Living in San Jose: the ultimate expat guide

Everything you need to know for a successful life in San Jose.

Guide updated byVeedushi Bissessur, on 20 July 2021

Capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is the ideal destination for expatriates wishing to start a dynamic professional career. Political and economic heart of the country, the city center is the most important working area of the country, thus offering job opportunities to expats.

San Jose is also appealing for its cultural and traditional charms which seduce expats settling here to live and work.

Join the San Jose expat community

Connect with +3M members

Share your experience and get insights from fellow expats

Working in San Jose

Boost your international career. Understand the local labour market, the legal framework, how to adapt your resume, apply to job offers and tips to find a job in San Jose.

Work in San Jose

As the country's capital, San José is home to almost half of Costa Rica's population. Read this article to find out more about working ...

Accommodation in San Jose

Explore real estate or temporary rentals in San Jose. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.

Accommodation in San Jose

Accommodation is plentiful in Costa Rica's capital, and you'll find something to fit any budget or requirement. Read this article to find out ...

Leisure in San Jose

Enjoy you free time while living in San Jose. Discover sports, leisure, cultural activities and entertainment options to make the most of your expat life.

Leisure in San Jose

San José, affectionately known as Chepe, is Costa Rica's largest city and capital and has a multidimensional appeal thanks to an array of ...

Everyday life in San Jose

Want to know what life in San Jose is really like? Here's a taste: explore the country, find tips to use transportation, to set up internet and phone services, and everything you need to live like a local.

Transports in San Jose

Moving to San Jose? Find out all you need to know on the capital city's transport network in this article.

Explore the Costa Rica expat guide

About Veedushi Bissessur

I hold a French diploma and worked as a journalist in Mauritius for six years. I have over a decade of experience as a bilingual web editor at Expat.com, including five years as an editorial assistant. Before joining the Expat.com team, I worked as a journalist/reporter in several Mauritian newsrooms. My experience of over six years in the Mauritian press gave me the opportunity to meet many prominent figures and cover a wide range of events across various topics.

Join the San Jose expat community

Connect with +3M members

Share your experience and get insights from fellow expats