Moving to Costa Rica from British Virgin Islands

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from British Virgin Islands to Costa Rica? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from British Virgin Islands to Costa Rica, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Costa Rica compared to British Virgin Islands.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

VG
8.2
CR
17.4

British Virgin Islands performs better than Costa Rica across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

VG
2.3t
CR
1.6t

Costa Rica performs significantly better than British Virgin Islands across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

VG
21.8
CR
21.3
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

VG
77.7%
CR
83.0%

British Virgin Islands generally does better on infrastructure, though Costa Rica leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

VG
2.9%
CR
8.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

VG
$34,200
CR
$25,800

British Virgin Islands performs better than Costa Rica across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

VG
79.7 yrs
CR
79.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

VG
14.2
CR
8.4

Costa Rica generally does better on family life, though British Virgin Islands leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between British Virgin Islands and Costa Rica. To live, work, or study long-term in Costa Rica, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Costa Rica's immigration authority.

Costa Rica passport

Costa Rica passport holder visiting British Virgin Islands

Visa Free
Costa Rica passport holders can enter British Virgin Islands without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Costa Rica?

Connectivity is usually fine (Costa Rica: 21.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Costa Rica offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Costa Rica safe for expats?

British Virgin Islands performs better than Costa Rica across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Costa Rica is 17.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 8.2 in British Virgin Islands.

What language do they speak in Costa Rica?

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish. In British Virgin Islands, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

VG CR
Population 38,632 5,204,411
Currency United States Dollar ($) Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Languages English Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1284 +506
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911