Costa Rica News -Planning to move to Costa Rica will likely involve questions about what to bring, what to leave behind and how to get your belongings here. The first step is definitely downsizing where possible.
A new home should start off clutter free for mental sanity. The valuables, necessities and luxuries you decide to move with you can be transported in various ways. And it can be done in various steps, if that helps.
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Taking the basics with you in checked baggage is a great option, especially for a supply of everything you might need for a month or so. In that month you can casually begin to get a feel for prices here.
Family back home can ship more of your things via Air Cargo. There is a duty-free import service for one item not exceeding $500 in value every six months. Even things you have to pay tax on will save you money in the long run since you already 
have paid for them. If you buy new things here instead be prepared for sticker shock. A bottle of cheap shampoo for $7? Electronics, clothing, cosmetics and books also have extremely high prices here.
You don’t want to go about your day thinking “I can’t believe I threw out half a perfume bottle back home.” Although this is a good method it can be quite the pain in the butt of you do not have residency as well as getting the tax exemption through the paperwork can be denied or take forever to get the items through.
Even for those who have a good budget to spend on the move and getting settled often prefer to bring their own items. This may be for a sentimental reason, like wanting to have the sofa Grandma left you or it may be because the quality found in Costa Rica, even at higher price points, is just not good. If bringing all your possessions, you’ll want to take note of the shipping container option. They measure 20-40 feet and cost about $6,000-$15,000. The companies take care of customs and delivery of the container to your new home. It takes between 5 weeks and 2 months.
