Retirement in San Jose
San Jose offers capital city, cultural hub in Costa Rica's Central Valley. With a spring-like, 70-85°F climate, it attracts retirees seeking a unique lifestyle with property prices from $100,000–$300,000 and monthly costs significantly below US and Canadian levels.
Pensionado (Retiree) Visa
Costa Rica's Pensionado visa requires just $1,000/month in proven pension income (Social Security, military, government, or private pension). Benefits include:
- ✅ Duty-free household goods and vehicle import (under Ley 9996)
- ✅ Access to CCSS universal healthcare (~$120–140/month)
- ✅ Minimal physical presence requirement (visit once/year)
- ✅ Path to permanent residency after 3 years
- ✅ Dual citizenship allowed — no need to give up your passport
Healthcare for Retirees
Costa Rica's life expectancy exceeds 80 years. Retirees can access the CCSS (Caja) public system for ~$120–140/month, or use private hospitals like CIMA and Clínica Bíblica where a doctor visit costs $40–100 — about 60–75% less than US prices. Prescription medications are 50–80% cheaper too.
Property Options for Retirees
In San Jose, retirees can find properties from $100,000–$300,000. With foreign ownership fully permitted, a 0.25% annual property tax, and closing costs of just 4–5.5%, Costa Rica is remarkably affordable for property ownership. Many retirees choose to hold property in a Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) for simplified inheritance.
Why SIXPERCENT for Retirees
Our AI concierge helps retirees find and purchase property in San Jose remotely — virtual tours, legal coordination with Costa Rican attorneys and notarios, and 24/7 AI property matching across 2,000+ listings. No MLS exists in Costa Rica, so our aggregation technology gives you access to properties you'd never find on your own.