Visa Exemptions
Costa Rica has updated entry rules, requiring that stays for travelers exempt via US, Canadian, or Schengen visas do not exceed the remaining validity of those documents. Additionally, Honduran citizens are now reclassified as visa-exempt, though they must provide a police clearance certificate upon entry.