The Hidden Cost of NOT Knowing
Why Border Runs, Bank Errors, & DIY Relocation Can Cost You $10,000s in Year One.
If you’ve been dreaming of the Pura Vida lifestyle, you’ve likely spent months researching the climate, the communities, and the cost of living. You know Costa Rica offers an unparalleled life opportunity, blending natural beauty with stability.
But now, it’s time for the hard truth.
The biggest financial mistake new expats make isn’t overpaying for a piece of real estate—it’s trying to navigate the complex Tico system alone. A lack of reliable, on-the-ground knowledge can quickly turn your savings into costly administrative delays and fines.
Here’s a look at the hidden costs and risks our tours are designed to eliminate:
1. The Rising Cost of Being a “Perpetual Tourist”
Many newcomers try to live here long-term on a tourist visa, thinking they can simply leave and return every 90 days. This used to be a simple inconvenience, but the government has significantly tightened enforcement.
- Financial Fines: Foreigners who overstay the granted visa period face a fine of approximately $100 for each month overstayed.
- Re-entry Bans: If you are caught overstaying, you could be denied entry for a period triple the time you overstayed. Deportation results in a five-year ban.
- Banking Hurdles: Perpetual tourists are now also blocked from crucial tasks like opening a local bank account or transferring money.
The Tour Solution: Our seminars provide direct access to vetted residency experts (like those from the ARCR) who outline a clear, legal path to residency, preventing you from risking fines, bans, and restricted finances.
2. Getting “Gringoed”: Overpaying for Services and Property
In Costa Rica, trust isn’t automatically given just because someone is a fellow English speaker. You must guard against the ubiquitous—and often illegal—real estate agents, brokers, and service providers looking to exploit your unfamiliarity with the local market.
- Real Estate Scams: Without professional guidance, you risk overpaying significantly for property, often having misleading information concealed from you, a risk Christopher himself has experienced.
- Legal Mistakes: Legal fees and the court process here are complicated and require time and patience. Using a non-vetted attorney for property deeds or corporate filings can lead to devastating, long-term legal and financial nightmares.
The Tour Solution: Christopher and his team personally introduce you to a network of reputable, trustworthy, and English-speaking professionals in law, banking, and real estate, ensuring your investment is safe and you pay fair market value.
3. The Health Security Gap
Many assume they can rely on their North American insurance, only to find themselves paying exorbitant out-of-pocket prices for non-emergency care.
- Mandatory Enrollment: As a legal temporary resident (pensionado or rentista), you are required to join the national public health system (CAJA). Ignoring this requirement jeopardizes your legal status.
- The Private Option: Knowing how and when to use the private system is essential. The tour gives you direct contact with the finest private hospitals like CIMA and Clínica Bíblica, where costs are a fraction of the US price but the quality is excellent.
The Tour Solution: The mandatory two-day seminar includes specific sessions dedicated to the CAJA and private health insurance options, showing you exactly how to enroll and confidently access quality care.
