Expats interested in Costa Rican work opportunities should look into the tourism, hospitality, conservationism, and tech industries.
The Most In-Demand Jobs and How much They Pay (Monthly)
| Profession | CRC | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher | 169,800- 566,000 | 300-1,000 |
| Accountant | 2,300,000 | 4,000 |
| Nurse | 24,800,000 | 43,800 |
Contents
What are the best jobs in Costa Rica?
The most popular fields of work that expats can take advantage of include:
- Tourism. Tourism is the biggest and ever-expanding economy in Costa Rica.
- Teaching English.
- Environmental Conservation and Voluntary Work.
- Working For An Offshore Company From Costa Rica (or Telecommuting in Costa Rica)
- Starting Your Own Business.
What is a good salary in Costa Rica?
Average Local Salary: A middle-class salary in Costa Rica averages USD $750. In smaller cities, a monthly income is roughly $450 (which just above the country’s minimum age). These fluctuate by region/city.
What are the major occupations in Costa Rica?
Economy of Costa Rica
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 2,392,432 (2019) 54.4% employment rate (2018) |
| Unemployment | 8.2% (2016) |
| Main industries | medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products |
| Ease-of-doing-business rank | 74th (easy, 2020) |
What is the basic salary in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s Minimum Wage is the lowest amount a worker can be legally paid for his work. Most countries have a nation-wide minimum wage that all workers must be paid. Costa Rica’s minimum wage ranges from 9,598.73 per 8-hour work day for unskilled workers to 12,537.91 per day for specialized workers.
Is it hard to get a job in Costa Rica?
If you want to know how to find a job in Costa Rica, you should be aware that it is difficult. Costa Rican law heavily favors employing residents over temporary expats, and foreigners may only take up employment once they have permanent residency.
Where is the best place to live in Costa Rica?
7 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica
- Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica. Guanacaste Region is situated on the Pacific Ocean in the northwestern part of Costa Rica.
- Tamarindo.
- Southern Pacific Region.
- Dominical.
- Uvita.
- Ojochal.
- Central Valley.
- Escazu.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?
Regardless of where you settle down, the overall cost of living is relatively low when compared to the United States and much of Europe. Most expats in Costa Rica can live comfortably on $1,000 to $1,500 USD per month.
How much does a house cost in Costa Rica?
Cost Comparison Chart:
| United States v/s Costa Rica | United States Average ($) | Costa Rica Average ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (comparable 3 bedroom, 2 bath) | $1000-3000 | $500-1200 |
| Gasoline (per gallon of regular) | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| ADSL Internet monthly (1024/512 kb/sec) | $34.95 | $28.25 |
| Home Phone Service (basic monthly fee) | $29.95 | $7.00 |
What are the pros and cons of living in Costa Rica?
Expats in Costa Rica: Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica
- Pro: Costa Rica Has Beautiful Beaches and Rainforests.
- Pro: Costa Rica Has Astonishing Biodiversity.
- Con: Expats Have Had Mixed Experiences with the Public Health Care System in Costa Rica.
- Con: You Need to Choose Where You Live Carefully in Costa Rica.
What are the top 3 major sources of income for Costa Rica?
The tourism industry has experienced the fastest growth in the country, and in 1995 it had become the country’s biggest earner of foreign exchange. As of 1999, earnings from tourism overtook the revenues from exports of the top three most important crops, which include coffee, pineapples, and bananas.
What American companies are in Costa Rica?
The Top 5 Big Companies to Work for in Costa Rica
- SC Johnson. Established in more than 70 countries worldwide, SC Johnson has always been just as committed to its employees as it is with its customers.
- PokerStars.
- Microsoft.
- Nextel/Sprint.
- FedEx.
How can I live and work in Costa Rica?
In order to legally work in Costa Rica, you must either be a citizen of the country or have legal permanent residence. Generally, to obtain permanent residence you must have held temporary residence for at least three years before applying.
How much is it to rent an apartment in Costa Rica?
Rent and Housing Cost in Costa Rica
A small one-bedroom apartment will cost about US$500/month. Expect to pay US$800-$1000 for a furnished modern 1-2 bedroom house or apartment in the capital city of San José or Central Valley.
Can a US citizen move to Costa Rica?
There are a few ways that you can move to Costa Rica as a foreign citizen. According to the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, DC, you can enter the country as a permanent or temporary resident; on a tourist visa; or after receiving a permit for working, volunteering, or studying.
How much does the average person in Costa Rica make?
If you’re thinking about setting up or outsourcing any part of your business to Central America, Costa Rica could be a suitable destination. For starters, the average salary in Costa Rica is around 27,395,933 CRC per year — equivalent to 44,220 USD per year according to the exchange rate in August 2021.
Do you need a degree to teach English in Costa Rica?
The only two requirements you really need to teach English in Costa Rica are a TEFL/CELTA certificate and a native English speaker. Most countries in Latin America don’t even require degrees of any kind for teaching English.
Can a US doctor practice in Costa Rica?
Once incorporated into the College of Physicians and Surgeons and after passing an exam in Spanish, you can practice in Costa Rica.
How long is residency in Costa Rica?
After two years of pensionado, rentista, or inversionista status, application can be made for permanent residency in Costa Rica. This is usually unrestricted, and working is permitted. Citizens of Spain can apply for permanent residency right away. Permanent residents must visit Costa Rica at least once each year.
What’s bad about Costa Rica?
In Central America and The Caribbean overall, Costa Rica is ranked the number one most peaceful country in the region out of 12. However, the homicide rate increased from 11.9 homicides per 100,000 people to 12.3 in the last year, and crime is still a significant threat to travelers in Costa Rica.
Where do most Americans go in Costa Rica?
There are a couple of towns that are particularly popular with American communities in Costa Rica.
- Grecia.
- Santa Ana.
- Quepos/Dominical.
- Tamarindo.
- Playas del Coco.
- Nosara.
- Santa Teresa.
- Puerto Viejo.
