The Canada-to-Costa Rica Moving Checklist

Stage 1: Initial Research & Household Alignment (9–6 Months Out)

• Determine whether your move is seasonal (4–6 winter months), a 1–2 year remote-work stay (Ley 10008), or a full-time residency move.
• Verify your Canadian province's physical-presence rules for maintaining public health coverage (Ontario OHIP 153 days present / up to 212 days away; BC MSP 6 months present; Quebec RAMQ under 183 days away; Alberta AHCIP 183/212 days).
• Build a baseline monthly budget in both USD and CAD (see our October 2026 budget tables) with a 10%–15% CAD/USD exchange-rate buffer.

Stage 2: Professional Tax & Legal Consultations (6–4 Months Out)

• Consult a Canadian cross-border CPA regarding CRA Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1 residential ties, potential Departure Tax (Forms T1161/T1243), Form T1135 foreign property reporting, and 25% Part XIII pension withholding vs. Section 217 elections.
• Consult an independent Colegio-registered Costa Rican immigration attorney to select your DGME category (Pensionado $1,000/mo, Rentista $2,500/mo, Inversionista $150,000 USD, or Digital Nomad $3,000–$4,000/mo).
• Confirm the exact date to order your RCMP fingerprint criminal record check and long-form birth/marriage certificates so they are apostilled in Canada and filed with DGME within the strict 6-month validity window.

Stage 3: The Relocation Scouting Visit (4–3 Months Out)

• Fly into Liberia (LIR) or San José (SJO) and test weekday routines across your top 3 candidate towns (follow our 10-day scouting itinerary).
• Compare grocery baskets at Auto Mercado, Maxi Palí, and local ferias, check fiber internet speeds, and drive past candidate properties after 9:00 p.m. on a weekend night.
• Tour private hospitals (Hospital CIMA Guanacaste in Liberia or CIMA San José in Escazú) and, if moving with children, tour accredited schools (CRIA, La Paz, Del Mar, Dolphinz, Lakeside).

Stage 4: Housing Decisions — Renting First vs. Buying (3–2 Months Out)

• If renting first: review written USD vs. CRC lease terms under Costa Rica's Law No. 7527, confirm which utilities and HOA fees are included, and verify fiber internet installation.
• If purchasing a condominium or home: retain an independent Notary Public to verify Finca Filial title in the Registro Nacional, review Condominium Bylaws and HOA reserve funds, and wire funds only to a SUGEF-registered escrow account.

Stage 5: Canadian Departure Preparation (60–15 Days Out)

• Arrange international or snowbird emergency medical insurance covering private hospitals in Costa Rica.
• Obtain generic chemical names for all prescriptions, translated medical summaries, and sealed/apostilled school transcripts and vaccination records for children.
• If bringing dogs or cats: complete veterinary health exams and CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) endorsement within the required pre-departure window for SENASA entry into Costa Rica.
• Set up low-fee cross-border currency transfer accounts and gather 2 years of Canadian tax returns and 6 months of bank statements for Costa Rican banking/escrow KYC.

Stage 6: Arrival & First 30 Days in Costa Rica

• Check the exact visitor entry day count (up to 180 days) stamped in your Canadian passport at LIR or SJO customs.
• Pick up a local SIM/eSIM (Kolbi or Liberty), set up electric (Coopeguanacaste/ICE) and water automatic payments, and install voltage surge protectors on major appliances.
• Complete biometric fingerprinting and embassy registration for your residency filing, and upon approval, complete CCSS (Caja) enrollment, DIMEX card pickup, and COSEVI driver's licence homologation.