"Pura vida" — "the good life." That's Costa Rica's motto, and it sums up the country's mindset well. For a family looking for a change of scenery, this small Central American country checks a lot of boxes: political stability rare in the region, spectacular nature, so-called territorial taxation (more on that below) and an ideal time zone for following the US markets. Here's the guide to settling there as a couple with two children. First reflex, even before booking the tickets: properly prepare your departure from France.
Who Costa Rica is relevant for
Imagine a family looking for three things: safety (relative to the region), nature and a good quality of life. Add a time zone aligned with the United States and territorial taxation. If you feel comfortable with the idea of living in Central America, this country clearly deserves a look.
The visa — for you and your family
A residence visa is the authorization to live permanently in the country (not to be confused with a simple tourist visa, which only lasts a few months). There are several main routes:
- Rentista: you prove a regular income sufficient to live on (a sort of "early retirement" for working people).
- Inversionista: you make an investment in the country.
- Pensionado: you are retired and receive a pension.
Good news for a family project: your spouse and children are attached to your application as dependents — they don't have to file a separate application. The exact amounts and the list of documents to provide change over time: to be verified with the authorities before you start.
Where to apply: the Dirección General de Migración (migracion.go.cr). For entry requirements and official French-side advice, see France Diplomatie.
Settling in: housing, banking, transport
Housing ranges from an urban apartment in San José to a house with a garden near the beaches or the forest. Prices vary a lot depending on the region: highly touristy areas push rents up, like a seaside resort in Europe in summer. To open a local bank account, everything is simpler once you have obtained residence. As for transport, a car is recommended as soon as you leave the big cities — often a 4x4, because many secondary roads are in poor condition, especially in the rainy season.
The children's school
The country has a good network of international schools (institutions where teaching is done in a foreign language, often English) and a French institution in San José, with a French-language curriculum. That's a valuable point: your child can continue the French program without a break, which makes a possible return easier.
Two things to anticipate: the fees are significant per child per year (to be verified directly with the schools), and places are limited. In other words, it's better to start early, as you would for a nursery in the city.
Daily family life
The natural setting is a real asset for children: outdoor life all year round, wildlife everywhere, physical activities outdoors. The population is known for being welcoming. As for health, private care is decent, generally via private health insurance. The country runs on two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season — plan your activities accordingly, a bit like planning summer and winter elsewhere.
Continuing your trading and your prop firm
The time zone here is a major asset: Costa Rica is at about GMT-6. In concrete terms: Wall Street's opening falls in the local morning — you can follow the markets in the morning and have your afternoon free for the family. A real luxury for a trader.
The internet connection is decent in expat areas; keep a 4G backup (phone tethering) in case of an outage. Access to brokers and prop firms (companies that entrust capital to traders, under conditions) is checked on a case-by-case basis, particularly depending on each company's rules.
To structure your practice, the platform notably offers a JARVIS METHOD indicator on TradingView as well as a position calculator and session benchmarks by exchange. The details of the method remain reserved for members: it is learned as part of the training (see the complete and structured training program on the site).
Company and taxation (territorial)
The principle is territorial: as a general rule, income from foreign sources (for example what you earn from abroad) is not taxed locally. Only income from Costa Rican sources is taxed. To put it simply: it's as if the tax authority only looked at what grows in its own garden, not what you bring in from outside.
Careful: this principle is a general rule, not a blank check. The precise arrangements (and your personal situation) must be verified with a local tax specialist. On the French side, your departure also has consequences (see below).
Indicative budget: single person vs family (2 children)
The cost of living is moderate to medium depending on the region — tourism drives up certain items in the most sought-after areas. The two big items that weigh on a family budget are international school and the children's health insurance. Housing, food and transport generally remain more affordable than in France, but the figures should be built locally, item by item, rather than copied from a generic guide.
To help you track your assets once you're settled, the platform offers an investment journal (stocks, ETFs and crypto, with prices and a weekly report) — useful for keeping an overview when you live abroad.
Safety and crime
Costa Rica is known as one of the safest countries in Central America. That said, as everywhere, vigilance is still needed against opportunistic thefts (in the car, on the beaches). The simple reflex: check the official, up-to-date travel advice before and during your stay — it changes with the local situation.
Activities and places to visit (you and the children)
The country is a giant playground: volcanoes (including Arenal, one of the best known), the cloud forests of Monteverde, the Pacific and Caribbean beaches, and extraordinary wildlife — sloths, monkeys, turtles. Add surfing and zip-lining: enough to keep the children (and the parents) busy for years.
Points of vigilance (including the French framework)
Costa Rica is outside the European Union, and that has concrete consequences at the time of departure:
- Exit tax (Article 167 bis of the French General Tax Code): when leaving outside the EU, the latent capital gain on certain securities may be taxed as if you had sold them — without automatic deferral. In other words, the tax authority may consider that you "sold" even though you sold nothing. To be anticipated.
- Foreign accounts: you must declare them (form 3916, Article 1649 A of the French General Tax Code). Forgetting this box can be costly.
- Health: plan for private insurance, since you no longer benefit from French coverage.
These points are technical and personal: validate your situation with a professional (tax specialist, accountant) before leaving. On the platform side, the country fact sheets and the glossary can help you see the concepts discussed more clearly.
Key takeaways
- Time zone aligned with the US markets + territorial taxation: a very favorable framework for a trader.
- Residence via Rentista, Inversionista or Pensionado, with spouse and children attached as dependents.
- Ideal natural setting for children; a stable and safe country for the region.
- Budget: international school + health insurance are the two items that weigh the most.
- French framework not to be overlooked: exit tax (Art. 167 bis) and declaration of foreign accounts (3916, Art. 1649 A) — to be reviewed with a pro.
Indicative information (up to date as of September 11, 2026) — not legal, tax or immigration advice. To be verified with the Costa Rican authorities, the schools and a professional. Educational content: trading involves a risk of capital loss, this is not investment advice.