How would I go about living and working in Costa Rica?

Question

I'm 20. Live in NS, Canada. I'd like to work and live in Costa Rica for a year or two. Do I need a work visa? Is it hard to find work? How would I go about finding a house/apartment before I left? Where's the best place to live? Where's the best surfing? I need an expert.

Answer 1

You do need a work visa but many people work illegally in tourist areas-- people can usually find work in the high season but work is pretty much non-existent from August till late November..  You are not going to be able to get a work visa unless you possess a skill not available in Costa Rica.  

You need to go to Costa Rica in order to decide where you want to live.  There are so many factors involved.

I would forget about getting an apartment before you leave as only the most expensive ones are advertised over the internet or in the newspapers.  You have to figure out where you can live and work before you can look into apartments.  

The best places to surf vary according to the time of year-- buy Mike Parise's book "Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica and SW Nicaragua for good information.  

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Hello here´s your expert.

You do need a work visa or permanent residency to live and work here.

You can apply for a work visa and it would be wise to contact a company that will hire you according to your qualifications and is willing to offer you a job contract.

Most jobs that americans try to get are in the tourism industry or teaching english or at internet betting companies which are the ones that pay the best.

Your best bet to figure out what kind of budget you have and find an apartment accordingly, the prices vary a lot from very cheap to very expensive.

There are a lot of signs posted for roommates or rentals near the universities.

Surfing ? The best secret surfing spot is PLAYA AVELLANAS on the pacific side.

http://attorneykearney.com

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.

Answer 3

You can NOT legally get a job in CR as a non citizen unless you have a skill that qualifies such as teaching English. Recently in Jaco, Herradura, and Tamarindo the government cracked down on illegal workers. They sealed off the roads to each town and did a sweep through the businesses looking for illegal workers. Dozens were arrested and deported. You are better off working at home and saving your money. Teachers only make $250-$400/month

Answer 4

You can't work there legally. To live there for more then 3 months, you have to have either 60 grand in the bank, or have some source of income where you get a check for at least 600 bucks per month (such as a pension payout).

There are TONS of great surfing spots, that is why I go there... but the "best" spot depends on what time of year you are going. Spring is small everywhere, summer is good to the north, fall is good to the south, winter is good in the middle.... generally speaking.

Answer 5

Hello.

Some tips about living in Costa Rica:

Ussually payments:

Rent: $150

Electricity: $7

Water: $7

Internet: it depends what coneection you want, it goes from $5 to $20,

Food: A typical Lunch (rice, beans, meat, salad, potatos) in a Soda (typical restaurants) cost $3 in a restaurant cost aroun $4 if you prepare your food in house it cost around $1,5.

About the best spor for surfing, in Southern Costa Rica you will find Dominical beach, famous for surfing:

http://www.southerncostarica.biz/Beaches...

And Playa Pavones, Pavones boasts the 2nd longest left wave on the planet: http://www.southerncostarica.biz/Beaches...

About work, you have enough good answers. ;)

Answer 6

Heres the truth, you can easilly get a job in CR even if you dont have a work permit. There are allot of companies that need english speaking people. you have to be prepared and know that your not going to make the same money as if you are here in the states. you will make between $4 to $6 an hour and in CR 48 hours is considered full time. The easiest way to find a job is when you are already here you buy the news paper called La Nacion on a sunday, on clasifieds you will see all the job offers that are in english and on Sundays on the back in the last pages of classifieds you will see more employment offers in english. you wont see those online. But if you want to see some job offers online go to this site. http://www.ticotimes.net/classified.htm#... that is the employment section of Tico Times the english CR news paper and you will also find apartments for rent and all that stuff.