Your Move to Costa Rica Guide

07/06/2026

Good news for nationals and expats in Costa Rica.

MOPT just launched the Public Transport Viewer of CTP, a free digital platform to check bus routes, stops and schedules nationwide. No more asking the driver or waiting at the stop wondering if your bus will come.

The platform updates automatically when the Public Transport Council authorizes changes. It also has tutorial videos to learn how to use the map and query menu without hassle.

If you are an expat or tourist, this makes getting around easier without relying only on Uber or taxis. The bus remains the cheapest option and now less uncomfortable.

Have you tried it? Tell us in the comments.



The screenshot of the platform.

07/06/2026

Moving from the USA to Costa Rica in 2026?

Don't pack a single box before reading this first.

I just published the most complete and verified guide covering:
How to bring your household goods WITHOUT paying import taxes
Law 9996: the benefits no one explains properly.

How much a shipping container costs from Miami, NY or LA
What documents the DGA requires (and which ones cost you weeks).
Vehicle import taxes: from 15% to 65%+
All based on official sources: DGA, DGME, Law 9996 and current regulations.

Your move starts here: https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/blog/moving-usa-costa-rica-2026.html

Everything Americans need to know about moving household goods to Costa Rica. Verified customs rules, container costs, vehicle taxes, and Law 9996.

23/05/2026

The damage we do to our coasts never expires. It never goes away.
Living by the ocean is a privilege. Protecting it is a duty we all share.

At Your Move to Costa Rica Guide, we believe the law is respected and nature is defended. Before you dream of building near the water, understand what Costa Rica truly asks of you.

Building by the sea takes consciousness. Not just concrete.
Our complete 2026 guide explains why Costa Rica's beaches belong to the people, what the ZMT law really means, and why the Constitutional Court is watching our coasts closer than ever.
Read it. Share it. Protect what cannot be replaced.

https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/blog/building-beaches-costa-rica-2026.html

Costa Rica beaches belong to the people. ZMT law, CFIA, ICT, SETENA rules. Illegal construction = demolition. Updated May 2026.

23/05/2026

Lufthansa is going all in on Costa Rica.

Starting October 2026, the German airline will expand its Frankfurt to San José route to five weekly nonstop flights. That is Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, every single week through the winter season.

This is a big jump from the current two weekly flights they have been running since 2017. It means more seats, more options, and likely better prices for anyone flying in from Europe.

For European expats and retirees already living here, this is excellent news. Getting family to visit just got easier. For those of you still in Germany, Switzerland, Austria or anywhere in the Lufthansa network thinking about making the move, the connection is about to get a lot more convenient.

The flight runs on an Airbus A340 with business, premium economy and standard economy. Expect the full Lufthansa service, around 12 hours direct, no layovers in Miami or Panama City.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to book that scouting trip to Costa Rica, this might be it.

22/05/2026

Full transport guide at https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/transport.html

https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/cost-of-living-costa-rica-2026.html

Complete Guide to Bus Prices in Costa Rica: San José and Intermunicipal Routes by Zone

If you are planning to get around Costa Rica by bus, whether within the Greater Metropolitan Area or to other provinces, these are the prices you will find in 2026. ARESEP just adjusted fares in February of this year, so most fares remain the same or with minimal variations of 5 to 25 colones.

Central Zone: San José and the Valley
Within the metropolitan area, urban and intercantonal buses are the most economical option. For example, the San José to Heredia route via the main highway costs 580 colones, while the San José to Coronado route is at 435 colones. San José to Cartago dropped to 670 colones and the fare to Alajuela stayed at 735 colones.

These routes are covered by companies like TUASA, Station Wagon, and other local cooperatives that depart from Terminal 7-10, Terminal Coca Cola, or the Atlántico Norte Terminal, depending on the destination.

Central Pacific Zone: Puntarenas and Surroundings
If you are heading to the Pacific coast, the San José to Puntarenas fare costs 2,665 colones. The San José to Orotina route is at 2,025 colones. These services are mainly operated by Empresarios Unidos de Puntarenas and Tracopa, with departures from Terminal Pulmitan or Tralapa in San José.

For those heading further south, the San José to Golfito trip costs 9,385 colones. It is a long ride, almost six hours, but Tracopa units are usually direct and comfortable.

Caribbean Zone: Limón and the Atlantic Coast
Towards the Caribbean, Buses Caribeños is the reference company. The San José to Limón fare costs between 3,000 and 4,000 colones, depending on whether the service is direct or regular. San José to Guápiles is at 2,000 colones and to Siquirres at 2,500 colones.

There are also intermunicipal routes within the Caribbean zone, such as Guápiles to Limón, which costs 3,320 colones. Departures are from the Gran Terminal del Caribe in San José, located on Avenida 11 between Calle Central and Calle 1.

Northern Zone: Liberia and Guanacaste
The San José to Liberia trip costs 4,685 colones. It is one of the most traveled routes to the north of the country and is covered by Pulmitan de Liberia from the same Terminal Pulmitan. Units usually depart every hour and the trip takes approximately four hours.

Southern Zone: Pérez Zeledón and the Border
For the deep south, the San José to Ciudad Neily route is at 8,875 colones. From Neily to Puerto Jiménez, on the Osa Peninsula, the fare costs 6,795 colones. These services are operated by cooperatives like Transportes Arsa and other medium-sized companies that depart from Terminal Tracopa.

Some Practical Tips

Prices may vary slightly if the route already has SINPE-TP electronic payment, since ARESEP applies differentiated adjustments depending on the size of the company and whether they use that system or not. Starting July 1, 2026, the Central Bank will eliminate 5-colon coins, so you will probably see more rounding in fares and more incentives to pay by card or SINPE mobile.

If you travel often, it is always worth arriving at least half an hour early to the terminal, especially on popular routes like San José to Limón or San José to Puntarenas, where buses fill up quickly during high season.

21/05/2026

Concierto de Violas - Early Music in Costa Rica https://www.facebook.com/conciertodeviolas

At Your Move to Costa Rica Guide we believe that getting to know a country also means embracing its culture. That is why we decided to open space on our platform to highlight national artistic talent.

Today we introduce you to Concierto de Violas, an Early Music ensemble founded in 2013 by gambist Eduardo Madrigal. Its name comes from Renaissance master Diego Ortiz (1553): performing as a consort of viols of different registers, like a true instrumental choir. Five centuries later, this group keeps that legacy alive right here in Costa Rica.

Their sound combines violas da gamba, recorders, rebec, baroque violin, voice and percussion, always with historically informed technique and interpretation. Their repertoire spans from the Renaissance to the early Baroque.

Next concert:

April 25 - Museo de Cultura Popular, Barva
2:00 PM

Confirmed concerts also at ULICORI, Centro Cultural Jose Figueres, Biblioteca Nacional, Museo del Jade and more throughout 2026.

Learn more about the group, their history, musicians and full calendar on our page:
https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/culture.html

You can access their page on Your Move to Costa Rica Guide:
https://www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com/clientes/concierto-de-violas/concierto-de-violas.html

Ensamble de Música Antigua fundado en 2013. Violas de gamba, flautas dulces, violín barroco y canto. Conciertos en Costa Rica.

20/05/2026

Greetings to our new followers!

Julia Sosa,
John Kaplan,
Christine Washington
Pura Vida Conversations Podcast Series Costa Rica Immigration & Moving Experts Timothy Murray
Miravalles Expedition
Expat Legal Advisors
Villa Puerto Escondido-Ocotal, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Pura Vida Lifestyle
Marie-Claude Paris
John Kaplan
Rocio Villatoro
Shirley Mora
Elizabeth Hasel
Clarisa Ruiz
Git Hub
Chris Rath
Ana Virginia Zeledon Escobedo

14/05/2026

SAFETY WARNING! Before parking on the street, you should know that "cuida carros" (informal attendants) are not legally recognized in Costa Rica. Parking outside of private lots exposes you to car break-ins and theft (according to OIJ data, these incidents have increased this year).

While this is a common street culture practice, here is what you need to know to stay safe:

Legality and Fines: The Constitutional Chamber recently confirmed that public streets are state-administered. If you park in a yellow zone because an attendant "cleared" it for you, the fine is your responsibility and cannot be appealed (Source: Teletica.com).

Theft Risk: An informal attendant is not a guarantee of security. Never leave valuables in sight and always prioritize "Parqueos Públicos" (private gated lots) whenever possible.

The Golden Rule: If you choose to park on the street, always pay at the end. If someone is aggressive or demands payment in advance, stay calm and find another spot; your safety comes first.

Social Etiquette: A voluntary tip of 500 to 1,000 colones is standard, but remember there is no legal obligation to pay for public space.

Have you ever faced a risky situation while parking on the street? Share your story below.

14/05/2026

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

One of Costa Rica's most iconic birds, the Resplendent Quetzal is a living symbol of ecological and cultural heritage, found in the high-altitude cloud forests of the country.

Habitat
They primarily inhabit the cloud forests of high-mountain regions, between 1,500 and 3,000 meters above sea level. Key locations in Costa Rica include Monteverde and Los Quetzales National Park, where protected areas offer a vital refuge for the species.

Best Time to See
The ideal season for sightings is during their breeding period, between February and May, when activity and visibility are at their highest.

Diet & Ecological Role
Their diet is largely based on the aguacatillo (wild avocado), which they swallow whole and later regurgitate the pit. This makes them critical seed dispersers, playing a key role in the regeneration of cloud forest ecosystems.

Physical Traits
Males are easily recognized by their brilliant emerald plumage, bright red chest, and twin tail feathers that can grow up to 60 cm (24 inches) long. Females, by contrast, have more subdued, brownish-green plumage and lack the elongated tail feathers, a clear example of sexual dimorphism.

Nesting Behavior
Quetzals nest in cavities of dead trees, which they enlarge using holes previously made by woodpeckers or toucans. This dependence on standing dead wood makes them especially vulnerable to deforestation.

Conservation Status
The Resplendent Quetzal is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trade. Its estimated population is around 20,000-50,000 individuals worldwide, though the remote nature of its habitat makes accurate assessment difficult.

Cultural Symbol
Regarded as sacred by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya and Aztec, its vibrant feathers were used exclusively by royalty and priests in ceremonial attire and capturing or killing the bird was strictly forbidden. Today, it remains a powerful symbol of freedom, biodiversity, and conservation throughout the region.

13/05/2026

Save these numbers when you enter Costa Rica; they will be useful in case of an emergency. This page is free for expats traveling to Costa Rica who want to know more about this beautiful country.

www.yourmovetocostaricaguide.com is available for any inquiries at all levels, in both English and Spanish, covering Visa Guides, Housing, Finance, Health, Education, Culture, and Transportation. In the Blog, find interesting articles on the cost of living in Costa Rica for one person up to a family of five, airline route reports, and insights into geography and healthy places to live away from crowds.