Moving to French Polynesia from Costa Rica

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Costa Rica to French Polynesia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Costa Rica to French Polynesia, and you’d need to navigate life in French.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Costa Rica to French Polynesia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

CR
17.4
PF
0.3

French Polynesia performs significantly 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

CR
1.6t
PF
3.5t

Costa Rica performs better than French Polynesia 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

CR
21.3
PF
25.6
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

CR
83.0%
PF
72.7%

Costa Rica generally does better on infrastructure, though French Polynesia leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CR
8.3%
PF
11.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CR
$25,800
PF
$18,600

Costa Rica generally does better on employment & economy, though French Polynesia leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CR
79.6 yrs
PF
78.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CR
8.4
PF
4.4

Costa Rica generally does better on family life, though French Polynesia leads in infant mortality.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Costa Rica passport

Costa Rica passport holder visiting French Polynesia

Visa Free
Costa Rica passport holders can enter French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — French Polynesia has 25.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is French Polynesia safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Costa Rica across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in French Polynesia is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 17.4 in Costa Rica.

What language do they speak in French Polynesia?

The official language in French Polynesia is French. In Costa Rica, the official language is Spanish.

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At a Glance

CR PF
Population 5,204,411 299,356
Currency Costa Rican Colón (CRC) CFP Franc (CFPF)
Languages Spanish French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +506 +689
Time zones 1 3
Emergency number 911